My client has Lung CA with mets, and has had increasing nausea and vomiting ... to the point that it is now almost hourly. He is bedbound, has had no PO intake for over two weeks with only very small sips of water on occasion. He also has moderate pain to his left side, beneath his ribs (his CA originated in left lung lobe). He is still having BMs, and voiding small amounts. MOVEMENT, or even visual movement, seems to increase the nausea.
He is unable to swallow PO meds, and his perfusion is too poor to absorb topical gels... now, due to his dehydrated status, he is also beginning to be unable to absorb meds rectally. He is a home patient, and his spouse is a nervous wreck.. she has difficulty handling the situation, and is not very capable of learning about meds. Continous Care is currently in the home (LVN for 12 hour shift, CNA for 12 hour shift).
Currently using the following meds: MSSR 50mg PR, Haldol 30mg PR, Dexamethasone 40mg loading dose, then 8mg PR (previously used prednisone, then switched to dex), Ketamine 2.5mg TOP, Phenergan 50mg PR AND TOP, Zofran 8mg dissolvable oral tabs (this med is actually the med that is most effective for longer relief).
Actually, when we did the Dex loading dose of 40mg PR, it held off the N&V for about 8 hours; whether it was the dose itself, or whether it was the fact that he rectally absorbed SOME of the dose, is not known. I considered meclizine, due to the movement thing, but what route??????
I have run out of ideas, and would love to hear other suggestions. There is a long list of meds that have been tried, and dc'd. I am stumped!!
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