Why shaky after chemo

And you may not be able to become pregnant. But some women are still able to become pregnant during treatment. Because some chemo medicines cause birth defects and the effects of other chemo drugs on a fetus are not known, it is important to talk to your doctor about birth control before your treatment begins.

After treatment, some women regain their ability to become pregnant. But for most women older than age 35, infertility is likely to be permanent. Chemotherapy for testicular cancer has been linked to long-term side effects, including infertility, hearing loss, reduced lung function, and an increased risk for secondary leukemia. Most men diagnosed with testicular cancer are younger than So men who are going to have chemo may decide to bank their sperm ahead of time if they want to father children in the future.

Talk to your doctor about any fertility concerns you may have. For a short time after chemo, some men may have problems getting erections, and some may have less desire for sex. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause birth defects, so it is important to talk to your doctor about birth control before your treatment begins. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Some doctors prefer one regimen to another.

All drugs, and especially anti-cancer drugs, have the potential for side effects. The chemotherapies above are very commonly associated with lowering of the white count and risk of infection during the period of administration. A-C or Adriamycin and Cytoxan is a very common regimen and is not itself linked to shakiness or nervousness.

Cognitive dysfunction or impaired memory and decreased ability to concentrate are a frequent complaint of some women getting A-C and a number of breast cancer adjuvant therapies. The Adriamycin and the other anthracyclines can rarely cause an irregular heart beat and even more rarely can lead to a weakening of the heart known as cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

Cyclophosphamide has been associated with some bladder irritation at the time of administration and there is a long-term, slight increased risk of bladder cancer. There is also very small increased long-term risk of leukemia among those treated with Adriamycin or cyclophosphamide. This drug combination often causes ovarian failure in premenopausal women. This leads to menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and depression. I should note that a review of known side effects of the other common breast cancer drugs does not show shaking as a reported problem although some are associated with neuromuscular problems.

Common long-term side effects of the taxanes are muscle ache and joint "arthritic-like" pain. Cisplatin Platinol can cause pain and numbness in the arms and legs and hearing loss. Traztuzumab is associated with muscle pain and numbness and rarely heart failure. Tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors cause anti-estrogen like reactions. It may be possible to reduce the chances of hair loss by wearing a cold cap while you're having chemotherapy. A cold cap looks like a bicycle helmet and is designed to cool your scalp during a treatment session.

This reduces blood flow to your scalp, reducing the amount of medicine that reaches it. Whether you can use a cold cap depends on the type of cancer you have. Cold caps also work better with certain types of chemotherapy medicine, and they do not always work. Chemotherapy can reduce your body's ability to fight infection. This makes you more likely to get infections that could make you seriously ill.

A course of antibiotics may sometimes be prescribed to reduce your risk of getting an infection. If your red blood cell count drops too low, you'll develop anaemia. Contact your care team as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. You may need treatment to increase your number of red blood cells. Including a high amount of iron in your diet can help reduce your risk of anaemia, as iron helps the body make red blood cells. Read more about iron deficiency anaemia.

Chemotherapy can reduce the number of cells called platelets in your blood. These help stop severe bleeding when you cut or injure yourself. Tell your care team if you experience these problems. You may need treatment to increase the number of platelets in your blood.

Sometimes chemotherapy can make the lining of the mouth sore and irritated. This is known as mucositis. Tell your care team if you have any of these problems. They may recommend painkillers or a special mouthwash that can help. Laser therapy, where low-levels lasers are used to stimulate healing, have proved effective in treating or preventing mucositis.

But as this is a new type of treatment, access to it may be limited. You may lose your appetite while you're having chemotherapy, but you should try to drink plenty of fluids and eat what you can. Talk to your care team if you have any problems with your skin. They can advise you about creams that can help and how to protect your skin from the sun. Chemotherapy can also make your nails become brittle or flaky, and white lines may develop across them. This should go back to normal after your treatment has finished.

Using moisturiser on your nails may help and nail varnish but not quick-drying varnish or false nails can be used to cover your nails during treatment if you like. Some people have problems with their short-term memory, concentration and attention span during chemotherapy.

Low platelet count Low red blood count Low white blood count and infection Mouth sores Nausea and vomiting Nerve side effects Pain Sexuality and reproductive issues Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of distress, fear or uneasiness.

Some symptoms of generalized anxiety include: trembling insomnia feeling of a loss of control racing pulse difficulty breathing dizziness muscle aches Talk with your doctor or nurse if you are having any of these symptoms or problems. Tips for dealing with anxiety Realize that anxiety is a normal reaction to a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Talk with your doctor or nurse about what you are feeling for direction in managing your symptoms. Get enough sleep, and exercise daily if you are able.

Try relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Join a cancer support group. Keep a cancer treatment journal. When possible, take action to resolve those matters that you can control. Communicate your thoughts and feelings with loved ones. Constipation Constipation is the difficulty in passing stools, a decrease in the normal frequency of your bowel movements or the passage of hard, dry stools.

Here are some tips for dealing with and preventing constipation Drink at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of fluid water, juices, sports drink, or gelatin each day; drink fluids between meal-times when possible.

Avoid caffeinated beverages Drink hot liquids Adequate diet Eat at regular times each day Eat or drink foods or fluids that have helped relieve constipation in the past Eat food high in fiber such as raw fruits and vegetables with skins and peels on after they have been washed , bran, whole grain breads and cereals, or whole prunes.

Add Activity or exercise into your daily routine Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms Constipation is unrelieved Pain in your stomach Blood in your stool Fever higher than Tips for dealing with decreased appetite Rinse your mouth with water or salt water before eating; brush your teeth after meals, at bedtime and as needed for comfort.

Eat 5 or 6 small meals and snacks each day Drink fluids between meals. Try nutritional supplements, such as liquid meal replacements Ask family or friends to help you with cooking and shopping. Chew ginger or mint to decrease a metallic taste in your mouth. Add flavorings to your food, or suck on sugarless hard candies or mints. Eat sweet or tart food. Use plastic utensils if you have a metallic taste in your mouth.

Eat chilled or frozen foods and fluids. Avoid unpleasant odors. How to get help for depression Talk with your doctor or nurse; they can put you in touch with a counselor, social worker or other health care professional Get enough sleep and try to exercise daily Join a cancer support group Try relaxation techniques Diarrhea Chemotherapy can damage the cells In your gastrointestinal tract and cause loose, watery, bowel movements.

Tips for dealing with diarrhea: Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have a fever higher than Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids every day to prevent dehydration.

This includes water, sports drinks, juice, or clear broth. Eat lower-fiber foods, such as white bread, rice, eggs, potatoes, cooked fish, chicken without skin, and creamed cereals.

Avoid high-fiber foods, like fresh fruit except bananas and apples , whole grains, beans, popcorn, nuts, and vegetables. Limit your intake of sugar substitutes such as Sorbitol. Avoid very hot or cold food or beverages. Avoid milk, milk products, and other beverages or foods that irritate your stomach, such as spicy, fried or fatty food.

Avoid caffeinated drinks. You may drink carbonated beverages if you leave them open for at least 10 minutes before drinking. Dry Skin and Rashes Minor skin problems are a common side effect of cancer treatments, including dry, itchy skin and skin rashes. Dry skin carefully after bathing.