Colon Cancer Support Group

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from mushroom-like growths that are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.

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kate1127 04/28/2010

Had my 4th chemo today. I had a lot of nausea and just no interest in food or beverages. They started me on Emend to layer on top of the anti-nausea me they give me by drip and I can use the Compazine for any break through. I can tell the difference right away.

I had to take it this morning at the clinic and tomorrow and the next day. They said it'll stay in my system for 5 days.

The drawback is it's $100/pill. My insurance picks up the cost 100% b/c I have a high deductible plan and have already met my $3,000 deductible within the first 2 months of tx.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on my longer term reaction to Emend if you're interested.

deleted_user 04/28/2010

I was on Emend with chemo..it was a life saver..the cost is the down side. I was very lucky my onc. nurse got me samples for a long time. My insurance at the time had a very high deductable for it. Once we dropped one on the floor and I picked it up wiped it off and took it. The lady having chemo beside me looked at me like I'd lost my mind. But at $100 a pill I wasn't going to waste it! I didn't think a little dirt would kill me as fast as the nausea would.

deleted_user 04/29/2010

Gosh that's AWFUL! I was only nauseous three times but a Phenergen pill took care of it. I DID see a man return to the chemo room for a bag of fluids with more anti nauseau meds. It might be that if you cannot afford the pill from a pharmacy that the onc can bill the ins. company and get paid ....

I would have taken it too! That's an awful cost!

kate1127 04/29/2010

I was reading the Emend possible side effects one of which listed hair loss. Did you experience this Vikkii?

I can already feel a huge difference taking the Emend.

deleted_user 04/30/2010

No I didn't lose my hair with the 5FU/leuc. thats the one I took emend with. I did lose my hair with this last tx..CPT 11. Have you had problems with your hair?

deleted_user 04/30/2010

I was pretty nauseous for about my first 6 treatments, but the anti-nausea meds (pills) they gave me did the trick for me. I only get occasional nausea now with the 5FU treatment. I haven't had any experience with Emend.

kate1127 04/30/2010

I haven't had problems with my hair so far. Just it surprised me as a possible side effect of Emend.

The Emend is working so well. I can't believe how debilitating the nausea was.

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