Tiredness - after end of treatment

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pamness
pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am about 5.5 months out of treatment - sugery, chemo, radiation - I had a very hard time with chemo I couldn't finish the oxaliplatin, I would have but my Dr. pulled me off, I finished most of the 5FU and rads - with a few breaks. But I have 2 questions - did anyone else not finish everything and secondly, I find, that although I am not exhausted like I was for quite a while from time to time - about once every week or two, or anytime anything odd happens (I got a UTI) I get tired again for a few days. I still have to watch what I eat, or more importantly not to eat too much of some things. How are those of you who are not to far out of treament fairing. I haven't seen this topic before, but I am fairly new. At the moment, my scans are clean (at least until I go again in May).

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  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    #2
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    Hi,
    I am about 4 months out, also had surgery,chemo,rads and oxaliplatin. It was hard but by the grace of God I made it. My big problem are my bowels. I still have a lot of days when I feel very tired of having bowel movements all day long. Anyway I am extremely grateful for my life and try to just take one day at a time.
    Robin
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #3
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    rmap59 said:

    Hi,
    I am about 4 months out, also had surgery,chemo,rads and oxaliplatin. It was hard but by the grace of God I made it. My big problem are my bowels. I still have a lot of days when I feel very tired of having bowel movements all day long. Anyway I am extremely grateful for my life and try to just take one day at a time.
    Robin

    I get tired of the all day long bowel movements too, immodium helps, but I can't always predict it bothers me about 2 days a week, and makes me tired. How about you?
  • cahalstead
    cahalstead Member Posts: 118
    #4
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    I'm 6mos out of treatment~surgery, chemo. I, too, couldn't complete oxaliplatin. I had neuropathy significantly. I did 5 treatments. I was so tired but after completion my energy level returned and I currently feel great.

    Yes, the bowels take on a life of their own after surgery & treatment. I never go anywhere without my immodium and gas-x. I know that when I eat too much, I have the "piper to pay" (sorry, an old saying).

    I'm so thankful that my post year tests were good, I can deal with the other. I recently finished a 2 week training for my job, away from home, I had a rough schedule but, I made it, did well, and I'm so thankful.

    Praise God there is life after chemo.

    We're all in this together and we'll make it!!

    Char
  • Limey
    Limey Member Posts: 446 Member
    #5
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    tired or not, the great news is your scans are clear. That is grounds for celebration. Being tired lasted six months for me. I did not do radiation, but hear that it can take up to a year to bounce back from radiation. I have done so much chemo that it is unclear what a non tired day is these days, but.... life is still what we make it.
    Good luck on finding your energy - it will come.
    Mark
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #6
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    Hi. You are not alone. I am just over a year out from 5FU and I still don't have my old stamina back. I get tired a lot quicker. I didn't finish the treatments either--had to stop after 9. I still have neuropathy and am still getting used to the numbness in my feet. The hands improved a lot. My main issue is the INCESSANT craving for sugar & carbs--cancer food. Also, if I give in and binge on sugar, my bowels tell me in no uncertain terms that I did a bad, bad thing:) I think life after treatment is getting used to a "new" body. I have learned to go with the flow and accomodate the various new "expressions" like REALLY LOUD digestion:) Sometimes people turn and stare at me like they can't believe that sound came from a person and not an elephant! Try to find the humor in stuff--it makes things a lot easier! Hugs.
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #7
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    My energy came back gradually. Just before a year was up I realized that I felt good. Exercise will help you tone muscle and bring back that energized feeling that you have lost. Hope you are writing this for someone else soon.
    Jo Ann
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #8
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    kmygil said:

    Hi. You are not alone. I am just over a year out from 5FU and I still don't have my old stamina back. I get tired a lot quicker. I didn't finish the treatments either--had to stop after 9. I still have neuropathy and am still getting used to the numbness in my feet. The hands improved a lot. My main issue is the INCESSANT craving for sugar & carbs--cancer food. Also, if I give in and binge on sugar, my bowels tell me in no uncertain terms that I did a bad, bad thing:) I think life after treatment is getting used to a "new" body. I have learned to go with the flow and accomodate the various new "expressions" like REALLY LOUD digestion:) Sometimes people turn and stare at me like they can't believe that sound came from a person and not an elephant! Try to find the humor in stuff--it makes things a lot easier! Hugs.

    I didn't realize that the craving for sugar and carbs is so common, I really have to stay away from the jelly beans!

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