How long until you feel better post chemo

Hi meanegg,  I also felt under par after my chemo finished   which was July 2022 , but by the time I needed to start radiotherapy at the end of August I was feeling so much better , I had 3 x ec and 3 x docetaxel,  the last 3 was .y worst for the whole 9 weeks I wasn't feeling that great  ,oss of appetite,  low energy   you do think am im ever going to feel better , but hang in there because you will start to feel better as the weeks go on . Your body has endured so much mentally and physically 

I had similar to you and three weeks break before starting radio - I thought I would finally feel so well before radio started as three weeks was the longest treatment break I’d had - it was disappointing to find that third week wasn’t fabulous.., But it will go…

Thank you both so much for your replies - it’s good to know that I’m not alone in this. I initially felt ok & then about 3 days ago started to feel really off so started to panic thinking it’s spread everywhere!!

I am going to have to learn to live with this fear going forward which is a horrible thought.  I never realised how under-rated normal life is (or was!!) I wish I could go back to my care free self :(  

I have signed up to a Moving Forward course so hope that will also help me deal with my new life post treatment!

best wishes to you both xx 

Meanegg,

You have to give yourself time. The treatment needs to get out of your system and it takes a while. Don’t forget what you have been through and give yourself little treats along the way.

But once it has gone, you will know it was worth waiting for.

xx

1. We are alll different. It depends on our bodies, not  so much our age! You have been poisoned for 4 months so am not surprised you feel a bit off. I was exhausted and could barely get out of bed for 2 weeks. The recovery process has been slow and steady. My body, esp my muscles felt tenderised for maybe 4 months and it took me a few months to eat normally again. It’s almost a year now and I have most of my energy back. Lack of oestrogen stole some!
2. it takes time. I found it helpful to think that last week I couldn’t do this and now I can. Just try to focus on the progress you are making rather than what you can’t yet do.
3. and you might be one of the lucky ones who bounce back within weeks. I hope so! 

Hi meanegg, I, too, am surprised that I don’t feel as well now that I’m 5 weeks post my last chemo as I did after my earlier cycles. I had 3x EC and 4x Docetaxel, all three weeks apart. My energy levels have not recovered, taste is still a bit off with certain foods, my nails have taken a turn for the worst (some are lifting from the nail bed), etc. I just figured it’s the build up, especially after four cycles of Docetaxel. Surgery planned for 23 March so I’m concentrating on getting strong and healthy for that. Hang in there! We can get through this. Really appreciate all the support from everyone on this forum. Xx

I have had different types of chemo and immuno. With one of them, the real slump used to happen on day 5-6 after treatment, last about a week until the worst of it was over, then a gradual improvement, a few days of feeling relatively ok, then it was time for the next treatment.

Feeling a bit off, as you put it, lasted for me the entire time and even now, more than a year after last chemo, things are not quite right. Then again, I have had a huge amount of chemo and I was told that whereas normally recovery should take 6-12 months, for me the expectation is 24 months. That said, I have seen people here reporting feeling absolutely fine within weeks of finishing treatment, so my conclusion is that this would depend on the type of chemo, how well the patient was prior to treatment, and their individual physical responses, which would vary from person to person. 

Regarding the last session hitting you far harder, chemo has a cummulative effect so it is not unusual for this to happen.

Hi Meg

Im 3 weeks post chemo and should be starting radiotherapy next week.  I can still barely walk the stairs.  I’ve put on weight whilst having chemo and my heart is beating very fast.  I think these are all combined hurdles which I have to get over.  I had 4xEC and 4xDox, a very hard slog.  I think we have to be patient and allow our bodies to do what we have.  We have been poisoned for months. I think after chemo we think we can run a sprint but it is marathon.  Keep your spirits up xx

All you women who have to have chemo are very special in my heart as it has to be a big hurdle.  I know it is hard to continue when you don’t feel well but it is killing off those cancer cells and you will make it to the finish line and win.  
Barbara

Thanks it certainly is ️I was having it this time last year and I am not sure my stamina is back to where it was before. I also had radiotherapy which leaves you more tired some time after completing it all. 

I still find if I over do it and think I can do all that I used too I pay for it the next day . However a king to what I was last year ️