Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JHan

(10,173 posts)
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 10:26 AM Dec 2018

Radiation and Fatigue

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.

32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Radiation and Fatigue (Original Post) JHan Dec 2018 OP
Hi JHan --Hugs to you and sending wishes for better health soon. My father went through skylucy Dec 2018 #1
thank you for sharing that, it gives me hope. JHan Dec 2018 #3
You will feel better! So sorry you're going through this. I'm sending you positive healing wishes. Cousin Dupree Dec 2018 #2
thank you JHan Dec 2018 #4
Hi, JHan Ohiogal Dec 2018 #5
I have a great support system. JHan Dec 2018 #7
I had radiation with my first cancer, cyclonefence Dec 2018 #6
yes, it's way beyond tired, it's a constant feeling of being drained. JHan Dec 2018 #8
I've received such support myself cyclonefence Dec 2018 #9
"to hell with the dishes" lol JHan Dec 2018 #11
Happy New Year! cyclonefence Jan 2019 #25
happy new year to you too! JHan Jan 2019 #30
One nice thing about radiation therapy at Markey Cancer Center was alfredo Jan 2019 #24
I went through 25 radiation treatments for uterine cancer, five years ago. Staph Dec 2018 #10
yup my doctors warned me but I had no idea ..... my word. JHan Dec 2018 #12
Yeah, it knocks the crap out of you. alfredo Dec 2018 #13
I've been doing whatever little exercise I can, because my muscles do feel weak. JHan Dec 2018 #15
Patience is so important. alfredo Dec 2018 #16
"I'm alive, and that is enough" JHan Dec 2018 #18
Thanks. It's an Interesting journey. alfredo Dec 2018 #22
My situation is different, but I can understand the fatigue you are going through. In my case still_one Dec 2018 #14
... JHan Dec 2018 #19
......................... still_one Dec 2018 #21
Chemo will do some real damage, but you deal with it alfredo Dec 2018 #23
It took a good year for me to feel anything close to my old self. Solly Mack Dec 2018 #17
i will JHan Dec 2018 #20
... Anon-C Jan 2019 #26
... JHan Jan 2019 #31
Had 37 radiation treatments 5 years ago. aka-chmeee Jan 2019 #27
You will be in our prayers Gothmog Jan 2019 #28
My husband is about to start this. Scared but want him to live! I pray daily for cpamomfromtexas Jan 2019 #29
You will recover Nac Mac Feegle Jan 2019 #32

skylucy

(3,865 posts)
1. Hi JHan --Hugs to you and sending wishes for better health soon. My father went through
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 10:44 AM
Dec 2018

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

(10,173 posts)
3. thank you for sharing that, it gives me hope.
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 11:15 AM
Dec 2018

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.



Ohiogal

(34,990 posts)
5. Hi, JHan
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 12:30 PM
Dec 2018

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

(10,173 posts)
7. I have a great support system.
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 01:00 PM
Dec 2018

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

(4,873 posts)
6. I had radiation with my first cancer,
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 12:35 PM
Dec 2018

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

(10,173 posts)
8. yes, it's way beyond tired, it's a constant feeling of being drained.
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 01:02 PM
Dec 2018

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

(4,873 posts)
9. I've received such support myself
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 04:48 PM
Dec 2018

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.

alfredo

(60,146 posts)
24. One nice thing about radiation therapy at Markey Cancer Center was
Tue Jan 1, 2019, 12:22 AM
Jan 2019

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

Staph

(6,353 posts)
10. I went through 25 radiation treatments for uterine cancer, five years ago.
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 04:53 PM
Dec 2018

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

(10,173 posts)
12. yup my doctors warned me but I had no idea ..... my word.
Thu Dec 27, 2018, 07:20 PM
Dec 2018

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

(60,146 posts)
13. Yeah, it knocks the crap out of you.
Fri Dec 28, 2018, 12:53 AM
Dec 2018

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

(10,173 posts)
15. I've been doing whatever little exercise I can, because my muscles do feel weak.
Fri Dec 28, 2018, 08:59 AM
Dec 2018

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

(60,146 posts)
16. Patience is so important.
Fri Dec 28, 2018, 10:07 AM
Dec 2018

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

(10,173 posts)
18. "I'm alive, and that is enough"
Fri Dec 28, 2018, 04:18 PM
Dec 2018

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.

still_one

(96,753 posts)
14. My situation is different, but I can understand the fatigue you are going through. In my case
Fri Dec 28, 2018, 08:02 AM
Dec 2018

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











Solly Mack

(93,040 posts)
17. It took a good year for me to feel anything close to my old self.
Fri Dec 28, 2018, 12:30 PM
Dec 2018

Everyone is different though.

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

Hang in there.

aka-chmeee

(1,177 posts)
27. Had 37 radiation treatments 5 years ago.
Tue Jan 1, 2019, 09:44 AM
Jan 2019

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!

cpamomfromtexas

(1,347 posts)
29. My husband is about to start this. Scared but want him to live! I pray daily for
Tue Jan 1, 2019, 12:23 PM
Jan 2019

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

(979 posts)
32. You will recover
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 09:34 PM
Jan 2019

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.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Cancer Support»Radiation and Fatigue