Post-treatment fatigue

Hi Poppydays2 

You are still early days in your recovery and if you aren't eating much that won't help with the fatigue, having said that I'm just over 5 months post and I still get tired in an ideal world I seem to need about 12 hours sleep a night which isn't possible during the week with work. Be kind to yourself and if you feel upto it try and get out for a walk and some fresh air even of its only for 10 minutes. You will get there. Sending hugs. Xx

Thanks so much, Bungle1. I had a bit of a wobble today and became very discouraged. But you're right, it is early days, and at least going to the bathroom isn't agonizing anymore (just uncomfortable). I have to say the fatigue is what has really thrown me. I used to be an energetic person, but simple things wipe me out now and I wind up collapsing in bed.

Thanks for being supportive, and I wish you all the best with work--and hope that the fatigue wanes for you as more months pass between the present and treatment. Xx

Hi Poppydays,

It is still very early days, and after all that you have been through with the additional nerve pain and neutropenia I’m not surprised you are so fatigued. Yours hasn’t been a straightforward journey.

The treatment does leave you feeling very tired, even without the additional challenges you have faced. I finished my chemo radiotherapy back in mid November and remember posting in early January about my fears of returning to work. This was mainly due to feeling so ridiculously tired and I really worried whether this was normal and how I would cope. I am not sure whether the body’s resources are all going into healing at this stage.

It definitely did get better and I returned to work in mid January.  ( although the back/ nerve pain has been another story…)

The treatment does leave your appetite affected. I wasted so much food at this time as I would prepare it then be unable to face it. I found soups, juices and smoothies good as a way of getting some nutrition in.

Be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to heal, rest and recover. You will get there. Don’t underestimate what you’ve been through. 

Sending healing hugs xx

Hi

I am at the exact same stage as you and feel exactly the same! 
I have zero energy and am constantly tired. I’m really struggling to find things to eat as nothing appeals to me. 
I am improving as toilet trips are not as traumatic as they have been and the area is healing well, but I’ve lost 17lb as appetite is non existent. 
I do find I can stomach soups and am getting better with snacks rather than full meals. Smoothies are excellent. Bowls of cereal and fruit are also an option. 
I’ve been told I am making good progress but need to be patient as it will take time for the body to heal after all it has been through. I was advised to look back a week or two and notice the progress, which does help me. I rest when I need to and just know that this isn’t going to last forever. It’s still early days and you are recovering, slowly but surely. It will just take time. 
xxx

Thank you, SaraLoo, for reassuring me! I'd read on this forum that Day 14 was a turning point for many and that suddenly they were going for walks and seeing friends--and I thought, I haven't worn underwear in weeks, much less gone out into the world! 

I love the advice to look back a week or two to notice the progress, and yes, I am better. I can actually sit now--for a while at least--and toilet trips are definitely not as traumatic, so little victories!

The food issue is a real one, though. Seems like a lot of people on this forum have lost weight (I'm down 12-13 lbs myself) during treatment, and I see you are no exception. I'm rooting for both of us to put some healthy weight back on--and am trying to find things that aren't junk food that appeal. Fresh fruit works for me, as do small meals. Bigger meals are a definite no-go.

Thank you so much for the psychological boost. It's so reassuring to have someone out there at the exact same stage!

Hi PEB24,

I am always so happy to see your name pop up, because I've been thinking about you and wondering how your back/nerve pain is. How are you doing? I know you have an appointment coming up and am hoping something good comes out of it. Will you keep me/us posted?

As for me, I had one of those discouraged days yesterday, mainly because I placed so much hope on what I thought would be the miraculous turn at Day 14 post-treatment. I should know better! You're right--the treatment really does a number on the body (and it didn't help me to have neutropenic fever on top of it)--and remembering that is important for setting expectations. Everyone on this forum says to take it one day at a time, and somehow I seemed to forget that. I made Day 14 sort of mythical in my head.

At any rate, I would be thrilled to gain some appetite back, but that will come I'm sure. And the fatigue seems like it hangs around for some time, so putting that in perspective will also help. Thank you for your supportive words--they mean so much to me!

Hi..I remember this feeling so well.

I'm 8 weeks post treatment now..and almost back to normal..

I remember the oncologist said to me you will feel awful for 2 weeks then it will start to get better and when it does it happens quite quickly..so fingers crossed you will start to heal soon..just take your time when you do start to heal and done do too much too soon..

I went back at work phased return at 3 hours a day 2 weeks ago.. im back at gym and managing to go for walks most days.. so stay positive and stay strong.. but most of all be kind to yourself..everyone is diffrent re tge healing process  x

Hello Poppydays

Please don't worry - this is absolutely normal and to be expected.  There are very few of us who were anywhere near normal at 14 days out from the end of treatment.

And three years on, I still sleep more than I did before!  Just look afteryourself and sleep as much as you need to, you are still recovering.

Irene xx

Hi Squeak,

Thanks so much for your encouraging words! Do you remember when your appetite became normal again? I eat and am then vaguely nauseous afterwards, which doesn't help much with my appetite. Xx

Thanks, Irene. Today is Day 16, and I know it's foolish to count the days, especially when everyone heals on their own time schedule. I just need to remind myself to take it one day at a time...and that energy, appetite, and pain-free bathroom visits will eventually come.

I appreciate your kind words. Xx