Hello Ash7678 , and thank you for your post,

I’m really sorry to hear that you’re going through chemotherapy and experiencing side effects that sound difficult to manage.

As cancer information nurses who are not directly involved in your care, we can’t recommend specific medications. The best thing to do is to speak with your hospital team and let them know about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Many hospitals have an advice line for patients on chemotherapy, so if there is one available, it could be helpful to call it.

Managing pain and tummy symptoms can sometimes take a bit of trial and error, as different treatments work in different ways. Even if you don’t want to take pain relief right now, it’s important to let your team know what you are experiencing, what you’ve tried before and what hasn’t worked. They may be able to suggest other options that feel more acceptable to you.

Some people find that simple measures can help alongside medical advice, such as keeping hydrated and sipping fluids regularly, eating small light meals rather than large portions, resting when you can, and trying gentle relaxation techniques like breathing exercises. For certain types of pain, heat packs can sometimes help.

I hope you can get some support with this soon. Please feel free to get back in touch if you’d like to talk things through. You’re very welcome to call our nurses on the helpline. We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0808 800 4040 (freephone)

Jemma