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

Hi, your feed popped up as I was asking the same question. I finished chemo 2 1/2 yrs ago.  Every now and then I wonder if I'm just being feeble and should pull myself together! I was told by the consultant that once chemo had left the body the side effects would disappear. However every person I've spoken to who has had chemo still experiences tiredness or fatigue to some degree along with other permanent conditions. I have to keep reminding myself this is 'normal'. I don't think it's at all psychological, in my case anyway. My life has had to change dramatically to adapt to the new normal. Full time work to part time etc. I don't fight it. I do what I can, sometimes I do too much, recognise it and pull back abit. Everyone is different but I find it helpful to chat with fellow survivors. I also tell people I'm absolutely fine, but the bouts of fatigue are ongoing and I have to adapt to it. I want people to know so they understand my decisions. I actually enjoy taking time to enjoy often very simple things instead of tearing round like a mad thing! Those days are gone and I dont mind. I enjoyed reading the other comments. 

Hello Gerbie.  I'm in for round two now.  My cancer has reappeared, but in my bones.  Its not curable but under control.  I have chemo tablets instead.  I have been on quite a journey as I had to see five doctors before anybody would send me for an Xray.  I got proper poorly to the point I could hardly walk.  Then they gave me  a drug my body didnt like.  So I got very sedentary but now I am trying to rebuild my body.  The initial exercise advise I was given by a nurse was frankly incorrect.  You see I have faced incompetence at every turn.  I was told that the only valid exercise to build your bones up was walking which is horsesh1t.  No, you can do strength training, exercises using your own body weight or with weights.  These does strengthen your bones as when your muscles are being used and rebuilt it pulls at your bones it strenghthens them.  I asked a hospital physio why the clinical staff are giving out false information and she reckons that there is only walking is on the leaflets they read.  I get it, strength training takes effort so inconveniences you, but I reckon dead is a bit inconvenient too if you have a child. So Ive moaned until I got on the exercise referal scheme at a subsidised price at my gym.

Now apart from the benefit to bone health there I am hoping this will help with the fatigue again.  I think walking a bit is valid, it is good for bone health and lymphatic drainage amongst other things but overdoing it is just hurting my knee and hip joints.  Also I get to the point I am exhausted but without actually building my muscles back to the strength they used to be.  Lifting weights I find heavy is causing me to exert myself more so thats giving my cardio vascular system a better work out than walking.  I working on my upper body strength not just my lower body.  The pain in my muscles now is good pain as it is not exhaustion, its my muscles getting ripped, rebuilding and getting stronger.  Ive only been at it a few weeks and upping my weights.  

However if you want to stick to walking physio suggested some mods to exercise to give your upper body a work out.  Carry a water bottle or weights in each hand, or learn nordic walking (you have a stick in each hand).  Also you could put something heavy in your ruck sack and walk with that as long as the straps are adjusted to fit you correctly.