The effects of anticancer drugs vary from person to person and dose to dose. A drug that makes one child violently ill often has no effect on other chil-dren. Your child may feel nauseated, or even vomit, following chemotherapy, but this is not a side effect of every drug. Some drugs have cumulative effects and produce no nausea until several doses have been given, while others cause nausea after a single dose, and others still cause no sickness at all. To a large extent the doctors can predict which drugs will cause a greater reaction in the majority of children, and you will be given anti-emetic (anti-sickness) drugs which your child can take before, during, and immediately after treatment to reduce any nausea or vomiting. Hospital admission may organised if it is thought your child will be very sick, in order that more effective medications can be given. As the effects of chemotherapy are so wildly variable, each child's treatment must be tailored to his individual needs. There is no relationship between the amount of nausea and the effectiveness of the medicine. Possibly. You may find that taking the tablets at night, or on an empty stomach will solve this problem. Check with your child's doctor if she can do this. Yes. Tell the doctor or nurse before your child's next treatment. There are several drugs which can be prescribed. Some newer anti-emetic drugs can prevent or greatly reduce nausea and vomiting. In addition, the staff caring for your child may be able to offer other suggestions to reduce sickness, such as changes in eating patterns and learning relaxation techniques. If the various anti-emetics do not work well for your child, investigate the Relief Band. This wrist band gives an electrical stimulation (too faint to feel) to an acupuncture point in the wrist that affects the portion of the brain which controls nausea. After ten years of study, the band has been approved by the FDA in America.. Make sure you ask the doctor for anti-emetic (anti-nausea) medications, and give them to your child as prescribed. Do not skip any doses. Encourage your child to wear loose fitting clothing because this affords greater comfort and is easier to remove if soiled. Always have at least one complete change of clothes for your child when you leave the house, and carry a bucket, towels, and baby wipes in case of vomiting. Keep your child quiet after chemotherapy, in a well ventilated and calming room. Smells can trigger strong feelings of nausea. Try not to cook in the house when your child feels ill (this is a great time to take up the offer of help from friends). If possible, open windows to let plenty of fresh air circulate. If your child is nauseated by smells, use a covered cup with a straw to encourage drinking. Serve plenty of clear liquids such as water, juice, or ginger ale. Avoid serving hot foods, as the odour can aggravate nausea. Avoid serving sweet, fried, or very spicy food which can induce nausea. Instead, choose bland foods such as potatoes, cottage cheese, soup, or toast. Serve dry, bland foods such as toast, or crackers whenever your child is feeling nauseated. Regular small snacks may encourage your child to eat, rather than the normal three large meals. Keep your child's head elevated after eating, as lying flat can induce nausea. Use distractions such as TV, videos, music, quiet games, or reading aloud to divert attention from the feeling of nausea. If your child vomits, rinse his mouth with water or a mixture of water and lemon juice to remove the taste. If your child develops a metallic taste in his mouth, chewing gum or sucking on ice lollies/popsicles or boiled sweets/candy may help. Call the doctor if your child is not responding to the anti-emetics, or displays symptoms of dehydration. Mild to Moderate Dehydration Dry mouth. Few or no tears when crying. Soft spot on an infant's head looks sunken, or flatter than usual. Fussy behavior in infants. Fewer than six wet nappies/diapers per day in an infant. Despite dehydration, child still has strong pulse and normal heart rate (especially an older child). More than 4 to 6 hours without a wet nappy/diaper in infants less than 6 months old. No urination for 6 to 8 hours in children. Severe Dehydration Very dry mouth that looks "sticky" inside Sunken eyes Sunken soft spot (in infants) Dry, wrinkled, or doughy looking skin, especially on the belly and upper arms and legs Muscle cramps Inactivity or decreased alertness Child appears weak or limp Excessive sleepiness or disorientation Deep, rapid breathing Fast or weakened pulse No urination for more than 6 to 8 hours in infants No unrination for more than 8 to 10 hours in children Go back to CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS page. Go back to GENERAL TREATMENT index. Go back to ORbIT TREATMENT index. Go back to SONGS TREATMENT index. |
| "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path - and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ |
| SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY Nausea and Vomiting |
| ORPHANS OF THE CANCER STORM |
| Disclaimer This information page has been prepared by an individual who does not have medical training. However its contents have been reviewed by appropriately qualified medical professionals for accuracy and quality. This page is intended for information purposes only and should not be used as a guide to diagnosis or treatment. If this information raises any concerns about your child’s condition or care protocol, discuss them with his or her paediatrician, oncologist, or other appropriate medical professional who has knowledge of the case. |