#41228 05-19-2007 02:17 AM | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 | My husband is receiving Cisplatin and this is his 2nd second treatment. He is in his 6th week now, and had his chemo treatment 2 days ago. He is taking medication for the nausea. No vomiting just feels rough. (holding his head) Question. Will the 3rd treatment be just as BAD? I really dont know how any person could go through this treatment without a caregiver. I administer the medication while at home. I am hoping he can arrange his last chemo with radiation on his last day so I can try to help him get through this ordeal. Any suggestions.
Carol CG to Husband age 60 Stage IV SCC right tonsil T4AN2B tx rad x 35 chemo x 2 Currently after treatment no sign of cancer in throat. (all clear to date)
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#41229 05-19-2007 07:53 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | My second Cisplatin treatment was an M*F*er! They canceled the third one. It would have surely killed me! The anti-emetics simply did not work. Even Zofran. I resorted to Compazine suppositories. Make sure he stays well hydrated and replaces the fluids he throws up.
I wouldn't have survived without a caregiver...
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#41230 05-19-2007 08:45 AM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 378 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 378 | Hi Carol, chemo is cumulative so the answer is yes it will be as bad and it's good to be prepared for that. Jack had lots of nausea but no vomiting for the first 3 treatments of cisplatin. The 4th one was a killer and he had problems with vomiting and severe nausea for several weeks after it ended. He did get through it but it was hard.
The main thing that helped was taking the zofran that dissolved under his tongue twice a day, plus emend on the chemo days, plus compazine suppositories for breakthrough nausea in addition to staying well hydrated. We probably also threw in some Ativan.
I did IV hydration at home thru his port on the evenings he received his treatments. You can also do hydration thru the PEG tube by using a kangaroo gravity bag on a slow drip - that makes it easier to tolerate sometimes with nausea. Any way he can get 2-3 quarts of water in him will work. As Gary said replacing fluids that he throws up is key.
We were told that the main thing was for him to at least have 2 treatments of cisplatin and they made the decisions on the 3rd and 4th cycles based on his blood work and his overall condition. If they think he won't tolerate it they won't give it.
Regards JoAnne
JoAnne - Caregiver to husband, cancer rt. tonsil, mets to soft palate, BOT, 7 lymph nodes - T3N2BM0, stage 4. Robotic assisted surgery, radical neck dissection 2/06; 30 IMTX treatments and 4 cycles of cisplatin completed June 06.
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#41231 05-19-2007 10:51 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Carol,
I had 3 and the total Tx almost killed me. I can't seperate the chemo from the rad as far as which was worse but listen to JoAnne. Nothing seemed to work for me but I wasn't the best patient to care for, if you know what I mean. My wife tried to do the right things but I KNEW BETTER... so much so I almost killed myself singlehandedly. If you can get him to do the things that JoAnne says and they work and he gives them time to work, both of you will be better off.
Good Luck
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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#41232 05-19-2007 11:04 AM | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 | Well strange enough you would not really know by looking at him at he is on his 6th week. His throat is very sore, he is not really vomitting but at this point he feels lousy. Currently is watching a movie which takes his mind off things. He never usually complains about anything. He is taking all the medication prescribed for him to help with the nausea. I will encourage him to get the final treatment of Cisplatin. (3r) and continue with his radiation which he saids really does not bother him, only that has some fatigue. He is in good shape for his age. In fact the one nurse was looking for someone 60 years old and could not believe it was him. LOL Thanks for all the input. We must beat this thing.
Carol CG to Husband age 60 Stage IV SCC right tonsil T4AN2B tx rad x 35 chemo x 2 Currently after treatment no sign of cancer in throat. (all clear to date)
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#41233 05-20-2007 04:26 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | What Gary said about his Cisplatin experience exactly mirrors mine, including that the Zofran stooped working, I was using compazine suppositories which affect your brain in the same way I imagine being shot up with horse tranquilizers would (I became a total Zombie but at least I wasn't living next to the toilet) and I never ended up having a third treatment....
It really sounds like your husband is doing reasonably well all things considered. Hang in there! Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#41234 05-21-2007 01:53 AM | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 | Today is day 4 and he seems alot better now. I realized that the instructions from the hospital stated he was to take a certain drug early in the morning. He took it late in the evening when he arrived home from the hospital Dexamethasone with food and the other drug Granisetron was to be taken and started the next day. Prochlorazine is to be taken when needed. All medications are for nausea to be taken after chemo. 10 days of radiation to go and 1 chemo. We have to make it!!! Thanks for all the replies. Carol.
Carol CG to Husband age 60 Stage IV SCC right tonsil T4AN2B tx rad x 35 chemo x 2 Currently after treatment no sign of cancer in throat. (all clear to date)
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#41235 05-21-2007 09:14 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 | You will make it. we are on a 4 wek break from treatments. Now thay want us to do a chemo pump for 3 treatments of 96 hrs. each. My husband doesn't know what to do. He was so sick with his first 3 rounds of chemo. Keep him hydrated thats the best advice I can give. This disease is a beast. MY husband said it is the most brutal thing he has had to do and He was in Vietnam! I will be praying for you both.
CG to husband 53,39 rads. 3 rds cisplastin ended 6/2/07 Tonsils removed 1.10.07 11 of 20 nodes positive- lump removed on rt. side of neck 1/26/07 cancer of nasal pharnyx TXN2MX 2nd rd. of chemo- carbo/taxol on 6/11/07
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#41236 05-22-2007 07:50 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2 Member | Member Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2 | This is my first post. My mom had her first chemo treatment last week. She had chemo monday and tuesday at the hospital and had to wear a pump monday thru friday. Side effects hit her thursday. Nausea, vomiting (some "violent") and mouth sores on saturday. She says she hasn't sleep since the saturday before her first treatment.
My questions are:
1. Is insomnia common?
2. Are there anti-emetics that work better when cisplatin is used versus other chemos?
3. Will she tend to have the same side effects after the second and third treatments as all the "stuff" builds up in her body and good cells are already destroyed?
She was really positive after dianosis and before chemo began. She's not positive now and she hasn't even started radiation.
Any advice? Thank-you!
Daughter of mom, Charlie, 64, Stage III/IVa left tonsil and one lymph node. Cisplatin with pump and 30 radiation treatments
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#41237 05-22-2007 09:04 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 | My heart goes out to you both. Its not an esy journey but you will make it. The Cisplatin made my husband very nausea the first time and also the violent vomiting. Infact he lost 14 lbs the first week!.. He then tried E-mend for the nausea and it really helped. Also to keep hydrated that is so important. I would also strongly suggest a peg-tube. It really saved my husband. Wish we would of done it in the very beginning instead of 4weeks later. That is what they want my husband to do in June go on the pump for one week each month for 3 months. This would be his second round of chemo. PLease keep me posted. YOu are in my prayers.
CG to husband 53,39 rads. 3 rds cisplastin ended 6/2/07 Tonsils removed 1.10.07 11 of 20 nodes positive- lump removed on rt. side of neck 1/26/07 cancer of nasal pharnyx TXN2MX 2nd rd. of chemo- carbo/taxol on 6/11/07
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#41238 05-22-2007 04:17 PM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 | Carol: I couldn't tell much from the second and third treatment, but by then I was pretty "worn". Pay attention to his Hearing and immediately report ringing or fuzziness. The combination can take an effect on High Frequency hearing. Everyone above is correct about the hydration. It's key.... It all gets better as you climb out of the "treatment tunnel" and finish up.
Best of Luck, Steve
SCC right side BOT/FOM; DX 1-25-06; Neck dissection/25% of tongue removed 2-17-06. Stage 2 Recurrence 7-06: IMRTX35 & 3X Cisplatin ended 10-18-06. Tumor found 03/18/13; Partial Glossectomy 03/28/13 left lateral tongue. Nov. 2014; headaches,lump on left side of throat. Radical Neck Dissection 12-17-14; Tumor into nerves/jugular; Surgery successful, IMRTX30 & 7X Erbotux. Scan 06-03-15; NED! 06-02-16; Mets to left Humerus bone and lesion on lungs-here We go again! Never, Ever Give Up!
**** PASSED AWAY 10/8/16 ****
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#41239 05-28-2007 01:48 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Insomnia is common and I still have it 4+ years later!
Zofran is the anti-emetic of choice but it has some limitations. First it is mainly effective for 3-5 days at a time (according to the manufacturer), then you must switch to something else for a while, secondly it is effective in about 60% of patients. There are other equally effective anti-emetics on the market now.
My 2nd Cisplatin Tx reaction was so severe that they decided not to give me a third.
Fortunately I didn't have any hearing problems and they are rather rare as I understand. As Steve suggested, do pay close attention to any changes and discuss it with your MO immediately. You should have had a baseline hearing test prior to starting treatment and one during treatment and one after.
I will emphasize again what others have said that hydration is not only key to protecting your other organs from permananet damage but also for the drug to work properly.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#41249 05-21-2007 01:53 AM | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 131 | Today is day 4 and he seems alot better now. I realized that the instructions from the hospital stated he was to take a certain drug early in the morning. He took it late in the evening when he arrived home from the hospital Dexamethasone with food and the other drug Granisetron was to be taken and started the next day. Prochlorazine is to be taken when needed. All medications are for nausea to be taken after chemo. 10 days of radiation to go and 1 chemo. We have to make it!!! Thanks for all the replies. Carol.
Carol CG to Husband age 60 Stage IV SCC right tonsil T4AN2B tx rad x 35 chemo x 2 Currently after treatment no sign of cancer in throat. (all clear to date)
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#41250 05-21-2007 09:14 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 | You will make it. we are on a 4 wek break from treatments. Now thay want us to do a chemo pump for 3 treatments of 96 hrs. each. My husband doesn't know what to do. He was so sick with his first 3 rounds of chemo. Keep him hydrated thats the best advice I can give. This disease is a beast. MY husband said it is the most brutal thing he has had to do and He was in Vietnam! I will be praying for you both.
CG to husband 53,39 rads. 3 rds cisplastin ended 6/2/07 Tonsils removed 1.10.07 11 of 20 nodes positive- lump removed on rt. side of neck 1/26/07 cancer of nasal pharnyx TXN2MX 2nd rd. of chemo- carbo/taxol on 6/11/07
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#41251 05-22-2007 07:50 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2 Member | Member Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2 | This is my first post. My mom had her first chemo treatment last week. She had chemo monday and tuesday at the hospital and had to wear a pump monday thru friday. Side effects hit her thursday. Nausea, vomiting (some "violent") and mouth sores on saturday. She says she hasn't sleep since the saturday before her first treatment.
My questions are:
1. Is insomnia common?
2. Are there anti-emetics that work better when cisplatin is used versus other chemos?
3. Will she tend to have the same side effects after the second and third treatments as all the "stuff" builds up in her body and good cells are already destroyed?
She was really positive after dianosis and before chemo began. She's not positive now and she hasn't even started radiation.
Any advice? Thank-you!
Daughter of mom, Charlie, 64, Stage III/IVa left tonsil and one lymph node. Cisplatin with pump and 30 radiation treatments
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#41252 05-22-2007 09:04 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 179 | My heart goes out to you both. Its not an esy journey but you will make it. The Cisplatin made my husband very nausea the first time and also the violent vomiting. Infact he lost 14 lbs the first week!.. He then tried E-mend for the nausea and it really helped. Also to keep hydrated that is so important. I would also strongly suggest a peg-tube. It really saved my husband. Wish we would of done it in the very beginning instead of 4weeks later. That is what they want my husband to do in June go on the pump for one week each month for 3 months. This would be his second round of chemo. PLease keep me posted. YOu are in my prayers.
CG to husband 53,39 rads. 3 rds cisplastin ended 6/2/07 Tonsils removed 1.10.07 11 of 20 nodes positive- lump removed on rt. side of neck 1/26/07 cancer of nasal pharnyx TXN2MX 2nd rd. of chemo- carbo/taxol on 6/11/07
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#41253 05-22-2007 04:17 PM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 | Carol: I couldn't tell much from the second and third treatment, but by then I was pretty "worn". Pay attention to his Hearing and immediately report ringing or fuzziness. The combination can take an effect on High Frequency hearing. Everyone above is correct about the hydration. It's key.... It all gets better as you climb out of the "treatment tunnel" and finish up.
Best of Luck, Steve
SCC right side BOT/FOM; DX 1-25-06; Neck dissection/25% of tongue removed 2-17-06. Stage 2 Recurrence 7-06: IMRTX35 & 3X Cisplatin ended 10-18-06. Tumor found 03/18/13; Partial Glossectomy 03/28/13 left lateral tongue. Nov. 2014; headaches,lump on left side of throat. Radical Neck Dissection 12-17-14; Tumor into nerves/jugular; Surgery successful, IMRTX30 & 7X Erbotux. Scan 06-03-15; NED! 06-02-16; Mets to left Humerus bone and lesion on lungs-here We go again! Never, Ever Give Up!
**** PASSED AWAY 10/8/16 ****
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#41254 05-28-2007 01:48 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Insomnia is common and I still have it 4+ years later!
Zofran is the anti-emetic of choice but it has some limitations. First it is mainly effective for 3-5 days at a time (according to the manufacturer), then you must switch to something else for a while, secondly it is effective in about 60% of patients. There are other equally effective anti-emetics on the market now.
My 2nd Cisplatin Tx reaction was so severe that they decided not to give me a third.
Fortunately I didn't have any hearing problems and they are rather rare as I understand. As Steve suggested, do pay close attention to any changes and discuss it with your MO immediately. You should have had a baseline hearing test prior to starting treatment and one during treatment and one after.
I will emphasize again what others have said that hydration is not only key to protecting your other organs from permananet damage but also for the drug to work properly.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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