Abnormal cholesterol or fat levels in the blood

• Your doctor may check your cholesterol levels regularly with a blood test.

Abnormal liver lab tests (may be severe)

• Your doctor will monitor your liver regularly with a blood test.
• You may have yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly. Talk to your health care team if this happens.

Diarrhea (may be severe)

May happen during treatment, within days to weeks 

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.

Fatigue (tiredness)

• Be active and aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days. Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
• Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
• Eat well and stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your doctor told you to drink more or less).
• Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired

See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

Cough; feeling short of breath

You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose.

Nausea and vomiting (usually 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.

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.

Low platelets in the blood (may be severe)

• Watch for bleeding (such as unusual nosebleeds or bleeding from the gums) or bruising easily (this is rare).
• Very rarely, severe symptoms can happen. If you notice black coloured stools (poo), red or pink coloured urine (pee), red or brown coloured mucus when you cough, severe headache/confusion or bleeding that will not stop, you need to talk to your health care team or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

See the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information.

Fever, chills, infection (may be severe)

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 chemotherapy treatments:

• 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.
• 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.

Rash

Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.

To prevent and treat dry skin,

• Use skin moisturizer.
• Protect your skin from the sun and the cold.
• Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of at least 30.

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.

Trouble falling asleep

• This may be caused by one of your medications and may improve once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends.
• Talk to your doctor if this bothers you.

Headache; mild joint, muscle pain

• 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.

Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness

To help prevent swelling :

• Eat a low-salt diet.
• Avoid tight fitting clothing.

If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting.