Constipation

What to look for?

• Having bowel movements (going poo) less often than normal.
• Small hard stools (poo) that look like pellets.
• The need to push hard and strain to have any stool (poo) come out.
• Stomach ache or cramps.
• A bloated belly, feeling of fullness, or discomfort.
• Leaking of watery stools (poo).
• Lots of gas or burping.
• Nausea or vomiting.
   

What to do?

To help prevent constipation:

• Try to eat more fiber rich foods like fruits with skin, leafy greens and whole grains.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
• Be Active. Exercise can help to keep you regular.
• If you take opioid pain medication, ask your health care team if eating more fibre is right for you.
   

To help treat constipation:

• If you have not had a bowel movement in 2 to 3 days you may need to take a laxative (medication to help you poo) to help you have regular bowel movements. Ask your health care team what to do.

Ask your health care team for the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.

Changes to your hormone levels

Your treatment causes changes in the levels of testosterone in your body. This can affect your mood, energy levels or physical appearance, among other things.

You may have many of these symptoms or none at all. Your symptoms may also change at different times in your treatment.
 

What to look for?

Hot flashes:

• A hot flash feels like a sudden warmth in your upper body and face. It can happen quickly and with no warning.
• Your face may get flushed (turn red) and you may sweat more
• Hot flashes can cause you to have trouble sleeping
   

Other symptoms of having low testosterone levels:

• Problems with erectile dysfunction (getting or keeping erections) or less desire to have sex
• Breast swelling or tenderness
• Low energy
• Mood changes, depression
• Thinning of the bones and higher risk of fracture
• High cholesterol and effects on your heart
   

What to do?

To help prevent hot flashes:

• Avoid triggers such as spicy food, alcohol and caffeine (tea, coffee, and soft drinks),
• Exercise regularly. Ask your health care team what exercises are appropriate for you before you start any new exercise.
• Quitting smoking may also help.
   

If you have hot flashes:

• To keep cool, dress in light, cotton clothing or in layers that you can easily remove. Use a fan
• Drink plenty of water or other liquids (at least 6 to 8 cups) unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less. 
• Lay a towel on top of your bed sheet before you sleep so you can change it easily if you sweat at night.

Hot flashes may improve over time. Talk to your health care team if this or any symptoms of low testosterone are bothersome for you.

Diarrhea

What to look for?

• Loose, watery, unformed stool (poo) that may happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.
   

What to do?

If you have diarrhea:

• Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it or told you to take it.
• Do not eat foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (like chewing gum or ‘diet’ drinks), coffee and alcohol, until your diarrhea has stopped.
• Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day, unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
• Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need to drink special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.
• Talk to your health care team if your diarrhea does not improve after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication or if you have diarrhea more than 7 times in one day.

Ask your health care team for the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

Too much or too little salt in your body

What to look for?

• Muscle spasms, cramping, weakness, twitching, or convulsions.
• Irregular heartbeat, confusion or blood pressure changes.
   

What to do?

Get emergency medical help right away for severe symptoms.
 

High blood pressure

What to look for?

• There are usually no signs of high blood pressure.
• Rarely, you may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds.

What to do?

• Check your blood pressure regularly.
• Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat high blood pressure.

If you have a severe headache get emergency help right away as it may be a sign your blood pressure is too high.

Infection

What to look for?

• If you feel hot or unwell (for example if you have chills or a new cough), you must check your temperature to see if you have a fever.
• Do not take medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen).
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.

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 (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.
   

What to do?

• Wash your hands often to prevent infection.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries, medical procedures or visiting your dentist.
• Keep a digital thermometer at home so you can easily check for a fever.

If you have a fever:

If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you must get emergency medical help right away.

Cough and feeling short of breath

What to look for?

• You may have a cough and feel short of breath.
• Symptoms that commonly occur with a cough are:
  • wheezing or a whistling breathing
  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • heartburn
  • weight loss
  • fever and chills
• Rarely this may be severe with chest pain, trouble breathing or coughing up blood.

What to do?

• Check your temperature to see if you have a fever. 
• If you have a fever, try to talk to your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
• If you have a severe cough with chest pain, trouble breathing or you are coughing up blood, get medical help right away.

Trouble Sleeping

Your medications may cause trouble sleeping. It may get better once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends.
 

What to look for?

• You may find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
• How well you sleep may change over your treatment. For example, you may have several nights of poor sleep followed by a night of better sleep.
• You may wake up too early or not feel well-rested after a night's sleep.
• You may feel tired or sleepy during the day.
   

What to do?

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Nausea and vomiting

(Generally mild)

What to look for?

• Nausea is feeling like you need to throw up. You may also feel light-headed.
• You may feel nausea within hours to days after your treatment.
   

What to do?

To help prevent nausea:

• It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it once it happens.
• If you were given anti-nausea medication(s), take them as prescribed, even if you do not feel like throwing up.
• 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 (like coffee, tea) and avoid alcohol.

If you have nausea or vomiting:

• Take your rescue (as-needed) anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed.
• Ask your health care team for the Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.
• Talk to your health care team if:
  • nausea lasts more than 48 hours
  • vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe

Anemia (low red blood cells)

What to look for?

• You may feel more tired or weaker than normal.
• Pale skin and cold hands and feet.
• You may feel short of breath, dizzy or lightheaded.
• This may occur in days to weeks after your treatment starts.

What to do?

If your health care team has told you that you have anemia (low red blood cells):

• Rest often and eat well.
• Light exercise, such as walking may help.
• You may need medication or a blood transfusion.
• If it is very bad, your doctor may need to make changes to your treatment regimen.

Heartburn; stomach upset; bloating

What to look for?

• Pain or burning in the middle or top part of your chest. It may get worse when you are lying down or bending over or when you swallow.
• A bitter or acidic taste in your mouth.

What to do?

• Drink clear liquids and eat small meals.
• Do not eat acidic, fatty or spicy foods.
• Limit caffeine (like coffee, tea) and avoid alcohol.
• Avoid smoking or being around tobacco.
• Sit up or stand after eating. Do not lie down.
• Raise the head of your bed six to eight inches. You may need to use extra pillows to do this.

Bladder problems or infections

What to look for?

• Feeling like you need to pee badly all of a sudden.
• Pain in your belly or lower belly area or pain when peeing.
• If severe, you may have blood in your pee.

What to do?

• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups (2 Litres) of liquids per day, unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
• Tell your health care team if your pee is red or if you have other symptoms of bladder problems. Get emergency help right away for severe symptoms.