I have lost so much weight I can now hardly drag myself upstairs - what is going on?

Hi sorry to hear you’ve had a rough journey. It could be radiation fatigue as well as loss of muscle mass you’re experiencing.I was advised to have 2500 calories every day and 85 gram of protein To start  with i got most via 6 ensures a day. Then gradually increased food. And reduced ensures.Be ause  of the rapid weight loss you will likely have lost muscle mass which makes sense if you’re struggling. When you are ready start gentle exercise if only a walk round the garden the slowly increase the distance.
  Radiation fatigue all i can say is listen to your body if you need a nap don’t fight it. Hope this helps.

Hope this helps my blog below details how I coped  with recovery.p you may get some tips. 
Hazel 

Hi. It’s a pity that your clinicians have let things slide so badly. You obviously have a lot of muscle wastage which won’t help the fatigue that radiotherapy causes anyway. I think you need to get professional help from your team. Contact your CNS and tell them that as a matter of urgency you are fading away. You need some rehab. 
To contextualise this I was very feeble at the same stage as you and it was a case of resting but forcing myself to get out and about a little more each day but I don’t have your comorbidities. 
Best of  luck with this. Pathetic as it sounds it does get better, just don’t expect too much too quickly. 

Could you get an urgent referral to a dietician as getting enough nutrition is vital. I lost 10 k.g during my first radiotherapy so for some that does happen but managed to eventually regain most of it over time. I was also very weak for some time after treatment and I did not have chemo which adds to the complexity of your situation.  

The thought of even walking to the end of the street was initially too much but I did eventually start walking small distances and over time managed to build on that. I am now able to walk as far as I want to but it did take quite a while as I had no energy and my muscles were very weak. I remember holding onto my husband’s arm as I tried to walk around a shopping centre and not making it too far. I was also very scared of falling over which I had never been before. I too at that stage was a fit 59 year old and had never experienced anything like it before.

I still have to drink nutritional supplements to get enough calories in my diet but they definitely make a difference.

It does take time but you will get there.

Lyn

xx

Hi there.  I can echo lyns message.  I had to hold onto my husbands arm for a long time after treatment as I too was frightened of falling.  I didn’t loose any weight but I did feel very weak for many weeks.  I could hardly manage a bath and wash my hair.  I think the painkillers made me feel worse as well.  I am nearly 10 months post snd have lots of energy now, but my strength is not completely returned as yet. I am 62 and fit snd slim before I was diagnosed. You must have lots of protein. I had a tasteless organic protein powder that I dissolved into anything.  I still do.  I had in mint tea this morning.  It does seem so so slow at the start.  Hang on in there.  Best wishes. 
lizzie

Hi Hazel, thank you so much for your response.  This is certainly a tougher journey than I expected or hoped for.  I do so appreciate hearing from people who have been there.  It feels a lonely fight at times.  Andrew

Hi Dani, and thanks also for your continued support.  It really dos feel pathetic at times, and lonely, and getting this weak was not what I expected.  Can't even climb stairs... I was a fit person 3 months ago!  Many thanks again, Andrew

Thanks Lyn, and it's great that you have the same theme.  Maybe there's hope for me yet.. I am just not used to being a frail person!  Indeed I am hating it.  However, it seems perseverance is the key, so here I go again!  Thanks, Andrew

Hi Lizzie,  I am with you. I have fallen trying to cross the road the other day, caused a proper pot mess of traffic.  I cannot balance, and climbing the stairs is a major adventure.  Oh well - one day maybe.  I am now just hoping that all this is worth it, and it has cured my cancer (next PET due late September, when hopefully I will find I am clear!  Thanks again Lizzie.  Kind regards, Andrew

Hi Andrew just rant in her one if us will have been there at some point. It does get easier honestly, plus remember it’s worth it at the end our cancers are eminently curable,treatments rough but end results are worth it. 
Hazel 

Keep going Andrew.  It does get better. 
lizzie