Hi I just started Lynparza yesterday and the nausea and general feeling of being unwell is as bad or worse than chemo. Any suggestions on how to manage the side effects?
Hi @LynneA I'm sorry you're having such a challenging reaction to the Lynparza. I was on it for two years in a clinical trial and fortunately nausea was very milld for me, But I did have constant aches and pains and new fatigue, almost flu like symptoms at first. My oncologist provided some meds for the nausea, and recommended Tylenol for the rest ...short term.... while we waited to see if the side effects would remain, increase or diminish. And I kept a daily journal of how I was feeling, which was part of the requirement for my trial but useful regardless.
As we approached the end of two months the use of meds for nausea had all but disappeared and that seemed to have resolved itself. But the joint and muscle pain was worse. I was on a 300mg dose so she dropped that to 250mg and lo and behold all side effects pretty well disappeared.
The key to success with the PARPs is ensuring you keep your cancer care team informed, especially at the beginning. There are all manner of things they have available to make the experience more palatable. And don't worry if they recommend a reduction in dose as one of the strategies. For some reason, it doesn't seem to have any major effect on the efficacy of the drug.
Lynparza (Olaparib) is a very effective maintenance drug so I do hope you will be able to tolerate the use of it over time. I know the Olanzapine for nausea and the Tylenol worked for me temporarily but don't take anything without consultation with your cancer care team. We all respond differently in our treatments so what might work for one, may be detrimental to another. Rely on their guidance throughout the course of treatment. Right now it may just be your body reacting to something new having been introduced and needs time to adjust. I know it's the weekend, but for immediate relief if the nausea is unbearable, your cancer centre should have an on-call oncologist to talk to. Otherwise, if you can try to grin and bear it over the weekend, get to your own oncologist if you're still challenged on Monday.
@LynneA Anxiety is our worst enemy through recovery. You will feel better. It just takes time. Your body is battle weary right now so allow it to heal at it's own pace. You'll get there....just be patient, and reach out to us anytime you have questions or just need a shoulder to lean on that 'gets it'.
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I'm sorry you're having such a challenging reaction to the Lynparza. I was on it for two years in a clinical trial and fortunately nausea was very milld for me, But I did have constant aches and pains and new fatigue, almost flu like symptoms at first. My oncologist provided some meds for the nausea, and recommended Tylenol for the rest ...short term.... while we waited to see if the side effects would remain, increase or diminish. And I kept a daily journal of how I was feeling, which was part of the requirement for my trial but useful regardless.
As we approached the end of two months the use of meds for nausea had all but disappeared and that seemed to have resolved itself. But the joint and muscle pain was worse. I was on a 300mg dose so she dropped that to 250mg and lo and behold all side effects pretty well disappeared.
The key to success with the PARPs is ensuring you keep your cancer care team informed, especially at the beginning. There are all manner of things they have available to make the experience more palatable. And don't worry if they recommend a reduction in dose as one of the strategies. For some reason, it doesn't seem to have any major effect on the efficacy of the drug.
Lynparza (Olaparib) is a very effective maintenance drug so I do hope you will be able to tolerate the use of it over time. I know the Olanzapine for nausea and the Tylenol worked for me temporarily but don't take anything without consultation with your cancer care team. We all respond differently in our treatments so what might work for one, may be detrimental to another. Rely on their guidance throughout the course of treatment. Right now it may just be your body reacting to something new having been introduced and needs time to adjust. I know it's the weekend, but for immediate relief if the nausea is unbearable, your cancer centre should have an on-call oncologist to talk to. Otherwise, if you can try to grin and bear it over the weekend, get to your own oncologist if you're still challenged on Monday.
Anxiety is our worst enemy through recovery. You will feel better. It just takes time. Your body is battle weary right now so allow it to heal at it's own pace. You'll get there....just be patient, and reach out to us anytime you have questions or just need a shoulder to lean on that 'gets it'.