10 Ways to Be Proactive About Treatment Side Effects

If you're in treatment for lung cancer, you might be worried about managing the side effects that might come with treatments including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The good news is, you can get ahead of many side effects by doing a little advance homework and planning.

Rashes and pruritus – intense itching – are very common side effects of immunotherapy. The good news is, you can head off these symptoms with a few simple routines:

• Apply moisturizer to your skin before, during, and after having immunotherapy.
• Your doctor can prescribe cortisone cream to have at the ready.
• Avoid getting sun if possible. If you must, use sunscreen.
• Wear loose, comfy clothing throughout your treatment. 

Chemo can cause throat pain, mouth sores, and dry mouth. To stay ahead of these symptoms:

• Take pain meds before you eat.
• Avoid spicy or greasy foods.
• Eat moist, soft foods. Think scrambled eggs, mac and cheese, and buttered noodles.
• Make a simple gargle solution. Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda and salt in one cup of warm water to gently cleanse your mouth.

Diarrhea is one of the more unpleasant side effects of immunotherapy. The most direct way to forestall it is to take anti-diarrhea meds as your doctor prescribes. Being kind to your digestive system is key, too. Stock up on caffeine-free drinks and low-fiber, bland foods such as:

• Red meat, poultry, tofu, eggs
• Asparagus, cabbage, skinless potato/sweet potato, zucchini 
• Applesauce, bananas, peaches, grapes

Staying hydrated not only helps combat diarrhea, but it can keep you from getting constipated from treatments including immunotherapy. Chemo can dehydrate you, too. Make sure you stay ahead of the hydration game by logging your water with an app or phone reminders. Keep a refillable bottle close at hand.

Track your symptoms in a diary or journal – on a printout, online, or through an app. For example, if you're having chemo, keeping a log will help your care team act quickly by supplying them key information. Your log can also be used to stay ahead of symptoms that might happen again.

While it's key to have meds at the ready, some pain meds work best when you take them as prescribed on schedule, while others are recommended to take on an as-needed basis. Tell your doctor your concerns about pain. They can prescribe long-acting and short-acting drugs. If you take scheduled pain meds, check into apps, timers, or create some kind of system to help you remember to take them on time.

Fatigue – ongoing tiredness – is a main side effect of  both chemo and immunotherapy. Planning to get lots of rest is key, but you can further head off fatigue if you:

• Start a gentle exercise routine – think easy walking – to keep up during treatment.
• Ramp up healthy eating and good nutrition.
• Ask to have your red blood cell levels checked.

Some chemo drugs can cause nervous system changes. Peripheral neuropathy – the sensation of tingling or numbness that usually starts in your hands and feet – is common. While it can't be prevented, you can get ahead by describing any symptoms to your doctor right away. Your team can leap into action with guidelines to keep you safe – not sensing touch or pain properly can cause injuries – and maybe keep the condition from getting worse.

Cancer treatment can lower your immunity, making you more likely to have bleeding or infections. Strategies to avoid it include:

• Gargle with warm water and baking soda to keep your mouth clean.
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Trade in your razor for an electric shaver for a while.
• Don't clean litter boxes or handle other pet waste.
• Stay away from crowds and sick people.

Nausea and vomiting are common with treatments such as chemotherapy and  immunotherapy. Taking anti-nausea meds ahead of time, as well as during and after, can be key. It will also help if you avoid large meals and eat smaller ones throughout the day instead.