Managing side effects of CLL treatment
Some suggestions that can help.
If you are being treated for CLL, you may find you need help in managing treatment
side effects. Here are some of the things you might expect with each treatment,
along with suggestions for managing side effects.
Chemotherapy.
Everyone reacts differently to chemotherapy, so side effects vary among individuals.
Here are some suggestions to help you manage the most common side effects of chemotherapy:
Mouth sores.
- Visit the dentist before treatment begins
- Maintain good dental and oral hygiene, and consider using a prescription mouthwash
- Inspect your mouth daily
- Contact your healthcare team if you have mouth pain or discomfort
- Ask your healthcare team for oral hygiene tips and dietary suggestions that could
help relieve discomfort
Diarrhea.
This is a side effect of some anticancer drugs, caused by the drug’s effect on normal
cells in the gastrointestinal tract. If it occurs, you should speak to your doctor
right away.
Constipation.
If you’ve suffered from constipation before treatment, certain chemotherapy drugs
may intensify the problem. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind:
- Keep track of daily bowel habits and notify your doctor or nurse right away if cramping,
gas, loose stools, diarrhea, or constipation begin
- Ask your doctor about an antidiarrheal medication, antibiotics, intravenous fluids,
or changes in diet
- It may help to drink more water
- Avoid coffee, caffeinated tea, alcohol, and milk
- Drinking warm or hot fluids, especially in the morning, may be helpful
Nausea and vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting vary among patients and these these side effects sometimes subside
as a patient adjusts to the treatment.
- Anti-nausea drugs (antiemetics) can prevent or minimize this side effect
- Acupuncture has been evaluated in a number of studies and is a safe method for managing
chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting
- Therapeutic massage may be effective in reducing cancer treatment-related nausea
for some patients
Infection.
An infection occurs when germs enter the body, multiply and cause illness. The main
types of germs that cause infection are bacteria, viruses, protozoa (parasites),
and fungal organisms (also called fungi). Infections can be harder to treat in people
who have cancer or are getting cancer treatment, so it is important to find infections
early and treat them quickly.
Hair Loss.
- Wash hair and scalp every few days using a mild, moisturizing shampoo
- Consider getting a short haircut before hair loss begins
- If you are planning to buy a wig, cut a lock of hair before hair loss so that the
color and texture can be more easily matched
- Instead of a wig, consider wearing a bandanna, hat, or scarf
- Applying mineral oil to the scalp can help ease dryness
Anemia.
If you experience any of these side effects, you should report them to your doctor
right away:
- Fatigue or shortness of breath, especially with physical activity
- Pale skin, gums, or nails
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- A tendency to feel cold
Bleeding.
Anticancer drugs may cause a decrease in platelets. A mild or moderate decrease
usually does not cause bleeding. However, people with a severely low platelet count
can experience the following side effects:
- Excessive bleeding from cuts or bruises
- Pinhead-sized bleeding points in the skin, especially on the lower legs and ankles
- Black and blue spots on the skin from minor bumps
- Reddish or pinkish urine
- Black or bloody bowel movements
- Bleeding from the gums or nose
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Pain in joints and muscles
Once therapy is stopped and the platelet count is restored to a sufficient level,
these side effects rapidly fade. However, if your platelet count remains very low,
your doctor may recommend a transfusion of platelets.
Radiation.
Side effects depend on the dosage, location, and duration of the radiation treatment.
Most side effects gradually go away after treatment is finished.
Side effects that may occur include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss on the body part being radiated
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Skin irritation
- Mouth sores (mucositis)
Surgery.
The outcome of a splenectomy varies depending on what other disease or injuries
you might have. People who do not have other severe medical problems usually make
a full recovery after this surgery.
However, after your spleen is removed, you will be more likely to get infections.
Talk to your doctor about any vaccinations you might need.
Other side effects may occur depending on the type of medication your doctor prescribes.
Be sure to speak with your doctor about which side effects you may experience and how
they can be managed.
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