Understanding chemotherapy - Macmillan Cancer

Understanding chemotherapyIt’s important to let your doctor know if this happens.They may need to change the chemotherapy drug if it getsworse. Usually, peripheral neuropathy gradually gets betterwhen chemotherapy is over but sometimes it’s permanent.We have a fact sheet about peripheral neuropathy.Effects on the nervous systemSome drugs can make you feel anxious, restless, dizzy,sleepy or have headaches. If you have any of these,it’s important to let your cancer doctor or nurses know.They may be able to prescribe medicines that can helpwith some of these effects.Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy,can cause changes in memory or concentration duringand/or after treatment. Doctors sometimes call this mildcognitive impairment (MCI), but it’s more usually knownas ‘chemo-brain’ or ‘chemo-fog’.If this happens it’s usually mild. There are useful ways ofmanaging it, such as using lists, post-it notes, calendarsand your mobile phone for reminders. Doing some mentalexercises, eating well, and getting enough rest can also help.There’s more information about this in ourfact sheet about mild cognitive impairment.60