Hi Heather

I think fatigue is experienced by almost everyone with cancer. The doctors tell you that you should not have fatigue once fully recovered from your treatments. But I certainly have between episodes over last 10 years. After radiotherapy to head and neck I thought it may be due to a damaged thyroid gland but was told  the treatment deliberately avoided that area. I had tests anyway and thyroid function is good. I wonder if the reason for fatigue could be psychological like a form of post traumatic stress. What are your thoughts on this. Do you have any strategies for dealing with fatigue like excersise, daytime rest periods, early nights good diet.

Ed

Hello Ed 

thank you for replying.. I take naps when I need to and eat a healthy diet and exercise when I feel I can. I have a 3 year old granddaughter who keeps me active a few times a week. You may be right about it being a mind set or ptsd, I just really thought I would be coming out the other end by now as I’ve always been a very positive person. I just feel that if I knew that this is my new norm, that I could live with and manage that, it’s the pipe dream of “getting back to normal “ that I can’t reconcile to and it’s almost as if am I doing something wrong not to feel as though I’m getting back to normal ? If you know what I mean. Thank you for your response, I will carry on with my own new normal and maybe be kinder to myself and take the pressure off :)

Your body and mind has been though a lot.  On the physical side though if you have had chemo that is a toxin and that definitely weakens the body as is a poison.  I made a definite effort to get fit afterwards.  I was lucky enough to win a year's gym membership.  So I worked hard to get my body in the condition it was before.  My body was ravages by the treatment, it took some time.

I too am struggling with mood swings and times of exhaustion also my strength does not seem to get any better despite being active.

i have a feeling that it is connected to PTS as it seems to get worse if I’ve been with people who want to talk about it 

being honest having chemo is extremely stressful both physically and emotionally self torture is how I describe it so it’s probably not surprising that it can trigger episodes

when I feel hit by it I take care of myself allowing myself time out and a few tears . But I don’t like to tell anyone as I feel that they won’t understand and don’t really want to hear 

it seems cancer never really leaves you

Hi maverickgirl

While talking about your cancer when you feel you are ready to do so ìs probably the best therapeutic remedy there is. However I understand it can be stressful and trigger an episode of fatigue. Mostly the only people who really understand are those who have or have had cancer themselves. So when Im asked "how are you" I generally just say I'm fit and healthy thank you even if Im feeling like  *** . It keeps them happy and spares them an awkward conversation. I usually attempt to fight fatigue with exercise but sometimes it is overwhelming and I just give in and have a short nap. There does not seem to be any right or wrong way to deal with it. All the best.

Ed