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Breast Cancer  (Expert Forum)
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watery eyes and upper lip with chemo
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.

watery eyes and upper lip with chemo

by tmarshall, Apr 08, 2005 12:00AM
I was recently diagnosed with stage 11B breast cancer, age 34, with lymph node involvement.  I have had my first round of chemo (adrimiocin /cytoxin) 3 rounds to go then 4 rounds of taxotere.  Side effects were what I expected, not too horrible...but the extremely swollen and watery eyes were surprising to me.  My oncologist has called an eye dr.  and I am waiting for them to call back.  Do the watery eyes point to a serious problem?  Also above my upper lip it has been watering so much that it is constantly wet.  It is not sweat.  Has anyone heard of this or know the cause?

by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Apr 08, 2005 12:00AM
Dear tmarshall:  Some people will experience side effects such as watery eyes and activation of "sweat" glands with chemotherapy.  Since your eyes are also swollen, its probably reasonable to have them evaluated by an eye doctor. Everyone reacts to chemotherapy differently.  The best person to
evaluate side effects is your oncologist, as he/she will be best able to determine the nature of the side effect and make recommendations for treatment.  Also, if you are experiencing new symptoms, be sure you inform your doctor.  
Member Comments (4)

by delby, Apr 08, 2005 12:00AM
Hi, I am stage IIIA, 4 dense dose A/C and 4 Taxol.  My eyes watered the entire time...and this was  before my eyelashes fell out.  During the winter months, if I was outside, I wouldn't even feel the drops going  down my chin!!  It did end, however, until my last taxol or so. My onc didn't say that this "was common" when I told him.   Don't worry.  Can't help you with the lip problem...didn't have that.

by seven7, Apr 09, 2005 12:00AM
To: tmarshall
My eyes watered with chemo,  but not until the last 4,  when I was changed to Taxotere. The watering did not stop until about a month after the treatments were completed.  My oncologist said he never heard of taxotere causing eyes to water.  But I am sure that was what caused it.  Seven

by Babycakes1, Apr 30, 2005 12:00AM
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