More about Those Chemo Side Effects© Linda Bily
Feb 11, 2001
"Hot flashes" can be caused by menopause, whether brought on by the natural aging process or chemically induced, or by hormonal changes within a woman's body. Some women tolerate the "changes" well, while others go bonkers. I was post-menopausal at the time of my diagnosis and was on hormone replacement therapy. Due to my estrogen-positive tumor status, I was immediately taken off HRT and went back into menopause symptoms. How does one explain it? You get the sweats; you feel flush; you wake up soaking wet in the middle of the night; you want to rip your clothes off when it is 20 below; it is like PMS one hundred times over. I, myself, was a crazy woman. If my husband or kids looked at me crooked, they had a 50-50 chance that I would burst into tears or chew their heads off. Fortunately, my oncologist gave me a small patch to wear, called Catapres. It originally was prescribed as a hypertension medication, but for some women it works for the menopausal symptoms. Others find relief from Paxcil, Zoloft and other drugs. Some women swear by herbal teas, aromatherapy, accupuncture, accupressure. Just make sure that you inform your oncologist of any medications, herbs, vitamins, supplements, etc. that you intend to take before you start your own program. Some of these substances can have quite an adverse effect on the chemo drugs. Some of the other minor side effects of chemo (that not everyone gets) are mouth sores: I got them once and the doctor gave me a gel that you swish in your mouth and spit out and they never retunred. It is some type of viscous lidocaine formula. Diarrhea/constipation can be a problem. Ask for a prescription if you really have a problem. Stool softeners, such as Colace, can be beneficial. During chemo, most people get a metallic, odd taste in their mouths. The trick here is to eat whatever you can tolerate. For one round of chemo, I existed on vanilla ice cream and apple sauce for a two week period. Hey, whatever works... Acne can be a problem. Due to the chemicals coursing through your body, your skin can get pimples, dry, flaky. Make sure to wash with non-perfumed soap, pat gently dry, use moisturizer and lots of skin lotion. Make sure to visit your dentist before you begin chemo. Your gums get inflamed and they don't treat you during chemo unless it is an extreme emergency. Weight gain/loss depends on your body type and whether or not you have to take steroids. No one is ever happy with the weight gain or loss, but you can diet/exercise when chemo is done and get back to your normal weight. You do have to have some "fat" or "skinny" clothes as a back-up for a few months.
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