So tired….

Hi Ange19

Well done for getting to 19- you really are on the home straight now. 

I also was having a lot of fatigue by then and could do little more that get up, hospital appointment and home. 

Radiotherapy is well known for causing fatigue and I believe that having chemo before hand can intensify the feeling. Have you had bloods taken recently? I ask because I had issues with magnesium levels and haemoglobin levels at around 3 weeks into the radiotherapy and needed a transfusion. Its worth asking as sometimes this can be a factor. Have a chat to your radiotherapist tomorrow- mine were really supportive. 

I was warned that side effects may intensify for a couple of weeks after radiotherapy has ended but then with time, with most people they improve. 

Hang in there- you are nearly finished after all the treatments and are doing really well.

Jane

Hi Ange , I had 20 sessions of radiotherapy for recurrant lung cancer and yes i was tired afterwards, sessions only lasted about 10 mins but travelling to and from hosp every day except week ends doesn't help wit the tiredness . If you feel a need to have a nap then do so don't push yourself , listen to your body and what it needs 

I found it hard to swallow so tried to eat just soft food as the part of lung they were targeting was close to my throat , but that eased up after a good few weeks  also a cough and breathlessness as lungs were a wee bit inflammed , this lasted a bit longer a few months. 

Hope this was of some help..

Take care x 

Thanks Jane, I haven’t had any bloods done, but I’ll keep it in mind, if I feel worse.  

I feel like the sessions have gone by so quickly, and I can actually see the end in sight.  Can’t wait for next Thursday when I have my last one and will be ringing the bell :0).

Ange

Thanks Alexi, maybe sometimes I have been doing too much and when I sit down at the end of the day, I feel overcome with tiredness.  I’ll start listening to my body more.

I hope you are doing well and are recovered now.  Best wishes to you.

Ange

I found the travelling each day added to it. Thursday will come round soon- hang in there

Jane

Hi I’m 3 weeks ahead of you - finished 2 weeks ago. I burst into tears when I finished the last treatment- a lot of pent up emotion! Oncologist told me that side effects could worsen in these 2 weeks, but think stayed same. Mine have been same as yours- and I do sometimes have an afternoon nap if needed. You’re nearly there! 

Hi

Well done finishing the treatment and I hope you are recovering well.  When I finish I think I will feel happy, but I understand when you say burst into tears, I could be like that too.  I think that when receiving treatment you are so concentrated on doing it and getting it over and done with, you don’t think about much else and when it’s over all your emotions come to the surface.

Good Luck and take care

Ange

Hi Ange, very well done on getting this far - so pleased for you that this time next week you’ll be almost done! I think those who’ve had chemo first before radio may be more likely to feel tired. I had just radio and brachy in 2022, and didn’t feel physically tired but was mentally exhausted by the end of the 4th week and just wanted it all to be done. I found it quite hard to get motivated during the last week. Just a thought - are you eating enough, ie keeping up your calories? Are you having a snack immediately after treatment? The oncology dietician advised this as the body uses up quite a lot of energy making new cells to replace the nuked ones.  

Hi Marmite

Thanks for replying.  Actually I don’t usually have a snack straight after, so that’s something that may help, otherwise I think I eat enough (usually too much)!
I hope you are well and best wishes to you.

Thanks

Ange

Hi all,

I have now had 8 sessions of radiotherapy. Just a quick question. They have done a few checking scans and told me that this is normal to ensure they are targeting the correct place. Gas everyone else found this?

Best wishes 

Anna