Questions To Ask About Chemotherapy-Related Side Effects

• Is there any way I can anticipate what my chemotherapy side effects will be?
• How long will the side effects last?
• Which side effects should I report and to whom?
• What happens if my side effects prevent me from taking my medications?
• What can I do to help prevent the fatigue I may experience?
• Will I lose my hair as a result of my chemotherapy?
• What will happen if my white blood cell count dips too low (known as leucopenia) compromising my ability to fight infections? Can we safeguard against this? Are there drugs to address this?
• Can I take multi-vitamins to address or prevent some of the chemo-induced side effects?
• What can I do to prevent the tingling and numbness (neuropathy) that result in the fingers and feet after oxaliplatin therapy?
• Will I have magnesium and calcium infusions in the clinic to safeguard against the onset of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy? If not, can I take magnesium/calcium supplements?
• Will I lose my appetite? How can we remedy this?
• Will the side effects affect my bowel movements? Can this be remedied?
• Will I experience nausea/vomiting from the side effects? If so, how can this be prevented or treated?
• Will I lose my appetite? How can this be remedied?
• Will I experience mouth sores (mucositis)? If so, how can I safeguard against its onset? Can it be treated?
• Do biologics such as avastin, erbitux and vectibix have any side effects? If so, what are they and how can I either safeguard against their onset or have them treated?
• Can I safeguard against the onset of erbitux/vectibix-induced skin rash? If already developed, can it be treated?