“What are the ways to counter the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy?”
My mother has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat her breast cancer. However she is facing severe weakness due to the side effects of the treatment including diarrhea. What can she do to counter these side effects?
6 Answers
Fatigue is common. Very occasionally or rarely, it may be due to hypothyroid breast radiation; does not cause diarrhea unless the abdomen is treated for some reason. Talk to your doctor.
You can talk to the chemotherapy Doctor: diarrhea could be from chemotherapy. He will give your mother advice to treat the diarrhea.
Radiation therapy usually initiated after completion of chemotherapy, except Herceptin and hormonal therapy, which can be continued concurrent with radiation.
If she has been having diarrhea, I would advise to take Imodium (over the counter) 2 pills after watery or loose bowel movement and then take it again 4 hours later only if diarrhea happens again. Very important to maintain soft diet (avoid any type of fiber, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, grapes, whole grain cereal or bread) and drink a lot of fluids until bowel movements become normal.
She may need intravenous hydration, which can be arranged by her medical oncologist. It can make her much stronger.
If she has been having diarrhea, I would advise to take Imodium (over the counter) 2 pills after watery or loose bowel movement and then take it again 4 hours later only if diarrhea happens again. Very important to maintain soft diet (avoid any type of fiber, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, grapes, whole grain cereal or bread) and drink a lot of fluids until bowel movements become normal.
She may need intravenous hydration, which can be arranged by her medical oncologist. It can make her much stronger.
Diarrhea is not a normal side effect from chemo or radiation for breast cancer. Should discuss with her oncologist and inform him what happened to your mom.
The only side effects from her radiation therapy will be redness of the skin in the treated area. All of her other side effects are from her systemic chemotherapy.
Evaluation by a dietitian. A good diet and appropriate medication to prevent and treat the symptoms may help.
