Zero energy

Just_lori6

I've only had 3 chemo treatments & after the third one I am finding I have zero energy. Is this normal? I don't recall feeling this way after the first two.

Ugh~ all I can do is lay around & its driving me crazy! 

Best wishes to everyone~

♡ Lori

disneyfan2008

no advice, just a

no advice, just a hug

 

Denise

jessiesmom1

Lack of Energy

To have an utter lack of energy during chemo is 100 percent normal. Fatigue is probably the single most common chemo side effect. Many people (myself included) find that chemo side effects are magnified as the rounds continue and the type of side effects are more varied. Basically that means more and stronger side effects. I remember my fatigue something like this: Take off pajamas to take a shower. Take shower while seated. Put pajamas back on. Exhausted. Go back to bed. Of course, everyone is different. Some barely feel a thing and continue to work full-time. That would definitely have not been me. You can get through this. I did. That yucky period of my life was 5.5 years ago.

IRENE

maglets

jessiesmom1 said:

Lack of Energy

To have an utter lack of energy during chemo is 100 percent normal. Fatigue is probably the single most common chemo side effect. Many people (myself included) find that chemo side effects are magnified as the rounds continue and the type of side effects are more varied. Basically that means more and stronger side effects. I remember my fatigue something like this: Take off pajamas to take a shower. Take shower while seated. Put pajamas back on. Exhausted. Go back to bed. Of course, everyone is different. Some barely feel a thing and continue to work full-time. That would definitely have not been me. You can get through this. I did. That yucky period of my life was 5.5 years ago.

IRENE

Lori

Lori I think that exhaustion is a very real possibility with chemo.  I too am new to the breast forum....recently diagnosed but i have done 3 years of chemo for my colorectal cancer.  I found that the fatigue would accumulate as the chemo went on......the first couple of rounds were almost like....."well this isn't too bad" but then it would it get harder.  Irene is right....try to be very gentle with yourself.....yes some people do work straight through the process.....i could not have worked......I definitely was more of the lay on the couch and stare at the ceiling kind of chemo girl.  It doesn't last forever.....are you trying to get a little exercise .....a walk down to the corner and back? something small and doable.....eat whatever appeals to you Lori and keep on drinking that yummy water....

sending love, maggie

twnkltoz

Oh gosh yes. I couldn't work

Oh gosh yes. I couldn't work much at all during chemo or do much of anything fun. I generally had a week of being constantly exhausted, then a week of feeling OK before the next treatment.  It will get worse, but then once you're off the chemo you should start bouncing back in a couple weeks.

Teach76

Fatigue Club

hi, Lori

 

     Yes, fatigue was the worse SE for me.  It was not that I was tired all the time, for me it was the muscle fatigue - especially my legs.  I found that the 2 days after neulasta shot made me sleep a lot, but the rest of the days I could not do much in an hour's time.  I found myself reserving my energy for what was most important to do: homework or boardgames with my daughter, laundry a few days, cooking a good meal at least once a week, going out to lunch with a dear friend:)

 

      I am now 13 weeks past Neoadjuvant chemo, and still I have fatigue.  It is a little better each week, but still there.   Fatigue is your body's way of telling you, " take it easy, I'm working in here to heal you."  Be kind to yourself and let others help you as needed.  You are not giving up your independence or responsibilities.  You are allowing others to let theirs shine!

peace and prayers,

Kathy

 

camul

Totally normal.

The longer I was getting it the more fatigued I became.  I was on 5 different chemo over a period of 2 1/2 years administered weekly  I had 2 weeks off to do scans periodically which would show the chemo wasn't working, then it was start a new one.  This kept up until I had PE and blood clots, then it was no more chemo and they took me off the hormone blocker.

Said time for hispice.  I was exhausted but not ready for hospice. Went to a different cancer center.  Still no chemo as it was not effective on my tumors but put me back on Aromason.  But the fatigue was progressive.  Along with the pain I was and am in, they suggested taking a stimulant with it.  Instead I did a low dose steroid for a bit.  Now I am ready for the steroids again to strengthen my system and ritlin stimulent) for the exhaustion, I will see a f it works.

Chemo takes so much out of you.  I found that the steroids did boost my energy and unfortunately my weight.  Now I have dropped all of it so am curious to see if the lbs stack up again.  As exhausted as I was, I also found that walking close to 2 miles twice a day helped boost my energy.

TraciInLA

camul said:

Totally normal.

The longer I was getting it the more fatigued I became.  I was on 5 different chemo over a period of 2 1/2 years administered weekly  I had 2 weeks off to do scans periodically which would show the chemo wasn't working, then it was start a new one.  This kept up until I had PE and blood clots, then it was no more chemo and they took me off the hormone blocker.

Said time for hispice.  I was exhausted but not ready for hospice. Went to a different cancer center.  Still no chemo as it was not effective on my tumors but put me back on Aromason.  But the fatigue was progressive.  Along with the pain I was and am in, they suggested taking a stimulant with it.  Instead I did a low dose steroid for a bit.  Now I am ready for the steroids again to strengthen my system and ritlin stimulent) for the exhaustion, I will see a f it works.

Chemo takes so much out of you.  I found that the steroids did boost my energy and unfortunately my weight.  Now I have dropped all of it so am curious to see if the lbs stack up again.  As exhausted as I was, I also found that walking close to 2 miles twice a day helped boost my energy.

Try, try, try to go for short doable walks

Lori,

Chemo fatigue does often get worse as you do more rounds -- that's totally normal.

Boy, do I relate to Irene's story about just barely having enough energy to take a shower -- there were days it would take me hours just to summon enough energy to do that!

But my oncologist just kept telling me over and over that, according to research, the BEST way to fight chemo fatigue is mild exercise, such as walking.  As several others here have said, please try, try, try to even just walk to the corner and back, or your mailbox and back, anything.  It really will help.

Traci

 

 

Just_lori6

maglets said:

Lori

Lori I think that exhaustion is a very real possibility with chemo.  I too am new to the breast forum....recently diagnosed but i have done 3 years of chemo for my colorectal cancer.  I found that the fatigue would accumulate as the chemo went on......the first couple of rounds were almost like....."well this isn't too bad" but then it would it get harder.  Irene is right....try to be very gentle with yourself.....yes some people do work straight through the process.....i could not have worked......I definitely was more of the lay on the couch and stare at the ceiling kind of chemo girl.  It doesn't last forever.....are you trying to get a little exercise .....a walk down to the corner and back? something small and doable.....eat whatever appeals to you Lori and keep on drinking that yummy water....

sending love, maggie

8)

Thanks Maggie, I had hoped to return to work during chemo but that is not a possibility for me. I am a lay on the couch stare at the celing girl to.I have a pretty big back yard so I try to walk around the yard while the dogs play & I also have a tread mill which I just got myself onto this morning. I actually feel better getting in some kind of exercise.I do think part of my problem is I can't eat anything. It's a vicious circle. I'm hungry but nothing tastes good, then I wait too long to eat so between the fatigue & hunger I don't have the energy to get anything to eat and I feel worse. I've got to get it under control. 

Thanks so much for the advice~ I hope your doing well with your newest diagnosis. 

Hugs to you Maggie,

Lori

Just_lori6

jessiesmom1 said:

Lack of Energy

To have an utter lack of energy during chemo is 100 percent normal. Fatigue is probably the single most common chemo side effect. Many people (myself included) find that chemo side effects are magnified as the rounds continue and the type of side effects are more varied. Basically that means more and stronger side effects. I remember my fatigue something like this: Take off pajamas to take a shower. Take shower while seated. Put pajamas back on. Exhausted. Go back to bed. Of course, everyone is different. Some barely feel a thing and continue to work full-time. That would definitely have not been me. You can get through this. I did. That yucky period of my life was 5.5 years ago.

IRENE

8)

Hi Irene,

Whew, you've made me feel so much better. It seemed after my frst 2 rounds I was going to be pretty good but after this third round my but is dragging! Haha, that is exactly me! Take off pj's , take a shower, put on pj's, go back to be or the couch. I usually try to play with my dogs a little bit but now all I do is lay around which means they do to. 

Thank you! As I lay here I feel as if this is my new life of not being able to move. It is so nice to hear it will end some day.

XO,

Lori

Just_lori6

twnkltoz said:

Oh gosh yes. I couldn't work

Oh gosh yes. I couldn't work much at all during chemo or do much of anything fun. I generally had a week of being constantly exhausted, then a week of feeling OK before the next treatment.  It will get worse, but then once you're off the chemo you should start bouncing back in a couple weeks.

8)

Woohoo!! Great news to hear. I'm really worried about going back to work but not sure I'm going to be able to. I'm so happy to hear I'm not alone. I was thinking since the first two went well that there was something wrong. Do you know if (T) chemo is better as far as the fatigue goes. I've heard there will be different side effects. I am scheduled to return to work while I am still getting my (T) chemo & if I am as fatigued as I am now there's no way I can go back to work. 

Thanks for your advice, what would I do without everyone on this site? 

Hope your still doing great after all uour treatments~

♡Lori 

Just_lori6

Teach76 said:

Fatigue Club

hi, Lori

 

     Yes, fatigue was the worse SE for me.  It was not that I was tired all the time, for me it was the muscle fatigue - especially my legs.  I found that the 2 days after neulasta shot made me sleep a lot, but the rest of the days I could not do much in an hour's time.  I found myself reserving my energy for what was most important to do: homework or boardgames with my daughter, laundry a few days, cooking a good meal at least once a week, going out to lunch with a dear friend:)

 

      I am now 13 weeks past Neoadjuvant chemo, and still I have fatigue.  It is a little better each week, but still there.   Fatigue is your body's way of telling you, " take it easy, I'm working in here to heal you."  Be kind to yourself and let others help you as needed.  You are not giving up your independence or responsibilities.  You are allowing others to let theirs shine!

peace and prayers,

Kathy

 

8)

Thank you Kathy,

I have such a hard time believing I just need to sit down. I mean the feeling of fatigue really doesn't give me a choice but the whole time I'm just laying around I'm thinking of all the stuff I need to do. I am learning to prioritize what really needs to be done in the few minutes I have to get up before it hits me again. 

I have one more AC treatment and then I will have 4 T treatments. Do you know if the fatigue come with the T chemo as well? My job expects me back in just a couple weeks & if the T chemo makes me tired I doubt working is hoing to be an option?

Thank you Kathy~ peace & prayers to uou as well.

Lori

 

Just_lori6

TraciInLA said:

Try, try, try to go for short doable walks

Lori,

Chemo fatigue does often get worse as you do more rounds -- that's totally normal.

Boy, do I relate to Irene's story about just barely having enough energy to take a shower -- there were days it would take me hours just to summon enough energy to do that!

But my oncologist just kept telling me over and over that, according to research, the BEST way to fight chemo fatigue is mild exercise, such as walking.  As several others here have said, please try, try, try to even just walk to the corner and back, or your mailbox and back, anything.  It really will help.

Traci

 

 

8)

Hi Traci,

Haha.... I am totally relating to Irene. That's pretty much my day every day now. I try to wash like 5 dishes each time I get up to get water but sometimes I only manage 3 before I need to lay back down. I did get on the tread mill for 10 minutes about an hour ago. As hard as it was it really has seemed to give me some energy. Who would've thought exercise would help. I've heard radiation is better for some and worse fore some. I'm hoping radiation comes better to me than chemo because this feeling like a wet wash cloth is irritating 8)

Thanks as always Traci,

~Lori 

TraciInLA

Just_lori6 said:

8)

Hi Traci,

Haha.... I am totally relating to Irene. That's pretty much my day every day now. I try to wash like 5 dishes each time I get up to get water but sometimes I only manage 3 before I need to lay back down. I did get on the tread mill for 10 minutes about an hour ago. As hard as it was it really has seemed to give me some energy. Who would've thought exercise would help. I've heard radiation is better for some and worse fore some. I'm hoping radiation comes better to me than chemo because this feeling like a wet wash cloth is irritating 8)

Thanks as always Traci,

~Lori 

Good for you!

10 minutes on the treadmill is AWESOME, Lori!  Try to do that just 1 more time later today, okay?  You can do it! 

I also totally relate to not having any energy to make myself something to eat -- just the walk to the kitchen was enough to exhaust me!

What worked for me was to focus on protein -- that really helped me feel better.  I stocked up on single-serve things for my fridge that I could just grab and go back to the couch: cheese sticks, single-serve cottage cheeses, single-serve yogurt, etc.  Those were also pretty easy on my tummy, if I was feeling nauseous.  I really, really noticed a difference if I got some protein in me.

Traci

Just_lori6

camul said:

Totally normal.

The longer I was getting it the more fatigued I became.  I was on 5 different chemo over a period of 2 1/2 years administered weekly  I had 2 weeks off to do scans periodically which would show the chemo wasn't working, then it was start a new one.  This kept up until I had PE and blood clots, then it was no more chemo and they took me off the hormone blocker.

Said time for hispice.  I was exhausted but not ready for hospice. Went to a different cancer center.  Still no chemo as it was not effective on my tumors but put me back on Aromason.  But the fatigue was progressive.  Along with the pain I was and am in, they suggested taking a stimulant with it.  Instead I did a low dose steroid for a bit.  Now I am ready for the steroids again to strengthen my system and ritlin stimulent) for the exhaustion, I will see a f it works.

Chemo takes so much out of you.  I found that the steroids did boost my energy and unfortunately my weight.  Now I have dropped all of it so am curious to see if the lbs stack up again.  As exhausted as I was, I also found that walking close to 2 miles twice a day helped boost my energy.

8)

Hi Camul,

I think of you daily in hopes that my wishes and prayers for you are heard. Thanks as always for your advice. I was thinking since the first two rounds weren't too bad that I was going to float through chemo pretty well but nope! My butt is dragging. I feel like a wet wash cloth that is trying to walk & clean. UGH. I keep trying to tell myself that it will be over eventually but right now it sure doesn't seem like it. 

I know you have tried so many different things in your journey. Have you considered or called Cancer Treatment Centers of America? I had googled success stories when I was first diagnosed because all I could do was cry. There are so many success stories from Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Some of the patients have stories similar to yours and they have been cured. One lady seems alot like you and she had stayed at the treatment center for several months (like hospice but better). She received many different treatments along with an exercise & diet plan. She said with in weeks her pain disappeared and by the time she was ready to go she felt like a million bucks. I'm sure you've already considered them as you've done so much. Just thought to mention it. They take almost any insurance and they are in many different states. I think they seem successful because they treat the mind, body, diet, everything together for a healthy person. 

Anyways, if you've heard it all before I'm sorry to bother you with it. Know that I think great wishes for you daily and very much appreciate your advice.

Thanks and take care of you~

Lori

 

 

Just_lori6

disneyfan2008 said:

no advice, just a

no advice, just a hug

 

Denise

8)

Thank you always~

Lori ♡

Teach76

Just_lori6 said:

8)

Thank you Kathy,

I have such a hard time believing I just need to sit down. I mean the feeling of fatigue really doesn't give me a choice but the whole time I'm just laying around I'm thinking of all the stuff I need to do. I am learning to prioritize what really needs to be done in the few minutes I have to get up before it hits me again. 

I have one more AC treatment and then I will have 4 T treatments. Do you know if the fatigue come with the T chemo as well? My job expects me back in just a couple weeks & if the T chemo makes me tired I doubt working is hoing to be an option?

Thank you Kathy~ peace & prayers to uou as well.

Lori

 

Taxotere was what caused my

Taxotere was what caused my fatigue.  After round 4 out of 6 I really began to feel the fatigue.  The other problem that started was severe swelling in my legs and feet.  I was put on a steroid pack and LASIK, but I continued with swelling and fatigue.  Steps were especially difficult for me.  In my job I would have been expected to go up and down stairs about 4 times a day.  No way that was going to happen.  I thought I would be out from September to December, yet here I am, 12 weeks post chemo still having SE.

remember that we all handle it differently, but that was/is my experience with Taxotere.

Kathy

Puffin2014

Just_lori6 said:

8)

Hi Camul,

I think of you daily in hopes that my wishes and prayers for you are heard. Thanks as always for your advice. I was thinking since the first two rounds weren't too bad that I was going to float through chemo pretty well but nope! My butt is dragging. I feel like a wet wash cloth that is trying to walk & clean. UGH. I keep trying to tell myself that it will be over eventually but right now it sure doesn't seem like it. 

I know you have tried so many different things in your journey. Have you considered or called Cancer Treatment Centers of America? I had googled success stories when I was first diagnosed because all I could do was cry. There are so many success stories from Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Some of the patients have stories similar to yours and they have been cured. One lady seems alot like you and she had stayed at the treatment center for several months (like hospice but better). She received many different treatments along with an exercise & diet plan. She said with in weeks her pain disappeared and by the time she was ready to go she felt like a million bucks. I'm sure you've already considered them as you've done so much. Just thought to mention it. They take almost any insurance and they are in many different states. I think they seem successful because they treat the mind, body, diet, everything together for a healthy person. 

Anyways, if you've heard it all before I'm sorry to bother you with it. Know that I think great wishes for you daily and very much appreciate your advice.

Thanks and take care of you~

Lori

 

 

chemo whipped my butt too

I had 4 rounds of cytoxin and taxotere and the taxotere whipped my butt. I had retired the year before so didn't have the concern of returning to work. I am so grateful that Lew was here to help me - he took care of doing the dishes and trying to keep the house picked up a bit. I spent so much time in my recliner I was afraid I might get sores on my butt. Taxotere made me short of breath, I couldn't bend over and tie my shoes. Wasn't able to do one flight of stairs for a couple months after chemo.

As for radiation, it was a breeze for me. Those who hadn't had chemo were telling me how tired they were, and I could feel my strength returning every day during rads. I didn't have a treadmill at home and didn't want to expose myself to all the germs at the gym. Lew would come home over the noon hour and we'd go for a slow walk, me holding onto one of his arms with my left arm and my cane with my right. We'd walk across the street, around our neighbor's house and back to our house and by the time we got home sweat was running down my face as if I'd run a marathon, and then I'd take a nap.

Do you have a YMCA near you? Check if they have the Livestrong program for cancer survivors after you're done with chemo. It's a free program, you meet twice a week with a small group of other survivors and several trainers. They totally individualize your exercise program as to what you can do, and I found it invaluable in getting back in shape. You can also use the Y facilities free during the 3 months of classes.

I joined the Y after my classes (I qualified for a scholarship membership so it only costs me $25/month) and am now walking 10,000 steps a day.

Just_lori6

TraciInLA said:

Good for you!

10 minutes on the treadmill is AWESOME, Lori!  Try to do that just 1 more time later today, okay?  You can do it! 

I also totally relate to not having any energy to make myself something to eat -- just the walk to the kitchen was enough to exhaust me!

What worked for me was to focus on protein -- that really helped me feel better.  I stocked up on single-serve things for my fridge that I could just grab and go back to the couch: cheese sticks, single-serve cottage cheeses, single-serve yogurt, etc.  Those were also pretty easy on my tummy, if I was feeling nauseous.  I really, really noticed a difference if I got some protein in me.

Traci

Got snacks

Hi Traci,

Just wanted to say thanks again for the great advice! I bought single serve items over the weekend so I could grab & go back to the couch. What great advice, can't believe I didn't think of that. I am feeling better today of coarse right before I go back for another round 8)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

~Lori 

Just_lori6

Puffin2014 said:

chemo whipped my butt too

I had 4 rounds of cytoxin and taxotere and the taxotere whipped my butt. I had retired the year before so didn't have the concern of returning to work. I am so grateful that Lew was here to help me - he took care of doing the dishes and trying to keep the house picked up a bit. I spent so much time in my recliner I was afraid I might get sores on my butt. Taxotere made me short of breath, I couldn't bend over and tie my shoes. Wasn't able to do one flight of stairs for a couple months after chemo.

As for radiation, it was a breeze for me. Those who hadn't had chemo were telling me how tired they were, and I could feel my strength returning every day during rads. I didn't have a treadmill at home and didn't want to expose myself to all the germs at the gym. Lew would come home over the noon hour and we'd go for a slow walk, me holding onto one of his arms with my left arm and my cane with my right. We'd walk across the street, around our neighbor's house and back to our house and by the time we got home sweat was running down my face as if I'd run a marathon, and then I'd take a nap.

Do you have a YMCA near you? Check if they have the Livestrong program for cancer survivors after you're done with chemo. It's a free program, you meet twice a week with a small group of other survivors and several trainers. They totally individualize your exercise program as to what you can do, and I found it invaluable in getting back in shape. You can also use the Y facilities free during the 3 months of classes.

I joined the Y after my classes (I qualified for a scholarship membership so it only costs me $25/month) and am now walking 10,000 steps a day.

Thank you 8)

Hi Puffin,

Ugh, I am supposed to be back to work on the 1st of March & that is when I will start Taxotere.

That is wonderful you had Lee to help you. I am married but my husband works 12 hours a day so he is gone most of the time & when he gets home he is too tired to clean.

Luckily the tread mill has bars on each side so if I need to I can hang onto them.

Woohoo! I know we are all different but it sounds like radiation will go better maybe hopefully. 

I do have a Y with the live strong classes. I'm going to check into that to help me get back to active. I have gone to the gym a couple times but as soon as my white cell count dropped I stopped going. Do not want to get sick.

Thanks again, your always so helpful!

~Lori 

Nashville 2-16

Fatigue

I am new to this site and have never been in a chat room.  I was diagnosed in June and finished my chemo in November had such fatigue with "Red Devil" and other symptoms but fatigue the worse.  I am 3 1/2 weeks from bilateral mastectomy and lymph node dissection.  I thought I was through with fatigue.  I am still tired and taking a shower is the worse but I do it and try to exercise a little a day.  I start rad on Wednesday and am assured fatigue is better.  I am counting on it.