What should you know before starting Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy...

When patients start chemotherapy they often think oh I'm going to lose my hair and be sick......

That is not the only thing people should think about. There are several others side effects that people should know about. The most common side effects that most patients talk about are hair loss and nausea. The other short-term side effects are fatigue, decreased blood counts, mouth sores and generalized pain. Also, studies have shown one out of ten patients who have chemotherapy can eventually suffer from heart damage. The other possible side effects are cranial nerve damage,brain damage and problems with the spine. Overall changes in the central nervous system can lead to neck pain,headaches, depression,seizures and eye problems. Moreover, certain types of drugs used for chemotherapy can affect certain body parts. For example, Bleomycin can cause long-term damage to the lungs. Also, radiation can magnify the long-term damage. Lastly, chemotherapy and radiation can directly impact fertility. In several studies men and women have reported lower sex drives and infertility issues. There are many indirect problems associated with chemotherapy and radiation. There is much to learn about the long-term affects of the drugs used today.