Emend with BEP cycles. Does it work?

[tonytwotone]

Hi there,

I just started my first cycle of BEP and had an absolute nightmare as the week progressed and went into the weekend. Aside from taking the chemo rather harshly, my anti-nausea meds are causing some side effects of their own. Compazine agitates to me the point of pacing up and down the halls of my apartment for hours on end. Ativan made me vomit the first 2 times I took it. Could very well be an unavoidable coincidence but it also gives me paranoia and terrible dreams. Zofran has also caused me bad stomach cramps. It made Thursday thru Sunday near death. I lost 26 pounds from day 1 to day 8!

I've been fortunate enough now to be placed on Emend for the next cycle and was wondering what, if any, were others experiences with it. I know my reactions to my meds is very rare but I am holding out all hope that this Emend stuff is as much as a miracle drug as I've heard it proclaimed on other sites.

Cheers and one love!

[TonyTigger]

Emend worked ok with me just as all the others. They kept me from throwing up but I basically had constant nausea. Hopefully this will be the answer for you.

[ColdCanadian]

Mornings started with Emend - 80mg except for 125mg on day 1 of the heavy weeks.
At the hospital they gave me 2x8mg Ondansetron as well as 2x4mg Dexamethasone prior to any chemo treatments.

The above worked for me. Often felt feelings of nausea, but no vomit issues. Just finished my last cycle last week so things are still fresh in my mind. Way too fresh.

Wish you the best through the rest of your cycles. Got more tired toward the end, but they seemed easier to take.

[val]

Hi

My brother took it during his treatment and never had any problems with it. Best of luck with your treatment

[hbr777]

Hi there,

I just started my first cycle of BEP and had an absolute nightmare as the week progressed and went into the weekend. Aside from taking the chemo rather harshly, my anti-nausea meds are causing some side effects of their own. Compazine agitates to me the point of pacing up and down the halls of my apartment for hours on end. Ativan made me vomit the first 2 times I took it. Could very well be an unavoidable coincidence but it also gives me paranoia and terrible dreams. Zofran has also caused me bad stomach cramps. It made Thursday thru Sunday near death. I lost 26 pounds from day 1 to day 8!

I've been fortunate enough now to be placed on Emend for the next cycle and was wondering what, if any, were others experiences with it. I know my reactions to my meds is very rare but I am holding out all hope that this Emend stuff is as much as a miracle drug as I've heard it proclaimed on other sites.

Cheers and one love!

I am so sorry to hear this! Ask to have the Emend extended to 5 days days instead of 3. Beg. They'll do it, eventually. It made all the world of difference for my husband.

Why didn't they give you Emend for the first cycle?

[tonytwotone]

Thanks for all the answers so far. My hope is that what I've read on other cancer forums about it (breast, lung, etc) will hold true for me. I am uninsured and am receiving my treatments at a county hospital. The people are great but you have to do your own research a lot as they give you the bare minimum for some stuff. Emend's high price is what kept them from using it cycle 1.

I can take the nausea, but the vomiting was just too much. I've lost so much weight already and while I could use it for sure, I want it to be at a slower pace.

Again, thank you all. It's very reassuring to be chatting with men and couples who have been there too. One love.

[zesasmom]

So sorry to hear the first week has been so bad ..

My son is on his 3rd week second round ....just had bleo today. His dr just added ativan to the zofran phenergen combo he s been taking....also he has a patch to add on round three for nausea.
I also have heard emend works very well.

To give u a little hope that it may get better....my son s very worse week was round one long week. He was miserable....didnt throw up but was ready with bowl at his bedside in case. Ive never seen him so sick and had anticipated that each round would get worse because its cumulative. Round two long week was bad but much easier than the first. He s starting round three on monday so we will see what that brings.

Good luck...hope it gets easier for you.

Lori
Eli s mom
6/15/12 left i/o
50%yolk sac 35%embryonal 15%seminoma
No lvi markers normalized
Stage Ia surveillance
8/12 chest xray markers normal
9/12 ct retroperitoneal lymph nodes up to 3cm
10/12 markers elevated
Stage IIa
10/15/12 bepx3

[TGlover]

When I did my BEPx3 I was on an emend trial (5 days during treatment).. It helped me, but I didnt have much to baseline it with but I rarely threw up. We also were given Kytril/Ganesitron daily. When it got really bad I also had some injections of stemitel (prochlorperazine I think)

I did not take Dex as it did not mix well with me, and for bleo pushes they used corticosteroids(?) which I took better to.

Everyone reacts to chemo differently, my worst bouts of nausea was during the mag push.

The brain works funny, I cannot have my blood taken in the same area I did chemo in, i get sick and nauseous automatically walking into that place. I also get sick thinking about some of the foods I ate during chemo. 2 years on!

I also felt like I was jumping out of my skin at times, restless, exhausted yet hard to sleep... stick with it though, it gets easier and you will find the push to finish it. For my physically first cycle was hardest, emotionally 2nd was hardest.

all the best, keep a diary of everything and make sure to tell your dr/nurses everything.. dont suffer in silence.