Pala Posted November 8, 2007 (edited) Hey guys, I'm looking for some help. Backstory: I've been nauseated on/off since sunday. The GP says it's prolly due to meds i'm taking (Gleevec). The specialist (who prescribed the Gleevec) was away until today. The GP gave me maxolon (Wiki) 10mg x4/day, which didn't do much, then gave me in addition zofran (Wiki) 4mg x2/day which didn't do much better, then finally same drug (zofran) 8mg x2/day. That seemed to work best, although still not perfect. He never gives me repeats, telling me that I need to go see the specialist to work s/t long term out. Zofran scripts only come in 4 tablet sizes (or so they tell me), i.e. two days worth. I spoke with the specialist today on the phone and said he would leave a script for me for Zofran (4tabs x 8mg) plus dexamethasone (wiki) which i've never had. Is there some reason they won't give me Zofran for long term? It doesn't have an abuse potention, and i haven't found it (via web) to be implicated in any liver-toxicity etc. One site (link) listed prochlorperazine (Stemetil) and domperidone (Motilium) as OTC anti-nausea drugs (in Aust.). Anyone know anything about these, their efficacy etc? If I go to a brand new GP would I be able to get more Zofran (without being deceptive)? On a positive note, I've found ginger-tea to be quite good. Better than the maxolon, (tho not as potent as the zofran). This last week as been more than a bit uncomfortable, and am looking for some security in terms of drug/condition management. All advice, etc., would be appreciated, Pala Edited November 8, 2007 by Pala Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chilli Posted November 8, 2007 That must be an awesome ginger to work better than maxolon, or maybe something to do with your body's chemistry... but hey, it's cheaper (or is it?) and you won't risk the side-effects or be mind-controlled by big pharma. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PD. Posted November 8, 2007 Stemetil works for my partners mother when she has severe nausea due to migrane headaches. She says it works a charm. I havent had any experience with it myself though sorry man. Ginger tea is a good idea, a spoonful of ginger is what usually goes in my gob after a certain slimy beverage ;) Sorry im not a great help Pala, hope you find what you need and feel better soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted November 9, 2007 stemetil works great for me, but maxolon makes me woozy which gives me vertigo and then more nausea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pala Posted November 10, 2007 (edited) Thanks guys. In retrospect it's even possible (or even likely considering T's reaction to it) that Maxolon was only making matters worse. I got a script for Stemetil, and so far things are going well. Pala. Edited November 12, 2007 by Pala Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted November 10, 2007 I can only handle maxolon if I am bedbound, eg with severe migraine. In that case I used to get a maxolon injection and it used to help me get to sleep. I'd feel shit the next day though - purely from the maxolon. I guess stemetil injection might be OK too if they exist, but the nurse I was living with only had maxolon as injectable and some migraines just make other administration routes impossible. I get occasional vertigo from stemetil if I have more than 3 in one day. This can stretch into the next day too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxydiser Posted November 11, 2007 Is there some reason they won't give me Zofran for long term? The 5HT3 antagonists are only approved for nausea/vomiting associated with radiotherapy/cytotoxics. It's mofo expensive and you need a special authority script to get it with repeats/at the PBS price - it's also more of a preventative and doesn't work as well once nausea has set in... hence the reluctance of the prescribing docs One site (link) listed prochlorperazine (Stemetil) and domperidone (Motilium) as OTC anti-nausea drugs (in Aust.). Anyone know anything about these, their efficacy etc? For efficacy prochlorperazine = domperidone > metoclopramide, with domperidone having the least side effects (doesn't cross the BBB = rare incidence of CNS side effects). The only one that is OTC in aus is metoclopramide which occurs with paracetamol in some anti-migraine tabs (anagraine, metomax) I wouldn't rule the dexamethasone out, it is very effective for short term treatment of nausea, especially in your case How long have you been taking the Gleevec for? If you have just started, the nausea will taper off over the next few weeks. Taking the tabs with food can help with the GI side effects Hope you start feeling better, heal quick bro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pala Posted November 12, 2007 Oxy: Thanks for the info. I asked the pharmacist and was told the same about Zofran, viz. it's expensive. The prochlorperazine (Stemetil) is quite good, but have not been needing it as much. I still feel sick after I take the G. but it's not lasting all day like it was last week, and the Stemetil is helping when necessary. I'm not sure what was happening last week, but whatever it was crossing my fingers it was a one-off. I've been taking the G. for a month, and yes, with food. At different times I seem to have a different response, haven't been able to tie it down to amount of food taken with, or time of day, but then haven't really been strictly testing it out. It's an absolutely brilliant drug, and even in the short time I've been taking it blood tests indicate positive trends in the various counts. Pala Share this post Link to post Share on other sites