Every meningioma treatment has the potential to induce side effects or changes in the body and how you feel. Even when given the same treatment, people do not suffer the same side effects for various reasons. This can make forecasting how you will feel during the therapy challenging.
It is natural to fear treatment-related side effects as you prepare to begin treatment. It may be comforting to know that your medical team will avoid and alleviate adverse effects. Medical practitioners call this type of treatment as palliative or supportive care. Regardless of your age or stage of the disease, it is a vital aspect of your treatment approach.
Coping with physical side effects
The therapy section lists each meningioma treatment method’s most common physical features and adverse effects. Learn more about meningioma side effects, therapy, and the techniques to prevent or control them. Several factors determine changes in your physical health, including the grade of the tumor, the time and dose of treatment, and overall health.
Discuss what’s running in your head with your health care team regularly. However, it is critical to notify them of any new adverse effects or changes in the present side effects. If they know how you’re feeling, they can find strategies to alleviate or manage your side effects, making you more comfortable and maybe preventing any adverse effects from escalating. It may be instrumental in keeping note of your side effects so that you can explain any changes to your medical practitioner and health care team.
Learn and understand why tracking side effects is helpful. Physical adverse effects might sometimes remain after treatment is completed. IN other words, long term side effects by the medical practitioners. Side effects that arise months or years after therapy are referred to as late effects. Long term adverse effects and late impacts must be addressed as a part of survivorship care. Learn and understand more by reading the Follow-up Care segment of this guide or talking with your medical practitioner.
Coping with emotional and social effects
Following a diagnosis of meningioma, you may have emotional and social consequences. Dealing with challenging emotions such as sadness, anxiety, or rage, as well as managing your stress levels, may fall under this category. It can be tough to explain one’s feelings to your loved ones at times. Some people have discovered that speaking with an oncology social worker, counsellor, or clergy member can help them create more effective coping methods and discuss cancer. Solutions for emotional and social impacts are available in a separate area of coping strategies. This area has numerous resources for locating assistance and information to fulfil your needs.
Coping with the costs of medical care
Meningioma treatment might be expensive. It is frequently a source of great stress and concern for people with this diagnosis and their families. In addition to treatment costs, many people discover additional, unanticipated expenses associated with their care. Some of the patients cannot follow or complete their treatment plans due to the high cost of medication and care. This may jeopardise their health and result in increased bills in the future. The doctor should discuss financial problems with a patient’s or family’s health care team. Learn and understand more about managing financial considerations.
- Caring for a loved one with meningioma
- Assisting in the management of symptoms and side effects.
- Scheduling medical appointments
Providing transportation to and from appointments
- Assisting with meal preparation
- Assisting with household tasks
- Taking care of insurance and billing concerns.
Talking with your health care team about side effects
Family and Friends frequently play a significant role in caring for a person with meningioma. This is referred to as being a caregiver. Even if they reside a long distance away, Caregivers can provide physical, practical, and emotional support to the patient.
Caregivers may be responsible for various tasks on a daily or as-needed basis, like
providing encouragement and support. Consultation with the health care team and also medication administration.
They can also help discuss the potential side effects with your medical practitioner before starting the medication.
- What are the most likely adverse side effects?
- When are they most likely to occur?
- What can we do to avoid or alleviate them?
Also, make careful to notify your health care team and a medical practitioner of any side effects during and after the therapy. Inform them even if you do not believe the side effects are severe. This conversation should cover meningioma’s physical, emotional, social, and economic consequences.
