5 Common Symptoms to Expect After Chemotherapy

December 6, 2024 / Cancer Rehab
5 Common Symptoms to Expect After Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an essential treatment for many types of cancer, but it often comes with side effects that can vary widely from person to person. While chemotherapy works to eliminate cancer cells, it can also affect healthy cells, leading to a range of physical symptoms. These side effects can be temporary, but they may be uncomfortable and affect your daily life.

When it comes to the side effects of cancer treatment, the cancer rehabilitation physiotherapists at Triangle Physiotherapy are knowledgeable and trained in helping you regain function and get back your quality of life.

Chemotherapy Side Effects

In this post, we’ll cover 5 common symptoms to expect after chemotherapy and tips on how to manage them.

1. Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects following chemotherapy. Unlike typical tiredness, this type of exhaustion can be overwhelming and persistent, making even the smallest tasks feel like a major effort. Chemotherapy can affect your red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body, leading to feelings of extreme tiredness.

  • What you can do: Try to rest when needed, but don’t forget to incorporate light activity into your day, like short walks or stretching. Small, frequent activities can boost your energy levels and help prevent muscle weakness. Additionally, make sleep a priority, and aim for a balanced diet to ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to recover.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

Chemotherapy drugs can trigger nausea and vomiting, which are especially common right after treatment. These symptoms occur because the chemotherapy affects the gastrointestinal tract, leading to discomfort in your stomach. The severity of nausea can vary depending on the drugs used, but it’s one of the most common concerns for many patients undergoing treatment.

  • What you can do: Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medications, so make sure to take them as directed. Drinking small sips of water, ginger tea, or clear broths can help settle your stomach. Also, eating smaller, more frequent meals—rather than larger meals—can prevent your stomach from feeling overwhelmed. Avoiding heavy, greasy, or spicy foods may also reduce nausea.

3. Hair Loss

Hair loss is often one of the more noticeable side effects of chemotherapy. The powerful medications used during chemotherapy target rapidly dividing cells, including those in your hair follicles, which can cause your hair to fall out. Hair loss can begin within a few weeks of starting chemotherapy and can affect not just the scalp, but eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair as well.

  • What you can do: While hair loss is difficult to avoid, there are ways to manage it emotionally. Many people choose to wear wigs, scarves, or hats to help them feel more comfortable. If hair loss is affecting your self-esteem, consider talking to a counselor or joining a support group to help cope with the emotional impact. The good news is that hair usually starts to grow back once treatment is complete, though it might have a different texture or color temporarily.

4. Sensation Loss (Neuropathy)

Chemotherapy can cause nerve damage, leading to sensations of numbness, tingling, or weakness, particularly in the hands and feet. This condition, known as peripheral neuropathy, can be distressing and affect your ability to perform daily tasks like buttoning a shirt or walking. It happens because chemotherapy can damage the nerves responsible for sending signals to the brain, leading to these sensations.

  • What you can do: While there’s no quick fix for neuropathy, there are ways to manage it. Talk to your doctor about medications that can help with nerve pain or discomfort. You might also benefit from physical therapy, which can help you improve balance and coordination. Taking care of your feet and hands by avoiding injury and wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes can also reduce the impact of neuropathy. If you’re struggling with these symptoms, your healthcare provider can suggest exercises or tips to help alleviate the discomfort.

5. Changes in Appetite and Taste

Another side effect many chemotherapy patients experience is a shift in their appetite or the way food tastes. Chemotherapy can alter your sense of taste, often causing food to have a metallic or bitter flavor. In some cases, you might feel a loss of appetite, making it harder to eat enough to maintain your strength.

  • What you can do: Try eating smaller meals more often throughout the day. If your appetite is low, experiment with foods that have strong flavors, such as citrus fruits or savory herbs, to help stimulate your taste buds. If food tastes off, using plastic utensils or drinking through a straw can sometimes help reduce the metallic taste. Additionally, staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet is important to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients.

Chemotherapy can be a life-saving treatment, but it often comes with side effects that may affect your quality of life. Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, sensation loss, and changes in appetite or taste are common symptoms that many patients face, but they are manageable with the right care and support. It’s important to communicate openly with your healthcare team about any symptoms you’re experiencing so they can adjust your treatment plan or provide supportive care to ease discomfort.

Cancer rehab will help you get back on your feet and help get rid of your neuropathy gradually. For breast cancer rehab, please remember to consult our expert physios who will help you get rid of the tight inelastic cords that formed due to radiation. You may notice it as shoulder restriction, but it needs to be treated by a physiotherapist over time.

Remember, recovery from chemotherapy is a gradual process, and many of these side effects will improve after treatment ends. Focus on taking care of your body, staying connected with your medical team, and reaching out for support when needed.

Reach out to us at Triangle Physiotherapy to book an assessment to get help managing Cancer Treatment side effects.