What You Should Know About Chemotherapy Side Effects
by Katie O'Grady | Sep 6, 2022 | Blog |
Before beginning chemotherapy, it is critical to understand your chemo drug and what to expect. Chemotherapy is used to harm fast growing cancer cells, reducing the overall number of cancer cells in your body, decreasing the likelihood of cancer spreading, shrinking tumor size, and relieving current cancer symptoms. In this blog, we will discuss the common side effects of chemo as well as tips utilized and advised by other patients while undergoing chemotherapy.
Chemo is an extremely powerful medicine that can induce a variety of negative effects, including:
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Mouth sores and mucositis- Chemo can damage the cells in your mouth leaving your body weak to defend off germs which can lead to mouth sores and infections.
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Diarrhea– Chemo damages the healthy cells in your gut, making them less efficient at absorbing nutrients. It also causes gaps to form along the barrier of these cells, allowing viruses and bacteria to enter your bloodstream which cause diarrhea.
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Facial Flushing– A sudden warm sensation and possible turning of red over your face. Usually only lasts when this chemo is being delivered.
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Infection Risk– This chemo can inhibit your immune system causing a decrease in white blood cells that defend your body from bacteria and viruses.
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Bruising and bleeding- Chemotherapy can lower your platelet count; platelets aid to slow and stop bleeding when you bump into something or have an open cut. When you don’t have enough of them, it’s easier to get nasal bleeds or gum bleeding, as well as bruising.
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Nausea and vomiting- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is primarily triggered by stimulation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), a brain region that responds to medications or chemicals in the blood. As well as damage done to the GI which allows for toxins to enter the blood stream causing nausea and vomiting.
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Weight loss- Weight loss is typical during chemotherapy treatment because cancer patients eat less due to poor appetite, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, and other symptoms.
Other side effects to mention are, pale appearance and difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, high uric acid levels in blood, hair loss, constipation, hand-foot syndrome, contraception risk, infertility, changes in menstruation, secondary leukemia, or cancer.
Here is a list of tips to help with these major side effects that have been tested and recommended by other patients who have been through chemotherapy,
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Be sure to drink LOTS of water- Hydration is essential. Chemotherapy and its side effects often result in dehydration. It is critical to begin hydrating heavily before and during treatment. This may also help mitigate some of the side effects. Some patients raised their water intake to 80 oz (about 2.37 L) the day before, the day of, and for the first 2-3 days following chemo.
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Have something Icy– Mouth sores can be prevented by drinking ice water or drinking a smoothie. Some patients advise consuming something cold while receiving an infusion. Others advised bringing hand cream and lip balm to relieve dryness and lip sores.
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Watermelon– If you are having trouble drinking water, try munching on some watermelon. It is packed with water and can sometimes be easier to eat.
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Have something in your stomach– Eating small meals or something bland, like crackers, can ease nausea. One woman stated that her nurse advised always having something in her stomach.
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Rest– After chemo, your body will use a lot of energy to restore itself. When you feel tired, listen to your body; it needs rest.
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Exercise– Another patient stated that she used to feel better after a short round of activity, such as walking around the block or doing yoga to unwind.
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Stay away from germs– Try to avoid huge groups and raw fruits and vegetables that can be difficult to clean. Your immune system will be compromised, making infection far more likely.
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Enterade- While undergoing treatment, enterade can be your best friend because it not only keeps you hydrated better than water, but it also helps manage side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, exhaustion, undesirable weight loss, and dehydration.
Enterade is a clinically proven, plant-based, medical food that helps to manage the side effects of cancer treatment. Using Hydro Active Technology, enterade is formulated to hydrate better water. Furthermore, enterade can help relieve discomfort from diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dehydration, and unwanted weight loss. Enterade’s unique blend of plant-based amino acids helps by rebuilding the cells that line your intestines, fortifying your gut against the damage caused by cancer treatments.
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Will be going through this chemo treatment soon wanted to know more about this product thanks
Hi Sal, enterade helps with the gastrointestinal side effects from chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and immunotherapy. These treatments can damage the rapidly dividing cells in the gut that make up the villi, responsible for nutrient absorption, and the gut barrier which is responsible for keeping toxins and bacteria from entering the bloodstream. enterade is formulated with a precise, patented blend of 5 amino acids — l-aspartic, l-valine, l-serine, l-threonine, and l-tyrosine, to help rebuild those cells and minimize side effects such as nausea, dehydration, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. You can learn more on our website http://www.enterade.com
I have CML, Just got off Gleevec, now going o Sprycel. With the side effects with Gleevec I can imagine what the new med will do to me!
I went through chemo at night my throat swelling up.and tung has blisters
My tongue is kind of sore very uncomfortable
You have SSC on back of tongue?
How did things go with you? Cause I’m getting ready to go through with chemo and radiation. Head and neck cancer started with throat cancer
I agree would like more info
June
My husband had cancer. Started In his throat ended up with leukemia. He fought for 7 years. Plus had heart surgery. He passed away in July 2022
I am so very sorry for your loss.. My thoughts and prayers are with you
After I almost died from blood clots, I found out that colon cancer, radiation and chemotherapy can cause blood clots. People undergoing treatment should be checked periodically for blood clots.
I’m also getting chemotherapy and this awesome enterade drink daily just gives my gut or digestive tract much help against the acidity that comes from the chemicals. Best to you
bjmcleod67@gmail.com
I’m half way through my 12 Chemo treatments… have to say only some minor side effects so far… Loss of weight, but not loss of appetite… Some dryness of mouth makes it little hard to tolerate breads….. Suggest you drink plenty of water, make sure to have Lite snacks before treatment, and rest when you feel tired…. and MOST IMPORTANTLY, STAY POSITIVE, DON’T ANTICIPATE SIDE EFFECTS (what ever you expect is almost bound to happen, real or not)… LASTLY, try not to do much research. IF you do, you will read about all POSSIBLE side effects, and start anticipating them… REMEMBER everyone is different and Chemotherapy affects us in different way… The one’s who handle it best are generally the ones who GO WITH the FLOW, and STAY POSITIVE (even through the bumps that will come)…
GOOD LUCK, STAY POSITIVE (can’t emphasize that enough) and you should come out fine 😄👍😃
Excellent advice. That is exactly how I am handling g it and am doing pretty good with very few side effects.
Great information
Yes, but I was having severe neuro symptoms from my brain injury which drs think was a stroke! Wrong! The chemo is crossing over the blood brain barrier and causing severe problems! Slurred speech, gait unsteady, foggy thinking, incontinence, severe vertigo and nervousness. Now htn and tachycardia. I told them “ I’m done” . I’ll find another route.
What do you do about the neuropathy in your hands and feet
My daughter had great results with acupuncture.
what to do about numness in hands and feet
I have numnessin my finger tips and feet! They are usually very cold also !
I have the same thing ,I am taking gabapenten 900mgs 3 times a day, it has helped a little
June
My oncologist suggested taking Gabapentin but I’ve taken it before and the side effects are miserable. She also suggested taking Vitamin B complex pills. For my fingers and toes (I am getting blood pools under my fingernails and toenails as well as some pain) I’ve been using chemo creams and calendula cream to hopefully slow the progress so I don’t lose any nails.
Looking for information for my daughter who has breast cancer. I’m willing to try this for her. Thank you
Hi Christine, you can find more information about enterade by going to our main page at enterade.com. enterade is also available on Amazon. As for benefits, enterade helps to rebuild the damage to the intestinal villi caused by chemotherapy and radiation. When the villi are damaged or blunted, the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients is inhibited. enterade promotes better nutrient absorption helping patients maintain a healthy weight while undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, cancer treatments cause gaps to form in the protective barrier of the gut. When these gaps form, harmful toxins and bacteria are able to pass from the intestine into the bloodstream. enterade helps to close those gaps to prevent these harmful toxins from entering the body–ultimately helping to prevent symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise, and fatigue. Please let us know if you have any more questions.
Enterade is fabulous! I also have (metastatic) breast cancer and started drinking a bottle of Enterade first thing in the morning and before I go to bed at night. I’ve had 14 chemo infusions (2 more to go) and haven’t had any nausea at all! THANK YOU, ENTERADE!! I still have surgery and 7 weeks of daily radiation so I’m still drinking some every morning.
What food or drink will help with low WBC,
thank you.
Could I get more info about Enterade
Hi Robert, enterade is a clinically proven plant-based medical food. enterade helps to rebuild the damage to the intestinal villi caused by chemotherapy and radiation. When the villi are damaged or blunted, the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients is inhibited. enterade promotes better nutrient absorption helping patients maintain a healthy weight while undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, cancer treatments cause gaps to form in the protective barrier of the gut. When these gaps form, harmful toxins and bacteria are able to pass from the intestine into the bloodstream. enterade helps to close those gaps to prevent these harmful toxins from entering the body–ultimately helping to prevent symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise, and fatigue. You can find more information on our home page at enterade.com. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I have a rare form of cancer and am on chemo shots. I don’t know if I will have to go on infused chemo but want to be prepared just in case.
What about neuropathy in my wife’s feet?
Hi Rick, yes, chemo can cause neuropathy in the hands and feet. If you and your wife are concerned about it, we would recommend speaking to her doctor about potential ways to reduce the feeling.
I had chemo and radiation everyday for 5 weeks
Hi Rick, I’ve been dealing with same problem and one of the nurses suggested Cortizone and it helps me. If the itching is severe have her put her feet over ice packs, I used them for my hands and feet. They actually sell ice packs for your feet & hands.
flossiegivens7@gmail.com
I have ovarian cancer
2000,2001, I had breast cancer. I had chemo and radiation. After that I left arm got lymphedema and I still have it. Well after this my heart was getting weak as in heart failure. My heart got so weak, I had to have a heart transplant. All of this started in 2000 and 2012, I had a heart transplant all due to chemo and radiation. I died twice within four hours of each episode of death,the fourth day after transplant. It was a miracle that I am still here. I believe in GOD that he guided the doctor’s in saving me. I was in the hospital for a month and about six or 8 weeks I was about to go down again but thank God I am still here. In January I found out I had cancer again on February 9, and I caught it. Praise God, no chemo, except chemo pulls. Everything I went through with my heart, at the hospital where I had my transplant they call me a miracle child. I spoke to a doctor a few weeks ago and he said I really shouldn’t be here not with dieing like I did. All I can say is God wasn’t ready for me. Please believe in God. God bless all of you.
I’m half way through my 12 Chemo treatments… have to say only some minor side effects so far… Loss of weight, but not loss of appetite… Some dryness of mouth makes it little hard to tolerate breads….. Suggest you drink plenty of water, make sure to have Lite snacks before treatment, and rest when you feel tired…. and MOST IMPORTANTLY, STAY POSITIVE, DON’T ANTICIPATE SIDE EFFECTS (what ever you expect is almost bound to happen, real or not)… LASTLY, try not to do much research. IF you do, you will read about all POSSIBLE side effects, and start anticipating them… REMEMBER everyone is different and Chemotherapy affects us in different way… The one’s who handle it best are generally the ones who GO WITH the FLOW, and STAY POSITIVE (even through the bumps that will come)…
GOOD LUCK, STAY POSITIVE (can’t emphasize that enough) and you should come out fine 😄👍😃
Hi Neil,
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THAT INFORMATION+PEP TALK !!!! Soooo Needed !!!! God Bless🙏😁💝THANKS AGAINDF💪💝
I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2. I already had 3 chemo treatments. I can eat small portions of food ,I have hart time to drink water. The symptoms are very strong ( sore throat,lugs very sensitive,nauseas,diarrhea,constipation after stomach upset,insomio, dizziness and gum sore.)I pray to finish chemo. I hope each one who suffer with any type of cancer we get true to this sickness
I have B cell Lymphoma and am taking RCHOP. I’m battling severe constipation. I see that Enterade should help with diarrhea but will it help with constipation?
Hi Maria, thank for reaching out. Unfortunately, we don’t recommend taking enterade if you have constipation as it could make it worse.