Fatigue

PatFried
PatFried Member Posts: 45
in Breast Cancer #1
Please tell me there is no dumb question! OK. I know that one of the side effects of chemo (which I start tomorrow) is fatigue. Then why do some people need to take sleeping pills? Sorry if that's a dumb question.

Also, has anyone else had difficulty getting into these discussion boards and/or the chatroom? It times out on me alot. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Comments

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #2
    I have had lots of those
    I have had lots of those problems the last two days. Sometimes it happens. You may want to see if your Java has the latest updates as well.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #3
    Fatigue
    I found that the steroids I was given during chemo made me really jittery and kept me awake. I didn't take sleeping pills, but Ativan made me drowsy and helped me to sleep. xoxoxo Lynn
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #4
    lynn1950 said:

    Fatigue
    I found that the steroids I was given during chemo made me really jittery and kept me awake. I didn't take sleeping pills, but Ativan made me drowsy and helped me to sleep. xoxoxo Lynn

    Yep, I agree with Lyn. On
    Yep, I agree with Lyn. On chemo days they gave me dexamethasone ( to prevent side effects ) in the IV prior to starting the chemo . So that night I was really wired and had trouble going to sleep. So I started taking an Ativan and that helped. For me the fatigue was several days into the cycle and a little more with each progression, but everyone is different.
    Good luck! You can do it!
    Angie
  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    #5
    Chemo does it
    The chemo drugs mess with the brain so you get insomnia. There are studies that have confirmed this. Unfortunately it doesn't go away after you have completed chemo.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #6
    Just thought I'd share....
    Fatigue is the #1 reported adverse effect according to a presentation that my local RO recently delivered. He also stated that there is evidence that (even though this is sooo hard) exercise is what is being shown to be most successful in fighting fatigue. I am trying really hard to practice what he preached, but it is difficult when you feel like you are starting your routine running on empty.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #7
    CypressCynthia said:

    Just thought I'd share....
    Fatigue is the #1 reported adverse effect according to a presentation that my local RO recently delivered. He also stated that there is evidence that (even though this is sooo hard) exercise is what is being shown to be most successful in fighting fatigue. I am trying really hard to practice what he preached, but it is difficult when you feel like you are starting your routine running on empty.

    For me the fatigue was sort of a "whole body"
    just can't take another step type thing--not really a sleepy-tired thing. Then, of course, I couldn't sleep at night due to the steroids, aches and pains. Crazy!

    Hugs, Renee
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #8
    No Honestly Asked Question Is Dumb!
    As far as I'm concerned - as long as the question is HONESTLY asked - it's never 'dumb'!

    THere is no 'one size fits all' as we are each so diferent. For me, with the 4 A/C, was a bit tired on days 3 and 4 but a short nap took care of it. The 12 Taxols were a whole different story - I was completely and utterly EXHAUSTED the entire time. Basically I existed on the couch in front of the TV (Hubby handled everything in the house and with the dogs and Son handled everything at the barn and with the horses). Could not sleep at all - just lay there. Chemo Dr. Gave me some sleeping pills but they were horrible! Basically I never have anything close to nightmares (well other than really silly things like giant potatoes chasing me LOL) and only keept me asleep for about 1/2 the night. So I called my PA and talked to her (at that time she'd been my PC for about 13 yrs so knows me fairly good) and she said that as far as she was concerned it was a totally wrong sleeping med for me and gave me the lowest dose of Ambien. It worked great. She told me that if on some night I felt I needed a bit more, a 2nd one was fine to take.

    It's great to get info but remember that all side effects listed as possible will not happen to all - just as there are some SEs that happen to some of use but not listed.

    WInyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    I have NEVER had any luck getting into the 'Chat" and have had problems for the last couple days geting 'here'.
  • TexasCharlie
    TexasCharlie Member Posts: 76
    #9
    I agree with the others
    Yep, the steroids keep me awake and get me wired but when they wear off I hit a wall and it's a struggle to get anything done. And, unfortunately, the sleepless nights sometimes continue. However, I have no trouble dozing off in the daytime. I will have to try and force myself to walk more for exercise. The side effects have changed for me too, from achy legs and feeling like I am walking on rocks to just slightly achy all over, which is an improvement.
    I get timed out too once in a while.
    Hang in there and just keep in mind it's not forever. I will pray for you.

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