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Irritable on chemo

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Posted 6/12/2015 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am a caregiver, I have noticed while on chemo my husband is quite crabby. smhair He wants to argue about most things.  Others notice how he is less loving to me.  I know chemo effects moods and as I am the caregive and the one who is there the most I get the blunt of the feelings.  It is strange to have to remind him to treat me kind and say good words as he has always been the loving husband. nono I am asking when we stop chemo - soon I hope- will he return to normal nice person he was? turn guess I am thinking is it the chemo or the stress of the cancer than make people irritable? I know he is mad at the cancer and the anger is expressed in other situations but is the chemo making it worse? Carol shocked
Posted 6/12/2015 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Irritability, anger, frustration, resentment. These are all COMMON side effects of the toxic therapy.

Most every infusion centers also some sort of supportive care facilities (at no additional cost) which can offer specific, one-on-one counseling. Please seek...
Posted 6/12/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Carol, the drugs used can cause problems. My wife has been on Chemo and radiation twice and each affected her moods and behavior. My observation is that it can be difficult being nice when we feel so bad. And on top of that wondering about our own mortality. I know that as my wife recovered from the treatments her moods and outlook improved greatly.

It is a tough situation. My wife and I teamed up and purposely directed our anger at the cancer, not those around us and especially not each other. Perhaps it is worth a heart to heart with Steve to let him know that you are the friend and need the best treatment possible so that you can be the best, most caring and strongest caregiver for him. You might also look into some assistance through your medical oncologist practice as most will have access to organizations that are skilled at helping people through the treatment troubles.
Posted 6/13/2015 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Feel bad for you, being on the receiving end of his wrath, but a most common side effect to those undergoing chemo. Hopefully when he's through, his old self will return.

If it were me on your end, I would try writing a letter to him, expressing your hurt feelings, and offering him still hope and love and care. Perhaps you could say what you need to say to him, and feel less awkward about it, and make it less likely for him to blow up at you.

I have been dealing with severe chronic pain for 5 years come July. There are times that the pain is doing the talking for me. Since my wife and I live alone, she's the only one that's ever on the receiving end when I am too edgy. As a nurse, she's knows it the pain talking. I have to work around the clock, when I am having a severe day, not to strike out at the one I love. She's learning more and more as time goes by, how to read the expression on my face, before things get out of hand. When I have said unkind and unwarranted things, I feel so slain after, and I am quick to make amends. I hate the situation, but such has been my life these past years. Not making excuses for your husband (or me), but just trying to explain how and why that can happen.
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