How To Cope With Cancer Related Fatigue
I’m a big fan of Doc Mike Evans engaging videos. Here’s one I came across today on cancer-related fatigue, which is very common during and after treatment.
Many people think that fatigue is something you only experience during treatment. In fact, many of us experience fatigue months or even years after completing active treatment. Unlike normal tiredness, cancer related fatigue does not always go away with rest and sleep.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, taking exercise can reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve quality of life. Dr Evans also advises visualizing your energy levels as a bank account and looking at the things in your life that draw on that account. Ask yourself what in your life is subtracting from your energy account, and what can you do to add to it? Doc Evans offers some advice on this in the form of planning, pacing and priority-setting.
How did you cope with fatigue during and after treatment? Do you have any tips to share with readers?
Postscript: For a brilliant description of what fatigue feels like, read Eileen Rosenbloom’s ode to fatigue.
Marie, this is an important subject to post about, and I appreciate your posting the video. Dr. Evans covers a lot of helpful territory, but I find he is essentially repeating the same basic bromides that neither I nor many of my patients have found helpful enough. Nor does he refer to the research about biomarkers that have been found to be associated with cancer related fatigue. Unfortunately, for most of us, it’s difficult to find a doctor who is even competent to assess cancer related fatigue adequately. I was fortunate to take part in a research study on cancer related fatigue and was thereby able to get such an assessment. Despite doing virtually everything Dr. E recommends, my fatigue continued unabated for months by the time I participated in that study, and even after getting treatment, for years thereafter. I had to give up work hours, and income, and had to take neuro stimulant drugs for a long time in order to function at a sub-optimal level. Nearly eight years later, I still cannot work full-time, but at least I no longer have to take drugs to stay upright all day. For most of us, CRF scarcely resolves in a few months, as Dr. E suggests, but lasts for years. Here’s a link from Cancer.gov: http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/fatigue/fatigue-hp-pdq There are assessment tools included, and a thorough discussion of medications and resources.
xoxo, Kathi
LikeLike
Kathi – thank you so much for this very valuable additional information – I really appreciate you taking the time to share these links.
LikeLike
I relate to a lot of what Kathi said. While I’ve put a lot of this stuff into practice, there are some things that are not practical, such as cutting down my work hours, so quality of life takes a hit. I’m certainly much better than right after treatment. Exercise does help quite a bit as does healthy eating, but five years later, it’s still an issue. When I underwent treatment, I had no idea what I’d be dealing with or for how long. Thanks for getting the conversation started, Marie. It’s an important topic, for sure.
LikeLike
I still suffer so much from fatigue too Eileen – and I am not very good at pacing. Whenever I feel I have a little bit of energy I go all out and spend it without saving any in my bank.
LikeLike
Oh, Marie, I’m afraid I do the very same thing. 🙂
LikeLike
Just read your latest verse on fatigue Eileen – it’s a brilliant description! I am adding it to the post above.
LikeLike
Thank you, Marie!
LikeLike
I am very frustrated by the mindset that if you didn’t have chemo or radiation, you shouldn’t be tired now that treatment is “over.” I had seven surgeries in 8 months, a hemorrhage, multiple blood transfusions, a serious infection resulting in lengthy hospitalization, a dvt, 3 bouts of c. diff – again requiring hospitalization – and an oophorectomy. I’m now on aromatase inhibitors. It’s been five months since my last surgery, and I feel like people think I’m being lazy. I’m working pretty much full time and exercising a couple of times a week, but still going home and taking a nap most days. When I say I’m too tired for something, I get that “look.” I expect most of you are acquainted with it –
And I can find essentially nothing in health information addressing this type of situation and how to deal with it.
LikeLike
Hi Cathy – you’ve raised a really good point. It’s not just chemo or radiation that can cause tiredness – but as you say not everyone understands this. When you think of all your body has been through with surgeries and hospitalizations, it is a huge toll on your body – not just physically but emotionally too.
LikeLike
I’ve been discouraged by how tired I feel several months out from treatment, since I am exercising more regularly and sleeping A LOT, more than I ever did before diagnosis. And still, after 8-9 hours of sleep, I wake up exhausted. It is helpful to know I am not alone in this– helpful to feel, as I read this, that I am not inherently lazy or weak, as I often feel these days.
LikeLike
You certainly aren’t alone Jenny! I hope you don’t get too discouraged to hear that this fatigue lasts for a lot longer than I think any of us anticipated when we first finished treatment.
LikeLike
Marie, thank you for posting this. Cancer related fatigue is multi factorial. If someone’s oncologist does not take this seriously then find another. Many of them do. Many of us will never get back to “normal” but we try to find a balance. A problem is that some ( likely many) women do not do enough exercise and not for a long enough time. Studies show minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderately intense exercise is required. Repeat ” minimum”. Plus this needs to be every week. Forever. Moderately intense means you work up a sweat. I can attest personally that this works and is tremendous for combating the musculoskeletal side effects of AIs as well. Exercise plus proper diet helps but most will not or can not do this. You probably won’t be 100% but you will be a lot better. I’m a doctor and a breast cancer patient so I know first hand.
Dr. ATS
LikeLike
Getting a small adorable assistance dog named Nilla helps me deal with my fatigue because with her, I am more inclined to take it easy, sit on my sexy sofa, and rest and relax. My relaxation brain is not well developed and I know it needs to be used more often.
My bank account is still anemic but I don’t force myself to work a bazillion hours and take on fewer projects and gigs.
I let people help me — meaning if someone wants to take me out for a meal or spa treat, I let them. I also say yes if anyone offers to take my young son on an outing so that I can, you guessed it, spend time sitting on the sunny sofa with Nilla.
LikeLike