A member asked:

Have stage 4 breast cancer, retaining lot of water from chemo drugs, along with water pill, what's the quickest way to get rid of all the extra water?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Water retention: Do not add sodium (salt) to your food, drink a lot of water (plain water dilutes the blood stream, and allows the kidney to dispose of extra water). Ask your oncologist for a safe diuretic to counteract the effects of the chemotherapy.

Answered 12/21/2017

442 views

Thank

Ask your oncologist: Fluid retention is typically not caused by chemotherapy (with rare exceptions). Are you taking a steroid pre-medication? This is often the case when taking Taxanes like Docetaxel or Paclitaxel. In that case fluid retention should go away as soon as you stop steroid use. If chemo like Docetaxel is causing you increasing amount of swelling, ask you oncologist for further evaluation and treatment.

Answered 12/21/2017

442 views

Thank

Related Questions