MEDS TO COMBAT FATIGUE

luv4lacrosse
luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I am getting more fatigued with each treatment. My weightlifting has gone to hell in a handbag. Has anyone been prescribed anything to fend of chronic fatigue? I'm livin on 5 hour energy. 

Hope all my CSN buds are having a good Monday.

Mike

Comments

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #2
    Only thing I know of

    Hi Mike,

    Sorry to hear the treatments are getting you down. On the other side, they're working! 

    The only thing I know of that helps is rest. If it means cutting back on your workouts and getting better, then so be it. I've been out of treatment for 5 months and I'm still battling fatigue.

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #3
    fishmanpa said:

    Only thing I know of

    Hi Mike,

    Sorry to hear the treatments are getting you down. On the other side, they're working! 

    The only thing I know of that helps is rest. If it means cutting back on your workouts and getting better, then so be it. I've been out of treatment for 5 months and I'm still battling fatigue.

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

    Mike

    Are you sleeping well at night? If not, you might ask about taking an Advil PM or something similar. My husband has a CPAP machine for nights and I noticed a huge increase in his daytime energy level now that he gets a full night of rest. During tx. I gave into the fatigue and slept allot.

  • Laralyn
    Laralyn Member Posts: 532
    #4
    There have been significant

    There have been significant studies showing that ginseng can help fight cancer-reated fatigue. As always, check with your doctor, but hopefully it works for you! :-)

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #5
    Fatigue

    My hospital room mate had gone through radiation therapy and told me about the chronic fatigue, she said don,t try and fight it, just go with it, when your tired sleep, least when you're asleep you don't feel the other side affects. 

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #6
    jackflash22 said:

    Fatigue

    My hospital room mate had gone through radiation therapy and told me about the chronic fatigue, she said don,t try and fight it, just go with it, when your tired sleep, least when you're asleep you don't feel the other side affects. 

    fatigue vs exhaustion vs tired

    Hey,

    The first time in my life I experienced true fatigue was during treatment. You will know it as it is impossible to "fight". It will take all your energy to flip from one side of the bed to the other. And it can go on for days. The longest bout I had was during 3rd cycle of induction chemo (TPF ). The first 8 days following that third round put me down and it was just not possbible to get up at all.

    Mike - You are in Texas now, right? You are in luck as Texas permits MMJ. Maybe a high THC MMJ would do the job. Find one that has "uplifting" or energetic. Sure can't hurt to try.

    http://www.leafly.com/explore

  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #7
    donfoo said:

    fatigue vs exhaustion vs tired

    Hey,

    The first time in my life I experienced true fatigue was during treatment. You will know it as it is impossible to "fight". It will take all your energy to flip from one side of the bed to the other. And it can go on for days. The longest bout I had was during 3rd cycle of induction chemo (TPF ). The first 8 days following that third round put me down and it was just not possbible to get up at all.

    Mike - You are in Texas now, right? You are in luck as Texas permits MMJ. Maybe a high THC MMJ would do the job. Find one that has "uplifting" or energetic. Sure can't hurt to try.

    http://www.leafly.com/explore

    FATIGUE RELIEF

    I'm probably cryin like a baby because I can't bench heavy anymore. Seems like the more chemo, the worse the fatigue gets. I still lift 4-5 days a week, it's just not happening like it used to. I've thought about the "chronic" if my appetite goes to **** or if pain sets in, but holding steady at 210-215 is no problem. Maybe a good coke habit is the answer to my energy problems!!

    Mike

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #8
    luv4lacrosse said:

    FATIGUE RELIEF

    I'm probably cryin like a baby because I can't bench heavy anymore. Seems like the more chemo, the worse the fatigue gets. I still lift 4-5 days a week, it's just not happening like it used to. I've thought about the "chronic" if my appetite goes to **** or if pain sets in, but holding steady at 210-215 is no problem. Maybe a good coke habit is the answer to my energy problems!!

    Mike

    That's a lot!

    Mike,

    4-5 days a week of heavy lifting is a lot! When I was at my peak, I was lifting every other day (3 days a week...sometimes 4), basically alternating between upper and lower body. I would do chest, back, shoulders and tris, rest a day then quads, hams, calfs and biceps. On the off days it was cardio or nothing at all, just rest. It gave my body a chance to heal, rest and grow. 

    As far a heavy lifting? Heck, you know it's more about technique than the the actual weight. I showed more growth and progress lifting less than a lot of guys. Besides, a change up to your routine can be a really good thing. It keeps your muscles off balance and actually helps you grow.  Listen to your body. Get the rest you need. 

    "T"

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #9
    Hey Mike !

    This is a very good subject.  You have been through a war zone, and keep getting up smacking back at Jack.   To get (Rest) is easy enough for us to tell you, but a whole 'nother thing to accomplish.  Have you talked more with your primary on this one ?  I would see what they advise you on this.  The reason I'm saying this is I agree with everyone else.  Mike you are truely an inspiration to me to keep batting back at lifes struggles and come out the other side a champion !  Hugs sent !  Katie 

  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #10
    Fatigue plan A

    Thanks to all who responded. I saw my doc today and go figure, he suggested Ritalin, I said " I'm not a spaz," he said" dude, I'a speed." I said sign me up. I kinda like this cancer thing, mabe he will prescribe some Cognac and a box of Cuban cigars next week.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #11
    luv4lacrosse said:

    Fatigue plan A

    Thanks to all who responded. I saw my doc today and go figure, he suggested Ritalin, I said " I'm not a spaz," he said" dude, I'a speed." I said sign me up. I kinda like this cancer thing, mabe he will prescribe some Cognac and a box of Cuban cigars next week.

    LOL....when I first read your

    post, the first thing that popped into my head was "speed".....I thought "well, there's no way anybody is going to give him speed".... Laughing...He probably won't do ya for cigars and booze, tho.  Now just be careful and don't tell anybody shady you've got a script for it...or maybe druggies aren't into Ritlan anymore.....I don't know....ha!

    p 

  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #12
    phrannie51 said:

    LOL....when I first read your

    post, the first thing that popped into my head was "speed".....I thought "well, there's no way anybody is going to give him speed".... Laughing...He probably won't do ya for cigars and booze, tho.  Now just be careful and don't tell anybody shady you've got a script for it...or maybe druggies aren't into Ritlan anymore.....I don't know....ha!

    p 

    SPEED

    Didn't read the directions. Took some at 6pm and awake like two mother ****. Wednesday is a write off.

  • backachedp
    backachedp Member Posts: 132
    #13
    Fatigue

    I have been presicibed Provigil but my Husband is/was the Cancer Patient.  I have Chronic Pain and Back, Neck and other issues but Provigil did work for me.  My Husband just slept all the time he still does alot and on Sept 29 he will be 4 years since Diagnosis.  I know it's not fun to be tired but your body is fighting all the stuff they are putting in you.  If the Ritalin does not work just sleep when you can as often as you need to.  I do not sleep well or much and am tired all the time no longer taking the Provigil but I sleep when my body tells me to at least then I am not in pain.  Wishing you the best.

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