what are the side affects of kemo?

Question

cancer have to make a decision on kemo what are the side affects

Answer 1

It depends on the person, and also on what kind of drugs are involved.
I had 8 treatments almost 5 years ago. My chemotherapy was known as CHOP which is supposed to be a very "easy" one.
I was given steroids for the few days around each treatment; they made me feel really good, and I had a wonderful appetite!
In fact, I never felt nauseous on CHOP. But a lot of the in-between treatment time, I found my appetite was terrible and I was really tired - as if I had flu all the time. Often I had a temperature.
The first treatment was one of the worst; and then I got used to it, but after the 6th, I felt like death warmed up! It was so hard to walk or do anything; so tired. I had to break my day down into huge chunks of "doing" tiny things I could manage to do, and resting a lot in between.
After the 6th treatment, I developed bad lower back pain because even the slightest exertion exhausted me.
All my hair fell out soon after the 1st treatment; I mean all! Head hair, pubes, all body hair and eyebrows and eyelashes too.
I remember how cold I felt. And I didn't even have thick hair!
The eyelashes were the biggest hassle, because it is very windy where I live and I kept getting dust and grit and pet hair in my eyes. Clear glasses helped. But you can't sleep with them.
I liked myself bald, so I was lucky! I invested in a few hats and wore them in public, but otherwise was happy with my new skinhead look.
And the saddest thing for me was early menopause; my periods stopped forever after 1st treatment, and I went to a fertility clinic to freeze some eggs before that happened, but they smashed my eggs. That was so sad.
I can't think of anything else right now, but if you need me to, you can e-mail me.
I want to mention how you have to be aware that long after treatment stops, you still can have side effects. One is Chemo-brain (yes, charming expression, eh?) It refers to a sudden loss in concentration that can be quite scary! I had a few minor bouts after treatment 8. The worst was, feeling all well and happy, I was riding my scooter to town on a lovely summer day. Traffic was stuck, I saw it was moving again, so I revved ... but they had all stopped again, before I knew it, I'd smashed into the back of a new car ... nobody hurt but expensive!
So I refrained from handling machinery for a while.
The hair grew back .... in places. A full set of eyebrows, eyelashes and head hair. Genital area quite rampant. But underarm hair didn't grow back, nor did lower leg hair ... (I'm a "she", as you obviously know, so for me, it was a case of every cloud has a silver lining!)
I was terrified about have chemo. I resisted and became very petulant about having to go for my 1st treatment. My husband and best friend bullied me into it.
I turned out to "go with the flow"; having no way back, I made up my mind to enjoy this experience to the full. I enjoyed joking with the nurses and I refused to make severe life changes; I insisted on being an out-patient despite this being the first case for my oncologist to have an out patient and it created some problems between us. I wanted my normal life to stay the same as much as possible. Not be in a hospital watching others win or lose their own fights.
That's just me. And I am really glad I insisted on that.
It has now been almost 5 years for me; doctor and I have really bonded and appreciate one another, despite all the antagonism at first!
For me, I think the hardest long-term side-effect of all is loss of confidence. I spent 9 months living each moment as it came. There was no future at all, only the present moment. And I spring-cleaned all the superficial clutter from my life. And it felt good! I was technically dying, but I felt more alive than ever before.
However, then there was no more cocoon and I had to go back into the rat race; and I couldn't cope. I still can't and prefer to be a hermit as much as possible. It is very hard for me to explain!
I have met cancer survivors who made fresh starts; a workacholic businessman who became a flower grower etc. That is so beautiful!
Sadly, I didn't make such changes so I am a fool.
Cancer is such a growing experience, you get a second chance. I wasted mine.
You know, it depends on your personality and all that, but I hate support groups. I didn't want to go through this with a support group. But perhaps the time for those groups, in my case, at least, is after treatment and when you go through the limbo of remission .... so please check the Cancer Support links on the web and see what they offer; you might need them at some point!
It is good to be alive.
Some people choose chemo for their kids' sake - a few extra years with their babies or a chance of a long life ....
I chose it because I didn't want to let my Mum and husband down. And I hadn't found anyone to take care of my pets!
Whatever you choose, good luck to you!
Sorry this is so long.
Please remember to e-mail me if you want to.

Answer 2

You need to be more specific. What type of chemotherapy and for what type of cancer and stage of disease? There are hundreds of different types of chemotherapy and combinations all given according to type of cancer, response by patient, stage and grade of disease. Side effects can be severe in one patient and not bother another . . so they are generalized . . when a drug goes through a clinical trial any type of side effect is recorded . . that doesn't mean that everyone will get that side effect. The more well known side effects occur with the older, harsher drugs available (the ones that are known to work against cancers but are highly toxic). These are the chemos that most common people without cancer hear about . . the chemo causes hair loss and nausea. But, there are newer drugs becoming available . . they are not yet widespread because they do not have an established track record with cancers yet. The newer drugs are being used on advanced cancer patients and when successful become available to the early stage cancers. The newer drugs are less toxic, but still have some associated side effects . . though minor . . they can produce diarrea (controlled by immodium) and turn the hair white (no hair loss . . you just lose pigmentation). The newer drugs are also given orally at home on a daily basis. Some neutrapenia can occur, but far less than the older drugs.

So, it really depends on what is considered first line treatment for the type of cancer you have. First line treatment tends to be the treatments that are established, have known side effects, and have a good chance of working. If side effects become to difficult a doctor can provide meds to control the side effects or readjust the dosage to make it more tolerable.

Answer 3

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RE:
what are the side affects of kemo?
cancer have to make a decision on kemo what are the side affects

Answer 4

Chemo affects each person a bit differently. There are also MANY types of chemo's and also many different regims in which they are used together or seperately.

Most of them make you feel very ,very sick, nauseated,(meds are used for this) they make your food taste either very bland like cardboard or metalicy. Some cause cramps, some tingles, like in the legs, some cause your hair to fall out some do not. (meaning not just the head, but the ENTIRE body, nose hairs included). Some can cause developmental problems if young, some can cause you to become steryle,(some more so in males) cause heart, kidney, bladder problems, (most times its controlled). Your blood counts and immunities will also be effected. We all have abnoral cells. Cancer also comes from abnormal cells. Chemo and radiation also cause abnormal cells. Even so, you must treat what is at hand now, and worry about later on, later on, to a degree.

Some Chemos are alot stronger and harsher than others. Some are more mild some are very aggressive. Most docotrs start you out on the highest doses and when its not tolerated drop it down as needed.

My daughter had 4 kinds of chemo in 2 different regims for 1 yr. It totally will depend on your particular cancer, stage its in, and type of chemo needed for it.

Chemo can and probably will make you feel very sick. However it can also save your life.

Answer 5

Oh I can answer this one as I am currently having chemo.

But it does depend on on what chemo you are having as all chemo is tailored to each individuals cancer. There fore the chemo you are on may not have the same side effects as mine.

The first one for me was the worse but the other 3 have not been so bad, the hospital can give medication for every side effect accept the tiredness (well that is what they told me)

Nausea and vomiting (only the first one)

Tiredness - ongoing, just listen to your body and if you need to sleep then do!

Indigestion - now gone with medication.

Menopause - I think but as young periods may return.

Hair loss - the most psychological impact for me, how ever I have got used to it and I know my hair will grow back.

Fuzzy head - but improved by end of first week.
The other side effects mentioned in my fact sheet given to me by the hospital haven't happened.

I went for chemo because I have alot of living left to do and I am also the mother of a young son, I have found it not to be so bad as I thought.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Depends - different Chemo drugs have different affects. You get sickness for a few days after chemo and that is common with all types. Hair loss - some its complete hair loss and others its just thinning of the hair, tiredness, a metallic taste with certain foods and anaemia is common whilst having chemo. Mouth sores are common along with thrush. But - all of these are treatable or preventable - for the hair loss a cold cap may help, for the sickness they can give you meds to help, the anaemia they give blood, the sore mouth is treatable and for the tiredness just rest. I wish you luck and hope you make the right decision xxxx

Answer 7

One of the common unreported side effects of chemotherapy is associated with hair loss. The body the hair has been lost from is very painful, and is something that comes as a shock to many who endure it

Answer 8

As with most drugs, chemotherapy drugs do have side effects. Side effects of chemotherapy are unwanted things that happen as a direct result of taking a drug. It is easy to confuse drug side effects with symptoms of cancer. Symptoms are the things that happen as a direct result of the cancer and have nothing to do with the drug.

Different chemotherapy drugs have different short term and long term side effects and certainly not all chemotherapy drugs cause every side effect. In general, chemotherapy damages cells that are dividing, so the parts of the body where normal cells divide frequently are likely to be affected by chemotherapy. The mouth, intestines, skin, hair, bone marrow (the spongy material that fills your bones and produces new blood cells) are commonly affected by chemotherapy. Hair is growing all the time. The skin is constantly renewing itself. So are the lining of the mouth and digestive system. To do this, the cells of all these body tissues must constantly divide to produce a steady supply of new cells. And when cells are dividing, chemotherapy drugs can attack them.

Although most anti-cancer drugs have side effects, not everyone will get these effects. A person may experience no side effects of chemotherapy, some side effects, or all of them. Whether or not a person will experience a particular side effect, when it will start and stop or how bad it will be depends on many factors. Some of these factors are, how long a person has been taking the drug, a person's general health, the dose or amount of the drug, the way the drug is given, other drugs that may be given in combination.

Some important points to remember in regards to short and long term chemotherapy side effects are:

Some side effects of chemotherapy are serious medical conditions that need to be treated.
Some side effects are inconvenient or upsetting but are not damaging to your health.
Discuss side effects with your health care team.
If you are worried about a side effect call your doctor or the contact at the center where your treatment is being given (make sure you have a phone number of who to call).
Most side effects don't do any lasting harm and will gradually go away after treatment finishes.
If you do not get side effects, it does not mean your treatment is not working.
There are very few long term side effects of chemotherapy. Most are short-term.
The side effects of chemotherapy can be unpleasant. But it can help to try to see the problems in relation to the benefits of the treatment. Chemotherapy does not cause side effects in everyone. It causes different reactions in different people. Remember - almost all side effects are temporary. They will slowly disappear once treatment stops.

Answer 9

Ask your doctor about an exercise routine. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, may reduce neuropathy pain, improve your muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.

Answer 10

The side effects vary depending on the drugs that are given. And not everyone gets the same effects. I just finished some hard core chemo which usually cause nausea and I was only sick once.
Ask your doctor for pamphlets on the drugs that he is considering using. They can tell you what to expect.

Regardless of the drugs and their effects I'd rather go through it and be cured than to decline the treatment and die from cancer.

Answer 11

Sorry, this must be a hard decision to make for yourself. Here are some of the common side effects:
* Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
* Hair loss
* Fatigue and anemia
* Infections
* Mouth sores
* Taste and smell changes
* Menopause and fertility
* Memory loss
* Problems with hands and feet (neuropathy)
God bless and I pray that you get well.