During prolonged chemotherapy (ABVD) for treating Hodgkin Lymphoma, apart from the usual unpleasant side-effects (loss of taste and hair being the first) I suffered from two serious ones:
1. Pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial thickening in lungs - resulting in pain during deep breathing, loss of stamina. This, I believe, is a common reaction to Bleomycin, but I am disappointed that the oncologist did not discuss this earlier with me. I am told that this damage is usually reversible, but can take 1 or 2 years, if lucky. Presently controlling symptoms (mainly dry cough) by taking steroids in powder inhalation and tablet forms.
2. Incurable hiccups at night. Finally I accidentally discovered that one of the following two yogic poses can stop this.
i) Pavanamuktasana
Lie down flat on back with legs and arms stretched, arms parallel to body, breathe easily a few times
Raise both legs 60 degrees
Bend knees and bring the legs tightly against chest
Embrace legs below knees with both arms, grasping each wrist with the opposite hand
Breathe out completely and try to maintain a vacuum inside the abdomen for about 5-10 sec (enough to cover one hiccup cycle)
Breathe normally a few times, holding the basic pose, then repeat 'vacuum step' a few times until hiccups gone..
ii) Chakrasana
Spread out a yoga or some kind of non-slip mat
Lie down flat on back with legs and arms stretched, arms parallel to body, breathe easily a few times
Bend both arms at elbow and place each palm on the floor on either side of head
Bend knees and place each foot in line with buttock
Using arms and legs, raise torso and hold breath and pose for 5-10 sec
