Chemo drugs tend to slow peristalsis digestion and bowel processes , so whatever you eat may be in your digestion for longer than usual and will dry out. The drugs commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting can be constipating as well. Even if it's recommended that you use medications to prevent constipation, it's necessary to be well-hydrated for these to work.
Before you have each round of chemo, you will have a blood test called a complete blood count CBC. Your CBC provides a reading on all of the types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow which can be affected by chemotherapy. Your red blood cell count and hemoglobin are looked at to see if you have anemia. This can lead to fatigue and lightheadedness. Your white blood cell count will tell your healthcare provider if you have neutropenia , a deficiency of the type of white blood cells known as neutrophils.
If your neutrophil level is too low, you may be at risk for infection. With some chemotherapy regimens, your oncologist may recommend treating you with either Neulasta or Neupogen, which are medications that increase the number and activity of white blood cells in your body. Your platelet level may also decrease, resulting in a condition called thrombocytopenia.
This can lead to bruising and easy bleeding. Depending on the results of your blood tests, your oncologist may recommend delaying your chemotherapy or using specific treatments to improve your values.
As part of being an empowered patient, ask your oncologist or her nurse to show you the CBC results and explain them to you. It's also helpful to have a copy that you can keep in your records.
Every chemotherapy infusion includes a mix of drugs. Some are actually cancer-killing drugs, others are medications which help alleviate side effects. Ask questions about all of the drugs you receive, including:.
If you've been given a prescription for post-chemo medications, get clear instructions on how and when to take these. Medications used to control nausea and vomiting differ. Some are to be used routinely on a schedule to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea.
These medications need to be taken before you feel sick to be most effective. Other nausea medications are used only on an as-needed basis, for example, if you are feeling very nauseous or vomiting. Chemotherapy drugs are very drying to your body's tissues, and the drugs will be going to every cell you have. Right after an infusion, drink 8 ounces of water every hour until bedtime. Avoid caffeine, as it is also drying it's a diuretic and may cause you to feel worse.
A benefit of drinking enough water is that it will help your body to process and flush the chemo drugs out of your system sooner, so you can start to recover sooner, too. In rare cases, such as with severe kidney disease or heart failure, it can be detrimental to drink too much water, so talk to your oncologist if you have any other serious medical conditions.
Some people plan on driving themselves to chemo if their first infusion goes well. Yet there are many reasons why it's beneficial to have a chemo buddy who can drive you, take notes and help ask questions, and keep you company through your infusion. There is a lot of information to digest at each visit, and having a friend with you doubles your chance that you won't miss anything.
Sometimes a chemo buddy is better able to detect if you have a reaction to the chemo drugs and can point this out to you early on.
The emotional support of having a friend can't be understated. Even if you and your friend each read a book, watch a movie, and don't talk, the presence of another person can lift your spirits. In our fast-paced world, we seldom have time to simply sit and talk with a friend for a few hours. Chemotherapy offers this opportunity. You can lower your risk of constipation by drinking enough fluids, eating balanced meals, and getting enough exercise.
Learn more about managing constipation. Blood disorders. Your bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones. It makes new blood cells. Chemotherapy affects this process, so you might have side effects from having too few blood cells. Usually the number of blood cells return to normal after chemotherapy is complete. But during treatment, low numbers of blood cells can cause problems and must be watched closely. Complete blood count CBC. A CBC test shows the levels of red blood cells and white blood cells in your blood.
Not enough red blood cells causes a condition called anemia. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Not enough white blood cells causes a condition called leukopenia.
This raises your risk of getting infections. When your white blood cells are low, getting an infection can be serious. If this happens, you need antibiotics as soon as possible. Platelet count. This test measures the number of platelets in your blood.
Platelets are cells that stop bleeding. They do this by plugging damaged blood vessels and helping blood form clots. Not having enough platelets causes a condition called thrombocytopenia. You can bleed and bruise more easily than normal.
The doses of chemotherapy can often be adjusted to prevent low blood counts. Drugs are also available to treat these blood disorders. The drugs help your bone marrow make more blood cells. They can help prevent leukopenia in people with a high risk. Nervous system effects. Some drugs cause nerve damage. This can cause the following nerve or muscle symptoms:. These symptoms usually get better with a lower chemotherapy dose or after treatment.
But damage is sometimes permanent. Learn more about managing nervous system side effects. Changes in thinking and memory. Some people have trouble thinking clearly and concentrating after chemotherapy. Cancer survivors often call this chemobrain. Your doctor might call it cognitive changes or cognitive dysfunction. Sexual and reproductive issues. Chemotherapy can affect your fertility. For women, this is the ability to get pregnant and carry a pregnancy. For men, fertility is the ability to make a woman pregnant.
Being tired or feeling sick from cancer or treatment can also affect your ability to enjoy sex. Talk with your doctor about these possible side effects before treatment starts. Learn more about managing sexual and reproductive side effects. Women might need a Pap test before starting chemotherapy. A Pap test gathers a sample of cells from the cervix. Chemotherapy can cause misleading results on the test. Chemotherapy can also harm an unborn baby, called a fetus.
This is especially true in the first 3 months of pregnancy, when the organs are still developing. If you could get pregnant during treatment, use effective birth control. If you do get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Try to prevent mouth ulcers by sucking on ice during chemotherapy sessions. Sip fluids, especially water, and eat moist foods such as casseroles or soups if you have a dry mouth.
Moisten foods with gravy or sauce. Soothe tender gums or mouth with plain yoghurt. Blend foods to make them easier to eat. Try smoothies made of fruit and yoghurt. Avoid smoking and alcoholic drinks, as well as very hot foods and spicy, acidic or coarse foods e. These can all aggravate mouth sores. Read the Mouth Health and Cancer Treatment fact sheet, available from your local Cancer Council website, or call 13 11 20 for information.
Skin and nail changes Some chemotherapy drugs may cause your skin to peel, darken or become dry and itchy. Tips for looking after your skin and nails Use a moisturising soap or sorbolene cream as a soap replacement.
After showering, gently pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing it. Use a moisturising lotion or cream containing the ingredient urea to help with the dryness. Wear loose, non-restricting clothing. Choose cotton fabric instead of rough wool or synthetic fibres.
Wash your clothing in mild detergent for people with sensitive skin. Stop shaving or waxing until your skin is healed. Protect your skin from the sun when UV levels are 3 or above.
This advice applies to everyone, but is especially important when having chemotherapy. If your skin becomes red or sore in the area where the intravenous device went in, let your doctor or nurse know immediately.
Avoid chlorinated swimming pools as the water can make skin changes worse. Thinking and memory changes Some people say they have difficulty concentrating, focusing and remembering things after they have had chemotherapy. Tips for managing cognitive changes Use a calendar to keep track of tasks, appointments, social commitments, birthdays, etc.
Learn something new, e. Write down anything you need to remember, e. Discuss these issues with your partner, family or workplace, and ask for their support or assistance. Get plenty of sleep.
Deep sleep is important for memory and concentration. Do light exercise every day to help you feel more alert and sleep better. You can also listen to The Thing About Cancer podcast episode on brain fog.
How chemotherapy affects the blood Blood cells are made in the bone marrow, which is the spongy part in the centre of the bones.
The bone marrow makes three main types of blood cells, which have specific functions: red blood cells — carry oxygen around the body white blood cells — fight infection platelets — help blood to clot and prevent bruising.
Anaemia If your red blood cell count drops, a reduced amount of oxygen circulates through your body. Infections If white blood cell numbers drop during chemotherapy, it can lower your immunity. A small scrape can quickly become serious. But when I feel like an infection is coming on, I've learnt to see my doctor straightaway.
Bleeding problems Platelets are the blood cells that help the blood to clot. Tips for when you have a low platelet count Be careful when using scissors, needles, knives or razors, as you may bleed easily.
Small cuts or nicks can also harbour germs where an infection can start. Use an electric razor when shaving to reduce the chance of nicking yourself. Wear thick gloves when gardening to avoid injury. The gloves will also prevent infection from soil, which contains bacteria. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid irritating your gums.
Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes indoors and outdoors to avoid cuts and scrapes on your feet. Blow your nose with care. If you bleed, apply pressure for about 10 minutes and bandage as needed. If you have problems with bleeding, talk to your doctor. Tips for managing numb hands or feet Take care when moving around — you may be more prone to trip and fall if your feet are numb or your legs are weak. Use gloves and warm socks to keep your hands and feet warm, or soak your hands and feet in warm water to relieve symptoms.
Use your elbow to check water temperature so you don't scald yourself. Talk to an occupational therapist from your treatment team about aids that may help, e. Some treatment centres offer ice mitts to help reduce peripheral neuropathy. If you are interested in trying these, ask your treatment centre if they are available and how much they cost. If your symptoms are severe, talk to your doctor about medicines that may offer relief.
Changes in hearing Some chemotherapy drugs can affect your hearing. Sex and fertility Chemotherapy can have an impact on your desire libido or ability to have sex. Changes in sexuality A range of issues can cause people to lose interest in sex while they're having treatment. Using contraception Your doctor may talk to you about using contraception during and after chemotherapy. Changes in fertility If you want to have children in the future, talk to your doctor about how chemotherapy might affect you and what options are available.
See Fertility and Cancer. Effects of chemotherapy on women Chemotherapy can reduce the levels of hormones produced by the ovaries. Effects of chemotherapy on men Chemotherapy drugs may lower the number of sperm produced and reduce their ability to move.
Key points about side effects Why side effects occur Many people experience side effects from chemotherapy. Common side effects Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, bowel issues such as constipation or diarrhoea, hair loss, mouth sores, skin and nail problems.
You may have trouble concentrating or remembering things. There can also be nerve and muscle effects and hearing changes. You will be at increased risk of infections. This is because chemotherapy can reduce your levels of white blood cells, which are necessary for fighting infections. You may have sexuality and fertility problems, such as reduced sexual desire or loss of fertility.
You might be able to store eggs ova , embryos or sperm for use at a later date. Talk to your doctor about these issues. Most side effects are temporary and gradually improve after you have finished treatment. Managing side effects Your doctor or nurse will advise you on how to cope with any side effects. You may be prescribed medicine or given suggestions for eating, drinking and looking after yourself.
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