Fatigue - Can I Control It?

DJC
DJC Member Posts: 52
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have experienced a couple of days of complete fatigue post my intitial infusion of A/C. I have not wanted to take any supplements or stimulants in an attempt to try to control this just in case they should have an adverse effect on my system or treatment protocol. My oncology nurse (oncologist is on short term leave) really could not recommend anything that might assist me in this regard - other than exercise - recommendations from the group? I'd be most appreciative! Donna

Comments

  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #2
    Fatigue is a major problem for me as well, but others on the message board have wisely advised that the best course is to listen to your body. If your body is telling you to remain quietly in a chair, it is best to do so. I found that when I rebelled and tried to much, that is when the really sick feeling would occur. On a happy note, treatment course has a beginning, a middle and an end. I finished four cycles of Adriamycin/Cytoxan and have finished 3 of the 4 cycles of taxotere. I feel as if I have been hit by a train, and am extremely limited in what I can do in the course of any given day, but look forward to that last treatment date! Love, Denise
  • ryley
    ryley Member Posts: 55
    #3
    I agree with Denise. Listen to your body. The fatigue is your body's way of telling you "I'm fighting this cancer and the chemo so hard I don't have any energy left for anything else." So let your body fight and heal. Just do what you can and don't be frustrated if you don't get your normal energy back for a lllooonnnggg time. Probably times here and there you will feel more like normal, but then another round of chemo or rads or something to sap it again.

    Eventually though, it WILL be over and you will get your energy back and feel somewhat like your old self - but better!

    Good luck and stay positive.
    Ryley
  • JKAlley
    JKAlley Member Posts: 84
    #4
    ryley said:

    I agree with Denise. Listen to your body. The fatigue is your body's way of telling you "I'm fighting this cancer and the chemo so hard I don't have any energy left for anything else." So let your body fight and heal. Just do what you can and don't be frustrated if you don't get your normal energy back for a lllooonnnggg time. Probably times here and there you will feel more like normal, but then another round of chemo or rads or something to sap it again.

    Eventually though, it WILL be over and you will get your energy back and feel somewhat like your old self - but better!

    Good luck and stay positive.
    Ryley

    Donna, if it helps any, I always rebounded about 5 days to a wk after a/c. That at least gave me a couple wks of relieve from the fatigue before I had to go back for more. It did get harder and harder for my body to recover as treatments went on. I've now finished 4 rounds of a/c, and 10 of 12 wkly taxol and my body has had it! I worked through most of it and pushed myself to stay active, but I would take a couple days off after a/c plus the weekend. I have now taken some time off to get through to the end. Every one is right, listen to your body, and translation from mine right now is X rated! My job now is to make sure no one steals this couch. Just take it day by day, week by week and do what you have to. Unfortunatly, there really is nothing besides exercise, and just pushing your self when you can that will help, unless your crit gets low enough to get you procrit. Mine always stayed about a point or two above what was needed for insurance to pay, so I don't know about that. Have heard good and bad about it. Hopefully, if you do have to work, your company is understanding. I've been very lucky, as mine has been wonderful. Hang in there, you'll get through. Good luck and God Bless, Judy
  • jamjar62
    jamjar62 Member Posts: 135
    #5
    Hey Donna,

    Good advice from that nurse, huh? I'm completely fatigued and you want me to exercise? I can't comb my hair and you want me to jog around the block??

    As the other ladies said, the total body, mind-numbing fatigue only lasts the first week or so. MAYBE you'll feel like getting some exercise but that's a big maybe and don't beat yourself up if you don't! I remember one day a week after my chemo, my husband came home from work to find me in my jammies tucked into bed at 6:30. He said "do you feel all right?" I took a deep breath and said "I had chemotherapy, remember?" and he said "But that was a week ago." I sarcastically apologized that my fatigue did not fit into his schedule and he quietly backed out of the room! No one understands your fatigue except for any of us who have been where you are!

    You have to accept that your energy level may not return to normal til you're finished and even then it takes awhile. Take naps whenever you can and don't feel like a slob for doing it. Realize if you don't get to the laundry or grocery shopping, then someone may have to wear the underwear with the stretched elastic and eat delivery pizza that night but they will survive! If friends or family offer to cook or clean your house, LET THEM! Surround yourself with pillows on the couch and point out the spots they missed dusting. Now is the time to allow yourself to be taken care of and pampered. Rent 5 movies and watch them all in ond day and don't feel guilty. Give yourself permission to heal and be lazy. Your body needs it and will demand it if you don't listen!

    Blessings,
    Karen
  • DJC
    DJC Member Posts: 52
    #6
    jamjar62 said:

    Hey Donna,

    Good advice from that nurse, huh? I'm completely fatigued and you want me to exercise? I can't comb my hair and you want me to jog around the block??

    As the other ladies said, the total body, mind-numbing fatigue only lasts the first week or so. MAYBE you'll feel like getting some exercise but that's a big maybe and don't beat yourself up if you don't! I remember one day a week after my chemo, my husband came home from work to find me in my jammies tucked into bed at 6:30. He said "do you feel all right?" I took a deep breath and said "I had chemotherapy, remember?" and he said "But that was a week ago." I sarcastically apologized that my fatigue did not fit into his schedule and he quietly backed out of the room! No one understands your fatigue except for any of us who have been where you are!

    You have to accept that your energy level may not return to normal til you're finished and even then it takes awhile. Take naps whenever you can and don't feel like a slob for doing it. Realize if you don't get to the laundry or grocery shopping, then someone may have to wear the underwear with the stretched elastic and eat delivery pizza that night but they will survive! If friends or family offer to cook or clean your house, LET THEM! Surround yourself with pillows on the couch and point out the spots they missed dusting. Now is the time to allow yourself to be taken care of and pampered. Rent 5 movies and watch them all in ond day and don't feel guilty. Give yourself permission to heal and be lazy. Your body needs it and will demand it if you don't listen!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    I'm pretty much of a Type A personality, so the treatment for this illness and its somewhat dibilitating side effects have really thrown me for a loop. The treatment is worse than the disease (sort of). I guess I'll just have to endure and try to make the best of things. Thank you all for responding to my post! And Karen, you're a crack up! I really love your sense of humor. You and the rest of the Ladies who correspond via this site have helped to set me on the path to survival through the conveyance of your courage, knowledge, dignity and humor. I'm very grateful and will not forget the kindness shown by the women here. Hugs to you all, Donna
  • Joan2420
    Joan2420 Member Posts: 5
    #7
    DJC said:

    I'm pretty much of a Type A personality, so the treatment for this illness and its somewhat dibilitating side effects have really thrown me for a loop. The treatment is worse than the disease (sort of). I guess I'll just have to endure and try to make the best of things. Thank you all for responding to my post! And Karen, you're a crack up! I really love your sense of humor. You and the rest of the Ladies who correspond via this site have helped to set me on the path to survival through the conveyance of your courage, knowledge, dignity and humor. I'm very grateful and will not forget the kindness shown by the women here. Hugs to you all, Donna

    I am with the others, take a nap. I have found that if I give in and take the nap, sometimes 3 hours. I can at least talk with my family in the evening. If I fight it, I am worthless to everyone. Take care of yourself, this stage will pass they tell me.

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