Hi Helsbels

I'm sorry to hear your mum has cancer. Fatigue plagues all of us with cancer. It is one thing that really lowers the quality of life along with pain and disability. A good night time sleep routine is essential, early to bed early to rise, a dark quiet cool bedroom helps. This is easier said than done if pain or anxiety keeps you awake. Also getting a nap during the day is good, but at a regular time each day and for a limited time, otherwise night time sleep is affected. A good healthy diet too helps, cut out junk food. Also some excercise is essential, whatever she can physically manage.  Taking a walk, household chores, doing some stretching excercise etc, just getting up and about will give her more energy through the day. A medicine called Modafinal can gently promote day time wakefulness, while not usually prescribed for cancer fatigue, it is prescribed for sleep apnoea and for shift workers who's sleep routine is disturbed. I had it for a few weeks while suffering debilitating fatigue during radiotherapy, it did help. Hope this is of some help. Kim

Helen

I forgot to add to the list to not get dehydrated which can add to fatigue. So plenty tea water etc throughout the day.  Kim

Hello Helsbels,

I am sorry your mum has been diagnosed with inoperable bowel cancer. You have come to the right place to talk to others who are also suffering from fatigue and it's great to see you have already received a warm welcome from Kim and Lisa. Many others will add their own experience I am sure.

We have some detailed information on the subject of fatigue on our site which you can read here. It also contains a sub-section on what to ask your doctor about cancer fatigue. Make sure you also check with your mum's doctor before considering taking any supplements or medication as these can sometimes interact with your mum's treatment.

I hope this helps! Feel free also to ring our nurses' number at any time (it's free from UK landlines) on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi thanks very much for all replies I will let her know. She is struggling to drink because it makes her feel sick. She has gone very downhill today so we have got the doctor on call coming out so will talk to him. Thanks for your warm and helpful responses x