How I Managed Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: Tips & Remedies

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Chemotherapy nausea is one of the most challenging side effects I faced during my cancer treatment. As a cancer patient dealing with stage IV rectal cancer that had metastasized to my liver, I went through multiple chemotherapy treatments, which came with intense nausea and vomiting that affected my whole body.

Managing chemotherapy-induced nausea is essential, not only to feel better but to maintain strength and energy for ongoing treatments. Nausea and vomiting can lead to nutritional depletion, making it harder for cancer patients to continue with their treatment schedule.

In this article, I’ll share my personal strategies to manage nausea, including advice from my healthcare team, my own research, and practical tips that helped me face each session with more resilience.

What Causes Nausea During Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy nausea happens because chemotherapy drugs target fast-growing cancer cells but also affect other fast-growing cells in the body, especially those in the gastrointestinal tract. This disruption can lead to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as the central nervous system detects these chemicals and sends signals to the brain to “reject” them, triggering nausea.

There are also different types of chemotherapy-related nausea. Acute nausea usually happens within a few hours after treatment, while delayed nausea can start days later, often making it harder to manage. I also experienced anticipatory nausea, which is when just the thought of chemotherapy or entering the treatment room made me feel sick before the drugs were even administered. Understanding these types helped me plan for ways to control nausea as best I could.

My Experience with Nausea

During my cancer treatment, nausea set in quickly, sometimes within hours after a chemotherapy session, especially with strong drugs. This acute nausea would be followed by delayed nausea, which made it hard to predict how I would feel each day.

Even the smell of certain foods in the house was enough to trigger nausea, and I often found myself unable to eat meals that I had once enjoyed. Some days, just thinking about going back for another session of chemotherapy caused anticipatory nausea, making my stomach churn before treatment even began.

The effects of chemotherapy nausea on my daily life were significant. My eating habits changed dramatically, as I could no longer enjoy meals like I used to. Foods I used to crave suddenly tasted different or even made me sick. I had to adjust to eating small meals, sticking to bland foods, and sipping ginger ale or ginger tea to keep something in my stomach. Nausea and vomiting led to nutritional depletion, making it harder to keep my strength up between treatments.

What Medications Helped Control My Nausea?

To manage my chemotherapy-induced nausea, my oncologist recommended several anti-nausea medications. These included antiemetic medications specifically designed to block the brain receptors that trigger nausea and vomiting.

My healthcare team prescribed receptor antagonists, which target these receptors, as well as dopamine antagonists and other anti-nausea medicines. Together, these helped reduce both the acute nausea right after treatment and the delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea that would appear days later.

I took these anti-nausea medications as prescribed by my oncologist, often starting them before a chemotherapy session to prevent nausea from building up. I continued them on a schedule, even when I wasn’t actively feeling sick, to avoid any sudden onset of nausea. This approach helped me keep my symptoms in check, allowing me to manage nausea and stick to my treatment schedule more easily.

What Dietary Changes Did I Make?

To help manage chemotherapy nausea, I had to make several dietary adjustments. Some foods were easier to tolerate than others, so I gradually learned what worked best. Here are the changes that helped me the most:

Eating small, frequent meals instead of large ones. This kept my stomach from getting too full, which often helped control nausea.

Choosing bland, easy-to-digest foods like crackers, toast, and rice. These options were less likely to upset my stomach and helped keep nausea at bay.

Avoiding foods and smells that triggered nausea, like greasy or strongly scented foods, which often made nausea worse.

How Did I Stay Hydrated?

Staying hydrated was crucial during chemotherapy to manage nausea and prevent dehydration, especially on days when vomiting happened. Nausea and vomiting can lead to quick fluid loss, and without enough fluids, fatigue, and dizziness can get worse, impacting daily life and even making it hard to continue treatment.

To stay hydrated, I focused on gentle, clear fluids that wouldn’t upset my stomach:

Drinking clear fluids like water, herbal teas, and clear broths helped keep me hydrated without triggering nausea.

Sipping ginger ale was another option that sometimes helped calm my stomach.

Keeping drinks at room temperature instead of very hot or very cold made them easier to tolerate when my nausea was strong.

Natural Remedies and Complementary Therapies

Alongside prescription medications, I found natural remedies and complementary therapies helpful for controlling chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. I would drink green tea to calm my gastrointestinal tract, which brought some relief from the discomfort caused by nausea.

Another therapy I used was infrared light therapy in the evenings, which helped with relaxation and reduced nausea by promoting better sleep. I also practiced deep breathing exercises to help manage anticipatory nausea. These small, simple remedies worked together to help control nausea and allowed me to feel a bit more grounded during cancer treatments.

How Did Relaxation Techniques Help?

Practicing deep breathing exercises and meditation helped reduce stress, which in turn lessened my nausea. I dedicated time each evening to relaxation, helping my body cope with chemotherapy’s effects by lowering my overall stress.

Benefits I experienced from relaxation techniques:

Reduced stress levels allowed my body to focus on healing.

Lowered anxiety around treatments helped control anticipatory nausea.

Improved sleep quality supported my energy levels and reduced fatigue.

Enhanced mental clarity made it easier to manage nausea triggers.

A sense of calm helped me feel more in control of my symptoms.

Key Takeaways from My Experience

Managing chemotherapy nausea requires a multifaceted approach that combines medications, natural remedies, and lifestyle adjustments. By taking steps to stay ahead of nausea, I could control symptoms better, which allowed me to stay strong and follow my treatment schedule. Each strategy played a role, from anti-nausea medications to complementary therapies like ginger tea and infrared light.

Staying hydrated and following a balanced diet were also essential for managing nausea. Hydration helped me feel more stable, while smaller, bland meals minimized stomach discomfort. By combining prescribed medications, natural remedies, and relaxation techniques, I could approach each treatment with a practical plan that worked best for me.

Advice for Others Facing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

For other cancer patients going through chemotherapy, it’s important to stay proactive in managing symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea. Communicating openly with your healthcare team about the intensity and frequency of nausea and vomiting can help them adjust your treatment or suggest additional ways to control nausea. Support from healthcare professionals and scientific resources can provide helpful information on how to prevent nausea.

Try experimenting with different strategies to see what helps manage nausea best. Whether it’s anti-nausea medications, ginger tea, relaxation techniques, or dietary changes, finding a combination that works for you can make a significant difference in how you feel each day. Each patient’s response to treatment is unique, so don’t hesitate to try new methods and stay engaged with your healthcare team.

Finding Relief from Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

Chemotherapy nausea doesn’t have to control your life. Through a combination of anti-nausea medications, dietary adjustments, natural remedies like ginger tea, and relaxation techniques, I discovered a path to manage nausea and improve my quality of life during cancer treatment.

Staying proactive, experimenting with new strategies, and working closely with my healthcare team helped me find effective ways to control nausea and support my body through chemotherapy. Each small step made a difference, reminding me that managing chemotherapy-induced nausea is possible with the right tools and mindset.

References

Cohen, L., de Moor, C. A., Eisenberg, P., Ming, E. E., & Hu, H. (2007). Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: incidence and impact on patient quality of life at community oncology settings. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 15(5), 497–503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-006-0173-z

Marx, W. M., Teleni, L., McCarthy, A. L., Vitetta, L., McKavanagh, D., Thomson, D., & Isenring, E. (2013). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature review. Nutrition reviews, 71(4), 245–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12016

Mustian, K. M., Peppone, L., Darling, T. V., Palesh, O., Heckler, C. E., & Morrow, G. R. (2009). A 4-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program during radiation therapy: a pilot randomized clinical trial. The journal of supportive oncology, 7(5), 158–167.

National Cancer Institute. (2023). Nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatment (PDQ®)–Health professional version. National Institutes of Health. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/nausea/nausea-hp-pdq

Navari, R. M., & Aapro, M. (2016). Antiemetic Prophylaxis for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting. The New England journal of medicine, 374(14), 1356–1367. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1515442

PDQ Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board. Nausea and Vomiting Related to Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2023 Jul 20. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK66056/