Physical activity post treatment

MissBlueEyes4Life
MissBlueEyes4Life Member Posts: 35
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Anyone else feeling way, way out of shape after treatment?(several months out) I think I have about 85% of my energy back and yet to go on a simple walk I can't do anymore than 30min, and I am way slowing down about halfway through. I am very tired by the end of th e walk.  I used to be able to walk same speed for a good hour N half.  Is this the affect of chemo or from being in bed everyday for those months. I just am very surprised at how out of shape I am. I feel like an old person and I'm still in my early 20s! 

Comments

  • Andy13460
    Andy13460 Member Posts: 115
    #2
    Energy

    When did they last check your blood?  The Chemo hammers your red blood cells. Some people require EPO to get the red blood cells going again if the Kidneys are not producing it naturally. 

  • MissBlueEyes4Life
    MissBlueEyes4Life Member Posts: 35
    #3
    Andy13460 said:

    Energy

    When did they last check your blood?  The Chemo hammers your red blood cells. Some people require EPO to get the red blood cells going again if the Kidneys are not producing it naturally. 

    Probably 2 months ago. I

    Probably 2 months ago. I should be getting it checked this week though

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #4
    Thyroid

    Also have them check your thyroid level as radiation can zap that and an underactive thyroid can cause fatigue.

  • lewcap
    lewcap Member Posts: 23
    #5
    physical activity

    I'm sorry for the way you feel, but I cannot help being relieved that someone feels as I do. I feel very, very old...

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #6
    Fatigue hit me pretty hard.

    Fatigue hit me pretty hard. Prior to treatment I worked out regularly; gym, boxing and maintaining 2.5 acres. Post treatment it was hard to muster the energy to simply mow the yard and take care of the animals. I'd have to rest after taking the garbage cans up the driveway (it's a decent hill).

    I ended up just having to schedule excercise and treating it like my job. I just made myself do 30 minutes at the gym to start and walk a couple of miles. From there I built up some stamina and my body started getting used to the motions again and it got easier. The biggest issue is I developed pain and numbness in my legs. Fortunately that seems to be subsiding now (two weeks later).

    I'm about ready to start back to the boxing gym, but will probably give the regular gym another week or two first.

    Wife and I are hoping to start doing mud obstacle races again next year!

  • hlrowe
    hlrowe Member Posts: 80
    #7
    It takes months to recover

    I finished treatment June 2012 and did not get back to full strength for 6 to 7 months. 

  • aak16
    aak16 Member Posts: 24
    #8
    Fatigue & muscle loss

    I am about 3 1/2 months out from radiation and I definitely don't have my energy back.  Before treatment I was pretty active and had built up my strength quite a bit over the years doing differen HIIT workouts. In the beginning of treatment I was exercising at least every other day but eventually I stopped.  I lost about 20 pounds during treatment, and the nurse was probably right when she told me I'd lose muscle first. I can tell I have nowhere near the strength that I used to.  I moved recently and couldn't even carry the heavy boxes.  Another thing to think about is that I wasn't really eating for weeks... so inactivity and radiation combined with a lack of nutrition, definitely had an effect on my body.  I haven't started trying to exercise yet but plan to soon. I'm nervous because I know it'll be frustrating because it'll be like I'm starting from ground zero and need to work up my endurance and strength again.  I have heard that fatigue can last many months after the end of treatment so it's hard to know if it's fatigue or because I'm super out of shape now.  But I'm guessing if fatigue doesn't improve after a month of exercise, it's still post-treatment related fatigue.  

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    #9
    aak16 said:

    Fatigue & muscle loss

    I am about 3 1/2 months out from radiation and I definitely don't have my energy back.  Before treatment I was pretty active and had built up my strength quite a bit over the years doing differen HIIT workouts. In the beginning of treatment I was exercising at least every other day but eventually I stopped.  I lost about 20 pounds during treatment, and the nurse was probably right when she told me I'd lose muscle first. I can tell I have nowhere near the strength that I used to.  I moved recently and couldn't even carry the heavy boxes.  Another thing to think about is that I wasn't really eating for weeks... so inactivity and radiation combined with a lack of nutrition, definitely had an effect on my body.  I haven't started trying to exercise yet but plan to soon. I'm nervous because I know it'll be frustrating because it'll be like I'm starting from ground zero and need to work up my endurance and strength again.  I have heard that fatigue can last many months after the end of treatment so it's hard to know if it's fatigue or because I'm super out of shape now.  But I'm guessing if fatigue doesn't improve after a month of exercise, it's still post-treatment related fatigue.  

    Posts: 1

    Just wanted to say hello!

    Crystal

  • Chicklette
    Chicklette Member Posts: 225
    #10
    Tired

    My husband is about four months out from treatment and while he is doing very well, he still doesn’t have nearly the stamina that he had before treatment.  He gets frustrated that any physical exertion makes him tire out quickly.  I think the best thing to do is push yourself when you can, but rest when you need to.

  • AnotherSurvivor
    AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 384 Member
    #11
    I ended up seriously weaker

    I ended up seriously weaker and got fatiqued easily for the first year.  Now at a year post, things are much better.  My therapy was cat naps.  I sat down and the cat hopped on my lap.  We both took a nap, wonderfully civilized practice.  This return of energy is a two edged blade.

  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    edited December 2017 #12
    Baby Steps

    The first time I tried jogging after treatment, it was for all of 5 minutes. It seemed like a really long 5 minutes, I was compleyely out of breath, sweating like a madman and just all out of sorts. The next time I went for 6 minutes and kept increasing 1 minute each run. Slowly but surely, I finally got up to a decent distance and haven't looked back since. But those first attempts were killer. I think start with something not very strenuous and gradually increase the distance/time. Baby steps. Cheers.

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #13
    Jimbo55 said:

    Baby Steps

    The first time I tried jogging after treatment, it was for all of 5 minutes. It seemed like a really long 5 minutes, I was compleyely out of breath, sweating like a madman and just all out of sorts. The next time I went for 6 minutes and kept increasing 1 minute each run. Slowly but surely, I finally got up to a decent distance and haven't looked back since. But those first attempts were killer. I think start with something not very strenuous and gradually increase the distance/time. Baby steps. Cheers.

    Sounds like me. I downloaded

    Sounds like me. I downloaded the phone app "couch to 5k" and started back at zero again. It's a great slow progession running app to get back in the stride of things again.

  • AndrewP16nose
    AndrewP16nose Member Posts: 23 Member
    #14
    Marathon fit to zero and back again- or trying

    The week before I got my diagnosis in 2014 I'd run for 3 hours, off-road in preparation for my first marathon (age 50yo). I never ran the marathon because my treatment took 16 months with radio/chemo and 5 surgeries. However I'm back to running for 1.5 hours again with no fibular in my left leg- that's in my face. I'm only slowly getting my fitness back and blaming being 3 years older but determined to get back to running half marathons at least. Hang in there- you will get stronger.

  • Troyburkle
    Troyburkle Member Posts: 4
    #15
    No kidding

    No kidding, I am older than you but yes you will lose tone and muscle. Be patient and dont feel guilty about resting and taking naps.Your body is telling you something.Frustrating?Yep.It will all come back at least we hope! Time Time Time it seems is what it takes. I look at myself in the mirror like wow you were in shape and didnt look bad, now Im like WOW I need to get back in shape, but I need my healing to be more complete, ability to eat what I want and feel good enough to get out and do something.

     

  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #16
    GETT'IN PHYSICAL

    Hey Miss Blue eyes, recovery is indeed a marathon, and definitely not a 5 K, much less a sprint.  After my first Beast war surgery I wondered if I would ever be able to do any of the things that I did before the war; I needed help just walking around the block.  Bummed out, oh yeah.  I had been a runner forever, highlighting with the Disney Marathon in '99; as well as a lifetime of surfing, and weight lifting.  I found that recovery takes a very long time, and patience will be one of your best friends, but you will regain your energy and be able to get back into everything that you were doing before.  I ran the Miami Half Marathon with my PEG tube, what a hoot!  The first time that I submitted Mt. Washington, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I was PEGing my lunch at the shelter about a quarter of the way up and met another surthriver whose PEG tube was removed a week earlier.  All this to say you will get your energy and activities back, but it won't be a bounce.  I encourage you to be patient and just Keep It Mov'in Forward, you will get there. 

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