Hi,
my mom is 12 weeks post radiotherapy treatment for the oesophagus and her nausea is getting worse not better. She’s on anti-sickness meds and has a feeding tube (NJ tube). We’ve tried slowing the feed down but nothing seems to work. Is there any stronger anti-sickness meds/ advice I can try to push with her medical team. We just keep getting told she will improve but there’s been a decline not an improvement.
thanks
Hi KHd598140
Thanks for getting in touch with us. My name is Tricia and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
I am sorry to hear of your mom’s Oesophageal cancer diagnosis and that she is struggling since her radiotherapy treatment. This must be difficult for her and for you to see her like that.
There can be side effects of radiotherapy which can happen during the treatment and increase for a few weeks after the treatment has finished. Sometimes it can take longer for the side effects to improve such as months. It sounds like your moms is persisting and getting worse though rather than improving. Hopefully she isn’t vomiting as this can cause dehydration.
We always advise if symptoms are new or worsening to contact the team looking after her so do contact them again.
Nausea can feel very debilitating and there are different anti sickness medications that can be tried if the one she is on isn’t working . As we are not directly involved with your mom’s care and unable to access NHS records, we are not able to comment on specific drugs for her. Her team would need to review to see what alternatives she could be prescribed that may be more effective.
I am unsure whether your mom is eating and drinking in addition to having the feeding tube. If she is, there are some suggestions of ways to try and help in addition to medication to help with the nausea such as drinking peppermint or ginger tea. Food consumption would be dependent on what she has been advised as that would be specific to her.
I imagine your mom has access to a dietitian as part of the team managing her. It would be a good idea to get in touch with them for specific advice about the nutritional support regarding her feeding tube and any changes that may help with the nausea.
I hope you have support from family or friends during this difficult time while you are supporting your mom through her cancer and treatments.
It’s good to see you have joined our Macmillan Online Community where you can post questions or get support from others who may be affected by cancer. There is a specific forum for Oesophageal cancer forum and also one that is for Family and friends of people with cancer forum
I hope this is helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch at any time.
Sending best wishes,
Tricia
Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref TT/CC
