fatique after carbo/taxol - how long it can last

My response was similar to
My response was similar to yours and Mary's. The body aches usually hits me 3 to 4 days out, lasts a day or two and then is pretty much over. I have a couple days of fatigue after infusion that I think I must be 90 years old, with the my feet feeling like they are shuffling. Even when I am my most fatigued I try to get at least a short walk in, even if just around the block. I also have a little trampoline that I will kinda jog or bounce lightly on. I have found the only way to manage (can't beat it) the fatigue is get some daily aerobic movement in. I would highly recommend a gentle or restorative yoga class. That has helped me so much mentally as well as keeping me stretched. I get to bed early every night (9 ish) and generally sleep straight through until 7 ish. You will find a pace and rhythm that works well for you. However, I would certainly recommend that always try to get some movement in, even if it is very short. Good luck, Susan

Where are you going for treatment?

Glad you asked!
I have had 5 out of 6 chemo treatments and each time there has been some fatigue. This last one has been the toughest as I can not walk as far as I have without having to take several rests along the way. I was worried that maybe I've been too easy on myself and not exercising enough, although I've been taking walks days or taking laps around the house. I was also wondering if it's because of lowered hemoglobin with the chemo. My 6th chemo will be on Monday 1/31 and I think I've been worried about what's next, thinking that doesn't help with the fatigue level either. Also anxious about my decision to retire from teaching after 28 years, just not the way I wanted to go out.:( Trying to think on the positive side that I will be able to substitute and volunteer without all the stress. Thank you Mary, and ladies for the advice.
Christine

VictoriaSF said:

thank you Ladies!
Thank you Ladies!
you are as always big help.
appreciate all your feedbacks.
i am trying to walk and do things around the house,
just getting frustrated when i can not
as usually i am highly energetic person.
i hope this phase will pass soon - oh well - till next treatment:)

i know we had few duscussions here about what to eat... raw veggies, raw fruits...
my onco nurse told me avoid raw... but i am so want to have good fresh salad.

is it a No-No - or we can eat it?

thanks
hugs
Victoria

Foods
My understanding is that when white counts and neutrophil counts are low, it is best to avoid fresh fruits and veggies. This is because of risk of bacteria etc because with low white counts we are more vulnerable to infection etc.

While I had taxol/carbo (my last chemo was in November) I did not eat fresh fruits or veggies-but I did eat frozen veggies, and canned peaches.

first tx is the worst
the first tx of carb/taxol is the worst you will feel. I gets better,but you will still be very tired,your md will also check your hgb as thses drugs are known to lower red blood cells. Rest while you can,you will know whenyou feel better, It usually takes me 4-5 days to actually start feeling better. Good luck...val

pattysoo said:

Fatigue
I felt the unbelievable fatigue on day 2. It felt like someone had removed part of my brain. But each day I improved. I walked everyday, no matter what. and I ate high quality protein and iron rich foods every day. I ate no raw foods during treatment, although I believe now that I could have had fruits and salads until my white counts went down below normal. I lightly steamed grated cabbage and carrots & onions, and made it into a slaw that still had a satisfying crunch but wasn't raw. I also ate lots of canned and frozen fruits. I made smoothies almost everyday from frozen fruits and yogurt. It was a great day, though, when I'd finished all treatments and my blood levels normalized, and I ate my first salad in over 4 months. How good it was!
Good luck to you. Nap when you need to. I'm still tired some days, but not too often, so you will come through it all in the end.

I usually felt good
until about the third day, then I felt from icky to really sick until about the fifth day where I seemed to bounce back. That is what kept me going, knowing I would feel better in a few days. It wan't fun but like some others said being sick for a while to ultimately feel good. It's worth it.

Karen