You are here: Home Managing Your ... Chemotherapy: ... When To Call Your ...
Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

When To Call Your Doctor While Receiving Chemotherapy

1/1

This content was provided by
© American Cancer Society 2010

When To Call Your Doctor When Undergoing Chemotherapy

At this time, you are likely more in tune with your body than you ever have been in your life. You notice every physical change and imbalance. Do not make light of any physical symptoms you may have.

Although some side effects are fleeting and minor, others signal potentially serious problems. You should not be the judge. Alert your doctor immediately if you suffer from any of the following symptoms during your chemotherapy treatment:

  • A fever of 100.5 'F or greater
  • Bleeding or unexplained bruising
  • A rash or allergic reaction, such as swelling or severe itching or wheezing
  • Intense chills
  • Pain or soreness at the chemo injection site or catheter site
  • Unusual pain, including intense headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Long-lasting diarrhea or vomiting
  • Bloody stool or blood in your urine

Chemo drugs can affect the bone marrow's ability to make platelets. These are the blood cells that help stop bleeding by pluggingup damaged blood vessels and by helping your blood to clot. If your blood does not have enough platelets, you may bleed or bruise more esaily than usual, even from a minor injury. A shortage of platelets is called thrombocytopenia.

When To Call Your Doctor When Your Platelets Are Low

Report these signs of thrombocytopenia to your doctor:

  • Unexpected bruising
  • Small red spots under the skin
  • Red or pink urine
  • Black or bloody bowel movements
  • Any bleeding from your gums or nose
  • Bad headaches
  • Dizziness
  • An increase in weakness
  • Pain in joints and muscles





Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments

 

Post a Comment Have something to add to this topic? Contact Us.

Characters remaining:

  • Allowed markup: <a> <i> <b> <em> <u> <s> <strong> <code> <pre> <p>
    All other tags will be stripped.