Nausea

[OZ]

I have been back on treatment (after 2 weeks off imposed by my health care provider) on a lower dose of ribavirin (800 mg twice a day).  I thought I would escape some of the sides I had been experiencing at the higher dose, when low and behold, I took my pills this morning (with food as always) only to become instantly nauseous.  
Does any one have any suggestions on a non medication method of controlling or eliminating nausea?
 
Donna

[Jackie]

Donna, seems I recal hearing about an Rx your doctor can give you to help with this.

I think I am confused. If you take it and become instantly sick can it be the pills? They need time to break down first. Have you tried saltine crackers? They seemed to help me when I felt sickly.

Good luck!
Jackie

[Sah]

Oz, Sorry to learn you're not doing well.

When I started tx I spen a few weeks trying to figure out how to eat this. I was having this sick feeling all the time. I read on a post by Shawn that he was just eating, say a banana and some toast with pills. I started eating smaller throughout the day and I was starting to feel better. I found the amount of food I was eating at one sitting has made a significant difference for me. Also I found when I sip on lemon water all day...I feel much better as well. Also I've had to bland up my diet as well. The doctors says gravel and I have heard from other's on tx in the past, who have been using gravel.

Sorry I couldn't be of much help, I hope you feel better and have a nice Mother's Day.

Thought's and Prayer's

Stephen

[OZ]

That is all very helpful. And I was wrong on my first post, I only take ribavirin 400 mg twice a day.  But today, THe pills hit my stomach like a "lead baloon" and it just wouldn't settle. . .
Thanks I will try your suggestions. I don't want more pills if I can help it.  
OZ  

[todd]

My doc wrote me a script for some kind of suppositories(sp?), for nausea. I haven't had them filled yet, though.

I think I finally figured out that my morning nausea may have been the coffee. If I don't have coffee, or at least no more than a cup, then I don't seem to have the nausea problem.

[Sah]

Ya know Todd! That's right for me too! Coffee was one of the things I changed real early. It only took a couple of cups before I figured what someone was saying, was true.

Hope all is all well and that you had a good weekend?

Stephen

[Joni]

I think you guys might be on to something with the coffee.  if i keep my morning to 1 cup, less caffeine, i'm not as nauseous.  i also drink a huge glass of water first thing (well after my morning pee) to get water into my system.  

then i top it all off with 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter.  then i take the meds.  that seems to get me through most of the early morning at work.  again, if drink a lot of water, it really helps.

i also remember shawn (i think) posting about several smaller meals throughout the day rather than the 3 big ones.  if i do this, it also seems to help keep myu stomach feeling better.

todd, i don't think i'd be filling that prescription either!  

joni

[sands3]

Yeah you guys, pills, water, banana,water,two pieces of whole wheat toast with low sodium,no sugar peanut butter, and to top it off another glass of water. Then a trip to the bathroom. A little later another small meal followed by a snack of fruit or veggie sushi. If the fruit is moist like cantaloupe, or honey dew melons then that takes care of some water needs.All this before noon. Another meal split in half, one to eat and one for later on. Then by evening it's a tuna sandwich and/or a can of veggie soup. I do cheat with ice cream,no sugar added, an occasoinal bag of chips and 6oz. of Dr. Pepper once a week in a kids meal on Saturdays. Keeping track of water intake is simple, I fill up 5 one gallon bottles at the store and put the days gallon on the counter (always room temp.) then I finish it before the days end. Sometimes more than a gallon gets consumed throughout the day by grabbing a glass or bottle when going to the store or running errands. I have found that a big meal will make me SICK to my stomach for quite a while, a couple of days, so if eating out I usually split the meal and get a to go box right away, any appetite gets quashed by all the water. And there is an easy meal to heat up for later in the evening.
Now Donna, the only reason to lower the dose of Riba given by the Doc was to help the bloodwork results, and it did, nothing to do with nausea. If you become instantly nauseous that sounds phsycosomatic (sp) and that could be. I had that reaction at first with the pills and still have it weekly with the shot.
Todd could give you his script if all else fails, seems like he's been sitting on it for a while.
Stephen, what is this gravel? And yes bland food is where it's at except for the garlic and fresh ground pepper. Even some mint turned the stomach upside down for a whole day. The spice rack is feeling lonely these days.
Oh Donna, and another way recomended to eliminate nausea is to use seasickness methods. The one's that do not involve drugs. The wrist band may work. Of course it may go away by itself, it happens.
Shawn

[Sah]

Shawn, I thought we were Grouse!?  "GRAVOL"? Apparently 1 gravol a day keeps Mr or Ms Wanna Upchuck away!

Todd, Shawns a funny guy! LOL

Joni, huh, huh...you got that right...it's the funny guy Shawn! Did he say he was thinking about sitting on something that Todd was holding on to?! LOL

All kidding aside. All these suggestion are great and Shawn my diet has been curtailed pretty well to what you mentioned on a post awhile back. I am though now using the lemon water instead of straight water. It was Shawn Joni.

You all take care

Stephen

[calllie143]

 
Stephen, what is this gravel?

I was wondering the same thing myself.

[OZ]

Thanks for the great suggestions, (not to sure about the gravel or suppositories though).
As far as the pills go, it could be psycosomatic, I am tired of pills, pills, more pills.  Alway looking for a way to ditch some of them with the exception of the riba.
Blood pressure, arthritis, stomach pills, antidepressants . . .  
I probably should work on the small meals thing.  It is healthier anyway than 3 big ones.  
I am curious though, what  IS gravel ??
 :-/    
Thanks.
Donna

[alley-oops]

Gravel helps birds digest, maybe it's the same idea as that.

Stephen: great idea about the lemon, it's a very gentle liver detoxifier.

[JAB]

Lemon water, that is a great idea! Sometimes water gives me nausea. I have the desire for food, but everything I put in makes my tummy upset. I too am trying to downsize the meds I take. I am actually sick and tired of $$ going for anything medically related. Now it looks as if I am going to have to start Neupogen this week so I can take my shot Friday. I had to hold last Fridays due to a 1.5 wbc. It was week 11 that my dosage started changing when I did Intron 1a. After a few weeks of holding shots and decreasing dosages of both Riba and Intron they essentially became ineffective and I had to stop tx. I do hope that this isn't the beginning of the end. Perhaps Neupogen will be the difference this time.
Actually I didn't know which topic to post on as it seems I can relate to all sides. My daily emotional swings, lack of cognitive ability, and concentration bother me the most. Forget simple math and trying to string thoughts together in a conversation. Does anyone forget where they are going when driving somewhere?? That scares me the most.
Well anyways I look forward to the lemon in my water tomorrow and that is something good.
Thank-you,
Jules

[Joni]

hey,

i tried a shawn today, smaller meals, less food, more water, and think i felt better.  in the beginning of this tx, i was just happy to eat, but my appetite has come back so i think i've been eating like i used to.  too much at one sitting.  so i've been trying to pay closer attention to less food, more often and water.  

and sah, i like that idea of lemon in the water.

one more thing....sometimes i get SSOOOOOOO sick of water i just want to pee, kick, and scream.  but, i keep on drinking alot, because i do feel better, but gee, i'd like to skip a day or 2 of water and have a night of uninterrupted sleep.

i just needed to say that!  thanks!

joni

[todd]

You guys are a riot!