How can I manage the side effects of chemotherapy at age 52?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 52-year-old female cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and have been undergoing chemotherapy with Cisplatin for the past four months. While I am grateful for the treatment, I have been experiencing some challenging side effects, such as nausea and fatigue, that are affecting my daily life.

Could you provide some advice on how to manage these side effects more effectively?
Are there any strategies or medications that might help improve my overall well-being during this treatment?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

It looks like you are undergoing chemotherapy for four months. The chemo agent Cisplatin is known to cause nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

You should take sufficient oral fluids daily and small and frequent meals.
Try cold foods such as popsicles, pudding, yogurt, and gelatin. Try bland, starchy foods such as toast, rice, plain pasta, crackers, and pretzels. Foods and beverages with ginger, such as ginger ale and ginger tea, may also ease nausea and vomiting
Also trying aromatherapy or wrist acupressure, and taking some herbal supplements like ginger, fennel, or cloves helps
Resting your stomach, sipping small amounts of fluid, and then eating foods that are safe for your stomach will help stop vomiting in most cases. Some medicines, like Ondansetron, may also help in most cases.

I hope this information will help you.