Fatigue

mnmassie
mnmassie Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had colorectal CA in 2006 (the year I turned 50) with oral chemo, radiation and a full completment of post surgical radiation after surgery. I was an active female, playing sports, hiking, etc before the treatments. I lost a lot of weight, and thus a lot of muscle mass while in treatments, but as soon as I could I went to the gym and began the slow process of trying to work back up to what I was. Well, 4 years later, I have decided that it is never going to happen. I am simply POOPED out (no pun intended!) at the end of the day. I work in healthcare and am on my feet all day. If I have something to do after work, I frequently have to really push through to get it done. I can play a soccer game (90 minutes of running) 2 times a week, but still feel so ragged the rest of the time. I don't understand it, but I just get up the next day and keep going.

It is really nice to read these postings and know that others are talking about the same thing! I have begun to read more about this phenomenon occuring after treatments with no medical reason for it...but I think that someone needs to get on the stick and start charting this stuff...more and more people are surviving. they treat us and send us on our way...and tell us to "deal with it" this is the new age of medicine....come on now, someone needs to give us survivors a bit better explanation, don't you think?? But don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work and play and feel tired at the end of the day! Cancer certainly has given me a new outlook on living...I just wished I could feel less like i had been run over by a truck at the end of each day!

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #2
    Fa'tique


    You didn't mention if you've been gifted with an ostomy or not,
    and depending on the ostomy (ileo or colo), it can make a 110%
    difference in the amount of energy you have and how long it lasts.

    But even without an ostomy, if they've taken some intestines out,
    your body's going to be acting a bit different.

    I didn't get chemo, or radiation, yet find that I still suffer from
    many of the symptoms the rest of this happy crew does.

    Fatigue, periods of low energy, sick feelings that come and go.
    My hair -is- falling out, but it's actually age related...

    I have an ileostomy, and I usually suffer from dehydration. But
    there's also a loss of nutrients, since the colon has gone missing
    since seeing the operating table. It's probably either in the dumpster
    or in the cafeteria freezer... probably the latter.

    Our systems are sensitive, and a lot of changes take place during
    the operation, and from the toxic chemicals they love to pump
    into their helpless patients. Even the anesthesia can leave the body
    in a weird mode that can last for a year or more (yup, true).

    And then of course, you turned 50 in 2006. So that makes you,
    what? 39 this year? Yeah, right.

    Good grief, I have rocks in the garden that are younger than you!

    Seriously, try taking a "power nap" around 1pm, and see if that helps.

    Mine last from around 1pm until around 5pm, then the power goes off
    completely, but maybe it'll work for you.

    Not to worry, you're perfectly nOrMaL.

    John
  • Geetar_Dave
    Geetar_Dave Member Posts: 7
    #3
    John23 said:

    Fa'tique


    You didn't mention if you've been gifted with an ostomy or not,
    and depending on the ostomy (ileo or colo), it can make a 110%
    difference in the amount of energy you have and how long it lasts.

    But even without an ostomy, if they've taken some intestines out,
    your body's going to be acting a bit different.

    I didn't get chemo, or radiation, yet find that I still suffer from
    many of the symptoms the rest of this happy crew does.

    Fatigue, periods of low energy, sick feelings that come and go.
    My hair -is- falling out, but it's actually age related...

    I have an ileostomy, and I usually suffer from dehydration. But
    there's also a loss of nutrients, since the colon has gone missing
    since seeing the operating table. It's probably either in the dumpster
    or in the cafeteria freezer... probably the latter.

    Our systems are sensitive, and a lot of changes take place during
    the operation, and from the toxic chemicals they love to pump
    into their helpless patients. Even the anesthesia can leave the body
    in a weird mode that can last for a year or more (yup, true).

    And then of course, you turned 50 in 2006. So that makes you,
    what? 39 this year? Yeah, right.

    Good grief, I have rocks in the garden that are younger than you!

    Seriously, try taking a "power nap" around 1pm, and see if that helps.

    Mine last from around 1pm until around 5pm, then the power goes off
    completely, but maybe it'll work for you.

    Not to worry, you're perfectly nOrMaL.

    John

    Could it be some anemia
    Could it be some anemia going on as well? Just a thought. I believe that is part of my problem. Of course, general laziness is also part of my problem, but that's a whole 'nother story!
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #4
    Geetar_Dave said:

    Could it be some anemia
    Could it be some anemia going on as well? Just a thought. I believe that is part of my problem. Of course, general laziness is also part of my problem, but that's a whole 'nother story!

    fatigue
    I say all hail nappie time....but you are still working poor thing. After 6 years and surgeries and 3 sets of chemo....I get up with a spring....do some cardio...walk for an hour...do housework and by one.....nappie time....all done in

    most nights by 8 the jammies are looking good...I am 63....old age...worn out with chemo, always stressed about cancer? I don't know :):)

    I suspect there are more of us here...zzzzzzzzzzz

    hugs mags
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #5
    I have been told
    I have been told that some of the fatigue never goes away.I have been on iron pills since surgery,2 years,and I still have days when I just feel tired.So on one of my days off,I just rest,and that helps.But I have more energy then I had before.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    karguy said:

    I have been told
    I have been told that some of the fatigue never goes away.I have been on iron pills since surgery,2 years,and I still have days when I just feel tired.So on one of my days off,I just rest,and that helps.But I have more energy then I had before.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #7
    Welcome to this forum,
    Welcome to this forum, mnmassie! It sounds like you lead a very busy + active life. Fatigue seems to be part of the "new normal" for a lot of people here. Take good care!

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