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Nausea when eating during Folfirinox Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Posted by kslayer @kslayer, Jan 7 5:39am

Hi guys,
My relative has been suffering from nausea right during eating , and he is taking a three week break during the 6th Folfirinox treatment. May I know normally is related to disease progression or due to chemo side effects? The Ca19.9 two weeks ago is 19. Thanks a lot for the help!!

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katiegrace | @katiegrace | Jan 17 5:40pm
In reply to @layla97 "Hi @katiegrace - My sister is having the same issue (on Folfirinox, Stage IV, major shrinkage..." + (show)
@layla97

Hi @katiegrace - My sister is having the same issue (on Folfirinox, Stage IV, major shrinkage of tumor after 8 infusions, CA19-9 now 20). Her oncologist at MSK has adjusted her dose and she is given several anti-nausea meds with varying results. She has Marinol which helps appetite somewhat but it is sporadic. I am wondering if something like the tincture would be more efficacious(?) I will have her ask her doc at next visit. Thank you.

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Layla,
That is great news to hear of the major shrinkage and to hear the CA19-9 is 20!!!! - Best wishes for continued shrinkage and lowering numbers of the CA19-9!!

I always preferred taking something natural (cannabis) as opposed to a medicine, because the meds caused me constipation and the cannabis didn't; medical cannabis can also increase appetite. My integrative oncologist is the one who supported me starting the medical cannabis. She also suggested acupuncture. Several studies have shown that acupuncture can help relieve nausea (but it may not work for everyone and it may take 6 treatments to notice anything). I believe the acupuncture did help me with my nausea.
I had acupuncture on my non chemo weeks - which meant every other week. When I first started folfirinox, I had so many problems with nausea and vomiting, but after about my 5th treatment of folfirinox, I hardly had to take any Zofran or Compazine, except with the infusion (had aloxi, emmend, and zofran). With my new chemo plan, gem/Abraxane, I asked the dr to add fluids (saline), and zofran to my infusion to help alleviate nausea- I have rarely needed to take zofran or compazine during the week or week after my gem/Abraxane infusions.
I have United Healthcare, which covers acupuncture for cancer pain and nausea, which was so nice. But you need to make sure you get an acupuncturist who is board certified. https://directory.nccaom.org
I have to drive an hour to get to my acupuncture appointment, but to me it has been worth it. The acupuncture is so relaxing for me, doesn't hurt, and my acupuncturist sells safe and quality essential oils (Pranarom brand), and helped me learn how to use the essential oils for nausea. (peppermint, spearmint, or ginger oil can be used on the palms, bottom of feet, or inside wrists for nausea-follow bottle directions for using a carrier oil.)

REPLY
henfayp | @henfayp | Jan 18 11:51am
In reply to @layla97 "Hi @katiegrace - My sister is having the same issue (on Folfirinox, Stage IV, major shrinkage..." + (show)
@layla97

Hi @katiegrace - My sister is having the same issue (on Folfirinox, Stage IV, major shrinkage of tumor after 8 infusions, CA19-9 now 20). Her oncologist at MSK has adjusted her dose and she is given several anti-nausea meds with varying results. She has Marinol which helps appetite somewhat but it is sporadic. I am wondering if something like the tincture would be more efficacious(?) I will have her ask her doc at next visit. Thank you.

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how about trying ginger tea?

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kslayer | @kslayer | Jan 21 12:50am

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for all replies! After checking, the pain comes from the stomach since the stomach is moving too slow after whipple and thus some of the food is stuck, now our doctor has gave us some medicine to improve the progress.

However, because of this issue, the adjuvant Folfirinox is forced to stop after 6 cycles and 28 times radiation. Does anyone know will it effect much if stopping the Folfirinox after half of the cycles done? Because my relative is quite weak now. Thanks a lot !

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ruthie67 | @ruthie67 | Jan 27 5:35pm

They told me if I could not tolerate it! I’ll be switching to another chem combination.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 7 11:26am
In reply to @ruthie67 "They told me if I could not tolerate it! I’ll be switching to another chem combination." + (show)
@ruthie67

They told me if I could not tolerate it! I’ll be switching to another chem combination.

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Ruthie, how are you doing on Folfirinox?

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