2013.12.05: My Experiences with the Side Effects of Chemotherapy

对付化疗副作用的体会 惧怕化疗，主要是惧怕化疗的副作用。化疗的副作用有许多，我只能从我自身经历过的，谈一些体会和对付手段。同一种化疗，它的副作用也是因人而异。反之，对我有效的方法并不能保证对你也有相同的效果，只能是参考而已。 恶心，呕吐( Nausea and Vomit) 是最常见的副作用之一。 1，按医嘱服用止吐药。请不要测试自己的底线，因为此类药发挥最佳作用是在症状出现之前。 2，如果医生配给的药失效（没有制止呕吐），一定用告知医生，可以要求换药。目前止吐药物种类繁多，相信一定有一种会对你有效。 3，如果出行，我喜欢随身携带小瓶 薄荷精油 (Peppermint Essecial oil )。如恶心袭来，可深深吸入沁人心肺从而暂时缓解或驱除恶心。带几块姜糖或喜爱的Gum也是一个不错的选择。 4，饮食最好是少食多餐，因空腹更也能诱发恶心。多吃汤汤水水易消化，易吸收的食物，因一般止吐药，会同时不同程度抑制胃肠蠕动。 5，尽可能保持口腔的卫生。化疗前，该洗牙请洗，该补的牙请补，没有后顾之忧。坚持早晚刷牙，用牙线。没有精力刷牙，睡前就是漱漱口也管用。 6，针灸对恶心，呕吐均有缓解的作用。 在便秘与腹泻 (Constipation and Diarrhea)之间寻找平衡点。病友经常谈到宁可稍稍泻，也不愿久久秘。 先聊便秘。（一般在服用止吐药期间会出现） 1，预防可以从控制饮食着手。以易消化的食物为主，首选汤汤水水。适量的运动也是必不可少的。每晚睡前腹部顺时针按摩也有帮助。 2，建立定时＂解放＂的制度是必须的。时间到，没有便意，仍然如厕，并给予充足的时间。 3，便秘1至2天问题应该不大。如果超过3天，我会服泻药。可以用over count 的，口味不太好。我个人建议用中成药，当茶喝。 4，有时因为长久坐躺姿，加上大便干燥，会诱发肛口出血。建议洗浴后涂抹 A+D Original Ointment.（ for baby diaper rash) 对我很有效。建议经常做肛门括约肌的收缩和放松运动。 再说腹泻。 1，如是泻药过量，请即可停用。 2，补水，淡盐水或 Sports Drink Gaterade均可，预防身体失水而导致体内电解质失衡。 3，清淡饮食，首选白米粥。循序渐进，逐渐恢复正常饮食。 4，针灸对缓解腹泻与便秘均有帮助。 暂时就想到这些，请大家补充。

My Experiences with the Side Effects of Chemotherapy A fear of chemotherapy is mainly a fear of the side effects of chemotherapy. Chemo has many side effects, and I can only speak from my own experiences and speak about what I did to cope with them. Even with the same type of chemo, the side effects might vary from person to person. Likewise, treatments that were effective for me might not necessarily have the same effect on you, so this is only for reference. Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects. 1. Take antiemetics prescribed by your doctor. Please do not test your bottom line, because these drugs work best before symptoms appear. 2. If the drugs prescribed by your doctor don’t work (e.g. you do not stop vomiting), you must inform your doctor and request new drugs. There are a vast number of antiemetics, and I believe there must be one that will work for you. 3. If you are going to travel, I like to carry a small bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil. If you get nauseous, inhale it deeply for temporary relief. Carrying a few pieces of ginger candy or your favorite gum is also a good choice. 4. It is best to eat several small meals, because having an empty stomach can also induce nausea. Eat soups and other foods that are easy to digest and absorb, because usually antiemetics will inhibit stomach peristalsis to varying degrees. 5. Maintain oral hygiene as much as possible. Before chemotherapy, get a cleaning or any dental fillings if needed; then you won’t have to worry about it later. Stick to brushing and flossing twice a day. If you don’t have the energy to brush your teeth, rinsing your mouth before bed works too. 6. Acupuncture is also effective against nausea and vomiting. Find a balance between constipation and diarrhea. Patients often say they would rather have slight diarrhea than sustained constipation. I will first talk about constipation. (This typically occurs while taking antiemetics.) 1. You can prevent constipation by controlling your diet. Eat easily digestible foods, primarily soups. An appropriate amount of exercise is also essential. Abdominal needle massages every night before bed can also help. 2. It is important to establish a regular "liberation" of the bowel system. When it is time, even if you don’t feel any urge, you must go to the bathroom and give yourself sufficient time. 3. Constipation for 1-2 days is not a big problem. If it remains for more than three days, I would take laxatives. They can be purchased over the counter, but do not taste very good. I personally recommend using traditional Chinese medicine; drink it like tea. 4. Sometimes because of long periods of time sitting or lying down, combined with dry stools, one may experience anal bleeding. I recommend using A+D Original Ointment (for baby diaper rash) after bathing, which I found very effective. I also recommend often doing anal sphincter contraction and relaxation exercises. Now onto diarrhea. 1. If it is due to too much laxatives, you can just stop taking them. 2. Replenish fluids. Salt water, or sports drinks like Gatorade, can be used to prevent electrolyte imbalances caused by dehydration. 3. Eat a light diet, such as white rice congee. Step by step, you can gradually return to a normal diet. 4. Acupuncture helps relieve both diarrhea and constipation. That’s all I can think of for now, everyone please feel free to add anything.