after chemo treatment what are the side effects

Side effects of chemotherapy

• Low blood cell counts. Low blood cell counts happen because of chemotherapy’s effect on blood cells made in the bone...
• Fatigue. Fatigue makes a person feel more tired than usual and can interfere with daily activities and sleep.
• Nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting can start within the first few hours after chemotherapy drugs are given...

Full Answer

What are side effects of chemotherapy go away after treatment?

Headaches, muscle pain, stomach pain, and other discomfort are another common side effect of chemotherapy. It might be brief or last a long time. It can also come and go. This pain can add to …

How does chemotherapy affect your body after treatment?

What to Expect After Last Chemo Treatment. Numbness. Shooting or stabbing pain. Burning. Tingling. Muscle weakness. Inability to keep your balance. Sensitivity to cold or …

How do you feel after first chemo treatment?

Sep 21, 2021 · Chemotherapy may cause late side effects in the heart for some people, such as: irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia heart disease high blood pressure congestive heart failure valvular disease stroke

Will it get better after chemo?

Side effects of chemotherapy Low blood cell counts. Low blood cell counts happen because of chemotherapy’s effect on blood cells made in the bone... Fatigue. Fatigue makes a person feel more tired than usual and can interfere with daily activities and sleep. Nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting ...

How long after chemo does your body get back to normal?

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 for more information about managing chemo brain.Feb 7, 2022

What are the side effects after finishing chemotherapy?

What cancer treatments cause late effects?TreatmentLate effectsChemotherapyDental problems Early menopause Hearing loss Heart problems Increased risk of other cancers Infertility Loss of taste Lung disease Nerve damage Osteoporosis Reduced lung capacity5 more rows

What is the most serious side effect of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells as well as healthy white blood cells. Since white blood cells are one of the body's main defenses against infection, this means you have a higher risk of getting an infection while your white blood cell count is low.Nov 4, 2015

What is the fastest way to recover from chemotherapy?

With your doctor's approval, start slowly and work your way up. The American Cancer Society recommends adult cancer survivors exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, including strength training at least two days a week. As you recover and adjust, you might find that more exercise makes you feel even better.

Does chemo shorten your life?

During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased (from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999), and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).Mar 1, 2020

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.Jul 31, 2019

What are the signs that chemo is working?

How Can We Tell if Chemotherapy is Working?A lump or tumor involving some lymph nodes can be felt and measured externally by physical examination.Some internal cancer tumors will show up on an x-ray or CT scan and can be measured with a ruler.Blood tests, including those that measure organ function can be performed.More items...

How does chemo work?

Chemotherapy works on active cells. Active cells are cells that are growing and dividing into more of the same type of cell. Cancer cells are active, but so are some healthy cells. These include cells in your blood, mouth, digestive system, and hair follicles.

Why is chemotherapy important?

It is an important part of cancer treatment. Doctors and scientists work constantly to develop drugs, drug combinations, and ways of giving treatment with fewer side effects. Many types of chemotherapy are easier to tolerate than they were a few years ago.

Can cancer patients be treated with palliative care?

Yes. Your health care team can help you prevent or treat many side effects. Today, many more medications are available for side effects than in the past. Preventing and treating side effects is called palliative care or supportive care. It is an important part of cancer treatment.

Can chemotherapy cause nausea?

Whether you have these side effects, and how much, depends on the specific drugs and dose. The right medications given before and after each dose of chemotherapy can usually prevent nausea and vomiting.

Can chemo cause constipation?

Chemotherapy can cause constipation. This means not having a bowel movement often enough or having difficult bowel movements. Other medicines, such as pain medication, can also cause constipation. You can lower your risk of constipation by drinking enough fluids, eating balanced meals, and getting enough exercise.

Can chemo cause low blood cells?

Chemotherapy affects this process, so you might have side effects from having too few blood cells. Usually the number of blood cells return to normal after chemotherapy is complete. But during treatment, low numbers of blood cells can cause problems and must be watched closely.

Can cancer affect sex?

Being tired or feeling sick from cancer or treatment can also affect your ability to enjoy sex. Talk with your doctor about these possible side effects before treatment starts. Learn more about managing sexual and reproductive side effects. Women might need a Pap test before starting chemotherapy.

How long does it take for chemo side effects to go away?

Most chemo side effects stop once treatment is over. Some might take months or years to go away. If the drugs damage your organs, the effects could be permanent. Talk with your doctor about the risks of side effects and how long you can expect them to last. Your medical team might be able to change your treatment or suggest things ...

What does it mean when you feel numb after chemo?

This condition is called peripheral neuropathy. It may get worse as your treatment goes on.

Can chemotherapy cause side effects?

When to Call Your Doctor . Chemotherapydrugs can cause side effects, but they don’t have to take over your life. If you're about to start cancer treatment, talk to your medical team about the possible side effects and how you can feel better. Fatigue. This is common during chemotherapy.

Can chemotherapy make you tired?

Some people feel just a little low in energy, while others feel wiped out. Depending on how tiredyou are, your doctor might give you medicines to treat other side effects that can make you feel tired, like depression, pain, and anemia.

Does chemotherapy cause stomach pain?

Headaches, muscle pain, stomach pain, and other discomfort are another common side effect of chemotherapy . It might be brief or last a long time. It can also come and go. This pain can add to what is already a stressful time. Tell your doctor about what you’re feeling and whether anything makes it better or worse.

What to do if you have anemia?

If your anemiais severe, you could need a blood transfusion. In some cases, your doctor might prescribe drugs that trigger your body to make more red blood cells. Foods rich in iron such as spinach, red meat, and beans might also help boost your energy. Infection.

How to get rid of a swollen ear?

Adjust your work schedule if you need to. Eat a healthy dietof fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

What are the side effects of chemo?

Some chemo drugs can also cause: 1 pain 2 weakness 3 numbness 4 tingling in the hands and#N#feet ( peripheral neuropathy)

How does chemo affect the body?

Chemotherapy drugs can affect any body system, but the following are most susceptible: digestive tract. hair follicles.

Why is blood count important for chemo?

Routine blood count monitoring is a crucial part of chemotherapy. That’s because the drugs can harm cells in the bone marrow, where red blood cells are produced. Without enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues, you may experience anemia.

Does chemo kill cancer cells?

After all, chemotherapy is one of the most common and most powerful forms of cancer treatment. But chemotherapy does a lot more than get rid of cancer. While these drugs are powerful enough to kill rapidly growing cancer cells, they also can harm healthy cells. This may cause a number of side effects. The severity of these side effects depends on ...

How long does it take for hair to grow after chemo?

Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body, from eyebrows and eyelashes to your legs. Hair loss is temporary. New hair growth usually begins several weeks after the final treatment.

Does chemotherapy go away?

While most side effects clear up shortly after treatment ends, some may continue well after chemotherapy has ended. And some may never go away. Be sure to discuss any side effects you’re experiencing with your doctor. In some cases, depending on the reactions your body is having, your doctor may need to adjust the type or dose of the chemotherapy.

Does chemotherapy affect digestion?

Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy affect digestion. Dry mouth and mouth sores that form on the tongue, lips, gums, or in the throat can make it difficult to chew and swallow. Mouth sores also make you more susceptible to bleeding and infection.

What to expect after chemo?

Life after chemo may be filled with challenges along the way – you may find yourself having to adjust to a new normal. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to try and maintain a sense of positivity. Your biggest battle has been fought and won – now you get to look forward to life after treatment.

How does chemo affect your life?

First and foremost, you may be noticing some physical changes in your life after chemo. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells that grow and divide quickly – unfortunately, this sometimes results in fast-growing, healthy cells also being affected.

How to know if you have neuropathy after chemo?

Up to 70 percent of cancer survivors may experience some form of peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy is finished. We’ve written extensively about this topic on another blog post because many people desire to know how to reverse neuropathy from chemo. Typically developing in the feet, hands, and legs, neuropathy is a common condition that comes with some very identifiable symptoms, including: 1 Numbness 2 Shooting or stabbing pain 3 Burning 4 Tingling 5 Muscle weakness 6 Inability to keep your balance 7 Sensitivity to cold or heat

Why does my face feel itchy?

Flushing – You may be experiencing temporary redness of the face and neck caused by the dilation of your blood capillaries.

How many cancer survivors will be there in 2026?

As cancer treatments are further refined and innovated throughout the course of time, more and more people find themselves cancer-free. As of 2016, there were an estimated 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States – this number is expected to grow to 20.3 million by 2026. Of course, many survivors may be asking themselves ...

Can you improve your life after chemo?

Luckily, there is plenty you as a survivor can do to improve your conditions in your life after chemo. The important thing to remember is that YOU are in control.

How long does skin change after chemo?

Your skin changes may last for a few months, but could last longer depending on your treatment. Fortunately, many can be easily detected and, eventually, mitigated.

Low blood cell counts

Low blood cell counts happen because of chemotherapy’s effect on blood cells made in the bone marrow. Blood cell counts often reach their lowest level about 7 to 14 days after chemotherapy. Low blood cell counts is the most common and most serious side effect of chemotherapy.

Fatigue

Fatigue makes a person feel more tired than usual and can interfere with daily activities and sleep. Fatigue may be caused by anemia, specific chemotherapy drugs, poor appetite or depression. It may also be related to toxic substances that are made in the body when cancer cells break down and die.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can start within the first few hours after chemotherapy drugs are given and usually last about 24 hours. However, nausea and vomiting may start more than 24 hours after treatment and last several days (called delayed nausea and vomiting).

Loss of appetite

Nausea and vomiting, fatigue or a buildup of waste products as cancer cells die can cause a loss of appetite. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause temporary changes in taste and smell, which can make food less appetizing. Some people may not feel like eating at all, even though they know they need to. This can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.

Hair loss

Hair loss (alopecia) is a common side effect of many, but not all, chemotherapy drugs. Hair follicles are damaged by chemotherapy because the drugs affect cells that are growing quickly. It’s hard to predict how much hair you will lose and how long hair loss will last because it depends on the type and dose of drugs used as well as your body.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the frequent passing of loose, watery stools. It happens because chemotherapy drugs often affect the cells that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Many factors increase the risk of diarrhea, including the type and dose of chemotherapy. Diarrhea is often worse when combinations of chemotherapy drugs are given.

Constipation

Constipation is when stools become hard, dry and difficult to pass. Constipation can happen for a number of reasons including the type of chemotherapy drug used, medicines given with chemotherapy to relieve nausea and vomiting, and drinking less fluids. Constipation tends to happen within a few days after chemotherapy starts.

How long does it take for hair to grow back after chemo?

Some chemotherapy medications cause hair loss. Hair loss usually starts about 2 to 4 weeks after the first chemotherapy treatment. If you do lose your hair, it will begin to grow back once you’re no longer taking that chemotherapy medication.

How to manage fatigue from cancer?

For more information about how you can manage fatigue with exercise, read Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue with Exercise. Plan activities on days you know you’ll have more energy. Don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends for help with tasks or activities that make you feel tired. Drink enough liquids.

What to eat when you have diarrhea?

Eat small amounts of soft, bland foods. Eat your food at room temperature. Follow the BRATY diet: eat bananas, rice, applesauce, white toast, and yogurt. For more information about how to manage diarrhea and what foods you should and shouldn’t eat, read our resource Diarrhea.

How to get rid of fatigue during the day?

You can take short naps (about 15 to 20 minutes long) to help with fatigue throughout the day. Taking shorter naps will help keep them from interfering with your sleep at night. Try to be active to keep your energy levels up. For example, go for a walk outside or on a treadmill.

What causes a weakened immune system?

A weakened immune system can be caused by neutropenia (new-tro-PEE-nia), which is having a low number of neutrophils (NEW-tro-fills) in your blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that help your body fight infection. Neutropenia is often caused by chemotherapy.

How to get rid of a swollen intestine?

Drink at least 8 (8-ounce) glasses of liquids every day , if you can. Go for a walk or do light exercises, if you can. If needed, take an over-the-counter (medication you buy without a prescription) stool softener (such as Colace ®) or laxative (such as Senokot ® or Miralax ® ).

Does chemotherapy cause vomiting?

Some chemotherapy causes nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up) and vomiting (throwing up). This is because chemotherapy irritates either the areas of your brain that control nausea or the cells lining your mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines.

What are the side effects of chemo?

Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. Chemotherapy may also increase your odds of having heart problems, such as: 1 Weakening of the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy) 2 Problems with your heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) 3 Heart attack

How to lose weight after chemo?

Work with a dietitian or nutritionist and add strength training exercises to your workout routine to help you shed some pounds. Energy. You probably remember the fatigue that hit you while you were getting chemo. But some people still feel extremely tired after treatment ends.

Does chemo make hair grow back?

Its texture, shape, and color may be different. Over time, as the effects of the chemo on your hair follicles wear off, your hair will probably go back to the way it was before treatment. In rare cases, such as after years of strong chemotherapy, your hair follicles could shut down. This can prevent new hair from growing, ...

Can chemotherapy make you tired?

But some people still feel extremely tired after treatment ends. You may find that even when you get enough rest, you still feel sluggish. Talk to your doctor for suggestions on how to raise your energy level. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to have children, whether you're a man or woman.

Can chemo cause fertility issues?

Fertility. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to have children, whether you're a man or woman. For guys, the reason has to do with the way chemo drugs target fast-growing cancer cells. Since healthy sperm cells divide quickly, chemo can also damage them.

Can you have children after chemo?

If chemo kills the immature stem cells in your testicles that become new sperm, you may become infertile, which means you can't have children . If you're a woman, chemotherapy can damage your eggs and harm your ovaries. You may stop having regular menstrual cycles after treatment.

Does chemotherapy affect fertility?

For both men and women, chemotherapy's effect on fertility depends on a number of things, including the type of drugs you used and the dose. The higher the dose of chemo, the more likely it is to have an impact. If you're having long-term effects from chemo, talk to your doctor to get tips on how to manage them.

How long does it take to get tired after chemo?

Fatigue. During chemotherapy, most people deal with fatigue, yet a third of people continue to experience fatigue for months to years after chemotherapy is completed. It is important to share this symptom with your doctor because many causes of fatigue are reversible.

What is the most common late effect of chemotherapy?

Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) is the most common late effect of chemotherapy. Most chemotherapy drugs cause bone loss to accelerate and changes in diet that accompany cancer and its treatment can amplify the problem. The greatest concern over the long run are fractures that can result from this bone loss.

How to survive chemo?

Until we know more about long-term survivorship issues following chemotherapy for adults, there are a few things you can do: 1 Ask your oncologist about any late effects that you may expect from the particular chemotherapy drugs you were given. Are there any screening tests (for example, tests for heart problems, hearing loss, or osteoporosis) that she would recommend? 2 Keep a record of your chemotherapy regimen with you in case you see a physician who is unfamiliar with your medical history. 3 If you smoke, quit. 4 Make regular appointments with your dentist and eye doctor. 5 Engage in regular physical activity. 6 Limit your intake of alcohol. 7 Let your doctor know if you experience any new symptoms or worsening of current symptoms you have.

Does chemotherapy affect memory?

" Chemobrain ," a constellation of symptoms that include problems with memory and concentration, has only recently been recognized as a long-term side effect of chemotherapy. Chemobrain symptoms can be very frustrating and can include symptoms such as problems with short-term memory (losing your car keys), multi-tasking, and concentration, especially when you are tired. An awareness of things you can do to cope with the symptoms can be very helpful. In most cases, chemobrain symptoms improve over time.

Can chemotherapy cause infertility?

Infertility following treatment varies with the dose and type of chemotherapy medications used and doesn’t affect everyone.

Can chemotherapy cause numbness in feet?

Peripheral Neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy is most often experienced as a sensation of numbness and burning in your feet and hands, along with constipation. This side effect occurs more commonly in people with a history of diabetes, alcoholism, or malnutrition, but may occur in anyone.

Can hormones be used for breast cancer?

Hormone therapies for women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer can be additive when combined when chemotherapy, and it's important to talk to your doctor about this risk. Many physicians recommend getting a baseline bone density measurement when beginning these therapies.