Chemo - extreme tiredness mid treatment

Hi Can,

I'm experiencing the same fatigue. The oncologist said it is a cumulative effect, that I would become more tired as the treatment continued.  He also said that fatigue can continue for 3 months post treatment and it can take up to 6 months to get your stamina back. I am on the same regime and chemo as yourself.I have just had my 5th cycle yesterday and the effects are kicking in sooner despite the steroids. The fatigue is worse while having the side effects, I haven't really got any tips apart from resting but I recently had counselling and she recommended distraction while resting. So if you enjoy crafts or reading it could be worth a try. It sort of works for me (if I can be bothered!). Best wishes for your treatment outcome.

A x

Hi Can and Sistermoon 

I too had my 5th cycle yesterday on the same drugs.I usually get the side effects kick in from the Sunday after Fridays chemo but they started about 5 hrs after yesterday so this one seems different.

I was told the same thing as you Sistermoon that the Fatigue is accumulative, I usually have a nap in the afternoons but have found that I can't keep my eyes open in the evening so have been going to bed earlier.

There was a lady yesterday having her 4th Chemo on the same drugs as us and she slept through about 50% of it, so said she's like it at home too she can keep her eyes open, so I think this must be pretty normal for alot of folks. It's our body's way of coping with it I guess.

I think blood test results should be taken into account, so it might be worth giving you Oncology nurse a call for some reasurece and see what she can advise.  I was told when my count dropped a little low to eat foods and drink with B9 and B6 to help

Best wishes to you both on your treatment outcomes. 

Good tip too with the crafts, I keep thinking about doing something but like you say Sistermoon it's making the effort, I can't even be bothered to read a book these days.

Best wishes for your treatment outcomes the both of you. Hugs Robin x

Thank you Robin and sistermoon,

It's reassuring to hear your thoughts. Sounds very similar. I am taking a multivitamin and additional D3. Will look at the other vits you recommended. 

I was quite jittery and emotional between day 6 and 8 if the ladt 2 cycles so they wondered if the steroid withdrwal symptoms were to blame. The nurse practitioner on the chemo ward advised to cut down on the chemo steroids post cycle 3 which made it easier to come off them. Could that also have contributed of being now more tired in week 2?

I also had a counselling session where I was told to be creative. I don't think they appreciate how little energy we have whilst on treatment. Doing a small but of housework, going for a walk and having a conversation might take all the energy we have for the day. I also red a lot of books before, this time watching much more TV.

Wishing you good luck going through your 5th cycles!! See you at the end. Xxx

Hi Can

Bless you, it's tough but we can do it. Just to clarify,  I was told not to take my usual daily vitamins supplements while on chemo, i used to take fish oil and glucosamine, but was told to hold off for now, but to eat vitamin B9 and B6 rich food and drink, like leafy green, liver peanuts etc. Hope this helps.

xxxx

I was the same re jittery and emotional but it seems to be settling down. I feel as if my body is getting used to the chemo and is recognising what to do now (sounds a bit daft I know). The only other thing I absolutely hate is the extreme thirst and dry mouth. Not long to go now, I hope.

A x

Hi Can

The fatigue caught up with me on my 5th one, I finished my treatment at the end of April and I still get tired especially when I have had a busy day.  Stacie and I took my mum and nan for a day out to llandudno yesterday and today I am quite tired even though I slept well.  Just rest when you need to, I can be stubborn and I won’t have a rest and it makes me feel worse. X