Symptom Management

Many people go through chemotherapy with little to no discomforting side effects. However, your doctor will work with you to eliminate or manage any symptoms you may experience due to your cancer or from side-effects of the chemotherapy treatment. Some symptoms will require medications which your doctor will prescribe, but there will be many simple things you can do for yourself such as drinking adequate water, resting if you feel tired, eating healthy foods – and trying to eat even when you don’t have an appetite.

If you are feeling well enough, light exercise is also beneficial. Those actions will help your body to process and eliminate the toxic effects of the chemotherapy so that side-effects may be lessened. Some of the side-effects you may need help with are as follows:

Appetite Changes

During Chemotherapy, you may lose your appetite because of nausea, mouth and throat problems that make it painful to eat, or drugs that cause you to lose your taste for food. It is important to eat well, even when you have no appetite, to help your body fight infection and repair tissues that are damaged by chemotherapy. This means eating and drinking foods that have plenty of protein, vitamins, and calories.

Fatigue

Fatigue can range from a mild to extreme feeling of being tired, and can be described as feeling weak, weary, worn out, heavy, or slow. Fatigue can be caused by the type of chemotherapy, the effort of making frequent visits to the doctor, or feelings such as stress, anxiety, and depression. There are a few ways to treat fatigue, but it’s important to be patient with yourself. Relax, eat and drink well, plan time to rest, let others help you, and openly communicate with our team to support your well-being.

Hair Loss

Hair loss (also called alopecia) is when some or all of your hair falls out anywhere on your body: your head, face, arms, legs, underarms, or the pubic area between your legs. Hair loss often starts two to three weeks after chemotherapy begins, and almost always your hair will grow back two to three months after chemotherapy is over. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor or nurse and ask about scalp cooling therapy available at HHO. Scalp Cooling Therapy can help prevent hair loss caused by certain types of chemotherapy.

Neuropathy (Nervous System Changes)

Chemotherapy can cause damage to your nervous system. Many nervous system problems get better within a year of when you finish chemotherapy, but some may last the rest of your life. Some common symptoms are tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness in your hands or feet, feeling colder than normal, shaking and trembling. Be sure to let your doctor or nurse know right away if you notice any changes to your nervous system, including memory problems and feeling confused or depressed.

Nauseousness

Chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting, or both occurring while you are getting chemotherapy, right after, or many hours or days later. Nausea is when you feel sick to your stomach, like you are going to throw up. Vomiting is when you throw up. Your doctor will prescribe medications for you to take, and give you instructions on when to take them. Our registered dietitian can help you to choose foods that will be gentle on your stomach and provide the nutrition you need. Some people find relief with using things such as ginger, acupuncture, or seasick bands.

Constipation/Diarrhea

Constipation is when bowel movements become less frequent and stools are hard, dry, and difficult to pass, while Diarrhea is frequent bowel movements that may be soft, loose, or watery. The doctor can prescribe medication to control these symptoms, and the dietician can help you choose foods that will help to regain normal digestive function.

Bone Marrow Suppression

Chemotherapy can temporarily suppress your bone marrow from producing a normal amount of blood cells. Your blood cell counts will be monitored regularly because of this. In time your normal cell production usually resumes. If your counts decline too low you may receive medication to stimulate bone marrow production, you may require a transfusion , and treatment may be postponed until your counts recover.

If your white blood cell is low, your ability to fight infection is compromised.

We ask that you take care to avoid crowds and sick people (especially children), wash your hands often, and avoid eating raw foods – fruits and vegetables are best eaten washed and peeled , or cooked. If you develop a fever higher than 100.5 degrees, a sore throat or cough, or pain and redness at any surgical or catheter site, please call for an immediate appointment.

If your red blood cell count is low, you may feel tired and weak.

It is best to avoid any strenuous activity until the count goes up. If you are experiencing light-headedness or shortness of breath during normal activities, call for an appointment. If you are passing out or have extreme shortness of breath, call 911.

If your platelet count is low, you may have increased bruising or red/purple pinpoint dots on your skin.

Report these symptoms to your doctor. If you have a cut or nosebleed that will not stop bleeding, go to your nearest emergency center.

Other side effects that are possible with chemotherapy are:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Neuropathy (numbness or tingling) in your hands or feet
• Rashes

If you have any of these or other symptoms be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

The chemotherapy nurses at Hunterdon Hematology Oncology are a great source of tips and practical measures that you can use to help with side-effects. For more information, please reference the following guide we share during new patient appointments: Chemotherapy and You Treatment Guide