Fatigue

Marynb
Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
in Anal Cancer #1
I thought I would start a new thread on this because I still have unpredictable fatigue almost 2 years post treatment and I am really desperate to solve this problem. I just had more blood tests. The good news is that I am no longer anemic and my white blood counts are fine. It boggles my mind that after all the treatments, (I have 2 cancers, so also had major surgery weeks after treatment) there is no discussion on how to rebuild the body. The one thing that they did tell me was not to "take to the couch". That for me was never an option, being single and working. I have paid special attention to my diet, try to excercise with a trainer, etc. Still, there are days when I feel like I am an old lady, which is not me!

I am now trying to explore the world of vitamins ans supplements. One thing all the blood work showed is that I am seriously deficient in several vitamins and minerals. Shouldn't treatment include a follow up after healing, to determine what the body needs to rebuild? Especially, with all the diarreah that this treatment causes, absorbtion is a problem.

I am hoping that if I can get the right supplements into my body the fatigue will go away. Has anyone had doctors that had specific targeted treatment for the fatigue post treatment? At this point, I would travel to a specialist in this.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Marynb

    I guess I should consider myself very fortunate, as I can't say that I suffer from fatigue post-treatment.  However, I often do not have the same energy that I had before treatment, but I am almost 5 years older now and of course menopausal (thank you radiation).  I don't know if those things play into it, but I believe they do.  I just get tired sometimes, but I wouldn't describe it as fatigue.  I definitely experienced that during treatment though.  Have you asked your doctor about getting B12 injections?  I have a local friend, who I met through my radiation oncologist with our mutual permission, who suffered from severe fatigue after treatment for anal cancer.  We also had the same med onc and he put her on B12 injections.  According to her, it made a huge difference and she was soon no longer suffering the fatigue.  It might be worth looking into.   

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #3
    I am 16 months out of tx and
    I am 16 months out of tx and fatigue is my big problem as well. I went to the fatigue clinic at MDA this month and talked to a specialist. Basically they KNOW that some of us have this fatigue problem but no-one really knows how to solve it. Walk at least 30 minutes aday. Keep a healthy weight, eat regular healthy meals. Have doctors check thyroid function, make sure sugar levels are good. I DO need to lose 20 pounds, but other than that pretty much do exactly that. I was prescribed a stimulant to try and jump start my energy level. Its very expensive and I haven't tried it.... Like you I'm looking for some way to not feel this way...
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #4
    mp327 said:

    Marynb

    I guess I should consider myself very fortunate, as I can't say that I suffer from fatigue post-treatment.  However, I often do not have the same energy that I had before treatment, but I am almost 5 years older now and of course menopausal (thank you radiation).  I don't know if those things play into it, but I believe they do.  I just get tired sometimes, but I wouldn't describe it as fatigue.  I definitely experienced that during treatment though.  Have you asked your doctor about getting B12 injections?  I have a local friend, who I met through my radiation oncologist with our mutual permission, who suffered from severe fatigue after treatment for anal cancer.  We also had the same med onc and he put her on B12 injections.  According to her, it made a huge difference and she was soon no longer suffering the fatigue.  It might be worth looking into.   

    Fatigue
    Lorikat and martha,

    Thanks for the repies. It may be that the second cancer, or that the surgery that I had are contributing to my continued fatigue. I just feel that I have never gotten back to my high energy self. I am goiing to ask about b12. My blood work showed deficiences in so many vitamins and minerals. I need to find a way to build those up, but I am reluctant to put supplements into my body because there is no quality control, no oversight at all.
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #5
    Lorikat said:

    I am 16 months out of tx and
    I am 16 months out of tx and fatigue is my big problem as well. I went to the fatigue clinic at MDA this month and talked to a specialist. Basically they KNOW that some of us have this fatigue problem but no-one really knows how to solve it. Walk at least 30 minutes aday. Keep a healthy weight, eat regular healthy meals. Have doctors check thyroid function, make sure sugar levels are good. I DO need to lose 20 pounds, but other than that pretty much do exactly that. I was prescribed a stimulant to try and jump start my energy level. Its very expensive and I haven't tried it.... Like you I'm looking for some way to not feel this way...

    Lorikat
    What kind of a stimulant? I do find myself drinking more coffee to try to keep going. I just have a hunch that it could be solved with the right nutrition. I eat well, but not well enough, apparently.
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #6
    Marynb said:

    Lorikat
    What kind of a stimulant? I do find myself drinking more coffee to try to keep going. I just have a hunch that it could be solved with the right nutrition. I eat well, but not well enough, apparently.

    The stimulant is Nuvigil.

    The stimulant is Nuvigil.  NOT FDA suggested for post cancer fatigue which is probably why insurance won't cover it.  But it apparently works for some people.  Lorikat

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #7
    5 hour energy shot

    Fatigue and accompanying pain have been my nemesis also. Five hour energy shots are B vitamins contain the equilivant of one cup of regular coffee. Take a look at the label. I always thought they contained a massive dose of caffeine and didn't realize the vitamin B component. I am very careful about caffeine generally. We don't have anything else caffeinated in our home. The reason for this is my problem of excess stomach acid. Anyway, I took my first one when driving back from SC to NY after my mother died and could not believe how the fatigue and accompanying aches and pains subsided. I was able to save the second night in a hotel. Costco (I've been a member since the 1980's) now has their own "Kirkland" brand - much cheaper. According to directions, do not drink more than one twice a day. I have never needed to take the second one. There are decaf energy shots made by the Five Hour Energy Shot company but I have never seen one at any of the stores around here. Probably more of a California concept! I live in NY. lol. Another very good product by the same company is IChill. Same container in blue contains B Vitamins, including Niacin with Thiamine, Valerium Root and Melatonin. It is the perfect unwind for an alcohol free person like myself!

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