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SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY
KIDNEY DAMAGE - RINGING SENSATION IN EARS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| KIDNEY DAMAGE
(Renal Toxicity) DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause damage to the kidneys because the breakdown products of the drug are excreted through the kidneys. The signs and symptoms of diminished kidney function are headache; change in the amount of urine; puffiness (swelling) of the body, especially the ankles; and flank pain. DURATION If you show the signs and symptoms of impaired kidney functioning, the drug will be discontinued and you will be given another drug to treat your disease. The headaches and puffiness of the body will subside as your kidneys repair themselves. The time it takes for repair of the kidneys varies among individuals. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You may be asked to increase or decrease your fluid intake. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Headaches and/or puffiness of the body occur. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIGHT SENSITIVITY
(Photophobia) DESCRIPTION Your eyes may be more sensitive to light or the sun while you are receiving chemotherapy. DURATION Your sensitivity to light will continue as long as you are receiving chemotherapy. Once the drug is discontinued, your eyes will not be any more sensitive to light than they were before treatment. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes whenever you are in bright light. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your sensitivity to light becomes suddenly more sever. Excessive tearing and blurred vision may also occur. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIVER DAMAGE
(Liver Toxicity) DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause damage to the liver. The liver metabolizes (breaks down) the drug that treats your disease. Some drugs are very toxic to the liver so the liver cannot function normally. The signs and symptoms of diminished liver functioning are a yellow color to the skin and the whites of your eyes, and nausea, fatigue, and pain in the right side. DURATION In liver damage resulting from chemotherapy, the signs and symptoms are temporary and subside within two weeks after the drug is discontinued. Another drug will be prescribed to treat your disease. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eat small frequent snacks and meals (six per day) that include your best-tolerated foods, even if you are not hungry. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rest as much as necessary to save your energy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of liver damage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MOOD CHANGES
DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause you to experience sudden mood changes. You may feel "blue" or find yourself crying for no apparent reason. The contrast emotions - euphoria and hyperactivity - can be felt as well (manic behavior). DURATION Sudden mood changes due to your chemotherapy usually stop within one week after the treatment has been completed. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Do not abruptly stop taking your medicine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Explain to family members and friends that the mood changes for no apparent reason are due to the drug. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Talk to the nurse or physician and family members or friends about your feelings and moods. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your symptoms distress you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MOUTH PROBLEMS
Dry Mouth DESCRIPTION You may experience dryness in your mouth because your saliva production has changed. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Artificial salivas such as mineral oil may relieve feelings of dryness in the mouth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid breathing through your mouth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid very hot, spicy, or acidic foods. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drink liquids often. Drink at least three quarts of fluid each day. Be sure to have liquids available. Keep liquids handy at your bedside and use a humidifier during the night. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eat soft, bland foods, especially cool or cold foods with a high liquid content, such as ice cream, popsicles, puddings, seedless grapes and watermelon. Solid foods can be made easier to swallow by adding broths, gravies, mayonnaise, melted butter, salad dressing, sauces and yogurt. Dunk bread and other baked foods in milk, tea, or coffee will make them easier to swallow. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Frequent cleansing of the mouth and teeth is necessary. Cleanse teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush every two hours. Do not use commercial mouthwashes because they usually contain alcohol, which has a drying effect on the tissues lining the mouth. Make your own mouthwash by mixing one cup of warm water with one teaspoon each of salt and baking soda. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good mouth care before eating will stimulate production of saliva in your mouth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If you find solid foods too difficult to swallow, you should try a pureed diet or a full liquid diet with fruit ades or nectars. Since it may be difficult for you to eat enough during this time, adding a liquid high-protein supplement to your diet will help ensure that you are getting enough protein and calories. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Inspect your mouth three times a day for sores. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sip beverages between bites of food during meals. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Suck on ice chips or ice cubes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Suck on sugar-free hard candy or popsicles or chew sugar-free gum. These may help to stimulate saliva production. Since tooth decay is a major problem, particularly for patients receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck area, the use of sugar-free products is best. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MOUTH PROBLEMS
Stomatitis DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy destroys the cancerous and the normal cells of your body, especially those normal cells that are produced at a fast rate. The cells lining your mouth and throat divide quickly and may be destroyed, which leads to mouth sores. The first signs of developing mouth sores is when the mucosa (lining) appears pale and dry. Later your mouth, gums, or throat may feel sore or different. You may be able to see reddened areas in your mouth or gums that feel raw, as if you had accidentally bitten the inside of your cheek while chewing. DURATION Mouth sores caused by chemotherapy are temporary and will usually be apparent 5 to 14 days after teh administration of your drugs. Your body's cellular lining in the mouth and throat will grow back. The mouth sores will heal completely when the chemotherapy is completed. Chemotherapy will be temporarily discontinued if your mouth is very sore or when these sores appear. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Add sauces and gravies to solid foods; puree or liquefy foods if you have decreased saliva or difficulty. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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An aspirin substitute with codeine elixir can be swished and swallowed for systemic and local effects, if it has been prescribed. Systemic analgesics (pain pills) should be taken 1 1/2 to 2 hours before meals to maximize comfort while eating. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Another recommended mouthwash recipe that has been helpful is 3 1/2 ounces of Maalox and one ounce of viscous lidocaine plus the contents of a 25-milligram capsule of diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Shake well, use as a swish, and swallow or spit. Repeat every four hours as needed. Usually one pint with refills is prescribed. The solution should be kept in the refrigerator for an increased analgesic effect. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Apply thin layers of K-Y Jelly or Mouth Moisturizer to your lips to keep them moist. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ask a dentist about the daily use of fluoride gel to help prevent severe tooth decay that chan develop if the flow of saliva is reduced. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, and alcohol. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid very hot or very cold temperatures in food as they may cause irritation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Be sure to gargle with your special mouthwash if it has been prescribed. The mouthwash contains medicine that helps ease the discomfort of mouth sores, prevents infection, and promotes healing of the sores. Gargle 15 to 20 minutes before meals to help you feel more comfortable. Some mouthwash can make you sleepy; less mouthwash is absorbed by rinsing than by swallowing. If you have esophagitis (raw throat), then swallowing is okay; if not, spit out the mouthwash. If drowsiness is a problem, you will be asked not to swallow the mouthwash. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Brush your teeth with a baby soft toothbrush, or cleanse dentures after every meal to remove irritating food particles and to help prevent infection. Oral hygiene should be performed at least four times a day - within thirty minutes after each meal and at bedtime. If severe mouth sores occur, hourly oral hygiene may be necessary. Unwaxed dental floss should be used daily, but it must be used gently. If bleeding occurs when you are flossing, stop flossing for a few days and then try again. If bleeding still occurs when you floss again, stop for a few days before trying again. Bleeding can be controlled by applying pressure with a piece of gauze saturated with ice water. A water pick may be used at a low setting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drink plenty of liquids. Keep your mouth moist. Lukewarm tea, Kool-Aid and liquid Jello may be tolerated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drink soft food from a cup or through a straw if you are having trouble eating with a fork or a spoon. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eat bland and cool, soft foods such as custards, eggs, Jello, soups, and yogurt. Avoid foods such as lemons, lines, oranges, raw vegetables, tomatoes, or heavily spiced foods since they may irritate your mouth more. Spicy foods that contain pepper, chili powder, or nutmeg may bother the mouth more than such spices as cinnamon, garlic, and oregano. A peeled, grated, fresh apple is easier to eat than a whole one. Hard candies or popsicles may be soothing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Examine oral cavity by first removing all dental appliances. use a good source of light. Use a glove or gauze and a tongue blade to help move the tongue and lips out of the way so you can see all surfaces. Use a dental mirror to see further back in the throat. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If you wear dentures, do not use gumlike grips. If your dentures do not fit well, have them adjusted by your dentist. Do no wear dentures, retainers, or partial plates if your mouth is sore. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If your home is heated by dry heat, a humidifier or a steam kettle in the bedroom may help. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Look at your mouth and gums at least three times a day for any sores. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Make your own non-irritating mouthwash by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with one quart of warm water. Keep this rinse in your mouth for about one minute and repeat every fours while awake. Avoid commercial mouthwashes that contain a lot of salt or alcohol, such as Listerine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your appetite is decreased. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your mouth, gums, or throat feel sore or different, or if you observe sores in your mouth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUSCLE PAIN
DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause you to have generalized muscle pain. DURATION Your symptoms of muscle pain will continue as long as you are receiving chemotherapy. Once the treatment is completed, the pain will subside over several weeks. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Exercise with stretching motions two to three times a day if you can tolerate this activity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take analgesics (pain pills) as needed to alleviate muscle pain. Aspirin products should not be taken when your platelet count is low. If you have any questions, ask your physician. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Use any measures you have found in the past to alleviate muscle pain, for example, a hot bath or relaxation techniques. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Muscle pain becomes suddenly worse and is not being alleviated with over-the-counter pain pills. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUSCLE WEAKNESS
DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause you to experience generalized muscle weakness. The reason for this occurrence is not known. You may experience muscle twitching accompanied by feelings of thirst, drowsiness, and periods of confusion. Muscle twitching is caused by a depletion in your body of calcium, potassium, or both. DURATION Your symptom of muscle weakness will continue for as long as you are receiving chemotherapy. Once the treatment is completed, the weakness will subside over several weeks. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Get up slowly on your feet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prioritize your activities to be able to perform those activities important to you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rest when muscle weakness increases. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Muscle weakness becomes suddenly worse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NAUSEA AND VOMITING
DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause nausea, episodes of vomiting, or both. The chemotherapy drugs are powerful and sometimes elicit this reaction from the body. Experiencing nausea and vomiting is not an indication of whether the drug is or is not destroying cancer cells. DURATION Nausea, vomiting, or both usually disappear within one week after you stop you daily doses of chemotherapy. If you undergo weekly chemotherapy, you are likely to experience nausea and vomiting only for 6 to 24 hours after you have received the drug. If your nausea and vomiting are severe, chemotherapy may be discontinued and another drug will be used to treat your disease. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Add bananas, tomatoes, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, dates, figs, milk, prunes, potatoes, raisins, tangerines, and unsalted tomato juice to your daily diet. These food are high in potassium. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ask for an antinausea pill, suppository, or shot before each treatment, and take your pill or suppository every fours hours on a set schedule. Antinausea therapy given before nausea and vomiting are experienced is effective in more than 90% of patients. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid doing your own cooking if the odor makes you feel nauseated. Sit in another room or take a walk while the food is being cooked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid greasy foods because they take longer to leave the stomach; carbohydrate-containing foods (such as noodles or rice) leave the stomach more quickly. The volume of food in the stomach can be reduced by avoiding liquids at mealtimes and by drinking them one hour before or after eating. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid hot foods. Their odors sometime aggravate nausea. Try cold meat and fruit plates with cottage cheese, and and small sandwiches of bland food. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chew your food well, so it can be digested easily. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Clean your mouth well before meals and brush you teeth soon after eating. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cover liquids and sip through a straw if odors are nauseating. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Do no force yourself to eat more than you can possibly manage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drink liquids frequently (but not with meals), if are able. It is essential that fluids with salt be given when vomiting is severe or prolonged to make up for the body's loss of water and salt. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eat crackers or hard candy when nausea occurs; this may prevent dry heaves. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eat slowly, so that only small amounts of food enter your stomach at a time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eat small snacks (five to six times a day). Sweet or salty foods may be tolerated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Get fresh sir by sitting near an open window or outdoors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Keep an estimate of the intake of fluids and output or urine to assess possible dehydration. The signs and symptoms of dehydration are dryness of the skin and mouth, decreased urine volume, and sunken eyes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rest after meals. Activity can aggravate the nausea. If you recline after meals, make sure your head is four inches higher than your feet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rinse your mouth after vomiting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take a pain pill, if you are in pain, before the pain becomes intolerable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take antacid ( such as Maalox) after taking the antinausea medicine. Avoid unnecessary movement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take calcium and potassium medication prescribed for you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take fluids only for several hours after the treatment. It may be helpful to eat a light snack before the treatment. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Talk with your physician about scheduling the treatment late in the day. The effects of nausea and vomiting may cause you to lose the evening meal, but you may regain your appetite by morning. Keep track of your sickness patterns, recording the onset and duration. Most chemotherapy side effects do not last longer than 48 hours. By knowing your particular pattern of sickness you can determine better when to apply the self-care measures. Some chemotherapy drugs have a delayed onset of nausea and vomiting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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When feeling nauseated, try to distract yourself from the sensation by engaging in activities you particularly enjoy - for example, music, sleeping, talking about pleasant things - or try self-hypnosis or slow mouth breathing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nausea persists. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You are bloated, having pain or a swollen stomach before an episode of vomiting, and these symptoms are relieved by vomiting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You have been vomiting and have not been able to keep anything down for 24 hours and/or you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of dehydration. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You have jerking movements of the head, neck or limbs, such as stiff, uneven, unintentional movements. These extrapyramidal symptoms are seen infrequently (3%) and result from the same antinausea drugs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NERVOUSNESS, IRRITABILITY, AND
INSOMNIA
DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause you to feel nervous and irritable. You may also have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep at night. Nightmares are not unusual. DURATION Your symptoms of nervousness, irritability, and insomnia will more or less continue until your treatment is completed and your drug is discontinued. If these symptoms become severe, your drug may be discontinued and another drug may be prescribed to treat your disease. Once the drug has been discontinued, you will return to your usual temperament and sleeping patterns in one to two weeks. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Decrease intake of caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee, teas, cocoa or soda. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Perform any calming measure you have found in the past to relax. Examples include taking a hot bath or removing yourself from annoying situations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Perform any measures you have found in the past to help you sleep, such as drinking warm milk at bedtime and listening to soothing music at the bedside. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your symptoms are distressing you and the measures you have tried are not alleviating the symptoms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NUMBNESS
(Peripheral Neuropathies) DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may affect your nervous system. You may experience numbness, tingling, or decreased sensation in your hands, feet, or both. You may find yourself suddenly being very clumsy with your feet, hands, or both. For example, buttoning clothes, opening jars, or squeezing toothpaste tubes may be more difficult. DURATION If your nervous system is affected by the chemotherapy, your medicine will be decreased in amount or discontinued and another medicine will be prescribed to treat your disease. The tingling or numbing sensations in your hands and feet usually disappear in time. The clumsiness also usually subsides. However, there are situation where the sensations or the clumsiness are not resolved. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Exercise the limb by alternately flexing and stretching its muscles four times a day for a few minutes. If you are able, short walks will satisfactorily exercise the legs and feet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take care to prevent injuries to numb hands or feet, such as cuts or burns. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You develop any of the signs or symptoms of nervous system involvement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You lose feeling in your hands or feet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PAIN
Abdominal DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause abdominal pain. Why it occurs is not known. The intensity of the pain is related to the amount of chemotherapy you receive. Usually it is most intense shortly after intravenous administration of medicine. Any other abdominal pain you may experience may occur for different reasons, and will not be closely associated with the pattern of drug administration. DURATION The symptom of abdominal pain subside shortly after chemotherapy is completed. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Change position while lying down. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Do mental relaxation and stress reduction exercises: These can be learned through courses offered in community agencies, hospitals, and through your physician or nurse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take pain medicine about thirty minutes before you know the pain to be at its worst during the administration of your chemotherapy. Do not take aspirin or aspirin products if your platelet count is low. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The abdominal pain is not relieved with the pain medicine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You are in sudden and severe abdominal pain unlike the pain you experienced from your chemotherapy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PAIN
Injection Site or Tumor Site DESCRIPTION If your chemotherapy is administered to you by injection, you may have some pain where it is being injected or at the site of your tumor. The chemotherapy drugs are very powerful and tend to irritate the vein used for injection of your medicine. DURATION The pain at your injection site and at the tumor site subsides when your treatment is completed. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ask your nurse to slow down the rate of administration of the drug. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Take pain medicine just before your chemotherapy treatment if pain always or frequently occurs during administration of the drug. Do not take aspirin or aspirin products if your platelet count is low. If you have any questions, ask your physician or nurse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The pain at either site (injection or tumor) continues after treatment is completed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PIGMENTATION
Increased Coloring of the Skin (Hyperpigmentation) DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause the color of your skin to darken. The two body areas especially affected are the hands and the arms. DURATION The darkening of your skin is permanent, although the darkening fades in some people over time (years). It does not indicate that anything is wrong, and your chemotherapy will continue. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Use sunscreen, such as PABA #15, for maximum protection when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wear clothes that protect your hans and arms against the sun if you do not with to be tanned by the sun in the areas darkened by your chemotherapy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your symptoms distress you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PIGMENTATION Increased Coloring of the Skin Under the Nails DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause the color of your skin under your fingernails and toenails to darken. DURATION The coloration of the skin under your nails is permanent, although the coloration fades in some people over time (years). It does not indicate that anything is wrong, and your chemotherapy will continue. SUGGESTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cover with nail polish. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your symptoms distress you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RED URINE
DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause you to have red-colored urine one to two days after receiving your medicine. It is to be expected and should not be confused with, or though of as, blood in your urine. You will not experience any of the other signs or symptoms that occurs when there is blood in the urine. As the drug is metabolized, the red breakdown product in the drug goes to the kidneys and is then excreted through the bladder when you urinate. DURATION As your body uses the drug, the red in your urine will disappear within 2 to 12 days. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Your are not sure if your red-colored urine is the drug or blood. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You have pain when you urinate. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RINGING SENSATION IN EARS
(Tinnitus) DESCRIPTION Chemotherapy may cause you to experience a ringing sensation in your ears. Exactly how it occurs is not known, but chemotherapy somehow affects the eighth cranial nerve, which is used for hearing. In rare cases, the ringing sensation may develop into permanent loss of hearing. DURATION If a ringing sensation in your ears occurs from your chemotherapy, your drug will be discontinued and another drug will be prescribed to treat your disease. The ringing sensation should subside within a few days. CONSULT PHYSICIAN OR NURSE IF: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ringing sensation occurs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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