Relaxation and exercise
They might include breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, music, hypnosis, or guided imagery that can help you relax physically and mentally. These can help you learn ways that let you wind down, stay calm, fall asleep, stay asleep, and go back to sleep if you awaken during the night.
Sleep problems may be caused by the side effects of treatment, medicines you are taking, long hospital stays, stress, and other factors. Studies show that as many as half of all people have sleep-related problems during treatment for cancer.
Sleep disorders in cancer patients are most common after chemotherapy. While sleep disturbances usually improve for cancer survivors, lingering sleep problems sometimes last for years after cancer treatment ends.
During cancer treatment, the need for sleep may increase some, as the body repairs itself. Most people need from 7-9 hours of sleep. The need for sleep does not decrease as we age, as popular myths proclaim. It is important for you to talk with your doctor about your sleep concerns.
The drugs used for chemotherapy can cause you to feel tired or fatigued. So you may take naps or sleep during the day, which can lead to difficulty falling or staying asleep at night. Also, some medications that you may take to combat the side effects of chemotherapy can contribute to sleep problems.
Having Sex During Your Cancer Treatment
We recommend using a barrier device (condom or dental dam) during treatment and for a week after each treatment during oral, vaginal, or anal sex to prevent your partner from being exposed to any medication that may be in your bodily fluids.
A return to normalcy is typical, but it takes a while – usually six months or so. “All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.”
Research studies have shown that physical activity during and after cancer treatment can decrease fatigue. Your health care team can refer you to exercise specialists (physical therapist, physical medicine, rehabilitation specialist) to help you with a safe exercise plan that can be modified to your condition.
Stressful times and events can cause temporary insomnia. And major or long-lasting stress can lead to chronic insomnia. You don't have a regular schedule. For example, changing shifts at work or traveling can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
Chemotherapy. You may feel most worn out for a few days after each chemo treatment. Your fatigue may get worse with each treatment. For some people, fatigue is worst about halfway through the full course of chemo.
A: It's common for patients to experience insomnia during and after treatment.
Some studies have shown that patients have the most severe fatigue about mid-way through all the cycles of chemotherapy. Fatigue decreases after chemotherapy is finished, but patients may not feel back to normal until a month or more after the last treatment.
Try to add strength training, such as lifting weights, a few times a week, too. Consider integrative medicine options. Some people with cancer find relief from fatigue through meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices that encourage relaxation. Massage and acupuncture can be helpful, too.
Your body needs iron to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body and give you energy. An iron shortage can lead to anemia, which makes you really tired. Include iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, beans, fortified cereals, and red meat in your diet.
Try adding fresh ginger, cinnamon, mint, cucumber or citrus slices, berries or a splash of fruit juice to give your water subtle flavor. You can also mix up your routine with a variety of beverages. Sparkling water, smoothies, juices, milk, tea and even coffee count toward your daily fluid goal.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
Chemotherapy drugs target cancer cells which stop or slow their growth. A person undergoing chemotherapy should avoid eating undercooked or raw food, interacting with actively infectious people, overexerting themselves, and consuming too much alcohol.
The recommendations for cancer survivors are no different from those for anyone who wants improved health: Exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, get good sleep, reduce stress, avoid tobacco and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
One week post-chemo! "They" say that's one of the toughest weeks. The one right after chemo, especially your first round. It's a week of figuring out how your body will respond after the infusions, and it's different for every person.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color.
It is safe to touch other people while on chemotherapy. You can hug and kiss. But you do need to protect others from coming into contact with your medicine.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can cause your hair to fall out, but not all chemotherapy drugs make your hair fall out. It will usually happen within 2 to 3 weeks of starting treatment. Some chemotherapy drugs can make other hair from your body fall out, such as facial hair and pubic hair.
Here are things you can do to help keep your family, visitors, and pets safe during this time: If possible, have children use a different toilet than the one you use. Flush the toilet twice after you use it.