Symptom management self-care

Contributed by Shawna Kraft, PharmD

Below are some common symptoms during cancer treatment, ways you can help yourself and when you should call your medical team.

Nausea
What you can do	When to call the clinic	Over-the-counter remedies
Drink at least 8 cups of fluid per day Use anti-nausea medication prescribed by the clinic Eat smaller, more frequent meals/snacks Avoid an empty stomach Eat bland foods	Unable to stay hydrated or keep liquids down Anti-nausea medication is not working	Ginger foods or drinks
Fatigue/Tiredness
What you can do	When to call the clinic	Over-the-counter remedies
Don’t over-exert yourself Rest when you’re tired Ask for help Eat and drink well	Unable to perform normal daily activities	Exercise/activities
Neuropathy (Numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the hands/fingers, feet/toes, legs)
What you can do	When to call the clinic	Over-the-counter remedies
Tell your care team at your next visit, as this can worsen as treatment progresses.	Discomfort that affects your ability to work or perform normal activities (i.e. unable to grasp a pen, button your shirt or feel the bottoms of your feet)	Vitamin B6/B complex
Trouble Sleeping/Insomnia
What you can do	When to call the clinic	Over-the-counter remedies
Avoid napping during the day Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bedtime Establish a relaxing bedtime routine Exercise	Unable to perform normal daily activities	Melatonin Chamomile tea
Headaches
What you can do	When to call the clinic	Over-the-counter remedies
Use an over-the-counter pain medicine as directed by your care team	Headaches that do not resolve after 24 hours with over-the-counter medicine	If directed by your care team, try acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibup