Side-effects
The major side effects of chemotherapy will have been discussed with you when you agreed to the treatment. Your doctor or nurse will discuss any other queries which arise during your treatment.
Major side effects
- Nausea and vomiting. This is caused by some chemotherapy drugs. If necessary you will be given drugs to reduce the sickness. Do tell your doctor or nurses if the sickness is still a problem as alternative anti-sickness drugs can be used.
- Hair loss may occur with some chemotherapy drugs. If you have been told that your hair will fall out then it will happen three to six weeks after you treatment starts. Your hair will re-grow, but it will take about six months from the end of chemotherapy before you have a reasonable head of hair again. Do ask if you would like to have a wig provided before you leave hospital.
- Pain. Chemotherapy is not painful. If you are experiencing aches and pains as a result of your condition, you should initially use paracetamol as a pain-killer. Drugs containing aspirin should be avoided since these can increase the likelihood of bruising and bleeding.
- Constipation. Your doctor can give you advice on how to treat this.
Effects on the Blood
When you are having chemotherapy, your blood count may be affected. This is why you need a blood test before each treatment. You are less able to fight infections during the two or three weeks after each chemotherapy treatment due to an effect on the white blood cells. This means that you must not ignore even a mild infection, and if you become feverish during this period you must let you doctor know.
Severe tiredness, breathlessness and a pale appearance might be due to anaemia, which can be dealt with easily with a blood transfusion.
Your doctor also needs to be told if you have any bleeding or unusually severe bruising. This could be due to an effect of chemotherapy on the blood cells called platelets which help the blood to clot.
IF YOU WANT ADVICE ABOUT YOUR CHEMOTHERAPY AND ITS EFFECTS Make a note of any questions you want to ask, and bring it with you to the clinic to remind you to ask the doctor. Many problems can be dealt with by contacting the nursing staff of the chemotherapy unit. If you need urgent advice outside normal working hours ask your doctor for a number to ring locally.
