side effects and solutions

The side effects of chemo continue to be interesting and baffling. It's everything from weeping eyes and dry skin to bone pain, and the way most meat tastes like tinfoil. Even my hair hurts. Even the side effects have side effects. Some days I feel like I am living inside that TV prescription drug commercial that spends most of its 30-seconds listing off potential side effects to a Musak soundtrack of classic rock.

I am assigned an Integrative Medicine specialist NP to help figure it out. Below is my current list.

Got good ideas? Leave your suggestions for solutions in the comments.

Side Effects and Solutions/Preventatives 

(cue Musak)

• fatigue - from chemo, immunotherapy, or radiation tx
• naps
• regular bedtime/morning routines
• daily exercise and/or stretching or yoga
• meditation
• daily nutrition/protein
• nausea
• prescription Compazine (procholorperazine) 1/2 to 4 tablets per day as needed
• Saltine crackers
• disposable vomit bags stashed everywhere, including the car
• mouth sores
• soda/salt mouthwash x3 daily (1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 6 oz warm water)
• Prescription "magic mouthwash," which works well except that it's real side effect is diarrhea
• Sonic toothbrush to keep teeth and gums clean and gently 
• Outshine Creamy Coconut popsicles - non-acidic and cold
• diarrhea
• Imodium OTC, use as directed
• Prescription Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine) up to 4x daily
• Gas-X use with Lomotil for cramping
• Benefiber fiber supplement - 2 tsp x2 daily in a drink (hot or cold)
• Flax meal, 1 tsp add to Scottish oatmeal daily
• Align probiotic x1 nightly
• Dude Wipes On-the-Go flushable (not really flushable) wipes
• constipation
• regular hydration
• dried apricots 3-5 daily
• Miralax x1 daily as needed
• yeast infection (side effect of constipation/diarrhea cycle)
• Monistat 1
• cranberry supplement
• dehydration (side effect of constipation/diarrhea cycle) 
• Drip-Drop Electrolyte powder x1 daily in 10oz water
• Salt Stick Electrolyte Tablets x1 daily
• PowerAde Sports Freezer Bars (with electrolytes)
• Kinderlyte Electrolyte Drink
• 72 oz water daily
• IV hydration at hospital (as necessary)
• low white blood cells (compromised immune system)
• treatment with Granix - x5 doses, intramuscular shot, days 3-7 after infusion
• 100% masking out in the world and for non-quarantined visitors
• regular hand-washing
• daily showers w-antibacterial soap 
• low red blood cells (bruising, clotting issues)
• promote general nutrition
• adequate protein intake
• Green Smoothie: 1 c spinach, 3 oz plain greek yogurt, 1 frozen banana, 1 scoop It's Just Whey Protein Powder (unflavored), 1/2 c coconut water, drizzle of Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce, handful frozen raspberries, cherries, or blueberries. Blend in NutriBullet Blender
• Quest Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie
• Naked Peanut Butter powder - add to Scottish oatmeal daily 
• Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake/Waffle mix
• blood transfusion (last resort)
• heart arrhythmia (may indicate other side effects - dehydration, infection, etc)
• monitor and take emergency action if not resolved
• increased blood sugar levels
• reduce and monitor sugar intake
• skin outbreak - hands, back, legs
• Aveeno Dry Skin lotion - non-greasy
• Aveeno Repairing Hand Masks - use nightly before bed
• Cerave Deep Hydration
• Aquaphor, cover with gauze
• gloves for protection 
• Liquid Skin for broken skin protection
• bone pain (side effect of chemo drugs plus the Granix shots to promote WB cell production)
• take an H-1 antihistamine daily (Zyrtek or Claritin) 
• prescription 600mg Ibuprofen
• prescription hydrocodone-acetaminophen (last resort to keep me out of the ER)
• Toradol (NSAID) administered at ER (last-last resort)
• peripheral neuropathy (numbness to fingers and toes)
• compression gloves and socks at symptom onset
• compression gloves/socks at infusion (preventative to restrict chemo drugs to capillaries)
• ice gloves at infusion (preventative)
• weeping, swollen eyes 
• Pataday antihistamine eye drops 0.10% solution (NOT the 0.20% extra strength because that makes my eyes twitch)
• bloody nose 
• MistAire Studio Cool Mist Humidifier is silent and runs all night on low
• Vaseline petroleum jelly (swab inside nose 2-3x per day)
• metallic taste and loss of salty/savory taste and smell - things that still taste normal:
• ginger hard-candy - Pri Nuggets Manuka Honey and Ginger
• raspberries, blueberries, cherries
• honey
• sourdough bread
• chocolate
• vanilla ice cream
• Scottish oatmeal
• chicken soup
• scalp/hair pain
• softest bamboo hats
• moisturize scalp - Oil of Olay
• silk pillowcase? (untested at this writing)
• hair loss (we knew that was coming)
• hats for warmth and protection
• Scotch-Brite Pet Extra Sticky Hair Lint Roller (roll the scalp daily)
• acid reflux
• prescription Prilosec 40mg daily (started 8/22)
• heart arrhythmia
• Alternating PVCs (non-series)
• high, non-aFib heart rate
• treat with increased (doubled) electrolyte tablets in addition to oral and IV fluid treatments for dehydration (started 9/26)
• fluid retention from IV fluids
• stop IV fluids for dehydration and push oral fluids (started 11/02)
• muscle pain
• legs: quads, hamstrings, calves (like shin-splints) - likely related to Taxotere (started mid-Nov)
• stay hydrated and keep up with electrolytes
• regular exercise and stretching
• inflammation between ribs (from radiation treatments)
• tenderness and aching of ribcage and spine
• treat pain with Ibuprofen or Tylenol
• skin irritation, redness, itching (from radiation treatments)
• irritation of radiated area of breast, underarm, and chest up to collarbone
• treat with oncology-lotion 3-4x per day
• do not use lotion within 2 hours of radiation treatments
• continue to use after conclusion of treatments 1-2 weeks 
• if skin lesions or internal burns break the skin, call radiology for treatment instructions

Daily Data

In my daily journal, my team and I track symptoms and care as well as count down the days from each infusion. We also monitor daily for things like infection, fever, unusual pain, Covid, flu, or cold symptoms, bleeding or bruising, anything new. All of it helps my Cancer Care Team make adjustments to my treatment plan as needed. 

• daily symptoms
• blood pressure - morning and evening
• temperature
• supplements: vitamins, fiber,
• medications: prescriptions and/or OTC as needed
• nutrition: calories, protein, nutrients
• electrolytes
• fluid intake: water plus other fluids
• exercise
• sleep

Onward!

 ~ Sherri