georgesalley Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 We hear about the various side effects of chemotherapy; hair loss, low red blood cell count, etc. Generally these are considered detrimental, but perhaps there some beneficial side effects also. All my adult life I have been plagued with athlete’s foot fungus. In 1996 a dermatologist prescribed Lamisil which had a dramatic effect. That, and the fact that I was living on my boat in warm climes wearing only sandals, brought relief until 2002 when I moved ashore and began wearing shoes and socks. The fungus returned with a vengeance! I was actually starting another Lamisil treatment when the cancer was diagnosed. My oncologist recommended ceasing the Lamisil during chemo due to potential liver damage. But lo, the chemo has had an effect on the fungus, such that it appears to be pretty well gone! I did have the blood cell issue to the extent that I had a blood transfusion and Aranesp shots, and was severely neutropenic at one point. But I had only minimal hair loss, and nothing else really significant. Anyone else have beneficial side effects to report? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Yeah, my dad has had a patch of exzema on his legs most of his adult life. That went away, and hasn't returned! I love this positive look at a booger of a thing! Thanks! Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bware21 Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 I'm not even going to tell you what disappeared in my case. All I can say is it was small. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 ????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy-OK Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Due to the seriousness of my Oncologist and her insistence that I gain weight I managed to put on 20 pounds that I had needed to gain for years. Wish it had not all gone right to my belly. Oh well, the doctor is happy with me and my puppy dog does not mind. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Good to see some positive side effects for a change! Makes sense that these things that are fast growing would be killed by the chemo. Thanks for the thread. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicysashimi Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Yeah, I had this tough wart on the side of my index finger for years. Looks like it don't like chemo. I also have some sort of toenail fungus (not too bad) that I was hoping would be killed off, but alas, its hanging on. I might have to use some antifungal. Oh, and I always wanted to see myself bald and was never fond of my developing body hair. aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Ry Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Nose and ear hair disapeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Well, as I mentioned once in an earlier post, I used to have one straight, thick, continuous eyebrow that went over both eyes and my nose in between. now I have 2 normal looking eyebrows, but they are a little sparse. I still have nose hairs and ear hairs. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marym Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 I also had a benefit - getting rid of a rash. But it's not the chem, it's the decadron (or other steroid) that controls rashes. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.