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A 32-year-old female 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 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Berrymananswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 55 years experience
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.
442 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Sewa Leghaanswered
Medical Oncology 51 years experience
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.
442 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 21, 2017
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