Cancer does not leave you in the same condition as you were before. It leaves its marks in the form of many physical and emotional problems in exchange for your life. All cancer treatments have their side effects.

What could be the first adverse effects that spring to mind when you hear the phrase chemotherapy? The two that are most well-known are hair loss and nausea and vomiting. Are these the only side effects of chemotherapy, though? In no way! Anyone who has directly experienced it is aware of the severity and unpleasantness of chemo side effects.

Some side effects may vary for each patient depending on the kind, time, and severity of the chemotherapy. Still, there are many that every survivor experiences. 

• Chemo brain may lead to long-term cognitive issues, including memory and concentration problems.
• Chemo-induced fatigue can persist long after treatment ends, affecting daily activities.
• Chemotherapy can lead to increased sensitivity to cold, causing pain in fingers and toes.
• Chemo patients often experience changes in taste and smell, making food less enjoyable.
• Skin reactions, such as rashes and increased sun sensitivity, are common during chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy may cause changes in menstrual cycles, leading to irregular periods or amenorrhea.
• Certain chemotherapies can result in permanent heart damage or increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

If you encounter any of the adverse effects listed below, please call your doctor and ask for further advice.

The second most frequent and, for many people, the most unpleasant side effect is vomiting and related disorders. Modern anti-nausea/pre-chemo therapies now contain anti-anxiety medications for increased comfort. These anti-anxiety medications help patients. The condition may last 2-3 weeks and fade away after some time.

Being at ease while having chemotherapy is crucial and may significantly reduce nausea and vomiting. This is one of the causes of the use of anti-anxiety medications. After an infusion, these medications should be taken continuously for maximum effect. As oily, spicy, and acidic meals only irritate your stomach lining and heighten pain, you may also want to avoid them. You might also want to check into different methods for dealing with nausea. 

This is a well-known and bare fact, as every patient undergoing chemotherapy could be seen without hair for some time. Many people are unaware that we are talking about losing all body hair, including eyelashes, arm hair, and even the tiny hair on your toes. This condition creates ill feelings in the patient. However, this side effect still needs to be highlighted under those circumstances.    

Your head protection is essential as the scalp is exposed to fight the problem. Keep your head covered to avoid factors like the sun and wind, which may cause sunburn and chapped skin, respectively. 

Moreover, the regrowth of hair can also become painful for some patients. Hair follicles are painful until the root has grown over a certain length because they are sensitive to any contact, even the pillowcase. Remember that the chemotherapy may cause your hair to regrow in a different color, texture, and type. This may return to its original state later.

Almost all agents and chemotherapy treatments can destroy reproductive glands, but how long that process takes depends on the individual’s age, the agent’s strength, and other factors. Younger survivors and those who still want children find this depressing. Premature menopause is a normal life milestone that affects women early in life. One benefit is that not everyone has lifelong infertility.

Before starting therapy, be aware of your fertility choices. Discuss the cost and procedure of freezing your eggs with your doctor, and consider all your options immediately.

Low or declining bone density (calcium and vitamin D), nerve injury, and white cell stimulators are the causes of bone pain. Bone discomfort might also result from the primary cancer spreading or a secondary malignancy caused by the therapy. Because of bone deterioration, some people even develop osteoporosis. Your doctor will prescribe you vitamin D and calcium to improve your health and stop further bone loss.

In this situation, checking out bone discomfort is crucial for maintenance, prevention, and restoration. Swimming, pilates, and gentle yoga are excellent exercises which help build muscle. Observe whatever medication instructions are given to you. Consume foods rich in calcium to recover naturally as well.

Your body must be well-hydrated to absorb and flush the poison. Being well-hydrated aids in flushing the liver and kidneys, which certain substances may damage. Moreover, staying hydrated promotes steadiness, balance, and general wellness.

Inpatient and outpatient infusions should both include pre-chemotherapy medications and fluids. The survivor needs to drink water continuously, even at night. Even while traveling, keep a glass of water filled with you.

This is another well-known and typical issue. Some substances may harm the sensitive nerves, causing tingling, numbness, burning, tickling, etc. The sensation especially feels in the feet, toes, fingers, and even the tongue tip. This affects the patient’s life by making it more challenging to do or finish daily duties. It usually gets better with time.

Some sufferers use gloves to protect themselves from the “touch discomfort.” Many individuals also use acupuncture and physical and occupational therapy to heal the problem.

Please inform your doctor the moment you feel it. To stop your symptoms from becoming worse, your team may change your chemotherapy treatment strategy. Do not handle or touch anything that makes you anxious.

Most people think of people with cancer as having bald heads and masks. This picture is so ingrained for a reason. Agents can eliminate the cancer cells and every white cell in their path. This weakens or even eliminates the patient’s immune system and increases their chance of contracting an infection. 

Neutropenia is the term for this. A slight cough, cut, or scratch on the fingernail might be fatal. Some patients decide to isolate themselves from everyone until their numbers return. After each inpatient treatment, you become neutropenic every other week, making it essential to avoid social situations.

Luckily, with recent medical advancements, cancer patients now have access to white booster shots. This allowed their chemotherapy to continue with little to no interruption. However, this medication utilizes bone marrow to assist in the rebuilding of white blood cells, which makes it very costly and quite painful to the bones.

Anemia may be brought on by agents that kill red blood cells. A rapid pulse, palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, effort, and exhaustion accompany this. For patients to continue receiving their therapies, blood transfusions are sometimes administered. The risks involved with continuing without a blood transfusion are too significant. 

Even though lab tests often reveal low red cell counts, let your medical team know if you start to feel any symptoms. Make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink lots of water, and get adequate rest to help control the anemia. Inform your loved ones of your symptoms so that they can be ready in case you encounter dizziness (i.e. when you get up from a sitting position)

Heart, kidney, liver, and lung damage is a significant risk. Patients are evaluated after a few cycle rounds since certain medicines are very potent. Make sure you do regular inspections to look for any damage that has already occurred. Moreover, go for regular scanning and inspections later as well.

Tinnitus, a persistent ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear, is one symptom of hearing issues. The inability to focus and sleep may result from this. This issue is not constant but is encountered occasionally. Usually, the patient’s general ear tone is decreased by one level soon after treatments.

Learn what induces tinnitus; examples are caffeine-containing beverages, alcohol, salt, and aspiration. Also think about investing in hearing aids, which might improve sound clarity.

Some patients may discover that their vision has become dull and blurry after treatment. Cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and itchy eyes are other conditions that some individuals deal with. Consider prescription glasses or other treatments your doctor may suggest if you have vision loss. Ointments are another option for treating dry eye/itch eye disease.

Another unnoticed adverse effect is tooth enamel and root damage. Some individuals experience receding gum lines, loosening teeth, tooth loss, and gaps in their teeth. The whole mouth, including the teeth’s roots, gums, and mouth sores, might be harmed by treatments. 

Mouth sores may be unpleasant and infected, which is dangerous for neutropenic patients. These problems might occur and persist even with additional adequate dental care. 

You can ask your oncology team for the “special” mouthwash for mouth sores and oral washing. You can also mitigate the pain by avoiding spicy, hot, sharp or firm meals.

Ask your doctor about fluoride therapy before, during, and after radiation treatments if you have tooth damage. See your dentist early in your therapy to avoid infection and deterioration. Request Biotene mouthwash as well. 

PICC lines and ports may cause nerve injury and scarring. Because of their tiny veins, many patients need one or even the other for infusion. Both are implanted to prevent agents from physically burning the skin and veins. 

Both may cause nerve injury, but the PICC line can do so from the chest down to the toes. Forms of consent are signed, acknowledging these potential outcomes. Infection and blood clots are likely to occur if the patient is not adequately cared for.

Showers and baths must be avoided, as well as excessive usage of that arm or side of the body, to prevent discomfort and device slippage. An oncologist must carefully clean and replace dressings after every infusion or week.

A significant worry during and even after the treatment can be diarrhea. After the first cocktail agent, patients may immediately encounter this. This problem arose as soon as the first infusion of methotrexate with etoposide and daptomycin was given to me. The problem is trying to deal with both medicine and diet. 

This is a delicate balancing act because certain pre-chemotherapy drugs might help you restore what you’ve lost. Often, even more, treatments can make you lose weight due to nausea and appetite loss. This may be advantageous for people who can afford to lose weight. Oppositely, disadvantageous for those who start slim and advantageous for those who gain weight.

Weight fluctuates and changes from week to week and from chemo cycle to chemo cycle. Each patient is weighed before each injection because weight fluctuations might alter the chemotherapy’s potency.

You should continue to monitor your weight at home using a scale and how you feel, even if your oncologist monitors it and checks it before each injection. Ask the hospital or oncology dietician for assistance in creating a weight and food plan based on your unique requirements and course of treatment.

This may cause severe agony! According to some, even the most potent painkillers didn’t completely alleviate the discomfort. These used to continue for some days, usually after each outpatient cycle.

Taking pain medication also works.

This is true. Pre-chemotherapy drugs are administered more often to patients receiving weekly or even bimonthly treatments than to those receiving treatments at various times. Some people who use anxiety medications to keep their illness at bay while traveling may also develop some dependence. Even without the patient realizing it, this develops into a vicious cycle!

Be mindful of this potential, since it might occur without your knowledge. Please consult your doctor about any signs of dependence and how to discontinue it. 

This is a more recent word for memory loss, mental decline, or difficulty multitasking. As more and more survivors start speaking out about it, “chemo brain” becomes more widely recognised as a legitimate side effect. Some people describe it as mental fog or trouble focusing on one item at a time. Some people struggle with effective multitasking or slow thinking. 

While research on this topic continues, some experts believe this clears up two years after chemotherapy, while others think otherwise. For younger cancer patients, chemotherapy brain may often resemble the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a period of insanity. However, acceptance is frequently noted. 

How can you cope with the difficulties? Practice mental activities such as puzzles and tests. Utilize yoga and other forms of exercise to move your body. Keep track of the specifics of your memory issues. Get a sufficient quantity of rest. 

Besides the physical side effects mentioned above, there are some other issues. Finance is another crucial aspect that stays with the patient from diagnosis to treatment. Especially in countries where health facilities are not accessible and are expensive at the same time, patients are in constant worry.

Hospitalization as part of specific therapies is required. This may be demanding on the wallet and schedule. Even if your health insurance covers the cost, treatment is still pricey. There are food costs, co-pays, transport costs and irreplaceable time costs.

 The emotional effects of cancer may make you feel you are genuinely on a rollercoaster because of things like survivors’ guilt, anxiety, and the worry of recurrence, among other things.

The whole cancer treatment and chemotherapy procedure can become less agonizing and disturbing if your loved ones are by your side.