Extreme Fatigue

Amy_T

Are any of you experiencing extreme fatigue during chemo?  I have tried excersizing, eating right, sleeping the best I can, and even started taking L-Carnetine 3 x a day (since I read the NCI was doing research on it's ability to help with chemo related fatigue).  Nothing is helping.  The excersize that is so highly recommended makes me worse.  I am fine while I'm doing it, but afterwards I feel like I have the flu, all achy and so exhausted I can't keep my eyes open.   Just walking around the other day a lot has caused me to feel like I ran marathon!  Is there anything to fight the fatigue that actually works?

Nordy

Amy - if you are doing all of that, the only other thing I can add is to make sure you are drinking LOTS of water. This helps push the chemo through and flush your system. Dehydration is also known to contribute to fatigue. Also, go easy on your exercise - and I am an exercise advocate, especially during treatment. Yes, it is important - but too much can also be detrimental. I exercised throughout my chemo, mainly in the form of walking and really, you just have to listen to your body as far as duration and intensity. Also, take naps when you need to! Your body is in fight mode!!! Do what you need to do to win the fight!

jmar19

If I could have found something that helped, I would have done it.  It sucks.  I've been there and I just had to suck it up and wait till it was over.  Once chemo was done, I felt so much better.  Unfortuantely, every chemo treatment I felt worse.  It helped to keep myself busy mentally, not necesssarily physically because that would make it worse.  I would talk to friends on the phone or have someone come take me out for the day to lunch or over a friends house to visit.  That was about all I could handle but the mental focus helped.

yasminv1

Hang in there Amy! Just do what you can with whatever energy you have. Your body is going through hell right now.

joanneasiata

Hi there i get fatigue really bad, Ive been taking a liquid iron supplement ,i was a bit low in iron before i started chemo and they say that chemo lowers your iron levels ,so i gave iron a try and i think it has helped a lot i wasn't fuzzy in the head and the fatigue wasn't as bad . Also ive heard acupuncture has helped some people .   hope this helps JOANNE

Nicolethomas

Drink as much water as you can the day before during and after chemo! Also I noticed a huge change with B vitamins and if the excersice is making it worse stop or cut it in half. You don't want to push yourself with that so hard right now. Sleep, your body is telling you you need rest. Good luck and God bless