How long after chemo did you stay wiped out.

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melbox
melbox Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I finished chemo on 1-20-10, 6 rounds of TAC.  I am still unable to exercise much, and get easily fatigued.  When does it get better? Radiation starts in a couple of weeks.  I'm trying to work 30 hrs /week.

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited February 2010

    I think you may have to try to find a balance between exercising to combat fatigue but not exhausting you.  It may be a different form of exercise than before you were diagnosed.

    Try to get a few short walks in daily - at least 10 mins each - try for 3 times a day

    It may not sound like exercise but it is retraining your body and is getting the blood flowing!

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    I think you do need to remember that your body has just been through a war, you are not going to be back to your normal level of energy immediately.

    Just do a little bit each day, to rebuild your stamina, but try and be consistent. Don't try to do "too much" and then be out of action for the next week.

    Give yourself a bit of time - you will get there! 

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited February 2010

    If you were told not to take any vitamin during chemo, you need to start vitamins again and eat well-balanced meals, especially before radiation.   You will find less fatigue and tolerate radiation much better later.

    Karen

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited February 2010

    Do you know what your blood counts are?  I know my sister was severely anemic for years after finishing chemo which contributed to fatigue. 

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited February 2010

    Hi

    It took me about 6 to 9 months after chemo to feel 'normal'.Very gradually. Please take your time, eat well and get plenty of rest...

    I am trying to get going with exercise but it ain't easy! Not to mention my memory is shot! I just went upstairs to get something and by the time I got there, I had forgotten why I went upstairs to begin with. I don't know if that can be fixed! Tongue out 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Helena - you will have to join us in the Fitness challenge!

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited February 2010

    melbox....I also did TAC x 6....it is a hard regimine....you have only been done chemo for about 3 weeks...that is not very long.....plus you are working....take time to rest, but for exercise, it may just be walks....as my onc keeps telling me, you have to train after going through all the Txs.  It does take time, but it will get better...good luck with rads...Hugs,  Karen

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited February 2010

    Yes Kerry!

    (One of my many New Year's Resolutions)....

    Helena.

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2010

    Melbox, I finished tx in Oct. then did 25 rads that I finished December 23rd.  I only started getting "some" energy in January.  I am doing pretty well now, I started walking and can almost function like a normal human ;o)~.  Good luck with rads.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    I'm 8 weeks PFC, doing rads and do get very tired by the end of the day.  I went back to work 2 weeks after finishing chemo, but only worked a few hours a day, sometimes less.  I just started working full time hours 2 1/2 weeks ago and it's exhausting.  But........... I'm told the energy will return.  And.......... I do notice in the mornings and on the weekends I really do have a lot more energy than I used to.

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  • kimt
    kimt Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2010

    It definitely does get better - I did 6 rounds of TAC also, finished Sept 30th.  Had 2 surgeries almost immediately after that (hyst & bmx due to BRCA2 status), so I had a lot going on on top of the chemo, but I did get most of my energy back pretty quickly. At least enough to get through normal daily activities and, once I could after surgery, to take walks again.  Give yourself time  - and just do what you can.  Honestly, I still get tired by the evenings and get into pajamas pretty early! (but I think that is more from not getting enough sleep due to night sweats) I have plenty of energy to get through the day.   

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited February 2010

    melbox, it does take time.  Everyminute gave some excellent advice.  You do need to find balance.  I had a very hard time with the TC still a lot of SE's coming up on a year.  I exercised through treatment and after as much as I could push it.  Exercising helps, you don't want to lose muscle mass. Being a coach potatoe then trying to get up and do things doesn't work very well.   However, I've been told pushing it too hard probably worsened some muscle damage.  So, everyminute said it right.  Find the balance.  Listen to your body.  Everyone reacts differently to this stuff. 

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  • MEG54
    MEG54 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2010

    Hi, Melbox:

     I also did six rounds of TAC, between Oct 2007 and end of Jan 2008; finished up 33  radiation treatments on April 1, 2008

    I didn't really start to get my energy back until I was a few weeks out of radiation (which can cause fatigue as well, but not as bad as the chemo)

    I was a daily exerciser when I was diagnosed, and was back to that, plus two Pilates mat classes a week by the first week of June.

    Just hold on:  you will not believe how GOOD you are going to feel when this is all over!

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