Many people fear that chemotherapy will make them feel sick or cause them to be sick to their stomach. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of some chemotherapy drugs and the most feared. Luckily, new anti-nausea drugs have been developed to prevent or lessen nausea and vomiting. These are called anti-emetic drugs.

If nausea or vomiting occurs, it often happens one to three hours after receiving chemotherapy or even two to four days after treatment. Fortunately, there are many anti-emetic drugs available to help with nausea and vomiting. Different drugs work for different people. If one anti-emetic drug does not work for you, continue to work with your healthcare team to find the drug or drugs that will make you feel better.

It is important to take anti-emetic drugs as prescribed. It is easier to prevent nausea than treat it once it happens. Anti-emetic drugs often work best when they are taken before chemotherapy treatment and for a few days after. Sometimes they can have side effects of their own, such as sleepiness, general fatigue or problems with concentration. However, most people feel that these side effects are easier to cope with than the nausea and vomiting.

Some people experience nausea and vomiting even before starting the next cycle of chemotherapy. This is known as anticipatory nausea and vomiting, which can make the nausea effects after receiving chemotherapy worse. Anticipatory nausea is a reflex. This means if chemotherapy made you throw up once or twice, you will feel nauseated every time you receive chemotherapy or even at the thought of treatment. Taking anti-emetic drugs can help you to avoid this pattern. You can also take steps to relax before chemotherapy.

What you can do

• Take antinausea medications to prevent or reduce nausea.
• Try to relax in a quiet room before your treatment sessions.
• Practice relaxation activities, such as yoga, imagery or meditation.
• Schedule your treatment sessions for a time of day that is best for you.
• Try acupuncture or acupressure treatments, helpful to some patients.
• Eat several small meals throughout the day, rather than a few large ones.
• Bland and soft foods are best tolerated. Stay away for fatty, sweet or fried foods.
• Eat foods cold or at room temperature.
• Eating dry foods like cereal, toast or crackers may help reduce nausea.
• Following a meal, patients should remain in an upright position and engage in activities that distract them from thinking about nausea.
• Try using wristbands designed to combat seasickness, which are available at many pharmacies and travel stores.
• Ginger tea or soup may help reduce nausea.
• Whey protein powder has helped some people alleviate that nausea and vomiting that results from chemotherapy or radiation.

Tingling, weakness or numbness can be temporary side effects of chemotheraphy. Find out more about nerve and muscle effects.