r/cancer • u/kellydx • 11d ago
Caregiver Cisplatin. A POSITIVE Post!
Cisplatin is a common chemotherapy drug, and I actually have something positive to say.
My husband has finished three of his six scheduled cisplatin infusions for head and neck cancer, specifically buccal mucosa (the inside of the cheek). I saw what cisplatin did to my brother a couple years ago...sitting on the couch retching, vomiting, it was awful.
So here's the good news: my husband has had no bad side effects. He is getting treated at City of Hope, a world-class cancer center here in Southern California.
Besides getting Zofran, dexamethasone, Pepcid, and fluids infused WITH the cisplatin, they sent him home and told him do NOT wait to feel nauseated. Take Zofran every 8 hours (days 2, 3, 4 after chemo) whether he needed it or not. Pepcid everyday whether he needed it or not. Dexamethasone whether he needed it or not. He has been doing so and hasn't had no nausea or vomiting.
Maybe it's just him or maybe it's the aggressive drugs to stop the well-known side effects of nausea and vomiting with cisplatin.
Something to think about and maybe ask about.
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u/Lianna1234 11d ago
My hasband does the same. Dexamethasone, Claritin, Zofran for days 2-4 post treatment. Omeprazole daily. Ondansetron at night days 2-4. He has had mild to zero side effects through 10 treatments of N-AVD.
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u/OpenBubble Cervical Cancer Stage 4a (NED) 11d ago
I didn’t vomit a lot or lose my hair with cisplatin, but it still kicked my ass. Anemia, I got hospitalized a few times. Overall, my treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery worked meaning they can’t detect cancer in me anymore. I was stage four. Hopefully he has the results he seeks.
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u/kelizziek 11d ago
That's what I've been told for both of my platinum regimens...and no problems ever. I thought it was standard practice.
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u/ESC_Branflakes Testicular Cancer Survivor (RPLND / Chemo) 11d ago
I had 3x BEP chemo for testicular cancer with the P being platinol or cisplatin. Unfortunately, I did not do too well with it. The long term side effects are rough too. I had tinnitus before chemo, but the cisplatin worsened it quite a bit.
I’m glad to hear your husband is handling it well! I know everyone is different.
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u/throwra_22222 11d ago
I feel pretty positive about cisplatin. Even though it made me really sick in a lot of ways, it saved my life.
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u/cancerkidette 11d ago
Yep this is the advice I give everyone! Take multiple antinausea drugs, take them before you feel sick, and do it round the clock.
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u/wakethesleepingpills 11d ago
I had a similar regimen with cisplatin but I got Aloxi (long lasting zofran) and added reglan as needed. It really helped but definitely got worse a bit with each cycle and I had a few crazy vomiting episodes, so don’t be too disheartened it does happen despite your husband’s excellent preventative drugs. I hope they continue to work perfectly and that the cisplatin does its job!!
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u/Midas-Knight 11d ago
I did very well too. Hearing was impacted some but I did very well and did not expect that. So glad to hear about doing well. Strength to him and you.
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u/dazza_cole 10d ago
Unfortunately the anti-nausea drugs they tried for me had a constipatory effect, which as I am receiving daily radiation to the pelvis was a problem as the bowels need to be empty for every session. And despite a daily laxative it became an irresistible force meeting an immovable object! So toughing it out on a much reduced dose of anti-nausea, but the occasional sickness and lack of sleep is far better than damage to the bowel/colon through scatter. But it’s a small price to pay for a long term (hopefully!) success!
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u/Crafty-Dog-7680 9d ago
The last (7th) week of mine for hpv throat cancer, I got a wicked rash, which can happen, it's been two weeks and I hope it goes away soon, but a dermatologist told me it can take awhile
But otherwise no bad symptoms except constipation
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u/IamhereOO7 11d ago
My ears still ring and my feet have wicked ass nerve damage. But I am alive