Coping with Side Effects

Man and woman smiling together It is very common to experience side effects during and after cancer treatment. Asking for help managing your side effects does not make you a weak person. Now, more than ever there are medications and techniques that can help you manage the discomfort. Your health care team can help you manage these side effects, but you need to let them know what you are experiencing right away. Keeping track of your symptoms and side effects can help you communicate more clearly with your health care team so they can provide you with the best symptom management care. Below are some common side effects you might experience.

Fatigue
Shortness of Breath
Skin Reactions
Throat and Mouth Soreness
Infection and Bleeding

Gastrointestinal Issues
Hair Loss
Nervous System Changes
Anxiety or Depression
When should I call my doctor?

Side Effect	Strategies for Coping
Fatigue Lingering feeling of tiredness Most common symptom	Some medications Plenty of rest, with short naps Light to moderate physical activity Ask others to help with tasks Good nutrition Back to Top
Shortness of Breath Call your doctor right away if you have tightness in your chest, pain, fever or trouble breathing Can be caused by the cancer, infection or treatment	Call your doctor! Follow instructions for taking your medication Use a fan or keep your room cooler Relaxation exercises Practice breathing techniques Back to Top
Skin Reactions Might include rash, dryness, scaling, pain, redness and peeling	Use gentle skin care products that contain lanolin or aloe Do not use any skin products immediately before radiation treatment Protect yourself from the sun Call your doctor if you have a rash or anything else that concerns you Back to Top
Throat and Mouth Soreness Might include difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and mouth sores	Eat soft, moist foods Avoid spicy, greasy and sharp foods Suck on hard candy or popsicles Ask your doctor about sucking on ice chips before and after chemo Gargle with one teaspoon of table salt or baking soda dissolved in one cup of warm water to clean your mouth Back to Top
Infection and Bleeding Treatment can make you more prone to infections and bleeding Call your doctor immediately if you suspect an infection or you can’t stop bleeding	Wash your hands well! Avoid crowds or people that are sick Keep your mouth very clean (gargle with baking soda and warm water) Avoid flowers and plants (because they may carry mold) or handling animal waste (like cleaning litter boxes) Use a soft toothbrush Use an electric shaver instead of a razor Back to Top
Gastrointestinal issues Might include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation Learn more about what to eat in the nutrition section	Loss of appetite Eat several small meals if you aren’t hungry for big meals Add olive oil, milk or yogurt to increase calories and protein in a meal Take a walk before you eat Nausea or Vomiting: Some medications Bland foods Peppermint tea, ginger tea or ginger ale Diarrhea: Avoid high fiber foods that are hard to digest (like beans or raw vegetables) Bland foods Small meals, with plenty of water between meals Constipation: Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids Eat high fiber foods Exercise Back to Top
Hair Loss Common after radiation and some chemotherapy	Use mild shampoos, soft hairbrushes and low heat on your hair Buy a wig (sometimes called a scalp prosthesis and covered under some insurance policies) Sometimes cutting your hair short or buzzing it off is easier to deal with than watching your hair fall out Wear a hat or scarf Back to Top
Nervous System Changes Some chemotherapy drugs can cause pain, tingling, burning, weakness or numbness in the hands and feet (called peripheral neuropathy). Some people experience what many survivors call “chemobrain” which includes forgetfulness, lack of concentration, difficulty finding the right word and difficulty multitasking.	Be careful grabbing sharp or hot objects Use handrails Wear shoes with rubber soles and remove throw rugs to prevent falls Get gentle massage Take notes during appointments (or have a support person with you) Do brain puzzles Make lists Back to Top
Anxiety or Depression Ongoing sad mood for most of the day Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the time Uncontrolled worry Trouble solving problems and focusing thoughts Irritability (grouchy or short-tempered)	Call your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of suicide Try exercising Speak with a mental health professional like a social worker or psychologist. Some specialize in treating people with cancer. Spend time with family and friends Try deep breathing and relaxation exercises Use prayer or other types of spiritual support if it helps Back to Top

When should I call my doctor?

You should talk to your doctor about any and all symptoms and side effects you experience. If you have any of the following, call your doctor right away!