how do people feel after first chemo treatment

Patients experiece different body reactions after first-time (round) of chemotherapy

. You can expect: Gaining weight during and after chemo

Full Answer

What to expect on your first day of chemotherapy?

• Keep taking lots of fluids, be moderately active, eat small meals often.
• Take your nausea medication if you feel any degree of nausea. In most cases when people suffer from nausea, it is because they did not take their medication.
• If the given medication does not relieve nausea, contact your treating doctor. ...

How does chemotherapy affect your body after treatment?

The Effects of Chemotherapy on Your Body

• Circulatory and immune systems. ...
• Nervous and muscular systems. ...
• Digestive system. ...
• Integumentary system (skin, hair, and nails) Hair loss is perhaps the most infamous side effect of chemo treatments. ...
• Sexual and reproductive system. ...

More items...

How long do you feel sick after chemotherapy?

Not everyone feels sick during or after chemotherapy, but if nausea affects you, it will usually start a few hours after treatment. Nausea may last for many hours and be accompanied by vomiting or retching. Do you feel worse after each chemo treatment?

What to expect when having chemotherapy?

blood tests to check how well your kidneys and liver are working and the number of blood cells. x-rays and scans to check that you are fit for treatment and see how the tumour is responding to treatment. For some chemotherapy drugs you may also have: heart monitoring tests to see if the drugs are affecting your heart.

How do you feel after first chemo treatment?

The most commonly reported side effect after receiving chemotherapy is fatigue. 7 Give yourself time for extra rest and sleep in the days after a session. Tell your healthcare provider if your fatigue begins to affect your ability to function or complete basic tasks, like bathing.

How long after your first chemo treatment do you get sick?

Acute nausea and vomiting usually happens within minutes to hours after treatment is given, and usually within the first 24 hours. This is more common when treatment is given by IV infusion or when taken by mouth.

What are the side effects after first chemotherapy?

Here's a list of many of the common side effects, but it's unlikely you'll have all of these.Tiredness. Tiredness (fatigue) is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. ... Feeling and being sick. ... Hair loss. ... Infections. ... Anaemia. ... Bruising and bleeding. ... Sore mouth. ... Loss of appetite.More items...

Do you feel sick after first day of chemo?

Chemotherapy can make you feel sick (nauseated) or cause you to vomit. Not everyone feels sick during or after chemotherapy, but if nausea affects you, it often starts a few days after your first treatment. Nausea may last a short time or for many hours and it may be accompanied by vomiting or retching.

What should you not do during chemotherapy?

9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatmentContact with body fluids after treatment. ... Overextending yourself. ... Infections. ... Large meals. ... Raw or undercooked foods. ... Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ... Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ... Smoking.More items...•

Does chemo get worse with each cycle?

The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle. My doctors warned me: Each infusion will get harder. Each cycle, expect to feel weaker.

What does chemotherapy feel like?

Feeling tired and lacking energy. Feeling tired and lacking energy (fatigue) is the most common side effect of chemotherapy. Fatigue can include feeling exhausted, drowsy, confused or impatient. You may have a heavy feeling in your limbs, get worn out quickly, or find it difficult to do daily activities.

Does chemo make you tired?

Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy may all cause fatigue. You may experience fatigue if cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells. Or fatigue might happen as your body works to repair damage caused by treatment.

How do I prepare my home for chemo?

Stay healthy and strong.Take it easy.Don't compare your body to how it was before chemotherapy.Drink lots of water.Go for a walk every day, if possible.Try to eat something. ... Read the provided handouts regarding chemotherapy and its side effects.Try acupuncture to help alleviate pain and nausea.More items...•

Before You Start Chemotherapy

Meeting with your oncologist. Before you start chemotherapy, you will meet with your medical oncologist. He or she will review your medical records...

Questions to Ask Before Chemotherapy Starts

Before chemotherapy starts is a good time to ask questions. These may include: 1. Learning more about the schedule and side effects of your specifi...

Planning For Your Chemotherapy Treatments

Preparing for side effects. Depending on the most common side effects of your chemotherapy, your doctor may recommend planning for nausea and vomit...

What Happens on Your First Day of IV Chemotherapy

You may want to bring a friend or family member on your first day of treatment. This person can support you and help you remember information. You...

Giving Chemotherapy With A Port

Before your first appointment, you might have minor surgery to put in a port. This is a round metal or plastic disk that the IV goes in during trea...

How Long Does IV Chemotherapy take?

Your IV chemotherapy can take minutes, hours, or several days if you have continuous infusion chemotherapy. You do not need to stay at the hospital...

After Your IV Chemotherapy

After your treatment is finished, the nurse or another team member will take out your IV. If you have a port, it will stay until you finish all of...

How long does it take for chemo to arrive?

It usually takes at least 30 minutes for the drugs to arrive. Some of the pre-medications may be steroids, anti- nausea medications and/or anxiety medications.

How long after chemo can you take a chemo pill?

They may have you wait 30 minutes after the chemotherapy is done to make sure you don't have any reactions to the medications.

How early can you get blood work done for chemo?

First, you may be told to show up a couple of hours early to get blood work drawn. This is to make sure you're able to get your chemotherapy treatment.#N#It can be a pain, but, believe me, it's in your best interest.#N#Use the extra time to relax before you go to your chemotherapy appointment.#N#When you arrive at the infusion floor and they have your lab results and a room available, you'll be called back to have your vital signs taken.#N#Once you are cleared at the vitals station, you will be taken to your chemotherapy room for your infusion.#N#At MD Anderson, you will have a TV, Internet access, a bed or a recliner and best of all warm blankets.#N#They also have food service at lunch and dinner if you're hungry.#N#At MD Anderson, you're allowed to have one caregiver with you in the infusion room.

What do nurses do during chemotherapy?

Throughout the chemotherapy, your nurse will come in and check your vitals and make sure you aren't reacting to the medications.

Is chemotherapy a word?

Chemotherapy. It's not a word people want to hear and certainly not something they want to go through. But, for those of us with cancer, we often don't have a choice. I remember how terrified I was of getting my first chemotherapy treatment. Would I be sick?

Can steroids make you sleepy?

The steroids may give you energy; the allergy drugs and anti-anxiety drugs may make you sleepy. It's important that you have a caregiver with you to get you to and from chemotherapy the first time, as you don't know how you'll feel after you're done.

What happens after chemo?

What Happen with You after the First Round of Chemotherapy Treatment. Patients experiece different body reactions after first-time (round) of chemotherapy. You can expect: Gaining weight during and after chemo. Losing hairs (that makes you having cancer very visible) You may start looking aged after the treatment.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Depending on the most typical side effects of your chemotherapy, your doctor may advise preparing for nausea and vomiting, hair loss, reproductive problems, and opposite effects .

What is the role of an oncologist in cancer treatment?

Your oncologist deals with other staff member to develop your treatment plan. She or he is also in charge of your chemotherapy treatments. Oncology nurse. An oncology nurse looks after patients with cancer, including giving chemotherapy He or she answers concerns and assists support you and your household.

How long is a chemotherapy cycle?

The length of a cycle depends on the treatment being given. The majority of cycles range from 2 to 6 weeks. The number of treatment dosages set up within each cycle also differs depending upon the drugs being given.

How does chemo help with colds?

Avoiding being around people with colds or other infections. Chemotherapy damages your body’s immune system, which assists battle infections.

How long after chemo do you flush the toilet?

Chemotherapy damages your body’s immune system, which assists battle infections. Consuming lots of fluids for 48 hours after chemotherapy. This helps move the drugs through your body. Making certain to get rid of all your body fluids and waste after chemotherapy. For example, flush the toilet twice after using it.

How to get the full benefit of the first round of chemotherapy?

To get the full benefit of the first round of chemotherapy, it is essential to follow the schedule of treatments advised by your doctor.

How does chemo work?

Unlike radiation therapy or traditional surgery, which target specific tumors, chemotherapy works through the entire body and can destroy cancer cells that have metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) or are located far from the original tumor.

What is the best way to feel better?

Don’t forget to eat light and healthy. That means no fried, fatty foods. You’ll feel better sooner with smaller, nutritious meals.

How to help self esteem after baldness?

While undergoing treatment, patients should use mild shampoos, soft-bristle hair brushes, and avoid coloring and perming your hair. If baldness does occur, be sure to protect your scalp from the sun with a hat, scarf, wig, or sunscreen. If your scalp feels sensitive or irritated, use moistur izing shampoos, conditioners, and lotions as liberally as needed. The hats, scarves, and wigs are a wonderful way to help your self-esteem — use them as an opportunity to make a fashion statement.

Is chemotherapy scary?

Chemotherapy for most of us is a scary word. Often scarier than the actual treatment. It conjures images of being deathly ill, to the point of wondering if it’s worse than the cancer itself. Unfortunately, that image has been put in our mind from often less than reliable sources.

Does chemotherapy kill cancer cells?

There are different types of chemotherapy medications and they can be used in any combination to treat cancer. The medications work to kill cancer cells. However, because some chemotherapy isn’t targeted, it can kill healthy cells in the process. This leads to side effects, which many patients experience. Chemotherapy most commonly damages the blood-forming cells in bone marrow, cells in the digestive track, the reproductive system and mouth, and hair follicles.

Is chemotherapy emotionally draining?

Chemo can be emotionally draining, sometimes more so than physically. So it’s essential that you have a reliable support group throughout your treatment. Support can come from friends and family, outside groups like the Cancer Support Community or Cancer Family Care, and even your doctors and nurses at OHC. Better yet, create a support team from a combination of all three.

Does chemotherapy cause bruising?

Chemo damages bone marrow, which results in a loss of blood cells. Doctors regularly monitor blood cell count during treatment, but patients should still tell their medical team about side effects like unexpected bruising or bleeding, pink or red urine, bad headaches, dizziness and pain in the joints and muscles. When a patient’s white blood cell count is low, risk of infection goes up.

What to expect when you get chemo?

What to Expect When Having Chemotherapy. It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you find out that you need chemotherapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and less anxious. The information in this article can help you get ready for your first treatment.

How to help someone with chemotherapy?

Make a caregiving plan. People receiving chemotherapy may need extra help during treatment with transportation, household chores, and other tasks. Family and friends can provide valuable support during this time, called caregiving. Ask your team what type of caregiving at home you may need during and after treatment.

How often do you need chemo?

Your health care team will explain when and how often you need chemotherapy. Most chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles. The length of a cycle depends on the drug (s) you receive. Most cycles range from 2 to 6 weeks. The number of treatment doses scheduled within each cycle also depends on the prescribed chemotherapy.

How to get a blood test for cancer?

Have a blood sample taken. Meet with your oncologist so they can check your health and blood test results. Meet the nurse or other health professionals who will give your treatment. Have your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and temperature taken before starting treatment.

How many doses are in a chemo cycle?

For example, each cycle may contain only 1 dose on the first day. Or, a cycle may contain more than 1 dose given each week or each day. Often, your doctor will check if the treatment is working after you finish 2 cycles. Most people have several cycles of chemotherapy. Sometimes, chemotherapy treatment is ongoing as a maintenance therapy.

What to tell your chemo team?

Always tell your chemotherapy team about any prescription and non-prescription medicines you take. Include vitamins and other supplements, such as herbs. This is to avoid drug interactions and other unwanted side effects. Your doctor will tell you if you should not take them during chemotherapy.

What are the side effects of a syringe?

Prepare for side effects. Your team will work with you to plan for side effects common to your specific treatment. These may include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and other side effects. This can include recommendations about eating well and getting regular exercise.

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

But others can linger for months or years or may never completely go away.

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.

How long does chemo rash last?

Some side effects of chemotherapy only happen while you're having treatment and disappear quickly after it's over. But others can linger for months or years or may never completely go away. Watch out for signs of chemo's long-term changes, and let your doctor know how you feel.

Does chemo cause heart problems?

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

Does hair go back to normal after chemo?

But it's possible that at first it may not look like it used to. 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.

Does chemo make you gain weight?

Weight. Some types of chemo can make you put on extra pounds. You may find that the weight stays on even when your treatment ends. For instance, some drugs that treat breast cancer can cause you to lose muscle and gain fat, which makes it much more difficult to get the weight off.

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.

What is chemo meant to do?

Chemo is meant to build up as each course is done. You need to take the advice given, not do your own thing! The team will guide you in any problems and contact your nurse if you have effects you are not happy with. Good luck, we are now through it and hubby is 71 years old. Caz.

Is the second lot of chemo the same as the first?

the second lot of chemo is much the same. Today my hair is falling out rapidly....cropping it tonight. Sorry you’re feeling sad and I know exactly what you mean, might be a good idea to speak to nurse about side effects.

Can you have the same chemo experience with the same patient?

I'm afraid the old answer "it depends" is valid here. Similar patients on exactly the same chemo can have different chemo experiences. Keep taking the anti side effect drugs - the fact you aren't having side effects probably means they are working!

When should you plan your chemo response?

Don’t plan your chemo response until you’ve gone through your first infusion.

Can you change your prognosis after a biopsy?

Doctors may give you a prognosis and treatment plan after the first image or biopsy, but then change the prognosis or treatment after gaining more information about your cancer from further testing. After diagnosis, I kept telling myself that my cancer was stage I, no chemo needed, so no big deal.

Does chemo get worse with each cycle?

The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle.