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Side effects chemo

JoyEv_
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Hi I've been on treatment for a year now for stage 4 lung cancer with chemo pemetrexed & pembrolizumab. On my last 2 cycles which are 3 weekly I have had severe balance issues especially on my last round 3 weeks ago. 

I believe this is a side effect from chemo as have been to a & e this week & had head CT scan & was normal as we're my cognitive tests.This has really impacted on my quality of life as I feel like a drunk woman & I'm scared it will be permanent now. My treatment has been suspended until I see my oncologist asap.

Has anyone else had this & how have you coped & did it subside please? Thank you

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    Hi JoyEv_, 

    I am sorry you have had these debilitating side effects from chemotherapy causing severe balance issues as a result of pemetrexed and pembrolizumab. I think it's really important that you see the oncologist as soon as possible and I am glad that this has been arranged for you and I hope that you won't have to wait long to see them especially since your treatment has been suspended. The oncologist will be able to tell you whether these severe balance issues are definitely a side effect of the chemotherapy and they will hopefully have suggestions to make things better for you. 

    I hope that things will improve for you quickly and that you will hear from other members of our community who have had this before and that they will tell you more about how they coped and how they managed these side effects. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie
    • Thank you for that, I'm having an MRI tomorrow for further investigation

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