fatigue

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levensweg
levensweg Member Posts: 55
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I've been doing great as a stage 4 suvivor (colon and liver resection) with chemo behind me almost one year and living with N.E.D. My energy and strength have been good and I've been very active, but this past month I feel a lot of fatigue all day and night. No energy. I had a scan and blood test last week and everything is great. My Oncologist told me she doesn't see any problems. Occasionally I'll have a good day, but overall I'm frustrated and feel that maybe this is more than mental. Does anyone have any advice/experiences they could share with me? I would greatly appreciate any helpful responses.

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  • Heider
    Heider Member Posts: 24 Member
    #2
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    On October 30, I will be a 3 year survivor of Stage 4. This is the first summer I really felt completely back to normal energy wise. Just try to remember all that chemo harms good cells as well as bad. Every day is a new day and will continue to get better. Good luck and way to go!
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #3
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    Do you exercise? I don't know if that's what you mean by being very active. I usually feel like a great big slug when I don't exercise.

    Cheers,
    Ying
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
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    Ahoy -

    JADot is onto something with the exercise. When they did blood tests on you did they check your iron counts? Hematocrit, ferratin, etc? My iron was down to just about nil and my body doesn't seem to absorb it anymore. I had similar symptoms - plus cramps, shortness of breath, light headedness, etc. Do you take a multivitamin or other supplements?

    - SB
  • levensweg
    levensweg Member Posts: 55
    #5
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    spongebob said:

    Ahoy -

    JADot is onto something with the exercise. When they did blood tests on you did they check your iron counts? Hematocrit, ferratin, etc? My iron was down to just about nil and my body doesn't seem to absorb it anymore. I had similar symptoms - plus cramps, shortness of breath, light headedness, etc. Do you take a multivitamin or other supplements?

    - SB

    Thanks for the input. I do carpentry/ construction, and I have three and a half year old... that's what I mean by active but maybe I should jog or do something more aerobic. I'm going to call my oncologist and ask her to go over my blood test more specifically because she's primarily concerned with CEA counts and maybe have glazed over anything else. I just started taking multivitamins as a result of this. Spongebob, how did you get your iron counts back up?
  • KFalvey
    KFalvey Member Posts: 118 Member
    #6
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    levensweg said:

    Thanks for the input. I do carpentry/ construction, and I have three and a half year old... that's what I mean by active but maybe I should jog or do something more aerobic. I'm going to call my oncologist and ask her to go over my blood test more specifically because she's primarily concerned with CEA counts and maybe have glazed over anything else. I just started taking multivitamins as a result of this. Spongebob, how did you get your iron counts back up?

    Hi,
    That's how I was diagnosed. Anemia from low iron. Hemoglobin was down to 7.6. I was able to get it raised to 12 before surgery by taking 325 mg. of ferrous sulfate 3 times daily. You can get it over the counter at any drug store. It took about 5 weeks. It can also cause constipation, although I had just the opposite effect. Good Luck and hope you have continued NED. Kandy
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #7
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    Hi there. Don't start taking iron until you know you need it. Call the doc - they check a CBC (complete blood count) with all labs - it's a biggie to follow cancer. It will show microcytic anemia if iron is low, and then they can check ferritin levels... then start the iron.

    Now, definately try exercise and eating healthy. If everything checks out to be normal - maybe see a nutritionist for some good ideas. AND, having a 3 1/2 year old at home and doing some work is enough to make anyone tired! It all could be normal.... but check for other stuff too.

    Good luck. jana
  • levensweg
    levensweg Member Posts: 55
    #8
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    jana11 said:

    Hi there. Don't start taking iron until you know you need it. Call the doc - they check a CBC (complete blood count) with all labs - it's a biggie to follow cancer. It will show microcytic anemia if iron is low, and then they can check ferritin levels... then start the iron.

    Now, definately try exercise and eating healthy. If everything checks out to be normal - maybe see a nutritionist for some good ideas. AND, having a 3 1/2 year old at home and doing some work is enough to make anyone tired! It all could be normal.... but check for other stuff too.

    Good luck. jana

    Thanks for all your replies. I called my oncologist and re-reviewed my blood work which turned out excellent. Definately not iron deficient- my hemoglobin is 15, CEA normal etc.

    I feel quite good now. I wish I knew what happened, but I took my fatigue as a signal to get back to a healthier and less frantic, workaholic lifestyle. More water, healthier food, back to 1/2 cup of coffee (ouch), going to bed on a schedule, etc. So far so good. I will definately see a nutritionist and my wife is going to give me an exercize routine since she is a professional dancer (Ballet & modern... Not the other kind!)

    Lev

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