Fatigue after surgery. How long does it last?

Babygirl05
Babygirl05 Member Posts: 42
in Kidney Cancer #1

I had an open partial last september.  I thought 7 months was plenty of time to heal, but the fatigue has not gone away.  Some days are worse than others, but I literally feel like my body is just so tired sometimes.  I get plenty of sleep, had a comfortable bed...etc..  My rcc was stage 1 so I didn't figure I would have many issues after surgery.  I keep getting uti's and think that may be part of the problem. 

Anyone else have fatigue all the time? 

Comments

  • Bryn1108
    Bryn1108 Member Posts: 97 Member
    #2
    Fatigue

    I did not get strength back for 17 months, and I walk almost every day and eat so much better. But, I had two surgeries within 5 months, so you will get stronger so much faster. You will feel great again.  

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #3
    Sounds like

    Babygirl,

     

    -from your bio that you went thru some extra hoops before your open partial. Yes, you had major surgery. It may take some more time, but do get checked out with the doctos too.

     

    icemantoo

  • Tapman63
    Tapman63 Member Posts: 137 Member
    #4
    I almost posted the same question...

    ...I'm only seven weeks out, and every day about 2:00 or 3:00 I feel completely drained.  Thank God work is cool and understands.  I've been doing half days and as soon as I get home, I have to take a nap.  Every day.  I start off fine and then it's like someone pulls a plug on me.  I was also stage 1...although I did have some complications (during a radical neph on my left kidney)  in surgery.  I'm just trying to live life like normal and listen to my body when it says to chill.  I hope you get your energy back soon!

     

    Jim

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #5
    Fatigue

    I had a radical nephrectomy, though. I had fatigue and issues for over a year. It turned out I had a tumor in my adrenal gland, so who knows if that causes wacky body behavior or not. I believe it was causing a blood pressure problem. I never had high blood pressure until I had my nephrectomy. 2 years later they found the adrenal gland and took it out, then my blood pressure went back to what it had been.

    I've had ongoing issues since my nephrectomy with swelling in my hands when I walk a lot and get warm.

    I'm also not sure what is because of the nephrectomy and what is just being 56.

    Another thing to consider, having cancer is very stressful. Anxiety and stress are very hard on your body.

    For sure after my nephrectomy by 3-4pm every day for several months I was exhausted.

    Todd

  • BoondockSaint
    BoondockSaint Member Posts: 242 Member
    #6
    My wife took about 6 months

    My wife took about 6 months to get back to what I’d consider 75%......another 6 months or so to get back to normal. She’s a year and one month out now and it pretty much back to normal with 2 NED scans under her belt.

    Everyone is different......just take it easy when you need to And continue to heal. 

    Best wishes

     

  • Steph85
    Steph85 Member Posts: 166 Member
    #7
    Yeah...

    I'm 3 months from open partial nephrectomy and still fatigued. Needing to take naps and extra caffiene has helped a little. 7 months out though?? I hope it gets better for you! I guess time heals all wounds right? Eventually anyway. 

     

    Take good care, 

     

    Stephanie

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #8
    If you haven't yet, do get

    If you haven't yet, do get checked for anemia. Especially iron deficient type. I was so drained and tired a month or so after my partial and then we found I was iron deficient and anemic. Slo FE iron tablets definitely helped. But yes, even without anemia you'll be tired. It takes a lot out of you physically and mentally.

  • Babygirl05
    Babygirl05 Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2018 #9
    Thank you for your replies.

    Thank you for your replies.

    I think I do remember someone saying I was a little anemic at one point, but I don't remember when.  I'll have to check my charts and see.  I had a urinalysis done again monday, and I'm still waiting for those results.  I'm pretty sure I have another UTI, which can also cause fatigue.  If my urine comes back clear, I'll go back to my primary care doctor and get some blood work done. 

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #10
    They don't automatically do

    They don't automatically do an iron count. When you go for your blood test ask for one. Usually its the iron that drops first, leading to anemia. So technically your hemoglobin counts can still be good but your iron could be down.

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    #11
    I have been hearing 1 year. I

    I have been hearing 1 year. I went to the oncologist at 4 mths and he said there was no way I should be tired still. I think it is an individual thing. My iron was retardedly low when I found out I had the cancer, but has now gone back up.

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 980 Member
    #12
    Everybody's different

    The pattern seems to be about a year, but so many things come into play for this.  Other health issues, health prior to surgery, age, BMI, complexity of the surgery, just to name a few.  My surgery was a little different (partial) but I was out running again 7-8 weeks after surgery.  Try to be patient, your body will let you know when it has healed.

    Stub

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #13
    It takes a while.

    Took me probably a year.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #14
    it's

    7 years for me.

  • Babygirl05
    Babygirl05 Member Posts: 42
    #15
    I think the recurrent UTI's

    I think the recurrent UTI's are part of what is making me tired too.  I'm so tired of being sick and tired.  I just want to feel normal again.

  • Blessed4real
    Blessed4real Member Posts: 1
    #16
    Babygirl05 said:

    I think the recurrent UTI's

    I think the recurrent UTI's are part of what is making me tired too.  I'm so tired of being sick and tired.  I just want to feel normal again.

    7 months out

    I have also been drained. I feel as thought I need to stop and rest more when I am out walking around.  The Dr told me to give myself time to heal I had a radical left nephectomy 10/26/17 . I thought I would be back to normal by now but I now see that I am not alone which makes me feel alittle better

  • Hoss79
    Hoss79 Member Posts: 78 Member
    #17
    I am 6 months out and pretty
    I am 6 months out and pretty much back to normal. All the activities I was doing before my surgery and then some. I have a few days a month that seem to be hard to get moving as I feel like I’m drained, but other than that living life and my kids have me going at a 110%.
  • tomt263
    tomt263 Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2018 #18
    fatigue

    I had a partial open about 7 years ago and it seems like it took forever to regain my strength.  I was told that even a partial can inhibit hemoglobin levels and other factors that cause fatigue.  Good idea to check B and D vitamins along with electrolytes and possibly consult with a nutritionist.  This surgery will affect how you feel for some time.  Best of luck and be glad its over.

  • tomt263
    tomt263 Member Posts: 11
    #19
    Babygirl05 said:

    I think the recurrent UTI's

    I think the recurrent UTI's are part of what is making me tired too.  I'm so tired of being sick and tired.  I just want to feel normal again.

    infections

    I had recurring sinus infections for a long time.  I was told that kidney cancer does a number on the immune system and I ended up with all kinds of allergies I never had before.   

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