How much longer?

Mosis50

I finished my 8 chemo sessions 6 weeks ago (AC and then T) and I am still feeling so tired. Is this normal? My legs are so weak and I still have tingling in hands and feet. I know I am impatient but I wish I would feel better soon. I am so tired of being tired. I am working and I am so tired from "pretending" to be OK when I get home that I can hardly move. I go to bed early but never seem to get enough rest because I am always so tired and my legs are so weak. I just need to know if this is normal or not and HOW MUCH LONGER AM I GOING TO FEEL THIS WAY!!! OK, I feel better since I got this off my chest.

hummingbyrd

Halleluia, Praise the Lord! Improvement just through posting a note. Isn't that wonderful?!
In answer to your question...this too shall pass.
Probably going to take you a little longer with all the other obligations you have, work, cooking, laundry, shopping, it all adds up! So, get as much rest as you can and know things do get better. There is life after chemo! (((HUGS)))hummb

Unknown

Hi
Just letting you know it's OK to tell people you are still tired, maybe a little more help will come your way in the form of a dinner, free childcare etc.... Maybe a good friend could spread the news you still need a bit of occassional help? I too was frustrated (especially with my husband, who couldn't wait to be "normal" again).
As impossible as it sounds, light exercise might help you. But never to the point of fatigue. Maybe try it on the weekend and see if it helps. A chemo nurse encouraged me to try and exercise a bit and it helped me. I think it was good to get some endomorphines flowing. Good luck to you!

DeeNY711

I started to feel a lot better 12 weeks after chemotherapy. However, that occurred during a break between Zone 1 of radiation therapy and Zone 2. When I restarted radiation therapy, some of the fatigue returned... some of the weakness in the legs returned. It is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, though, and Hummingbyrd is so right when she says that with time, you will definitely see improvement. In a previous post, Jean mentioned that 9 months following chemotherapy, she was able to enjoy a trip to Paris without difficulty walking, climbing stairs or tiring. We can both look forward to that kind of increase in mobility together. It is upsetting to continue to experience such drastic effects so many weeks after reaching that grand day when chemotherapy treatments are finished. If you look back at how you felt when you felt your absolute worst, you will see that already you can notice appreciable improvement. It is not enough to party over, but it is moving in the right direction. Your body has been through so much. Love, Denise

DeeNY711

DeeNY711 said:

I started to feel a lot better 12 weeks after chemotherapy. However, that occurred during a break between Zone 1 of radiation therapy and Zone 2. When I restarted radiation therapy, some of the fatigue returned... some of the weakness in the legs returned. It is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, though, and Hummingbyrd is so right when she says that with time, you will definitely see improvement. In a previous post, Jean mentioned that 9 months following chemotherapy, she was able to enjoy a trip to Paris without difficulty walking, climbing stairs or tiring. We can both look forward to that kind of increase in mobility together. It is upsetting to continue to experience such drastic effects so many weeks after reaching that grand day when chemotherapy treatments are finished. If you look back at how you felt when you felt your absolute worst, you will see that already you can notice appreciable improvement. It is not enough to party over, but it is moving in the right direction. Your body has been through so much. Love, Denise

Mosis, Getupandgo is right! Eight weeks following the last chemotherapy treatment, I was very disappointed with the lack of improvement and I asked for permission to return to a structured exercise program for women over age 40. It uses 8 machines to move your muscles... even the ones you did not know you had! The first day, I was just glad that I could get on and off every machine without needing help. I let the machines do all the work. I noticed a significant improvement after only one week. That gave me the courage to try to do daily treadmill again. First try was only 3 1/2 minutes, but it was more than had been possible for many months. Now, I'm up to 5, 7 1/2, 8 1/2 or 10 minutes depending on of all things, the humidity, which seems to really increase debilitation. Hugs, Denise

kelli63

It will take anywhere from 6 months to a year to feel haolf way decent. I am almost 4 years out from all of mine and I still have probolems Hang in there this to shall pass

Kelly