Fatigue after chemo 3

Hi Beepeep

That sounds very familiar to my experience.

I was told that with each cycle it can take longer to recover and the effect can build up with each cycle. I know for me that my bloods dropped with each cycle and didn't fully recover by the time the last chemo cycle happened. I did less in that last cycle. 

With meet ups etc I tended to leave till the last minute and see how I felt on the day. The fatigue was hard at times and I found that with each cycle I needed to pace myself more. So if I did meet with a friend for an hour in the morning- I would then not do a lot for the rest of the day. I tended also to build days into the cycle where I had nothing planned. 

I also found that the side effects lingered a bit longer with each cycle. I found that the fatigue was partly physical and partly mental. So I was able to for example wash up, make my bed but if I went out for a coffee with a friend- I would be exhausted afterwards.

Perhaps mention to your CNS or consultant at your review. 

Good Luck with number 4 on Tuesday.

Jane

Hiya

i found the same after number 3, I didn’t think I had recovered before being hit with number 4.  My paclitaxel was reduced for 3 and 4. In between 3 and 4 my white blood count improved, but red count was still on decline, so think I have been having some symptoms of anemia, i knew when I’d walked up the stairs,  I’m now 2.5 weeks past chemo 4, and things are improving and fatigue on par with number 3. I think not having another chemo to face has helped me though. 

Hi Jane , your reply is so useful thank you. This knowledge will help me plan for the second half and it will be interesting to see what my blood test reveals on Monday. They have been very good so far so keeping fingers crossed.

i did ask my oncologist if I could have 4 chemos instead of 6 since he didn’t initially suggest any chemo at all but he said 6 are recommended but that it didn’t necessarily mean both drugs. I didn’t question any further at the time but will perhaps ask for further explanation.

i still have nerve pain and pins and needles in left hand and wrist but i am sure this was due to insertion of  the cannula as it felt like an electric shock in my fingers . it is improving very slowly so rather dreading this step of the process on Tuesday. A rather busy and rushed nurse didn’t ask how I was all day and I am always there 8.30 - 5 pm so felt very isolated . 
thank you again .

I hope that you start to feel better soon and thank you very much for replying. 

Best wishes 

Thanks. Hope Tuesday goes well for you. I know Jane mentioned previously about hot pad. At my hospital they put a heated pillow on my arm which they leave for 20 mins. The other thing I was told was to be hydrated (same as before having blood test), so made sure I drank enough water before heading off.  

The cannula insertion may be the cause if it is feeling like it is improving. For me it was always bilateral and didn't improve between chemos. I do get some electric shock type symptoms but the initial signs something was wrong was numbness and tingling. 

Some people seem to be offered 4 cycles and some 6 cycles- I am not sure why- probably stage and grade are important and also the dose for each cycle. I was given maximum doses of paclitaxel and carboplatin over 4 cycles- but they did reduce the dosage due to developing the neuropathy symptoms. My last chemo was at 50% paclitaxel and original dose carboplatin. 

I am sorry that the nurse was so busy- at my hospital the staff were really good but had a lot on. There were however volunteers who came round with drinks and snacks and they have more time. It can make a big difference if someone asks how you are. 

I hope it goes ok on Tuesday

Jane