Nausea and vomiting (generally mild)

May occur in hours to days after your treatment. 

If you have nausea or vomiting:

• Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor. 
• Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Limit caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) and alcohol.
• Contact your health care team if the prescribed anti-nausea medications are not helping to control your nausea and vomiting.

 Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.

Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps 

• Take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed for mild aches and pains. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first before taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin. These medication may increase bleeding risk.
• Rest often and try light exercise as it may help.
• See the Pain pamphlet for more information.

Unusual bleeding or bruising

You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. 

Fever, chills, infection

You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

• 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time OR
• 38.0°C (or 100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

While you are getting treatment:

• Keep a digital thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills).
• Avoid taking medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen) as they may hide a fever.
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.
• Wash your hands often to prevent infection.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries, medical procedures or visiting your dentist.

If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. 
See our Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information.

Mouth sores

You may have round, painful, white or gray sores inside your mouth. They can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside your cheeks. In more severe cases they may make it hard swallow, eat or to brush your teeth. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

To help prevent mouth sores: 

• Take care of your mouth by gently brushing and flossing regularly.
• Rinse your mouth often. Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol.
• Instead, try a homemade mouthwash:
• Mix 1 teaspoonful of baking soda and 1 teaspoonful of salt in 4 cups (1L) of water.

If you have mouth sores:

• Check with your health care team as soon as you notice mouth or lip sores or if it hurts to swallow.
• Avoid hot, spicy, acidic, hard or crunchy foods.  Your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash to relieve mouth sores and prevent infection.

See the Mouth Care pamphlet for more information.

Hair thinning or loss 

• Use a gentle soft brush and avoid hair sprays, bleaches, dyes and perms.
• In most cases, your hair will grow back after treatment, but the texture or colour may change. 

High blood sugar 

• You may feel thirsty and pee more often.
• Your doctor may check your blood sugar level. You may be advised to change your diet or take medication to treat high blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes.

Diarrhea

May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.

If you have diarrhea :

• Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it.
• Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (e.g. chewing gum, “diet” drinks), coffee and alcohol.
• Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day. Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6-8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.

​See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

Low appetite

• You may not feel like eating or you may lose weight.
• Try to eat foods that you like and eat small meals throughout the day. 
• You may need to take meal supplements to help keep your weight up.
• Talk to your health care team if you have a low appetite.
• See our Loss of appetite pamphlet for more information.

Pains or cramps in the belly

• If you have constipation or diarrhea it may be causing the pain in your belly.
• If the pain is severe, gets worse or doesn’t go away, talk to your health care team about other possible causes.

Tingling, numb fingers and toes

• May slowly get better after your treatment ends.
• Contact your health care team if you have trouble doing up buttons, writing, picking up small objects, have pain or trouble moving.
   

Salt imbalances

It may cause muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping, confusion and irregular heartbeat.

Headache

• Take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed for mild aches and pains. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first before taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin. These medication may increase bleeding risk.
• Rest often and try light exercise as it may help.

Allergic reaction (may be severe) 

• The most common symptoms include fever, flushing, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, wheezing, chest and throat tightness.
• It may occur during or shortly after the medication is given to you. Let your health care team know right away if this happens to you.
• You may be given medicines to prevent or treat this reaction

Feeling nervous or anxious

• Try talking with family and friends.
• Eat well, exercise, and have good sleep habits.

Dry eyes

• You may have dry eyes, redness, irritation, pain, tearing, sensitivity to light or blurred vision.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses.
• You may try artificial tears or ointment.