What Is Effective In Relieving The Side Effects Caused By Cancer Medications?
My mother, who is 61, has metastatic renal cell cancer and has been put on a treatment regimen which requires her to receive intravenous Avastin once every two weeks and have Roferon-A shots three times a week. She has since suffered such side effects as tiredness, lethargy, muscle aches, gum and mouth inflammation, chills, fever and, recently, loss of appetite. Is there anything she could use, eat or drink to ease the side effects?
Tarkarri said,
December 29, 2009 @ 12:55 am
She needs to talk to her oncologist.
Many of these symptoms are treatable.
The fever is a cause for concern – I was told with any fever to report to emergency room immediately when I was on chemo.
I would not be giving anything other than a good healthy diet without an ok from the oncologist to avoid any interactions with medications.
hanora said,
December 29, 2009 @ 3:54 am
Talk to a pharmacist. There are mouthwashes and toothpastes that are especially good for people having chemotherapy. I think Biotene is one. Her doctor may be able to prescribe Marinol which is medical marijuana which may help her appetite. Try to make what she does eat as nutrient rich as possible and small amounts more frequently work better than big meals. She probably will just need more rest. Heating pads can help with muscle aches.
Verite R said,
December 29, 2009 @ 9:36 am
I do hope your Mother gets over this treatment soon, but if you go to http://www.after-cancer.com there are some ideas there for dealing with different side effects.
Good luck
Verite R
Mikelodi said,
December 29, 2009 @ 9:48 am
If her Doctor give an OK, then she can be prescribed Procrit to help her red blood cell count. That won’t help all of those problems, but it helps some of them.