Fatigue after radiotherapy

Hi Farawaytree, well done for having had your op and treatment. Have you had any check ups since you finished radio? I was grade 1 stage 2 and finished my radio and brachy treatment in June 2022 and had one check up in the September and then another in the December, and every 3 months after that for the first two years (then 6 months). I think it’s usual to have some tiredness as our systems use energy to make all the shiny new cells! Plus relief that it’s all over and trying to take it all in. At the December one I mentioned feeling tired so my oncologist recommended a blood test to check my thyroid etc. Thyroid was ok but my white cell count was a little bit low. I then had blood tests every 6 weeks or so till it returned to normal. I’d recommend mentioning it at your next check up. 

Hi Farawaytree

Fatigue can be common after cancer treatment. It sounds like you are doing really well in your recovery. If you think about all the emotional and physical effects of the diagnosis and then treatment it is not surprising really. It takes time in particular for all your normal body cells affected by radiotherapy to return to normal. 

Have you had any check ups since your treatment finished? It is worth speaking to your CNS or GP and possibly getting routine bloods done. I needed a blood transfusion due to low haemoglobin levels and that was adding to my fatigue. 

Jane

Hi Marmitefan59

Thank you, yes have had a check up Sept and another a couple of weeks ago. The specialist nurse is aware of the fatigue , I have taken thyroxine for 30+ years but possibly a blood test might be useful. 
I also had Brachytherapy. I have a CT scan today , yes 3 monthly for the first year. I was very active professionally, socially and physically before so just having to pace myself now. Thankful though

Hi Jan
Thank you, helpful to have others to check in with. My specialist nurses are amazing but I rarely bother them. CT today. 

Hi again Farawaytree, I’ve also been on thyroxine for 30+ years! My TSH went up very slightly  post radio but a tiny amount and not enough to change my thyroxine dosage. But if it’s been a while since it was tested it might be an idea to have it checked. Have you ever had your Vit D levels checked? It’s a separate blood test and you usually have to ask for it specially. My hypothyroidism is auto immune and that can be associated with low Vit D levels.

I am halfway thru my chemo. I have bloodwork before each session. Doctor orders my chemo around the bloodwork results she receives. The chemo drugs get adjusted then. Fatigue seems to be a major concern. There's a CBC ordered, a metabolic panel and a bunch of other things too complicated for me to understand. I have trouble sleeping. Dr saw magnesium level was low and prescribed a course of magnesium. So there are all sorts of things they look at. I have thyroid issues and high blood pressure issues all of which are evaluated before a chemo session. I also took Vitamin D before my illness as prescribed by my family doctor.

My fatigue will start on the second day after a session and will last to day 4 or 5 and then level off. Today is day 2 and I woke up a "beaten woman" complete with  a swollen face and a bright red rashes across my face. The rashes disappear as the day goes on and don't show up again. The fatigue is my biggest issue. My taste and smell capabilities are also diminished but the fatigue is the worst issue for me. Hang in there. My doctor told me when I saw her that I may not believe it, but I am doing very well with my therapy. So hang in there. With proper guidance from your doctor, it will all work for you. Hugs