I get my first Cisplatin treatment on Tuesday - they are being given in conjunction with another 33 radiation treatements. I remember vividly the radiation - but what should I expect from Cisplatin? Any help would be appreciated.

Donna

My husband had one treatment of Cisplatin. They had him take anti nausea medications before, during and after the treatment. And, they gave him extra hydration.

The unexpected thing for him is that one of the meds they gave him prior to the Cisplatin made him really, really sleepy. So, I was glad I was along to drive him home.

Also, I remember it was a long day and we brought along board games and cards. We managed to play until he fell asleep somewhere along the way.

Some people get a lot of nausea. He did not get any. In fact, he felt quite well that following week. I wish you well!

Good luck with the treatment Donna.
I was told, with any chemo, water, water and more water! And to take anti-nausea meds BEFORE feeling sick, so as not to set up a vicious nausea/not eating circle.
Brenda

The reactions to cisplatin can vary widely.
It also GREATLY depends how much you are getting. Some people are scheduled for 3 tx 3 weeks apart while others get it weekly. If you are getting this weekly (and only a third of the dose) then the side effects are normally less.
I had 2 cisplatin treatments. About 3 days after the first infusion I started to get the ringing. I informed my MO and he figured that this was just in my head (no kidding!!). Well it went mostly away by the time the second infusion was due. And then it got really annoying. We switched to carboplatin. Which they then they tell you is "just" as good as cisplatin but with fewer side effects...... If you can tolerate it stick with cisplatin there is more data for it. I never felt tired from the cisplatin, however consider they I had a lower dose because I got it weekly and it was at the beginning of the rad tx as well. I got all kinds of nausea pills which I did not end up using at all. For the cisplatin I only had trouble exactly two days before the next treatment and I took a pill the night before. Once we switched to carboplatin I did not even have to do that. Although I got both rad and cisplatin at the same time I would rate the chemo as "benign" compared to the rad tx later on.
Best

Markus

The only side effect I got from was from the anti-nausea meds themselves, not the cisplatin. The meds can cause extreme constipation in some people. Once we got a grip on that after the first treatment, I didn't have any problems.

Donna,

I had 3 Cis' 3 weeks apart. The first was before my first Rad Tx and the last was before my last Rad Tx. All were given before I went to the rad room so those were 3 very long days.

I was given a very strong anti nausea med that cost me $100 a pill. I had to take one before each Tx and then 1 a day for the next 2 days. I was told not to let my wife come in contact with any of my body fluids including sweat during the 3 days after each Tx.

I really had no reaction to the first bag but the 2nd bag right before my 16th rad tx hit me pretty hard re nausea. I had a hard time with nausea from that point on so it could have just been me.

I also experienced ringing in my ears but I didn't recognize it at the time. I mean it's not like RINGING in your ears but once you finally recognize it you can see why it's described as "ringing". I didn't recognize the ringing as ringing until after my 3rd Tx and that's when my MO reminded me that he had told me the ringing is actually damage being done to your ears. He said some experience it and some don't. He told me that if I had told him sooner he would have switched me to Carbo P because as he put it, it's just as effective as Cis but without the hearing loss potential. I asked him then why in the world didn't he use Carbo from the getgo and he said that there was more published results on Cis. Oh well, I did end up with some permanent high frequency hearing loss but like many other side effects we have to put up with this cancer Tx, it's not that bad.
I would still have preferred not to have the HF loss so if I were you I would ask about Carbo.

Check out the FAQ section I moved a topic about Cisplatin from the archives

Gary,

Excellent thread! Thanks!

Joy

I immediately experienced ear ringing which I still have today a year and a half later. I was warned to watch for the ringing at the time and I told of it accordingly. I was taken off Cisplatin at that time and also put on Carboplatin.

Bill D.

Thank you all! I now feel much more prepared and aware of what to watch for. I now feel much less apprehensive about the treatment. You guys are invaluable!

Donna