Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 5 replies
  • Views 943 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Nausea, how do you manage it? Just been diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

Sam1967
Offline

I have just been diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. I had a PET scan today.

I am 56. Normally fit and well. A few months ago, I began to struggle with dysphagia. It got to the point where I couldn't keep anything down and I was losing weight (3 stones). 

I am now being fed via a PICC line with TPN. I have been in hospital 3 weeks. I feel forgotten. I have an Oncology appointment next Friday 11th October. 

My biggest issue is the nausea and "vomiting". I have found that sleeping helps, but as the day progresses, the nausea hits about 1pm then stays for the remainder of the day. I can't eat anything substantial without bringing it back up. The vomiting/retching just really brings up frothy mucous. 

I can manage ice-cubes. I'm trying sea-bands. I can manage a tiny amount of custard. Ginger tea. I've done research myself as very little is coming my way. Initially, they messed up my anti-emetics and they cancelled each other out and literally turned me into a zombie. I am now on metoclopramide and ondansetron, but they don't really help. 

I am at my wits end. 

Parents
  • Offline

    Hi Sam 

    My wife has something similar with the same problems and also had to be fed via a PICC line for nearly 2 weeks before they were able to insert a nasal feeding tube through the blockage. If they can get nutrients into you that way and hopefully they can get a feeding tube down into your upper intestine then I wonder why you are still trying to take food via mouth. My wife could not do so without vomiting it all back up so there did not seem to be any point. Once on the feeding tube she was able to put on a couple of Kg weight without having to eat anything orally. She is home now without the feeding tube following the insertion of a stent to open up the blockage caused by the cancer and can take very small amounts of food via mouth now but still needs to take an anti sickness drug. This is cyclazine a fairly old drug now but it seems to work mostly except if she gets a coughing fit which sets of the nausea. 

    While Susan was in hospital the patient beside her had the same problem as yourself but the medics were still struggling to get it under control when my wife was discharged. Don't know if any of that is any use to you but I wish you well and hope the medics can get it under control. Everything that happens in hospital is mind numbingly slow so you must try and have some patience. It's all incredibly frustrating.

    Wishing you well

    Ashley

  • Offline in reply to Ashley-Dye

    Thank you for taking the time to reply. I couldn't tolerate a nasogastric tube and I think I'm a way off a feedingjej yet :(

    Nothing is going fast. I am very shocked at how slow everything IS going. 

Reply Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.