HELP. I need energy.

SoFarSoGoo
SoFarSoGoo Member Posts: 3
in Esophageal Cancer #1
MY PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL: Three weeks ago I completed a 6-week treatment program of daily radiation and weekly chemo for adenocarcinomal esophageal cancer. As a result I have spent the past three weeks exhausted. My oncologist will not give me anything to boost my energy. He gave me a 4-day Decadron prescription but said he didn't want me to become addicted to steroids. I’m seventy-damn-years old and don’t have the energy to climb one flight of stairs to take a shower once a day. And this guy is concerned that I may become addicted to steroids??

A P.E.G. tube was inserted before treatment began. I had few side effects during the first three weeks, but by week four, I had no appetite, nothing tasted right (even water made me nauseous), so I have been getting all my nutrition from the gravity-fed tube. I have to struggle to force myself to finish the six cans of Isosource 1.5 Cal which supplies my 2200 calories per day. Actually about half the time I don't take more than four cans. Once I finish a feeding, I sit at the computer for at least thirty minutes and then immediately want to lie down to rest.

My question is this: Is there ANYTHING that my doctor can give me to provide some energy? I really don’t think I can go on like this much longer.

When I was still in treatment, the oncologist had me take the steroid Decadron (4 mg) 5 tablets 12 hours before treatment and 5 tablets 6 hours before treatment. It wasn’t until my final treatment that I made the connection between the Decadron and my having some energy on that day. A week after the final chemo, I told the doctor I had no energy and asked if he could continue the Decadron prescription or give me some alternative to boost my energy. I practically begged for something, but he shrugged me off. I’m not scheduled to see him again until after my P.E.T. scan on April 19.

Obviously I can’t wait that long for some help. Have any of you had similar experiences? Did your doctors offer any solutions? What do you recommend I do?

Whether you are having/have had a similar experience and found a solution or not, I look forward to hearing from you.
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This is the first time I’ve posted a question here, so I have no idea if I’ll get a response or how long it might take. But trust me . . . until I hear from someone, I’ll be watching this site like it’s a piece of chocolate cake and I just got my appetite back.

Thanks,

SoFarSoGoo
(Fred Freede, Canton OH)

(If I feel any worse, I may have to change my name.)

Comments

  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #2
    Hello Fred
    Fred, I welcome you to our site as unfortunatly as it may be. You have come to the right place to find out answers. I however, do not have any answers for you but figured since you were watching the site like a piece of chocolate cake, I would at least give you a little reading material! :-)

    I'm sorry to hear that you don't have any energy. I'm sure that SOMEONE will be able to give you some good advice!

    My husband is the one with EC and he speaks often of his lack of energy..he is half way through treatment. We try to go on a walk everyday to keep his energy level up but I know he wears easily.

    Thinking of you and sending prayers your way! 70 year old or not...we don't want you to be stinky! So, hopefully the drs and people here can help you so you can climb those stairs everyday!! :-) Smile FRED!!!!

    Susie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • SoFarSoGoo
    SoFarSoGoo Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Hello Fred
    Fred, I welcome you to our site as unfortunatly as it may be. You have come to the right place to find out answers. I however, do not have any answers for you but figured since you were watching the site like a piece of chocolate cake, I would at least give you a little reading material! :-)

    I'm sorry to hear that you don't have any energy. I'm sure that SOMEONE will be able to give you some good advice!

    My husband is the one with EC and he speaks often of his lack of energy..he is half way through treatment. We try to go on a walk everyday to keep his energy level up but I know he wears easily.

    Thinking of you and sending prayers your way! 70 year old or not...we don't want you to be stinky! So, hopefully the drs and people here can help you so you can climb those stairs everyday!! :-) Smile FRED!!!!

    Susie

    Thanks, Susie, for your
    Thanks, Susie, for your response and your kind words. Best of luck to your husband and you as you work your way past this bump in the road.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • SoFarSoGoo
    SoFarSoGoo Member Posts: 3
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you, Sherri, for your
    Thank you, Sherri, for your suggestions.

    A local friend had mentioned Adderall as a possible solution. I will add that to my list of suggestions for my bonehead doctor to consider.

    I am so sorry that your husband lost the battle, but I'm sure that his being able to at least engage in the battle with the help of his medications (and his family, friends, and physicians) made all the difference.

    Thanks again,

    SoFarSoGoo
    Fred Freede, Canton OH
  • kcinpdx
    kcinpdx Member Posts: 13
    #7
    Hi Fred, I went through the same thing after chemo/radiation, was in bed 12-13 hours a day and just felt exhausted all the time. The advice nurse said get out and walk. So I dressed warmly and started taking a 10-15 minute walk around my neighborhood at a brisk pace 4-5 times a week. I was amazed at how using energy and breathing fresh air helped me rebuild my energy and within two weeks I snapped out of the radiation fog. You'll feel wiped out after the first few times, but it helps you sleep more deeply and will help get you going again without any drugs at all. Wishing you the best! Keith
  • nancyann3
    nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
    #8
    kcinpdx said:

    Hi Fred, I went through the same thing after chemo/radiation, was in bed 12-13 hours a day and just felt exhausted all the time. The advice nurse said get out and walk. So I dressed warmly and started taking a 10-15 minute walk around my neighborhood at a brisk pace 4-5 times a week. I was amazed at how using energy and breathing fresh air helped me rebuild my energy and within two weeks I snapped out of the radiation fog. You'll feel wiped out after the first few times, but it helps you sleep more deeply and will help get you going again without any drugs at all. Wishing you the best! Keith

    Hello so far
    Welcome to the site. Hubby had great fatigue during and after treatments too. Seems like the radiation really kicked butt.

    Watch your labs as red counts get low. Stay very hydrated and plan to keep the hydration going long after treatments. They wouldnt give him steroids either. They said it can delay healing your body is doing. Your body is in constant healing and rebuilding phase, so keep it fed and hydrated. We find that running a bottle of propel water in tube everyday help with hydration. We also use tube for running just water.

    Just some things we have found that can help.
    We are stage T3N1M0
    Dx 02/2010
    Surgery 2/16/2011

    Take care
    Nancy

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