What are the immediate side effects of chemotherapy?

What are the immediate side effects of chemotherapy?

What are common side effects of chemo?

• Fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Easy bruising and bleeding.
• Infection.
• Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Appetite changes.
• Constipation.

Do chemo side effects mean its working?

Most side effects don’t do any lasting harm and will gradually go away after treatment finishes. If you do not get side effects, it does not mean your treatment is not working. There are very few long term side effects of chemotherapy.

Do chemo side effects get better?

Most types of pain related to chemotherapy get better or go away between treatments. However, nerve damage often gets worse with each dose. Sometimes the drug causing the nerve damage has to be stopped. It can take months or years for nerve damage from chemotherapy to improve or go away.

Is chemotherapy really worth it?

Suffering through cancer chemotherapy is worth it — when it helps patients live longer. But many patients end up with no real benefit from enduring chemo after surgical removal of a tumor. Going in, it’s been hard to predict how much chemo will help prevent tumor recurrence or improve survival chances.

When should you stop chemotherapy?

What the experts recommend. Cancer treatment is at its most effective the first time that it’s used. If you’ve undergone three or more chemotherapy treatments for your cancer and the tumors continue to grow or spread, it may be time for you to consider stopping chemotherapy.

What can you not do while on chemo?

Stay away from strong smelling foods to avoid aggravating any disorders of taste. Avoid fatty fried, spicy and overly sweet foods, as they may induce nausea. Avoid refined sugars (including raw, brown and palm sugar) as well as refined carbohydrates as most tumours prefer glucose as a source of energy.

What are the signs that chemo is not working?

Here are some signs that chemotherapy may not be working as well as expected: tumors aren’t shrinking. new tumors keep forming. cancer is spreading to new areas.

How long after stopping chemo do you feel better?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again. Read the resource Managing Cognitive Changes: Information for Cancer Survivors for more information about managing chemo brain.

How do you get rid of chemo belly?

How to handle:

1. Take the anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medicines prescribed by your cancer doctor or nurse.
2. Try eating bland, easily digestible foods and drinks.
3. Pay attention to your body and eat at times when you are least likely to have nausea.
4. Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.