Radiation and Fatigue

[JHan]

I've just been through 10 radiation treatments, I was told to expect after effects like fatigue but nothing prepared me for the extreme exhaustion I'm going through.

I'm wondering if I'm ever going to ever feel like myself again.

[skylucy]

1. Hi JHan --Hugs to you and sending wishes for better health soon. My father went through

radiation treatments. He was in his early 80s at the time. He experienced extreme fatigue and some other scary effects. I remember thinking "Oh my god. He will never be the same." He is now almost 92 years old, cancer free, living in his own house, still drives, and amazes people with his energy and independence.

I was so upset when I saw how weak and tired Dad was during the treatments (especially toward the end of the series of treatments) I talked to a friend of mine whose child had gone through radiation. She assured me that my dad would recover his vitality, just as her daughter had. She was right.

Take care JHan.

[JHan]

3. thank you for sharing that, it gives me hope.

I'm so glad your Dad is cancer free and back to himself.

the fatigue is so debilitating.

Right now it's hard to see things looking up but I'm keeping the faith.

[Cousin Dupree]

2. You will feel better! So sorry you're going through this. I'm sending you positive healing wishes.

[JHan]

4. thank you

[Ohiogal]

5. Hi, JHan

Cancer survivor here. 4 months of chemo followed by 30 radiation treatments.

I’m sorry you are so fatigued. I did not experience it quite so badly, but everyone is different. Extreme fatigue is a common side effect from radiation treatments.

I hope you have a good support system and people to lean on. Take care of yourself first. I know, everyone says that. But it’s so important. It will all be behind you before you know it.

I will hope for a speedy recovery for you. Just remember, it WILL get better. I know sometimes you wonder if it ever will!

Hugs,

Ohiogal

[JHan]

7. I have a great support system.

I've got to learn to take care of me. I think I'm trying to do the most right now and that's not helping.

"It will all be behind you before you know it. " - I need to tell myself that. And I Will survive this!

[cyclonefence]

6. I had radiation with my first cancer,

and, like you, I was very surprised by how debilitating the fatigue was. I had expected to be tired, but this was way beyond tired. I finally dealt with it be refusing to be surprised! You know now how this is making you feel; let it go, if you can. Do you have someone helping you? I found that trying hard to do what I could was a big mistake. I felt a lot better if I just stayed sitting (or lying) someplace comfortable with junk TV on and welcomed drifting off to sleep. I think resisting the fatigue only makes it hold on longer--your body needs rest after this assault, and you shouldn't deny it.

Part of my problem was Puritan guilt. I hope this is not your problem, too. You are not exhausted because you are lazy. You're exhausted because your body has been attacked by foreign particles!

It will eventually get better, but I think it will take longer if you try to speed your recovery up. If you can, resting and pampering yourself will make you feel better now and help you get better long term.

This is a real tough thing to go through, especially if you are an energetic person and like to get things done. But it will pass, and you'll get back to your old self eventually--it just takes time. Hang in there!

[JHan]

8. yes, it's way beyond tired, it's a constant feeling of being drained.

I am trying to do too much right now , I'll admit to that. I want to finish somethings and I have to accept now is not the right timing to do so. I still try to do what I can but you are so right , I shouldn't fight it, my body needs to heal.

I'm so stubborn too

Your post helped me alot, thank you so much cyclonefence

[cyclonefence]

9. I've received such support myself

from this group that I'm grateful for a chance to try to help somebody else.

Now put your feet up and turn on Say Yes to the Dress. To hell with the dishes.

[JHan]

11. "to hell with the dishes" lol

I've got to learn to pace myself, I always want to do the most.

[cyclonefence]

25. Happy New Year!

I hope you are being good to yourself!

[JHan]

30. happy new year to you too!

I am trying to rest a lot more.

[alfredo]

24. One nice thing about radiation therapy at Markey Cancer Center was

the nice knit caps they let you pick out for free. I called them Cancer Helmets. Little old ladies knitted them for us.

[Staph]

10. I went through 25 radiation treatments for uterine cancer, five years ago.

Yes, it was exhausting. Based on what some folks told me back then, I listened to my body. When I was tired, I sat down, or even took a nap. It does help, and it eventually goes away. I got my energy back two or three months after the end of chemo, which was about six or seven months after radiation.

You may want to talk to your doctor about the long-term effects. My radiation doctor said that having the radiation could slightly increase my chances of having colon or other cancers located in the lower belly, ten to fifteen years later. So I'm careful to have a regular colonoscopy every five years.

[JHan]

12. yup my doctors warned me but I had no idea ..... my word.

I'm restarting chemo soon so I know this fatigue won't go away, I'm going to have to manage my energy levels carefully.

[alfredo]

13. Yeah, it knocks the crap out of you.

My energy didn't rebound quick enough. They ran some tests and found Thyroid was damaged, so they put me on Synthroid. My radiation was centered on my neck and base of the tongue. YMMV

You will see small improvements over the weeks and months. Be patient, follow what the doctor suggests, and get out of the house when you can. Don't let your muscles weaken.


l had 35 treatments. Man they fried me good. Your skin will suffer from burns. Only use Aquaphor for your skin. It won't interfere with the radiation machine.

I'm turning 74 so recover is at a snails pace.

Hang in there.

[JHan]

15. I've been doing whatever little exercise I can, because my muscles do feel weak.

Never thought just walking would be trial. My legs feel wobbly. Been wondering if strength training will help, because I Don't want atrophy issues.

I'm trying to be patient, but my mind is going at a rate.

Hoping you fully recover soon.

[alfredo]

16. Patience is so important.

I will never fully recover, but I can live with the lasting effects. I have a feeding tube in my belly and because of damage to my throat, I can’t take in enough liquids. I can eat some, but not enough. My nutrients come in the form of 2Cal. It’s free, so no big thing. Thanks to VA, all treatment was free.

One can adapt to a new reality. I’m alive, and that is enough.

I can now eat corned beef. Little victories are so important.

[JHan]

18. "I'm alive, and that is enough"

so important about the small victories too. I'm always grateful if I can do something or manage some little activity. I Just have to "trust the process".

Your perspective has been invaluable, thank you so much.

[alfredo]

22. Thanks. It's an Interesting journey.

[still_one]

14. My situation is different, but I can understand the fatigue you are going through. In my case

it was after the infusions of methyl prednisolone for uveitis. I couldn't even function. It zapped all my energy. I was pretty depressed.

It eventually came down to this for me, I didn't want to go blind, and I wanted it to work. I also changed my mindset to where I didn't think too far ahead, but I just took it one day at a time, and listened to my body.

You need time to regain strength and get back your tolerance, and you will!!!

Take care

[JHan]

19. ...

[still_one]

21. .........................

[alfredo]

23. Chemo will do some real damage, but you deal with it

[Solly Mack]

17. It took a good year for me to feel anything close to my old self.

Everyone is different though.

I napped. A lot. I wasn't prepared for how exhausted it made me.

Hang in there.

[JHan]

20. i will

[Anon-C]

26. ...

You will!

[JHan]

31. ...

[aka-chmeee]

27. Had 37 radiation treatments 5 years ago.

I remember being weak and tired....worst side effect was anorexia. But none of that lasted long after completion of treatments. Hard to say whether radiation caused it all though, as I had cisplatin chemo as well. Couple of the effects(dry mouth, altered sense of taste) persist yet, but I feel great. Hang in there!

[Gothmog]

28. You will be in our prayers

[cpamomfromtexas]

29. My husband is about to start this. Scared but want him to live! I pray daily for

All the patients and people who work in this hospital.

I hate to say it but I would overlook everything Trump has done if he cured cancer.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

32. You will recover

I did 45 IMRT treatments over 9 weeks for prostate cancer. About halfway through, a few friends stated remarking that I looked more tired than they'd ever seen me. The Dr. said that I was right on schedule. After I was through with the course, I was a bit wobbly, but I did start getting better after a couple months. It's been 6 years since the start of treatment, and I'm cancer free. My PSA dropped to 0.2, and is staying there.