Other Side Effects
Flu-like symptoms
Some types of chemotherapy can make you feel like you have the flu. This is more likely to happen if you get chemotherapy along with biological therapy.
Flu-like symptoms may include:
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fever
- Chills
- Appetite loss
These symptoms may last from 1 to 3 days. An infection or the cancer itself can also cause them. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any of these symptoms.
Fluid retention
- Weighing yourself at the same time each day, using the same scale. Let your doctor or nurse know if you gain weight quickly.
- Avoiding table salt or salty foods
- Limiting the liquids you drink
- If you retain a lot of fluid, your doctor may prescribe medicine to get rid of the extra fluid.
Fluid retention is a buildup of fluid caused by chemotherapy, hormone changes caused by treatment, or your cancer. It can cause your face, hands, feet, or stomach to feel swollen and puffy. Sometimes fluid builds up around your lungs and heart, causing coughing, shortness of breath, or an irregular heart beat. Fluid can also build up in the lower part of your belly, which can cause bloating.
You and your doctor or nurse can help manage fluid retention by:
Eye changes
- Trouble wearing contact lenses. Some types of chemotherapy can bother your eyes and make wearing contact lenses painful. Ask your doctor or nurse if you can wear contact lenses while getting chemotherapy.
- Blurry vision. Some types of chemotherapy can clog your tear ducts, which can cause blurry vision.
- Watery eyes. Sometimes, chemotherapy can seep out in your tears, which can cause your eyes to water more than usual.
If your vision gets blurry or your eyes water more than usual, tell your doctor or nurse.
