Chemo Over & Not Feeling Better - HELP

Double Whammy said:

I remember my last cycle well
and I didn't have as much chemo as you! Nonetheless, the last one knocked me for a loop. I remember saying to my pcp "I'm so weak". Her response would be "you had chemo".
"My eyes are tearing". Again "you had chemo". "But I can't even walk to the corner" "You had chemo". "But I can't even eat, this isn't me". "You had chemo". And on and on until she finally simply said "It's poison!". She did keep a careful eye on me because these side effects (I also had low BP and tachycardia, was anemic, and ran a low grade fever) were serious regardless of what caused them. In hindsight, my onc wondered if I should have been hospitalized. I'd planned on visiting my grands about 3 weeks after my last chemo because I'd always felt fine by that time, but I didn't know if I could make the trip I was so weak. I wouldn't necessarily call it fatigue, I was like a limp dishrag. It took me about 6 weeks, and then it was like someone flipped a switch. One day I woke up and I was my old self again - just in time to drive myself to radiation every day. I didn't even have any radiation side effects. Go figure.

We're all different. I hope you're better soon. Remember, the side effects may be from having chemo, but if they're worrisome, be sure to get checked.

Suzanne

mamolady said:

Give your self time. If I am
Give your self time. If I am not mistaken 7-10 days is when your blood count is the lowest. I started to feel more normal after 3 weeks. It will take a while for your body to bounce back to what it was before chemo. Sometimes up to a year. I had the same cocktail and I still have days when I am beat! My last infusion was March 2 this year.

Rest when you need to and take advantage of the good days. Stay vigilant about germs for a bit because your immune system will take a little longer to recover too.

Cindy

jessiesmom1 said:

When to feel better
I am about a year ahead of you in this journey. I had 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 rounds of Taxotere. The last one was on August 4, 2010. It was not until about August 30th that I even BEGAN to feel better. That is when I started being able to keep my food down on a consistent basis. Once I knew I could eat without the likelihood of vomiting I was better both mentally and physically. Still it took until probably December until I could say that I was feeling pretty good almost every day. That is not to say that I was back to normal. I wasn't and I still am not. The main thing that continues to linger is a low energy level. A nap of about an hour seems to do the trick though. I see the oncologist every 3 months (including today as a matter of fact) and he says I am doing great - come back in another 3 months. You are expecting too much of yourself too soon. My oncologist says it takes 6 months to a year to feel "normal" again.

IRENE

Yes, it does take a long time to recover.  I finished my 6th round in July, surgery was not until March, then radiation was not begun until June.  I remember being so tired, but frustrated that my treatment was taking so long.  It was explained to me that I needed to give my body time to recover.  Like you, I wanted to be myself again right away.

after all treatment at my Plan meeting, onco stated that going through all 6 rounds was amazing!  Many do not make it through all 6, stopping because their bodies could not take more.  So understand that your body has been through much!  I initially took 3 months off from my job, thinking 1-2-3 everything would be over.  It took 13 months for treatment to conclude.  I am 8 months out of treatment and still having "late effects."  But I am gaining strength and energy every day.

Do what you feel you can - eat lots of fresh foods- and get out and enjoy the Springtime!  But do rest when you need to.

Kathy