Treatment FAQ

when my chemo treatment ends totally when do i start to feel better?

by Miss Christa Beier I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.Feb 7, 2022

How long after chemo do you feel better?

Many people feel fine for the first few hours following chemotherapy. Usually, some reaction occurs about four to six hours later. However, some people don't react until 12 or even 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Some people experience almost all of the side effects described below, while others experience almost none.

How long do chemo side effects last after treatment ends?

How long do side effects last? Many side effects go away fairly quickly, but some might take months or even years to go away completely. These are called late effects. Sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs.May 1, 2020

What happens after cancer treatment is over?

When treatment ends, you may expect life to return to the way it was before you were diagnosed with cancer. But it can take time to recover. You may have permanent scars on your body, or you may not be able to do some things you once did easily. Or you may even have emotional scars from going through so much.

How do you know cancer is gone after chemo?

How Do You Know You're in Remission? Tests look for cancer cells in your blood. Scans like X-rays and MRIs show if your tumor is smaller or if it's gone after surgery and isn't growing back. To qualify as remission, your tumor either doesn't grow back or stays the same size for a month after you finish treatments.Jul 18, 2020

What should you not do after chemo?

9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatment
  • Contact 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.
May 5, 2021

How can I feel better after chemo?

Tips: fighting fatigue
  1. Plan your day. ...
  2. Save your energy by changing how you do things. ...
  3. Take short naps or rest breaks between activities.
  4. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
  5. Do what you enjoy, but do less of it. ...
  6. Let others help you. ...
  7. Just say "no" to things that do not matter as much to you now.

What should I ask my oncologist after treatment?

Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You Have Finished Treatment
  • How long will it take for me to get better and feel more like myself?
  • What kind of care should I expect after my treatment?
  • What long-term health issues can I expect as a result of my cancer and its treatment?
  • What is the chance that my cancer will return?
Apr 11, 2022

Does cancer remission mean a patient is cured?

Remission means that the signs and symptoms of your cancer are reduced. Remission can be partial or complete. In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured.Jun 17, 2019

Which cancer has highest recurrence rate?

Some cancers are difficult to treat and have high rates of recurrence. Glioblastoma, for example, recurs in nearly all patients, despite treatment. The rate of recurrence among patients with ovarian cancer is also high at 85%.
...
Related Articles.
Cancer TypeRecurrence Rate
Glioblastoma2Nearly 100%
18 more rows
Nov 30, 2018

What are the signs of cancer coming back?

Warning signs of a distant recurrence tend to involve a different body part from the original cancer site. For example, if cancer recurs in the lungs, you might experience coughing and difficulty breathing, while a recurrence of cancer in the brain can cause seizures and headaches.Nov 28, 2017

Can you live a long time with stable cancer?

Yes, it is possible to have a long life with cancer. Yes, it is possible to have a long life with cancer. Though being diagnosed with cancer is still presumed as a death sentence, most cancers are treatable. Millions of people with cancer are living in the United States.Apr 9, 2021

Why does cancer grow after chemotherapy?

Cancer may sometimes come back after cancer drug treatment or radiotherapy. This can happen because the treatment didn't destroy all the cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells by attacking cells that are in the process of doubling to form 2 new cells.Jul 6, 2020

How to help someone with cancer?

Be realistic. Let your family and friends help you when they offer and continue to accept this help beyond treatment. Cold capping: Improving confidence during cancer fight.

Do people want to resume their old life?

Rightfully so, people want to resume their “old life,” their “pre-cancer” life, and feel like they should get back to everything they were doing before cancer. What makes it more difficult is that people around you — your boss, co-workers, family and friends — may think this too.

Why does muscle go away?

Your muscle goes away( Partly from not eating as much and not being physical )

Do bruises heal?

Your skin stop regenerating( Hyperpigmentation and paleness – Your bruises cuts do not heal )

Does acupuncture help with chemo?

One more thing: I know it sounds kooky, but acupuncture has helped some–the pain in my hands has decreased. My oncologist recommended it to me based on what her patients told her, and I would recommend it to everyone going through chemo or post-chemo.

What is the life after chemo?

Life 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 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.

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

What is the term for darkening of the skin that can either occur solely in the area of treatment or throughout

Hyperpigmentation – Darkening of the skin that can either occur solely in the area of treatment or throughout the entire body.

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 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 ...

How long does it take for fatigue to go away after cancer treatment?

In most cases though, your energy levels should return to normal within six months of completing treatment.

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.

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

I am on day 4 of 1st post chemo session and I feel dreadful, going from your experience how long does the nausea last, its only been 4 days. I know I have a long tough journey ahead but any advice you can give would be most welcome. Thank you

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

im just about to have round 5 of chemo and all I can say is everyone reacts so differently to it. I have never had nausea, just tiredness, aching bones, tickley cough and sore throat. I think it also depends on the type of chemo ur having and the type of cancer you have.

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

Hi Carole, It varies so much, some breeze through with few effects others like my hubby, suffer a lot. Your oncologist should be able to prescribe medication to help with the nausea and other side effects. I know hubby takes 2 differnce anti-nausea medications constantly. Wishing you the best on this journey. Sue

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

Hi there, Sue is right everyone reacts differently. Just take the anti sickness medication , sleep if you need and if you can't eat ask for fortifying drinks from the chemo unit. Warmest wishes Carol

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

As others have said it just varies so much. I had close to no symptoms with all three cycles of FEC. I had sickness for 24 hours with the last cycle but that was all.

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

Just had my 5th session and feel awful, lots of symptoms. My other 4 rounds were quite good every one different take one day at a time

How long do symptoms last after chemo session?

Hi I’ve had my fifth almost three weeks ago and still feel awful. Constipation and diarrhoea and stomach ache. So weak and wobbly too. Dreading number six. I’m on CHOP Chemo but as everysaid it depends which treatment you are on and how you are yourself. I think you just need to listen to your body and give in and rest ot go back to bed.

What is post treatment depression?

Many people experience some kind of post-treatment depression and/or anxiety; it’s a normal part of processing the experience of possibly losing your life and living with the possibility to recurrence. Therapy can help people process that experience, find the meaning in it and move back into a new life.

How to find a therapist in your area?

If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, you can find therapists in your area by entering your city or ZIP code into the search field on this page: https://www.goodtherapy.org/find-therapist.html.

Is cancer a scary experience?

Getting a cancer diagnosis is one of the most shocking and frightening experiences a person can face. It is, for many people, a traumatic experience. Even for those who don’t feel traumatized by it, it’s a moment that is seared into our minds forever and something we will never forget.

Can cancer survivors come away?

I would guess that most people who have been through the cancer experience are able to come away with a real sense of appreciation for their lives. I certainly feel that way. But it can take time to get there and cancer survivors need to give themselves the space to just feel their feelings – light and dark – for a while.

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