Is shaking as a side effect for chemo for non-hodgkins lymphoma serious?
The shaking could be the result of chills, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Symptoms like chills, shaking and fever are the body's way of trying to increase temperature through muscular activity. Chills and shaking (known as "rigors") are particularly common with certain cancer drugs, including Rituxan, often used for non-hodgkins lymphoma.
If the shaking continues for more than a day or two, I suggest you consult your sister's doctor to make sure this is an expected side effect. However, if your sister's shaking is more akin to convulsions, as you describe, you should consult her doctor right away. Also call the doctor if she has a fever, as this can indicate infection, particularly if her white blood cell counts are low.
