Post chemo fatigue

Hi Beepeep

Fatigue after chemo is very normal. If your last chemo date was the 30th July- then you are still within your 3 weeks chemo cycle until the 20th. So you are not yet technically post chemo. 

Whilst the chemo affects the division of any potential cancer cells, it also affects the division of healthy cells. These cells take time to recover. So for instance the red blood cells are going to take up to a month to start to recover. White blood cells and immunity etc- it takes time for the levels to rise. All your organs- like you liver, kidneys etc are still dealing with the effects of your last chemo. With each chemo the effects tend to build up as the levels don't quite get back to normal and then the next chemo comes along.

From memory the more extreme fatigue started to go within around 6 months but I did also have pelvic radiotherapy- my CNS said for many people 6 months of treatment would take around 6 months to start getting over. But it has been a gradual process with ups and downs rather than a straight upwards line, if that makes sense. 

I would say around a year I felt a lot better. However I still will get the odd day where I have more fatigue than before cancer and I am coming up to 3 years post treatment. Everyone is of course different and there are different treatments, doses etc. But your body has been battered by the chemo and it just takes time. 

Being active but pacing yourself will help. Walking helped me. Maybe in a couple of weeks ask for a routine blood test to check for anaemia etc. Mine showed I had very low haemoglobin and also low magnesium so I needed a transfusion and supplements. 

I found also there was a mental/social impact for a while- as socialising could also wipe me out. I tended to pace myself to begin with by doing something one day and having an easy day the following day. I found that on days where I felt good I would tend to over do things and the following day the fatigue would hit. 

For me as well I think there was an element of processing the whole cancer experience and for many of us this only begins once we are free of the regular hospital appointments, treatments and dealing with their effects. 

So it is very early days, it will get better and it can be hard to predict how long things take- but pace yourself and take regular breaks, eat well and keep active. 

Jane

Thank you so much Jane as always . I think I have got frustrated and bored sitting around recovering from chemo and that I need to be much more patient . You are right , chatting whilst socialising is tiring too, not just walking and driving . I think that I shall do something one day, read and rest the next . (Preparing for a deep clean of the house next month with my husband and daughter who have only shaken the hoover and duster at it these last six months ! ) understanding the science behind the chemo is so useful . 

You are so like me, frustration and boredom, and need to be more patient, that really sums me up. I also hate it when people say things along “taking baby steps and you will get there”!  I had my first full day out last week, on train, walked loads, and have taken it pretty easy since.

I am getting there though, carpet cleaning today! But then I am a little ahead of you!

You'll get there. its just time. I felt frustrated as well at the end of treatment and just thought everything would go back to normal straight away. I can remember my CNS saying something about the paclitaxel attacking the red blood cells, where they are made, lower back/hip area and once that is disrupted it can take a couple months for it to get going again and working fully- and if you think about it they carry the oxygen that helps give us the energy to do things- so if they are not fully recovered, then it is no surprise we don't have much energy. 

I remember wanting to do a deep clean as well- I think it is frustrating when you are at home more and sat looking at things. For me it was always about pacing myself and some days I needed a bit of time on my own just to do nothing- read, watch tv, listen to music. I found a lot of people would want to check up on me and talk about the cancer- and whilst it is great to have people that care- it could be draining at times. Maybe you could be the director for the deep clean! 

Haha yes ! Director is good  

And knowing how much to share about our cancer is a big topic too. It feels odd when friends stop asking ( understandable after 9 months) but it is such a big thing for us. I am now becoming aware having too much time on my hands which means I can easily lose any sense of perspective and get too easily upset . I am hoping I can start volunteering again (for half a day a week) next month and return to my French class which I love . Sometimes I envy people going back to work if only to feel ‘normal’. 

The volunteering and french class sound a good next step- just easing back into things bit by bit. 

I think most of the time our friends mean well but it can be just those who have experienced the journey can really understand. Cancer doesn't all of a sudden stop once treatment is done and then everything becomes normal straight away. It takes time and processing and healing. 

I found the HOPE programme helpful. All online and no cost. You can dip in and out of it as much or as little as you want. 

Online HOPE programme for your patients | Macmillan Cancer Support