Is Chemo Therapy painful?

Question

My grandmother has recently been diagnosed with Lymphoma. She is 78 years old. She has been very weak and frail. The doctor said that an 'aggresive' treatment is not recomended, and is recommending a milder treatment. How painful is chemo therapy?

Answer 1

My mom asks me this everytime she gets hers, and this is the third treatment. Although I've never had it, it's really the side effects that are the problem. The actual chemotherapy is pretty straightforward (imagine an IV drip and that's basically what it is except it has mixed in chemotherapy drug).

Afterwards (and even during) she can experience nausea, metallic taste (depending on drug), etc. There is also delayed nausea, etc. and the related effects of chemotherapy attacking and killing all cells...that's the rough part.

Before chemo, however, they usually 'dope' you up with benadryl, maybe a sedative, zofran (anti-nausea), etc because people are scared and aprehensive about it. My mom has slept through all 3 so far. So the short answer is it's not painful, just the effects from it are troublesome. From what I've been told, the drugs to regulate the side effects are a lot better than they were even 10+ years ago...so that's a good thing.

There are things you can do to mitigate the side effects (talk with the dr. before starting any complimentary therapy). For example, Maitake D-Fraction (this is a specialized extract from the Maitake musroom) has been proven in tests to be effective when taken orally and helps increase the immune system (in animal tests, now in phase 2 FDA clinical trials to prove this) and has some good anti-tumor properties too. (see www.maitake.com for a good American company that makes the D-Fraction line, look for the pro version). My moms gynecologic oncologist said it couldn't hurt her and might do some good when we asked about it.

Answer 2

getting the chemo isn't painful, the side effects will be anywhere from mild to extreme. everyone reacts differently. as far as actually getting the chemo, i asked for a pillow and blanket and slept through most of my treatments.

Answer 3

The Chemo Therapy isn't painful, the pain comes form its side effects.

Answer 4

My brother had chemo and still worked at his job. Of course he is 30 years younger than your grandmother. He said it made him tired, and some people experience nausea and vomiting. He never said it was painful. I'm not saying it cannot be uncomfortable at times.

Answer 5

I'm a nurse. Chemo is uncomfortable (lying in one position for a long period of time) but not painful. If in fact she becomes very uncomfortable tell the doctor. He will see to her comfort. Take Care.

Answer 6

My mom and aunts had cancer yes both died but lived there lives long, and no chemo does not hurt its the white blood cells and how your body reacks to it and if you are getting weak and white blood cells are down then you need a less streaightening one i know I took care of my mom during her chemo and hospice so i understand any questions plese e mail me no problem god bless

Answer 7

I have a friend who has gone through chemo and she said she got sick and sometimes it hurt. More on the sick side...nauseas, etc. Check with the doctor.

Answer 8

http://www.lymphomainfo.net/nhl/chemo.html