Is there a way I can lessen this chemo side effect?
Thanks!
Nancy
Comments
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Laugh and comedy always helped
nancy,
Laugh and comedy always have helped me during Chemo.
Good luck tomorrow0 -
I...
Personally I think the first chemo is the worst...it was for me...It's a tremendous shock to your body, then add the Nuelasta injection....continue with the fluids but honestly, I don't think that helps with the fatigue....fatigue goes along with chemo....and it is cumulative...I found with each infusion , the fatigue got worse...it wasn't debilitating, for me, but it was a factor the first week after each infusion...I am fortunate that I was able to rest or nap when ever needed....I think it's just something that goes with the territory...with every one different....
If you're able, just listen to your body and rest whenever possible....
Hugs,
Nancy0 -
I had four treatments andMAJW said:I...
Personally I think the first chemo is the worst...it was for me...It's a tremendous shock to your body, then add the Nuelasta injection....continue with the fluids but honestly, I don't think that helps with the fatigue....fatigue goes along with chemo....and it is cumulative...I found with each infusion , the fatigue got worse...it wasn't debilitating, for me, but it was a factor the first week after each infusion...I am fortunate that I was able to rest or nap when ever needed....I think it's just something that goes with the territory...with every one different....
If you're able, just listen to your body and rest whenever possible....
Hugs,
Nancy
I had four treatments and all four I experienced fatigue by day three. As far as I know I don't think there's much you can do. Just get your needed rest. My chemo got worse as my treatments went on, but that was mostly nausea and they can give you stuff for that. I was too stubborn..
Good luck and just enjoy the sleep, it's the only thing that made me feel better.
Lorrie0 -
Hi Nancy,
For me the fatigue
Hi Nancy,
For me the fatigue was unfortunately there to stay for the duration of my chemo treatments. I did notice that after 3 days post chemo, i would begin to feel progressively a little bit better each day until my next treatment. I watched ALOT of movies in bed with my kids at that time (they are 2 and 10) because it was the only thing i could really do with them. I say rest all that you can -if you overdo it, you will feel it the next day. Save up your energy & strength for things that are absolutely necessities. Before you know it your treatments will be over but for now concentrate on resting and healing & letting the chemo do it's job. It does get better, hang in there sister!
*hugs*
Heather0 -
Hi and best of luck to youHeatherbelle said:Hi Nancy,
For me the fatigue
Hi Nancy,
For me the fatigue was unfortunately there to stay for the duration of my chemo treatments. I did notice that after 3 days post chemo, i would begin to feel progressively a little bit better each day until my next treatment. I watched ALOT of movies in bed with my kids at that time (they are 2 and 10) because it was the only thing i could really do with them. I say rest all that you can -if you overdo it, you will feel it the next day. Save up your energy & strength for things that are absolutely necessities. Before you know it your treatments will be over but for now concentrate on resting and healing & letting the chemo do it's job. It does get better, hang in there sister!
*hugs*
Heather
Hi and best of luck to you as you push on through your treatments. I gave myself a Neulasta shot the day after each of my eight treatments. Shortly after, all I could was sleep it of - a couple if days. Then, my energy would slowly return until it was time for my next treatment. Please let Oncology doc & team know of all if your symptoms. They can recommend / or give you prescriptions for pain. I took over the counter pain pills, often. And simply slept thru the fatigue. I have become quite the t.v. buff - during this process.0 -
A little exercise if at all possibleLVG said:Hi and best of luck to you
Hi and best of luck to you as you push on through your treatments. I gave myself a Neulasta shot the day after each of my eight treatments. Shortly after, all I could was sleep it of - a couple if days. Then, my energy would slowly return until it was time for my next treatment. Please let Oncology doc & team know of all if your symptoms. They can recommend / or give you prescriptions for pain. I took over the counter pain pills, often. And simply slept thru the fatigue. I have become quite the t.v. buff - during this process.
Nancy,
I also did 4 rounds of TC, and the way you describe your fatigue is exactly how it was for me -- hit me the worst on Days 3 and 4.
Study after study on chemo fatigue shows that the best way to fight it is with exercise -- even the shortest, slowest little-old-lady walk to the end of your driveway and back, if that's all you can do. My oncologist pounded that into my head all through chemo.
I know how difficult it is to even think about getting up and walking on those worst days, but if you can, it really will help.
Traci0 -
Part of the programTraciInLA said:A little exercise if at all possible
Nancy,
I also did 4 rounds of TC, and the way you describe your fatigue is exactly how it was for me -- hit me the worst on Days 3 and 4.
Study after study on chemo fatigue shows that the best way to fight it is with exercise -- even the shortest, slowest little-old-lady walk to the end of your driveway and back, if that's all you can do. My oncologist pounded that into my head all through chemo.
I know how difficult it is to even think about getting up and walking on those worst days, but if you can, it really will help.
Traci
Unfortunately fatigue is here to stay! I got my treatment (a/c) on Thursday and my injection on Friday. I drank like a fish and by Saturday just wanted to sleep but was better Monday morning. Better, but not normal. Look at it this way, it was a great excuse for me to not help my husband clean out the garage. lol I just tried to nap and let the drugs do their thing. You'll get through this, frustrations and all!0 -
Agree with everyone .. Fatigue is here to stay ....skipper54 said:Part of the program
Unfortunately fatigue is here to stay! I got my treatment (a/c) on Thursday and my injection on Friday. I drank like a fish and by Saturday just wanted to sleep but was better Monday morning. Better, but not normal. Look at it this way, it was a great excuse for me to not help my husband clean out the garage. lol I just tried to nap and let the drugs do their thing. You'll get through this, frustrations and all!
Personally, with my dose dense chemo therapy (weekly .. yes, weekly every Tuesday for 5 months .. no breaks, no vacation, no time off for good behavior .. I ended up with chronic fatigue from my weekly chemo cocktails of -- Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin --
*1 year later and counting -- fatigue is STILL a issue. Worked with a PT regarding my -- chronic fatigue === 3 x's a week --- for 6 months. Insurance no more, so no PT.
Push yourself to walk up or down stairs there in your home, walk to the mail box.. Please note .. even if you are doing 'the old lady' walk, you will want to stop, or quit.. don't! Sweat will engulf your body .. push thru ...thoughts of passing out will soon take over your mind, a small voice will be saying over and over again, you can't do this .... swear these thoughts off .. You are STRONG
chemo and 'our' side effort are cumulative - please fight, fight, fight!
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam0 -
Fatigue for me too But ...VickiSam said:Agree with everyone .. Fatigue is here to stay ....
Personally, with my dose dense chemo therapy (weekly .. yes, weekly every Tuesday for 5 months .. no breaks, no vacation, no time off for good behavior .. I ended up with chronic fatigue from my weekly chemo cocktails of -- Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin --
*1 year later and counting -- fatigue is STILL a issue. Worked with a PT regarding my -- chronic fatigue === 3 x's a week --- for 6 months. Insurance no more, so no PT.
Push yourself to walk up or down stairs there in your home, walk to the mail box.. Please note .. even if you are doing 'the old lady' walk, you will want to stop, or quit.. don't! Sweat will engulf your body .. push thru ...thoughts of passing out will soon take over your mind, a small voice will be saying over and over again, you can't do this .... swear these thoughts off .. You are STRONG
chemo and 'our' side effort are cumulative - please fight, fight, fight!
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam
my dr. prescribes steroids. Since my fatigue was worse on day 3 & 4 after my treatments I was told to take 5 mil of the steroids each day. For instance... my treatments were on a Friday - my fatigue was on Monday and Tues so I was told to take the pills on Sunday,& Monday evening. It worked for me - the fatigue wasn't that bad after that.
but everyone is different and what was best for me may not be for you. I suggest you talk to your Dr. and tell him how you are feeling and go from there.
Much love to you on your journey.0 -
day 3 and 4
Fatigue was cumulative for me as well. At first day 3 was my really low day. By treatment 4 of TC, I was really low for all of day 3 and 4. Day 5 became the new "I feel better day." But if you think your fatigue is out of the ordinary, call your Oncologist. Don't wait until Friday. The nurse/ Onc can tell you what normal is and if they should be concerned for your health.
My son kept my bird feeder filled. On Days 3 and 4, I watched the birds and the wind. My exercise was to the toilet and kitchen and back to bed.0 -
the first treatment of anyKatmy said:day 3 and 4
Fatigue was cumulative for me as well. At first day 3 was my really low day. By treatment 4 of TC, I was really low for all of day 3 and 4. Day 5 became the new "I feel better day." But if you think your fatigue is out of the ordinary, call your Oncologist. Don't wait until Friday. The nurse/ Onc can tell you what normal is and if they should be concerned for your health.
My son kept my bird feeder filled. On Days 3 and 4, I watched the birds and the wind. My exercise was to the toilet and kitchen and back to bed.
the first treatment of any cocktail has been by far the worse for me. Seems to be better the more I get them. I try to stay ahead of the blas by taking my anti meds and motrin and sleeping more. Good luck!!!!0 -
Nancy I was increasingly
Nancy I was increasingly fatigued with each chemo session, I had 8 1/2 infusions in all. You can stay in bed and rest, and drink water if you can. We all react differently, but fatigue was one side effect that plagued me throughout my treatment. By the time my last infusion was completed, I was in bed for at least 10 days after it. I just went with the flow and rested, there was not much else I could do. I could not read nor focus on any tv program because I was in my chemo fog. My last chemo was a year ago this past March 30 th, and I want to tell you that "this too shall pass"!!. Yu will get thru it, as we all have, and as many of us are here to tell you so. Dont fight it, BC treatment is no fun but it is doable, do for your body whatever it needs, and if it's bed rest by all means girl do it. I had chemo every 3 weeks and the week just before my next chemo I'd start to feel good again. Rest, rest, rest and take care of your body and remember we are all different.0 -
Thank you all so much fornatly15 said:Nancy I was increasingly
Nancy I was increasingly fatigued with each chemo session, I had 8 1/2 infusions in all. You can stay in bed and rest, and drink water if you can. We all react differently, but fatigue was one side effect that plagued me throughout my treatment. By the time my last infusion was completed, I was in bed for at least 10 days after it. I just went with the flow and rested, there was not much else I could do. I could not read nor focus on any tv program because I was in my chemo fog. My last chemo was a year ago this past March 30 th, and I want to tell you that "this too shall pass"!!. Yu will get thru it, as we all have, and as many of us are here to tell you so. Dont fight it, BC treatment is no fun but it is doable, do for your body whatever it needs, and if it's bed rest by all means girl do it. I had chemo every 3 weeks and the week just before my next chemo I'd start to feel good again. Rest, rest, rest and take care of your body and remember we are all different.
Thank you all so much for your empathy and wise advice! I really don't feel so alone after reading your comments. I will ask about the steriods. I do work out and have gone to th gym just about everyday except for days 3 and 4 following treatment. The thing I guess that bothered me most was the pain in my hips and back from being in bed so long at one time (I did get up of course for the bathroom and to drink here and there). Maybe I should take Motrin regularly along with the nausea meds during those couple of days. Thanks again everyone for sharing!
Nancy0 -
fatigueBioAdoptMom said:Thank you all so much for
Thank you all so much for your empathy and wise advice! I really don't feel so alone after reading your comments. I will ask about the steriods. I do work out and have gone to th gym just about everyday except for days 3 and 4 following treatment. The thing I guess that bothered me most was the pain in my hips and back from being in bed so long at one time (I did get up of course for the bathroom and to drink here and there). Maybe I should take Motrin regularly along with the nausea meds during those couple of days. Thanks again everyone for sharing!
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I am going in for my second (of six) TAC treatments this morning. It is so hard to know what normal is regarding fatigue! I was told my first two days I would feel "normal" but I was actually wiped out already. The next four days I was very fatigued also to the point of my hips and legs being sore from being in bed. And like you, I was hoping to get some reading done but it didn't happen! But I agree with the others about exercise/movement helping. And also with the person (Heather I think?) who said save your energy for what is absolutely necessary. By a week later I was feeling much better, but each day I have been been fatigued to some extent. I have found that just taking 20-30 minutes to lie down helps tremendously when I remember to do it. Also, both my oncologists highly encouraged exercise, which I was thankful for. I am probably considered an exercise addict
but I have scaled back tremendously and added yoga and energizing workouts. I am not sure what type of exercise you are doing at the gym, but I've found on days when I've tried to keep up with what I was doing before I was completely drained at the end of the day. My PA also told me that on the hardest days that is when they want me to push myself to get out of bed, of course not over doing it, but she said they don't want me not getting up at all. I did take Motrin or Tylenol (can't remember which one) after the Neulasta shot. I can't remember if you said you got that, but I was told that may cause achiness. One more thing, I was taking Compazine in addition for nausea and once I stopped taking that I got a little more energy.
I hope the second treatment goes better for you and that your doctor has some advice that will help. I'm sorry for the long post!
Take care,
Julie0 -
Can't say anything more than what's been saidjewels5 said:fatigue
Hi Nancy,
I am going in for my second (of six) TAC treatments this morning. It is so hard to know what normal is regarding fatigue! I was told my first two days I would feel "normal" but I was actually wiped out already. The next four days I was very fatigued also to the point of my hips and legs being sore from being in bed. And like you, I was hoping to get some reading done but it didn't happen! But I agree with the others about exercise/movement helping. And also with the person (Heather I think?) who said save your energy for what is absolutely necessary. By a week later I was feeling much better, but each day I have been been fatigued to some extent. I have found that just taking 20-30 minutes to lie down helps tremendously when I remember to do it. Also, both my oncologists highly encouraged exercise, which I was thankful for. I am probably considered an exercise addict but I have scaled back tremendously and added yoga and energizing workouts. I am not sure what type of exercise you are doing at the gym, but I've found on days when I've tried to keep up with what I was doing before I was completely drained at the end of the day. My PA also told me that on the hardest days that is when they want me to push myself to get out of bed, of course not over doing it, but she said they don't want me not getting up at all. I did take Motrin or Tylenol (can't remember which one) after the Neulasta shot. I can't remember if you said you got that, but I was told that may cause achiness. One more thing, I was taking Compazine in addition for nausea and once I stopped taking that I got a little more energy.
I hope the second treatment goes better for you and that your doctor has some advice that will help. I'm sorry for the long post!
Take care,
Julie
So tired, just wiped out for 3 days. Couldn't find the energy to talk or eat. I did push myself to get up and walk, only so I wouldn't get constipated laying in the bed. Didn't eat much. On the 4th day I was up as if nothing had happened, it was the strangest thing. I went from hurting so tired, to ok let's get going.
May not be laying in bed that makes you hurt. That Neulasta shot makes you hurt regardless. Just remember that it will pass, this won't last forever.0 -
I had a total of 8ms.sunshine said:Can't say anything more than what's been said
So tired, just wiped out for 3 days. Couldn't find the energy to talk or eat. I did push myself to get up and walk, only so I wouldn't get constipated laying in the bed. Didn't eat much. On the 4th day I was up as if nothing had happened, it was the strangest thing. I went from hurting so tired, to ok let's get going.
May not be laying in bed that makes you hurt. That Neulasta shot makes you hurt regardless. Just remember that it will pass, this won't last forever.
I had a total of 8 treatments, my last one in 3 weeks! YAY! With the first four AC treatments, more tired & nauseous. Took 3-4 days to lie around in my recliner. I just had my third treatment of Taxotere, Neulasta shots every day after. First treatment I was in bed at night with bone pain..legs, overies ect. Layed with a heating blanket all night, diareah & hot flashes, itching, red palms, scaling, some blistering. No pain second treatment, red hands, tiny blisters, no day time naps but was pooped at bed time! Never stopped doing things and ran errands every day. Actually if your able, getting out seems to take your mind off your symptoms...... I just had mt third treatment today....one more to go. finding out if I have to do rads this week! assuming I do as I had a mastectomy, small pea size tumor, with borders 3 lymph nodes removed, two positive. hoping they can aim the radiation under the arm! I had a skin conserving surgery and immediate implant. I'm 470 -
Any thing I can do
I actually asked the medical oncologist this question at my consult with him. His reply was, "No, the chemo will do what it does." That being said, you could ask about Claratin that may mitigate the pain after the Neulasta shot. It is an anithistamine used for allergies and I have a supply from when I was on it for allergies. I have not had to use this but asked about this at my first chemo. I noted that I was on Allegra for allergies and was unsure it I should switch over or could double up. The nurse suggested that I call my allergist regarding this. However, I seem to not need it as the Allegra has kept me in good stead (except for the following paragraph).
However, yesterday I tested the theory that excercise will ward off nausea. I was smart enough to ask my husband to help me with the shovelling I needed to accomplish and cut the job short as possible. I may have overdid it as I am sore. (I never got sore muscles prior to cancer even when starting something for the first time in the season). However, today is also the same day that the oncologist said would be the worst day for me (one week out of chemo). So perhaps this is also part of it. So I will bring the grandkids over to the farm to finish the shoveling job over the weekend. It did however ward off nausea. I think I will stick to walking and bike riding. Like the others said. Move, even if it is like a grandma. I keep telling myslelf that I will do most of the same things I did before bc because, I have bc and it does not have me.0
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