How Are Chemotherapy Side Effects Managed For Ovarian Cancer Treatment?

Chemo Fatigue

"Most women do experience some degree of fatigue," says Dr. Chen. Some women, for instance, will become so tired that returning to work is impossible for a week or more after a chemotherapy infusion. Others will be able to work limited hours immediately. Though patients should expect to feel more tired than they're accustomed to, one oncologist tells SurvivorNet that many working women on the regimens we give “are able to work 50 to 75 percent of their pre-diagnosis hours."

Patients will need to gauge themselves, learn their limits, and not overdo it. Prioritizing healthy, restful sleep 7 to 9 hours for most people is recommended. Light exercise will help alleviate fatigue during chemo and has also been shown to encourage better sleep. Going for a walk is good for your body, and the sunlight and fresh air can help to boost your mood.

Nausea…but Probably Not Vomiting

Nausea is a side effect that most people associate with chemotherapy, but doctors are better able to manage it than in the past, and while patients might feel queasy, vomiting is relatively rare. And many patients will not feel sick at all. Doctors now take steps to prevent nausea rather than try to fix it once it occurs. They may give medication before, during, and after chemotherapy to control nausea. A number of medications, which may include the oral prescription drug Zofran, can be given to patients to take at home for several days after chemo. Natural remedies like ginger tea or ginger candies may also help soothe a queasy stomach.

Goodbye, Hair

One side effect that's nearly inevitable is hair loss. Taxol is the chemo drug responsible for this side effect. Unfortunately there's no way to completely maintain hair while receiving Taxol. But some women opt to try cold caps to at least slow the thinning. These caps cause the blood vessels to constrict, which prevents some of the chemotherapy drugs from penetrating the scalp and reaching the hair follicles. But these caps can be uncomfortable because of the extreme cold, and many women decide to use head wraps, scarves, or wigs instead. And some just boldly shave their heads once hair starts shedding, and decide to own their new, temporarily bald look!

That Tingling Feeling

Patients may also experience neuropathy, "which is a symptom of chemotherapy that you may feel in your hands and feet as numbness or tingling," says Dr. Chen. It's caused by damage to the peripheral nerves." Neuropathy can occasionally causes a feeling of pain or burning as well, "but most of the time it's just a little bit of numbness and tingling." However, if neuropathy becomes so bad that women are having trouble buttoning clothes, picking up small objects like pens, or even walking, then the chemotherapy dosage might have to be adjusted. Doctors sometimes prescribe B vitamins or medications like Elavil or Gabapentin to help diminish or alleviate symptoms.

Communication is Key

While patients are receiving chemotherapy doctors monitor them closely for more serious side effects, including a drop in red cell count, white cell count, or platelet count, as well as a change in kidney function. A lowered white cell count, for instance, means an increased risk of infections. In most cases blood cell counts return to normal between chemotherapy infusions.

If you’re currently receiving chemotherapy, it's important to keep your doctor informed about how you're tolerating treatment. Some doctors advise keeping a daily log. If you're experiencing any debilitating side effects, your doctor may choose to modify your treatment regimen.

 

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