Tell your doctor or nurse if you have experienced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with past treatments. Your doctor may prescribe antinausea drugs for you to take before or during your treatment. Antinausea drugs work differently in different people, so you may need more than 1 type.

Before your first chemotherapy treatment:

• Talk to your doctor about medication to prevent CINV.

After your chemotherapy treatment:

Use either the iChemoDiary on your iPhone^® mobile digital device, iPod touch^® mobile digital device, or personal computer, or use the Nausea and Vomiting Tracker to easily record your chemotherapies, medications, and symptoms so you can share them with your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will then be able to determine if the prescribed medication worked to prevent CINV. Different medicines may be recommended if the first prescription did not work to prevent CINV.

Fight back with food strategies.

Although eating may be the last thing on your mind, food may help you cope with nausea and vomiting.

• Eat light meals, especially before your treatment, unless you felt nauseated during a previous treatment.
• Try to eat several small meals throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 large ones.
• Do not force yourself to eat when you feel nauseated.
• Take your time; chew slowly and thoroughly.
• If you feel ill in the morning, nibble on dry, bland foods like cereal, toast, and crackers before you get up.
• Skip sweet, fried, and fatty foods altogether.
• Avoid strong cooking odors by using the microwave instead of the stove or oven.
• Try eating food cold or at room temperature.
• Avoid lying flat for at least 2 hours after eating. Instead, rest in a chair.
• Choose caffeine-free teas, flat ginger ale, and cool, clear unsweetened juices, such as apple and white grape.

Think it through.

Some strategies may help you cope with nausea and vomiting by distracting attention, promoting relaxation, and reducing feelings of helplessness. Some formal approaches include:

• Hypnosis. A state of focused attention, hypnosis may make you feel deeply relaxed.
• Progressive muscle relaxation. This therapy teaches you how to progressively tense and relax certain muscle groups to promote an overall feeling of relaxation.
• Biofeedback. Biofeedback teaches you how to control body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. By preventing skin temperature changes that often precede nausea and vomiting, you may lessen these side effects. Biofeedback is more successful when combined with progressive muscle relaxation.
• Imagery. Similar to daydreaming, imagery lets you mentally relocate to a relaxing destination, such as a vacation spot or a favorite pleasant nook in your home.