Chemotherapy- Ways to Manage Side Effects

Here are some things I did during chemo that helped me make it through. Maybe these tips can help you!

Above all else, be proactive and stay hydrated!

Preventing Neuropathy:

·      Folic acid

·      B12

Preventing Mouth Sores and Caring for Your Teeth:

·      Brush teeth gently

·      Floss extra gently

·      Use a SOFT toothbrush

·      Rinse mouth after eating with ½ tsp. baking soda in 8 ounces of water

·      Brushed with Extra-Strength Oralive (2 oz.) from Ascended Health

http://www.ascendedhealth.com/products_dentalcare.htm#gum-disease-04

There’s a prescription numbing mouthwash you can use if you get mouth sores. I’ve also heard that Biotene and raw local honey is helpful. Thankfully, I did all the things mentioned above and I never got mouth sores. Hopefully, you won’t either!

Dealing with Constipation:

·      Drink ¼  – ½ glass WARM prune juice then walk for a few minutes to get the bowels moving

·      Eat figs, prunes, dried apricots, dates, cooked veggies, fiber, etc.

·      I read that one tbsp. butter, ½ cup applesauce, and a ½ cup prune juice mixed together and warmed up before bed can help. I did not try this but it might work for you.

·      Take Colace. It’s a over the counter stool softener that’s gentle and effective.

·      Use a step stool to put your feet up when you’re on the toilet. Totally helps!

Preventing Nausea:

·      Take your anti-nausea medicine on time and/or as soon as you feel the FIRST inkling of that nausea feeling. I did not have nausea or vomiting because I listened to my body and took the meds when I started to feel it. I also had the Emend Tri-pack infused in me before my chemo drugs.

·      Eat small amounts throughout the day.

·      Eat before you get too hungry.

·      Eat dry foods, BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). I ate a lot of organic chicken and mashed potatoes during the first week of infusion. It was easy on the tummy and comforting. 

Gas and Abdominal Pain:

·      Drink ginger tea

·      Massage your belly a few times a day

Prevent Nails from Falling Off:

Yes, this can happen on Taxotere. No funL Thankfully, this did not happen to me because my friend, Jurgita, gave me this amazing tip and I started using it at the beginning of the first cycle of chemo:

·      Onicolife Nail Drops. I put these on 3x a day and my nails did very well!

http://www.mosaiclife.co.uk/portfolio-item/nail-care/

Remember, be proactive!!