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Acupuncture for chemo side effects

Posted by emilymac @emilymac, Aug 13 9:36pm

I would like to know if anyone has tried acupuncture for chemo side effects. My husband completed his third round of FOLFOX and the side effects are terrible. He has tried a variety of medications and nothing seems to work for the nausea. He’s on day 5 with no relief. The harsher drugs that make him tired, just make him groggy and nauseous. We are concerned that the side effects will be cumulative and we have 9 more to go!

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Aug 14 7:21pm

Hi @emilymac. My heart goes out to your hsuband. Nausea from chemo can debilitating. There are members who have used acupuncture to help reduce the side effects with some success.

Here is a comment by about her experience @bethf https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/849207/

Another by @marykaym63
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/173956/
More references can be found by typing in Acupunture in the top search bar.

I know my acupuncturist treats many cancer patients for nausea, peripheral neuropathy and fatigue. Just make sure to use the services of a licensed practioner. I hope your husband gets some relief soon! Let me know if acupuncture helps him!

REPLY
gdj | @gdj | Aug 15 11:49am

Chemo is nasty.

Last year -

I had four FLOT infusions, one every two weeks.

Plus another three infusions during 25 subsequent radiation treatments.

I had a feeding tube initially and for eight months thereafter. I could swallow again after my first chemo but my taste buds got whacked. I couldn’t stand the taste of food so relied totally on the feeding tube.

My taste buds bounced back after chemo, radiation, and surgery. Feeding tube came out.

Does your husband have a feeding or is he still eating “normally?”

There’s bad and good to a feeding tube, but mine literally helped save my life. Took the pressure away from trying to eat.

And, I assume the tube helped mitigate the nausea symptoms you are describing. For me, diarrhea was more of a problem.

And the terrible fatigue and general “bad” feeling.

Sadly, it’s likely to get worse. Did for me, consistent with what my doctors said would happen.

I tired acupuncture after treatment for neuropathy in my feet and hands. Didn’t help. I’m going to try again with different person.

So, perhaps consider a feeding tube. Keep looking for answers as you are.

Then summon up all the determination the two of you can to get through it. It’s what you have to do. You will - he will.

Everyone on this site knows it’s very very difficult, and wishes we had better answers. Some day, an advancement in medicine may make it easier.

And, maybe something will happen to let your husband have more good days and fewer bad ones. I hope so for both of you.

I’m happy to talk if you want.

My best to you and your husband.

REPLY
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