when does the fatigue end?

pie
pie Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Had my first taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin chemo last Thursday. It is now Monday and I still feel tired and have no energy. How long does this feeling last? How did those of you who are done with chemo work or get anything done? Any suggestions how to get back my energy? I feel like I'll never be able to leave the house again.

Comments

  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #2
    Hi Pie--
    I didn't have your cocktail (had TAC) but I totally understand your lack of energy. Don't worry about getting too much done--sometimes you just have to give in to the fatigue and rest. Your body is going through so much with the chemo--be kind to it.

    Drink lots of water, eat whatever tastes okay (for me, not much) but I forced myself to eat whatever wasn't too yuky, try to rest as much as you can.

    This first treatment was only a few days ago--give it some more time. Trust me, you WILL be able to go out and do things again. Everyone is totally different, but my second week was a lot better and I did things as I could--but didn't force myself.

    Take care and be patient with yourself.

    Hugs, Renee
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #3
    (((HUGS)))
    Lots of us can relate to how you're feeling right now. The good news is that you WILL feel better! When I was having chemo treatments (I had Taxotere/Cytoxan) I did my treatments on Wednesday, and the following Saturday and Sunday were my worst days. By Monday I was able to go back to work (I also took the Thursday and Friday following treatment off - Thursday to get my Neulasta shot, and Friday to get the errands done I knew I wouldn't be up to doing on the weekend). Then by the following week, and especially just before my next treatment, I would feel pretty normal again. Just in time to start it all over again - YAY!!!!

    Of course, everyone is different, and many women were not able to work at all during chemo. There's no shame in having a tougher time, just as I get no credit just because I was able to tolerate it pretty well - just the luck of the draw. Even for me, toward the end I wasn't able to bounce back as quickly due to the cumulative effect.

    Take care of yourself and just rest as much as you need to rest. Drinking water and eating to keep your body fueled is important as well. This will not last forever, and you CAN make it to the finish line - Hang in there!!

    I'm hoping that you feel better very soon,
    Cindy
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #4
    It will get better
    I had a different drug combo ACT, but totally understand the fatigue. Sometimes you feel too tired to be tired. Just be good to yourself. Drink lots of water, eat whatever you want and that tastes good, try plastic silverware to help with "metal mouth" if you get it. Don't worry about getting things done. When friends and family ask what they can do to help -- tell them. Also, there's previous threads about help with house cleaning. Try to make this time about you doing what you need. Keep us posted.

    marge
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #5
    Hi Pie
    I am on the same thing you are and It takes about 6 days to start getting some energy back. It was worse in the beginning but I found out what helped me. I drink 3 or 4 ensure every day. The extra protein helps allot. You can also get protein bars if you like them better. I also take vit D-3 it helps rebuild what chemo takes out of the bones. Nurses told me about that. And I take one -a -day for women with 100 percent daily iron per day. Biotin for nails skin hair. I use all these and they really help me allot. The fatigue is not so bad. And the bone pain and muscle cramps are allot less. Also if you don't have it yet get some alcohol free mouth wash just in case you get mouth sores. If you use it three times a day maybe you can avoid that. Take care I hope this helps you get through it. Kay
  • AMomNETN
    AMomNETN Member Posts: 242
    #6
    cindycflynn said:

    (((HUGS)))
    Lots of us can relate to how you're feeling right now. The good news is that you WILL feel better! When I was having chemo treatments (I had Taxotere/Cytoxan) I did my treatments on Wednesday, and the following Saturday and Sunday were my worst days. By Monday I was able to go back to work (I also took the Thursday and Friday following treatment off - Thursday to get my Neulasta shot, and Friday to get the errands done I knew I wouldn't be up to doing on the weekend). Then by the following week, and especially just before my next treatment, I would feel pretty normal again. Just in time to start it all over again - YAY!!!!

    Of course, everyone is different, and many women were not able to work at all during chemo. There's no shame in having a tougher time, just as I get no credit just because I was able to tolerate it pretty well - just the luck of the draw. Even for me, toward the end I wasn't able to bounce back as quickly due to the cumulative effect.

    Take care of yourself and just rest as much as you need to rest. Drinking water and eating to keep your body fueled is important as well. This will not last forever, and you CAN make it to the finish line - Hang in there!!

    I'm hoping that you feel better very soon,
    Cindy

    Fatigue
    Cindy,
    I agree with you, toward the end it was very hard to bounce back. I had the taxoter/carboplatin cocktail. I had treatmen on Fri. got Neulasta shot on Mon. By Tues. I was done til Sat. or Sun. I slowly got more energy and felt pretty good in time for my nest treatment. Drink lots of water and take care of yourself. Listen to your body. You will learn what you can and can't do. Hang in there we've all been there. It is just different for each one of us.

    Janie
  • pie
    pie Member Posts: 19
    #7
    smalldoggroomer said:

    Hi Pie
    I am on the same thing you are and It takes about 6 days to start getting some energy back. It was worse in the beginning but I found out what helped me. I drink 3 or 4 ensure every day. The extra protein helps allot. You can also get protein bars if you like them better. I also take vit D-3 it helps rebuild what chemo takes out of the bones. Nurses told me about that. And I take one -a -day for women with 100 percent daily iron per day. Biotin for nails skin hair. I use all these and they really help me allot. The fatigue is not so bad. And the bone pain and muscle cramps are allot less. Also if you don't have it yet get some alcohol free mouth wash just in case you get mouth sores. If you use it three times a day maybe you can avoid that. Take care I hope this helps you get through it. Kay

    Thanks
    Thanks for the feedback. You all have given me some hope that this will end. I am tired of being tired and sitting and resting. Unfortunately my body won't let me do anything else. I'll try all of your suggestions. Thanks again.
  • MomMichelle
    MomMichelle Member Posts: 93
    #8
    I definitely agree with
    I definitely agree with Cindy. Thursday was my chemo day (TCH) and Sunday and MOnday after chemo were the worst. Every day after Monday got easier and as of Wednesday night, felt like myself. Actually by the weekend I froze 6 cheese steak meals, 6 stuffed shell meals and cooked up 10 pounds of hamburger to freeze for chili, tacos, etc. You are bound to feel better soon. Hang in there!
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #9
    You WILL feel better! So
    You WILL feel better! So hang in there and give your body a chance to heal. I felt gradually better, but it took time (months but not years). And you will have peppy days and lousy days while you are healing. It will not all be exhaustion. Sending healing hugs your way!

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