Post Radiation Fatigue

ToBeGolden
ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I am starting to have a noticeable increase in fatigue and constipation 8 months post radiation therapy (without chemo). I was lucky to have only barely Stage II Cancer of the larynx. I am able to eat without difficulty and have maintained weight. I am seeing a couple of doctors over the next two weeks; and I know there will be numerous tests. I will let you know what they find.

Comments

  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #2
    Wishing you the best...
    Just a couple of quick questions...are you still drinking plenty of water each day, exercising (even just a short walk each day). These are still important even at 8 months post treatment. I am 18 months post treatment for NSCLC in left lung and T3N0M0 SCC Supraglottic Laryngeal cancer and my doctors have all told me to make sure I drink plenty of water each day and exercise, they also told me to get outside in the sun and fresh air for at least 15 minutes each day. I find my stamina is still not what it used to be but I'm sure that it will improve now that spring is finally here and I can get outside and work in my flower gardens (which is good exercise also).

    Sending positive thoughts that your appointments will find only good results.

    Stay strong,
    Glenna
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #3
    Fluids and Thyroid
    2BGolden,

    I agree with Glenna, we are suppose to take in roughly 64 ozs. of fluid daily during treatments, and we should continue to do so to flush our bodies of the radiation.

    Fluids also help eliminate constipation issues from any med's we take. It was suggested to me by the Nurses to do the fluids and also take a liquid stool softener called " Colace " which can be found on the shelf of most drug stores.I don't use it now,mainly because I drink allot of water daily because of my dry mouth issue.

    Something that we all need to remember that received radiation is that our Thyroid falls into the line of fire. My Radiation Oncologist warned me that my Thyroid would more then likely give out some time in the future. He basically said it is not a matter of "If" it is a matter of "When". I was lucky as my Thyroid didn't bother me until about my 5 year mark. Many have their Thyroid give out much sooner. Fatigue and weight gain even though we continue to eat the same thigs are an indicator. My family Doctor started me on a low dose of Synthyroid ( I use the generic-Levothroxine ) and has adjusted it until my TSH levels were where they are suppose to be. I feel much better now that the levels are correct. Just something to think about.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Thyroid Possibility
    Like my fellow Marine Brother mentioned, the Thyroid could possibly be starting to take a dump... My MD's also advised me that mine is on the way out (two years post rads)..my TSH levels are already out of range. Last they checked them the TSH was above 6.0, normal range is somewhere betwenn .04/.05 - 4.0/5.0, depending on where you look.

    There is some other indicator T4 I think, but that's still in range for me. I know they tried to start me on Synthroid, but it was wacking out my pulse rate and blood pressure so we came back off of it for now.

    I do get fatigued some especially in the evening. But I work full time, fish every week-end (nearly) and do so much other stuff, I'm sure that's a big component of my being tired as well.

    Anyways, as part of your routine blood work, they normally monitor the TSH, if not ask them about it.

    Best,
    John
  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Thyroid Possibility
    Like my fellow Marine Brother mentioned, the Thyroid could possibly be starting to take a dump... My MD's also advised me that mine is on the way out (two years post rads)..my TSH levels are already out of range. Last they checked them the TSH was above 6.0, normal range is somewhere betwenn .04/.05 - 4.0/5.0, depending on where you look.

    There is some other indicator T4 I think, but that's still in range for me. I know they tried to start me on Synthroid, but it was wacking out my pulse rate and blood pressure so we came back off of it for now.

    I do get fatigued some especially in the evening. But I work full time, fish every week-end (nearly) and do so much other stuff, I'm sure that's a big component of my being tired as well.

    Anyways, as part of your routine blood work, they normally monitor the TSH, if not ask them about it.

    Best,
    John

    Thanks for your advice
    I do drink a lot of water, a minimum of two liters a day. I've done this for years as a prevention of kidney stones. I had an 11 mm kidney stone about 15 years ago, treated by litotrypsy (sound waves that break up the stone). I was told that lots a water was the best preventative measure. So I started drinking the stuff.

    I was stone free for 15 years. Then I developed a kidney stone plus kidney infection 4 months post radiation treatment. I think I did not drink my 2 liters during the radiation and afterward. Kidney stone/infection treated with first a stent and antibiotics. Then litotrypsy a week later.

    By the way, the litotrypsy improved over the fifteen year interval. My original treatment was done just a couple of years after the treatment became available. The current treatment was less painful and I lost much less blood. (You are anesthetized for the treatment. So I mean post-surgical pain.)

    So I am very conscious of drinking my two liters of water. I have no problem with either eating or drinking now; and I know how lucky I am.

    I also do exercise. The picture is my 14 year old golden retriever who demands a couple of short walks every day. I take her off leash and she goes from person to person. Meets the kids getting off the school bus. Doesn't move very fast but greets everyone.

    I also use five pound weights while watching TV. This is really a great idea. I lift about 15 minutes for each arm. This is really a great idea. The weight is right by my chair, so if I watch a show for an hour, I'm bound to pick it up.

    I'm thinking my thyroid may have taken a hit. I will be seeing two docs in the coming two weeks. I am also diabetic, and my blood sugar will be checked. Poor blood sugar, either too high or too low, can be a problem.

    Finally, my wife's pituitary gland has been surgically removed due to an adenoma. So she needs several hormones replaced. FYI: The symptom for pituitary tumor is the loss of peripheral vision, because the tumor presses on the optic nerve. But that is another story.

    A final thought: body part replacements are seldom as good as the original body parts. Glasses do not make you see perfectly and hearing aids do not make you hear perfectly. (I use both.) I'm grateful for technology, and I'm not knocking either technology nor medicine. But replacement is seldom perfect. This is especially true with hormone replacement.

    Well, it's time for me to stop. So I will.
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #6
    MarineE5 said:

    Fluids and Thyroid
    2BGolden,

    I agree with Glenna, we are suppose to take in roughly 64 ozs. of fluid daily during treatments, and we should continue to do so to flush our bodies of the radiation.

    Fluids also help eliminate constipation issues from any med's we take. It was suggested to me by the Nurses to do the fluids and also take a liquid stool softener called " Colace " which can be found on the shelf of most drug stores.I don't use it now,mainly because I drink allot of water daily because of my dry mouth issue.

    Something that we all need to remember that received radiation is that our Thyroid falls into the line of fire. My Radiation Oncologist warned me that my Thyroid would more then likely give out some time in the future. He basically said it is not a matter of "If" it is a matter of "When". I was lucky as my Thyroid didn't bother me until about my 5 year mark. Many have their Thyroid give out much sooner. Fatigue and weight gain even though we continue to eat the same thigs are an indicator. My family Doctor started me on a low dose of Synthyroid ( I use the generic-Levothroxine ) and has adjusted it until my TSH levels were where they are suppose to be. I feel much better now that the levels are correct. Just something to think about.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    Fatigue
    I am also on Synthroid and I make sure to drink 48-64 oz of fluids a day. We need to be careful though, I was drinking just water for the last 3 years and I ended up in the hospital due to low sodium levels. I was told to drink juice in the a.m. to help with sugar and sodium levels.

    I have not had any issues with constipation (I also have irritable bowel) and the doctors think that is because I am drinking a lot of fluids to combat the dry mouth.

    As for the fatigue, I had radiation 15 years ago and I was tired for much of the first year following radiation. I could still get out and do things, but I had to pace myself until I could build my energy levels back up.

    Remember to pace yourself and to take breaks and/or naps when you need them.

    Good luck!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Thyroid Possibility
    Like my fellow Marine Brother mentioned, the Thyroid could possibly be starting to take a dump... My MD's also advised me that mine is on the way out (two years post rads)..my TSH levels are already out of range. Last they checked them the TSH was above 6.0, normal range is somewhere betwenn .04/.05 - 4.0/5.0, depending on where you look.

    There is some other indicator T4 I think, but that's still in range for me. I know they tried to start me on Synthroid, but it was wacking out my pulse rate and blood pressure so we came back off of it for now.

    I do get fatigued some especially in the evening. But I work full time, fish every week-end (nearly) and do so much other stuff, I'm sure that's a big component of my being tired as well.

    Anyways, as part of your routine blood work, they normally monitor the TSH, if not ask them about it.

    Best,
    John

    Thyroid
    Something that I had my General MD tell me during an annual check-up recently, and which struck me as particularly interesting.

    While testing the reflex in each knee by tapping with the rubber hammer, neither reflex moved like in the past...you know he taps your knee and a split second later your leg jumps...mine didn't, they used to, but doesn't now...

    I said, hmmm, that's weird, it always has in the past...he said it was a symptom of the malfunctioning thyroid...weird, huh...

    JG

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