Fatigue

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Robvaner3
Robvaner3 Member Posts: 5
in Anal Cancer #1

Good afternoon everyone,

 

just finished my second week of oral chemo and radiation. Is it normal to be so fatigued at this stage of treatment? Feel like I can't walk for 5 minutes before I am exhausted!

other than that, treatment is going well

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  • Wisteria83
    Wisteria83 Member Posts: 160
    #2
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    Rob

    I took Xeloda, and I remember feeling really tired too.  Did you have the Mitomycin also?  It wasn't until the third week that the radiation started to affect me, and I thought it was too early, but everyone is different, and we experience different things from treatment at different times.  Rest when you're tired.  Listen to your body.  Don't fight it or think that you "should" feel a certain way.  It is what it is, and you just do the best you can to get through it. 

    I have 15 stairs with no landing to get to the second floor where my bedroom and my bathtub is.  I had to stop and rest partway up, and towards the end of treatment, I was nearly crawling up those stairs, leaning forward and using my hands and feet to get up them.  It seemed to take forever, and exhausted me.  I actually had a bag with a shoulder strap that I would put things in that I needed to bring upstairs so my hands would be free to help me get up.  Crazy right?  You do what you gotta do, that's all.

    Stay well fed during your treatment.  Good nutrition and hydration are really important, especially now.  And take a nap with no guilt if you feel like you need to.  Don't forget...all this is taking it's toll on you emotionally as well, and that can also make you more tired than normal.

    Keep on keeping on.  You'll be in my thoughts.

    ~W

  • Robvaner3
    Robvaner3 Member Posts: 5
    #3
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    Wisteria83 said:

    Rob

    I took Xeloda, and I remember feeling really tired too.  Did you have the Mitomycin also?  It wasn't until the third week that the radiation started to affect me, and I thought it was too early, but everyone is different, and we experience different things from treatment at different times.  Rest when you're tired.  Listen to your body.  Don't fight it or think that you "should" feel a certain way.  It is what it is, and you just do the best you can to get through it. 

    I have 15 stairs with no landing to get to the second floor where my bedroom and my bathtub is.  I had to stop and rest partway up, and towards the end of treatment, I was nearly crawling up those stairs, leaning forward and using my hands and feet to get up them.  It seemed to take forever, and exhausted me.  I actually had a bag with a shoulder strap that I would put things in that I needed to bring upstairs so my hands would be free to help me get up.  Crazy right?  You do what you gotta do, that's all.

    Stay well fed during your treatment.  Good nutrition and hydration are really important, especially now.  And take a nap with no guilt if you feel like you need to.  Don't forget...all this is taking it's toll on you emotionally as well, and that can also make you more tired than normal.

    Keep on keeping on.  You'll be in my thoughts.

    ~W

    thanks for the Reply. I am on

    thanks for the Reply. I am on 3300 mg of xeloda a day. Haven't started any other meds yet. Not looking forward to the side effects olf radiation. 

    I am used to walking 3 miles a day but now I can't even walk a mile. Trying to stay positive.

  • Mollymaude
    Mollymaude Member Posts: 431 Member
    #4
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    Rob

    I understand your anxiety about the fatigue. If it's this bad now, how bad will it get? If it's this bad now will I ever fully recover? Will I be able to do this? My answers are yes, you will get through this, and try to take things one day at a time instead of worrying about what is to come. The first time I tried to walk after treatment I got to the top of the driveway and had to turn around and go home but now 1 1/2 years out I can walk up to 5 miles at a time. Hang in there, we are rooting for you. 

  • Jane s
    Jane s Member Posts: 77 Member
    edited September 2017 #5
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    Rob

    This treatment will take a lot out of you, but after it's over and you start healing you will feel better and get your energy back.  My doctors notes always say, walk a little further every day, and it's good advice.  Do what you can, and push a little more each day.  I'm 8 months post treatment and just started walking for 20 minutes on the treadmill, I can hardly believe I can make it, I couldn't have a month ago.  I know it feels like you will feel like this forever, but I promise you won't, just hang in there.  

    Jane

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited September 2017 #6
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    Rob

    I have always been an energetic person, but I remember not having the strength to go up a flight of stairs without resting a couple of times on the way up during treatment.  It really does zap one's energy.  It's normal.  Try to do what you can, but rest when your body needs it.  You will get through this.

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