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What Causes Nausea, Diarrhea And Vomiting While Treating Breast Cancer?

Posted on Wed, 10 Feb 2016

Question: I am allergic to sulfites. I let my oncology doctor know that before I ever started chemo treatment. Since I was in stage III inflammatory breast cancer, he started the chemo anyway and didn't listen. I just finished my second treatment and the continual diarrhea from the drugs with sulfite to treat vomiting and nausea, the medications delivered by IV, the pain relievers and the steroids during the treatment, have made my hemorroids bleed and I have severe pain when from the diarrhea. Also, my throat got sore and closed off some. Even the over the counter medications for diarrhea and constipation have sulfites in them and I'm not able to use them. The swelling in the breast and arm is better and the cancer has responded but I'm not able to go through the allergic part of the treatment. Is there an alternative way to be treated without the sulfites? Also, he has put two anti-body treatments along with the chemo treatments which has caused excess diarrhea besides. He said this is mandatory in order to treat the HERS2 positive. I would like to forfeit the chemo?

Answered by Dr. Saad Sultan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
need details of medicine you are being prescribed.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I am Dr Saad Sultan and will be answering your query. I have read and understood your health concerns.
As far as your case is concerned , it would be better if you send me the details of your prescription like trade names or chemical formula.
I will be in better position to comment in your case after reviewing this .
Waiting for your response.
Hope it helps
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Saad Sultan (1 hour later)

Perjeta (Pertuzumab)-Antineoplastic and monoclonal antibody, Herceptin (Trastuzumab)-monoclonal antibody, Taxotere (Docetaxel)-chemotherapy-taxane, Paraplatin (Carboplatin)-chemotherapy-alkylating agent, Neulasta (Pegfilgrasim)-stimulate white blood cell, Ondansetron-nausea day, lorazepam-nausea night, dexamethasone-day before and day after chemo, oxycodone-hemorrhoid pain.

Answered by Dr. Saad Sultan (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
see explanation

Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM...
I really appreciate your follow up
Chemotherapy induced diarrhoea is very common problem met with half of the patients. Approach is different in different circumstances.
If a physician suspects an infection , he usually prescribes antibiotics.
As far as your case is concerned , keeping in view your allergy issues , ciprofloxacin should be a good option. It is a good alternative in patients allergic to sulfa drugs.
Apart from it , loperamide and octreotide are very effective in chemotherapy induced diarrhoea.
Discuss with your attending physician regarding these.
Hope it helps.
If you have any query feel free to ask any time.
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T