Unwell after chemotherapy treatment
Chemotherapy often makes people feel unwell. You will have been advised about what to expect.
There are some things that might happen which you must let us know about straight away. These include:
- High temperature or fever. Please check your temperature with a thermometer if you feel unwell (a normal temperature is 36 to 37°C). If your temperature is 38°C or higher, please contact the hospital immediately even if you don’t feel unwell.
- If you feel generally unwell or have symptoms of infection such as feeling hot or cold or shivering even if you don’t have a high temperature
- Nausea or vomiting that is not controlled by your medication
- Diarrhoea that lasts longer than 24 hours or is very severe
- A sore mouth that prevents you eating or drinking
- A persistent cough
- Blood in your urine or stools
- Bleeding not controlled by general first-aid
- Bruises or small blood spots which appear on your body
- Pain not controlled by medication
The area where your cannula was put in for treatment shows any of the following:
- Swelling
- Redness or a white blanching colour
- Pain
- Itching
- A scab
- Anything unusual
For any of the above, please contact St James University Hospital (0113) 2433144 and ask for the Oncology Patient Enquires Bleep Holder.
Unwell after immunotherapy treatment
Immunotherapy can make people feel unwell after treatment. You will have been advised of what to expect and how to manage this.
Please contact the hospital immediately if you experience any side effects stated on your ‘Specific Drug Alert Card’ that your hospital nurse or doctor will have given you.
You need to contact the hospital especially if you develop diarrhoea, a new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath. Be aware the side effects may happen many months after having immunotherapy treatment.
For any of the above, please contact St James’s University immediately (0113) 243 3144 and ask for the Oncology Patient Enquiries Bleepholder.