Hi everyone and a question

graybear1063
graybear1063 Member Posts: 1
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I had my last chemo treatment on Feb 22, 2012 and I was wondering why am I still so sluggish on some days. I've had two three-month scans which came back great, blood counts are still off a little. Most days I feel great and have a lot of energy, but when a "bad day" comes along it usually lasts for two or three days. I work part-time, three full days a week, and on my days off I usually end up taking a nap. When do things go back to normal?

Thanks.

Comments

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #2
    Welcome
    Hi Graybear and welcome :).

    You will probably hear from many of the wonderful and supportive
    folks here. It's a good group.

    I completed chemo about a year agoa nd I still deal with fatigue.
    I will say it has gotten a little better but I tend to take naps
    almost every day.

    I'm sure there are several factors involved (type of chemo, your age,
    any other health issues, etc.) and people on the same regimen have
    different effects during and after chemo. Some seem to bounce back
    quickly while others don't.

    It would help if you posted more details on the "about me" page so
    we will know more about you (type of cancer, chemo, etc.). My treatment
    was R-EPOCH (6 cycles).

    Again, welcome to the group and I'm sure you hear from other soon!

    Hugs and positive thoughts,

    Jim
    DX: DLBL 4/2011, Chemo completed 10/2011, currently in remission. :)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Fatigue
    I apparently had my lymphoma for years before being diagnosed. The whole time I was working 60-70 hours per week and thought my "malaise" or "fatigue", which was becoming disabling, was in my mind or caused by stress. I actually had a Dr. suggest I see a counselor. But thats another story. My onc who is very good says that my lymphoma had "flared" at some time in the past and that I had a lot of scar tissues on some of my internal organs. He said that the scar tissue has been known to cause damage which can lead to fatigue. I am in remission ("complete response") and still suffer fatigue. Like you, mine is sometimes just annoying but frequently disabling. Today for example I had to lay down for 3 hours in the afternoon. Last night I slept 14 hours instead of my usual 7. So what I would suggest is that you try to rest as much as possible. Its the only thing that helps me. I was so active my whole life that I found it difficult to take naps and rest. Made me feel like a slacker. Thats not the case though, its OK to rest. Good luck.
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #4
    Fatigue...
    Hi graybear, and welcome to the group,
    My first line chemo(CVP-R) ended in Dec 2010, and then in Feb 2011 I started my 2 year Rituxan maint...(1 infusion, every other month. I have 3 more Rituxan infusions and then I am done. I'm anxious to see if my energy level will pick up once I'm completely finished. I would guess I am 70% back to normal with my energy...some days are better than others, but high energy or sustained energy just hasn't happened yet since finishing chemo. I find that doing chores in small increments can help keep me going longer than if I try to do everything at one time. I also take 2 cat naps a day which is something I never use to do. It takes time to get back to normal, and what you will probably see is a "new" normal....not quite as good as the old normal. At least that's how it's been for me so far. Take care and let us know how things go for you. Best wishes...Sue
    (Follicular NHL-stage3-grade2-typeA-Dx 6/10-age 62)

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