My Chemo med's.

[fresnoguy]

Alright people, I am gonna be starting my Chemo on Monday the 9th. I have already got one subscription of Compazine...actually will be using the generic(prochlorperazine) and when I leave the first treatment on Monday, Dr. said he will also perscribe Aloxi and Dexadron to help with the Nausea. Anyone have any input on these meds?
Oh yea....I will only have 2rounds of chemo w/ one drug administered(carbo-platin). So, if you guys got any more common side affects from these, please share! Thanks!
~Anthony

[Russell's Mom]

Sounds good

My son is doing fours rounds with C-E and B. The aloxi is great!! The nausea broke through after the 3rd day, this time we will add Anzomet. As well he is on Decadron. The compazine works well...also helped him sleep. Just keep working with it until you find the right combination. Aloxi from the start is a good idea. They did not start Aloxi for my son until the third round. ($1000.00 per injection!!) Take care, Russell's Mom, Sharon

[Scott]

Anthony, your previous posts indicated both AFP and hCG had been elevated, which means you must have had non-seminoma. If that's true, I'm very surprised to hear that you're receiving two rounds of carboplatin for stage I non-seminoma. That's not a standard treatment.

[fresnoguy]

Thanks Russell's mom, that was great to hear that Aloxi and Comazine is a good med. for nausea, totally helps. Did he do alot of vomiting or anything? Dr told me I will most likely be constipated(ugh, i hate that word), but I went and baught a huge case of bottled water to keep me hydrated.
Scott, thats interesting, My oncologist said that is all I needed. I forgot to ask what my last blood test results were, but I do know that the HCG did drop dramatically already back to normal. AFP im not sure about, I do believe it has dropped, but is taking its time. lol. Well, im just glad to go through Chemo no matter what, aslong as my chances drop very low of it coming back. But thanks for both of your inputs!!
~Anthony

[Scott]

Anthony, it's more than interesting, it's critical. You need to ask your oncologist about your elevated AFP and why he believes two cycles of carboplatin is appropriate.

[Russell's Mom]

re nausea

Hi Anthony,
Yes Russell did have nausea and vomiting. I believe his medications are different, but each individual and what is happening to them is what counts. It is about finding the right combination that works for you. From our experience, if some nausea is creeping in, speak about it to your nurse and she/he will help decide a next step. It doesn't go away until after the chemo has completed so it is best to stay on it. As well, if you do get constipated, mention this also. There are simple little medications (by mouth )that they can give you to keep things moving along. You will be much more comfortable if your GI track is functioning correctly. Also I agree that you should find out the details about your medications. It is a time that you feel like your head will explode with information and emotion, but you should understand what the treatment is about, both for now and the future. If it gets too confusing, ask the nurse to write down what you have and what you are being treated with and then you can review it later. Another great source is the oncology pharmacist. Usually they will take some time with you. They will also give suggestions to the doctor around the nausea problems if they occur. Slowly but surely the information comes together and you will be in a stronger position overall. As well, you will be able to be there for other people who need some day. Take care and keep in touch. Sharon

[Karen]

it's more than interesting, it's critical.

If you are not treated appropriately at this point you are in for a rough road ahead. Two cycles carbo needs to be questioned if you had elevated AFP. Don't assume doctors are always right.....

[stevenh77]

I don't know about Aloxi and Compazine, but Decadron is a steroid (like Prednisone) and my oncologist told me it prevents a lot of side effects other than just the nausea.

They have me on Reglan and Ativan for the nausea, so far that's been taking care of things. Ativan is a sedative, so I do get a little tired when I have to take that but it gets rid of the nauesa.

[Eric V.]

I took Senacot every day for constipation (probably not spelled right) and it worked for me, and did not give me cramps !!

[fresnoguy]

Hey people, thanks so much for all that info on the Meds, its helped alot. but good news so far, I had my treatment on 10/9/06 and today was the first time that I actually threw up a lil. I have had some nausea but not too intense, when I start to feel sick, I take the Compazine and after a lil while, it goes away. But for some reason I have noticed that my sense of smell has totally increased and its freaking annoying. lol. Besides being fatigue and sleeping a few extra hours more a night, all is good, I been working everyday since Wednesday! Question....might go out of the relm of this topic, but should I take a break from being sexually active w/ someone at this point cause the DR did say I am more vulnerable to infection/sickness, etc..and for how long? I do have one more treatment probably on Oct 30th.
~Anthony

[fresnoguy]

I forgot to mention that I been having some bad lower back pain the last 2 days....is that possibly a side affect of the Chemo or just cause im laying down alot more lately?

[BREwing]

I forgot to mention that I been having some bad lower back pain the last 2 days....is that possibly a side affect of the Chemo or just cause im laying down alot more lately?

You mention back pain, but tell me, does it hurt when you go to the bathroom? I don't remember what the drug was, but it makes you urinate a lot, and that was really hurting my kidneys! At first I thought it was just from me sitting in the chair, but I noticed that it hurt when I would go to the bathroom. I wouldn't worry about too much, but DEFINITELY tell the nurse if you're experiencing it when going to the bathroom. Actually, tell them anyway, that's what they are there for!

Take care and keep the chin up! You'll be fine after all is said and done!

[fresnoguy]

I haven't had any pain while having to use the bathroom. Just my back, and hightened sense of smell, but thats it. Im sorry that you have had those pains, but for me, nothing much. I did see that one of of the side effects of the chemo was problems with the kidneys, but have yet to that effect.

[Scott]

Anthony, what did you find out about your AFP level?

[Larry B.]

Get Wise

Anthony, Please take control of your treatments and educate yourself as much as posssible. Like Karen said "dont assume Dr's are allways right" Here is a bible for oncologist that they should be going by http://www.nccn.org/professionals/ph...testicular.pdf
Please find out what your Pathology, and blood work was and question your Doctor. I think you stated "he said my 'markers' were still a lil high at 26.6(I guess that was my AFP)" on a previous post. If true, then you are getting the wrong treatment and you really need to correct this someway. Now maybe you were mistaken and your AFP was o.k. but even so you should read up and get as much information on this as you are capable of.