Is it normal to be exhausted AFTER I'm done with radiation?

jenn32214

I just finished my six weeks of radiation, luckily I didn't need chemo. I did ok with fatigue during treatments, but now 5 days after being done its hitting me pretty hard. I feel bone tired, and weak all over.

ruthbru

Yes, it is normal. Radiation is cumulative and it will take a couple weeks to get out of your system. Plus, I think the emotion part hits AFTER you are done with 'active' treatment. Try to get a little light exercise, walk etc. that will actually help with the fatigue.

Moderators

Great advice, ruthbru!

Yes, jenn, as ruthbru mentioned, it's very common to experience fatigue after radiation -- fatigue can be a cumulative effect of all of your treatments, as well as the breast cancer diagnosis itself. For some more good information and tips, check out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Managing Fatigue.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

Fallleaves

This may sounds weird, but try and eat 7 prunes a day, if you can. There have been a lot of recent studies showing dried plums (prunes), can protect against the side effects of radiation exposure. They are protective of bone and may even be able to rebuild it. Radiation treatment often causes fatigue due to the increase of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-2, TNFalpha) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC398891...

The prunes can counteract that inflammation, and 50g (about 7 prunes) was found to be effective. http://www.fasebj.org/content/30/1_Supplement/1174...

bevin

I was exhausted after rads and really didn't shake it for a good 3 months. Take it easy, walk, exercise if you can. Those types of things made me feel like I had more energy.

Iniah

I was tired too after radiation, mostly after treatment ended. Take as much rest as you need! Congratulations on finishing!!!

SusanaQ

I like the prune study and will start before I begin radiation, set to start early November after I heal from chemo (last chemo 10/11/16).

Am trying to plan how much activity I can do after I completed 6 weeks of radiation. I know there's no crystal ball but I just figured once I finish radiation, I'm done with treatment but it doesn't sound like that is the case.

ruthbru

If you want some exercise buddies, check out The Let's Post Our Daily Exercise thread on the fitness forum. A great group of women at all fitness levels, stages of treatment and beyond.

ChiSandy

With radiation, the side effects (both fatigue & skin issues) will worsen for awhile (maybe 2-3 wks) after treatment ends but then more quickly begin to ebb.

menelao

my radiation doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering just told me that symptoms are cumulative and hit you the most 1 week after you are don

KarenInCanada

I'm almost 2 months out from tx ending and I'm still exhausted. I'm hoping the next month will get better

Anonymous

Fallleaves - Thanks for the links to the prune studies! I start rads next week. I've been eating 3 prunes almost daily. I will increase it now.

barbe1958

I'm 5 months out and still sleep 10-14 hours a day!!!! While working full time....it's killing me.

bethanygb1

I just got done with my rads last week and I am ok. I think I took 2 naps in the 5 weeks total. But now I am fine. I play competitive tennis 5 days a week. I did have a bit of burning on my upper chest because I was in the sun, but it's all ok now. No fatigue now. Hope you bounce back quickly!

cinsby88

I finished radiation on Oct 25th and started Anastrozole the next day. I am exhausted and am in so much pain. The thing is its getting worse not better. My surgery and rads were on my left breast but two days ago I started having pain in both breasts and really bad body pain. They feel heavy and shooting pain in the left one. Please tell me it gets better!!

barbe1958

The shooting pain could be nerves regenerating if the surgeon had to cut any. I called that feeling zingers! Especially for your sentinel node.