long term post-cancer fatigue

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Is when or if this debilitating post-cancer (ovarian, 6 chemo & debulking surgery) fatigue passes in the lap of the Gods or is there anything one can do to get rid of it?

I finished all treatment seven months ago.  I still have a lot of vomiting and nausea but I think I may possibly have become gluten intolerant so after a forthcoming endoscopy I'm planning to try going gluten free for a month.

But the fatigue seems to be getting worse rather than better as months go by.  Does anyone have experience of long term fatigue getting better after months and months?

  • I was tired for at least 6 months after surgery. The important thing is when you rest do you feel recovered or are you still tired? If the latter you need to speak with your hospital MacMillan nurse. I am currently still on chemo tablets (20 months after chemo infusions ended) and on my monthly calls with the chemo nurse I am asked if I am experiencing any excessive tiredness which doesn’t improve with rest. It is clearly a red flag for them so you do need to tell them. 

    Having said all that consider whether you could improve your overall fitness? If you weren’t fit before treatment and surgery it will take longer to recover. 

    Good luck for an improvement. 

  • Thank you for replying.  Rest doesn’t help though I feel I need it.  Yes I’ve told everybody and it seems there’s nothing to be done , and v little research into fatigue.  I’m not ready for ‘acceptance’ yet, still hoping for a cure!