Nausea tips - use ginger to help during recovery

Modern chemo infusions are accompanied by medications that help prevent nausea and vomiting, but sometimes we have those side effects anyway. We can also take the post-chemo medications that are prescribed, but what if you want something less chemical? Try ginger in its various forms.

I have used ginger, as in ginger tea, ginger ale, and ginger candies. If you can find an asian grocery store nearby, look for ginger taffies. These are quite strong and sometimes just half a candy can help cut the nausea. While you're there, look for Instant Ginger Tea - this is a quick way to make ginger tea. It is very strong, so try using just half a packet to a cup of hot water, when you first try it. Want to make your own? Here is About.com's Cathy Wong, with a Ginger Tea Recipe.

My local health food store carries Ginger Candy, and those help too. My favorite is Ting Ting Jahe Ginger Candy - it packs a whallop - try just half a candy to start with! At the grocery store sometime you can find crystallized ginger - chewing on small slivers of this can help. Ginger Ale may also help to quell nausea.

One other thing if you're suffering from vomiting quite a bit right after an infusion: do not become dehydrated, and do let your doctor know how much trouble you're having. Go back in and ask for a saline infusion, or whatever they can do to help you keep hydrated. Gatorade helps, but if you're losing lots of fluid, you need the pros to get in there and help you out. Don't hesitate to ask them to help fix the problems caused by side effects.

Hang in there, the victory is worth the fight!