Energy after chemo

etherize · March 2012

I'm one cycle away from finishing chemo (yay!) and wondering when I'll get my energy back. What have you all experienced? Since radiation starts after chemo and it also causes fatigue, should I expect to be out of it for another 6 weeks after chemo ends? Or is the fatigue of radiation less than that of chemo?

This is getting a little depressing. But at this point, I don't know if I'm depressed because I'm tired or tired because I'm depressed. Tongue out

dlb823 · March 2012

etherize, we're all so different, but I personally remember having difficulty even climbing a flight of stairs immediately following chemo. Luckily, I had about a month break before I started rads, so that helped. But I often said I didn't think RT itself was that tiring, but just the fact that it comes right after chemo, and by that time most of us are pretty worn out, both physically and emotionally.

How are you sleeping? That might be one place to start breaking the tired & depressed cycle, if you can improve that. Also maybe getting outdoors a bit and walking -- even just for 10 minutes -- can help because exercise creates endorphines.

So sorry you're feeling down, but you're almost through with chemo, and I think you'll feel a huge sense of relief when that's done and behind you! So, please hang in there! You're at one of the rougher points now -- not quite done with one tx and still facing another -- but it will get a lot better once you're done with chemo and can start counting down rads! (((Hugs))) Deanna

SpecialK · March 2012

etherize - I did not have rads but it did take about 4-6 weeks to feel like some semblance of normal after chemo. The ladies in my chemo group that did do rads did not experience the fatigue until close to the end, and I think some of that is the hassle of having to go every day, then do all the other stuff you have to do as well. I think eating well (food will start to taste better - yay!), sleeping as much as you can and getting exercise will go a long way to sustaining you. Good luck!

Momine · March 2012

My sister, I hear you on that last bit about not knowing if being tired is depressing or being depressed is tiring.

I was pretty feisty during the first 4 chemos and my BMX. Then I had 4 more chemos, followed by rads. I managed to stay sort of feisty for the first half of that, but towards the end, I was TIRED!!! and not even really able to pretend that I wasn't. I am now 13 weeks past last chemo and 4 weeks past the rads, and last week I had a hysterectomy. So, I am still nowhere near 100%, but the chemo fog has definitely lifted, my brains seem to be working and I don't feel totally crummy anymore.

etherize · March 2012

Thanks for the replies, ladies! I am sleeping OK but haven't had the energy to go for a walk or anything. Last time I tried I felt like I was trying to run in a swimming pool, it was that hard (I got pretty anemic after the last cycle). It's been raining for the past week (and predicted to rain for another week) so it'll be awhile before I can get out to try again, but I will do that.

I'm doing 6 cycles of chemo total. The first three were pretty easy but boy the last three are getting me. Knowing there's an end to it does help.

Deanna, do you know, is that common to have a month off between chemo and rads? It would be nice to have a break, but I'd also like to get it all overwith, too.

SpecialK, thanks for the input; that's a good point about the hassle of having to go every day being tiring in itself.

Momine, so glad to hear your chemo fog has lifted! And you're feeling better, too. That's a lot of stuff to go through.

Momine · March 2012

That feeling in the legs may be an SE from the chemo. I got inflammation in the muscles from taxotere, and when I tried to walk I felt like I was 95, with a bad heart. Annoying as all get out. It will pass. But in general it will help you feel better if you can make yourself move even a little. I also tried to do any little stupid thing to make myself feel better, nice foods, a new book, a pretty hat.

dlb823 · March 2012

etherize, I don't think it's that common to have a break. I was ready to start Dec 1, but my rad onc was going to be away for 2 weeks during the holidays, and wanted me to wait until she returned. I've since read there's no problem with a little wait, but I agree with you that getting it over and done ASAP is the better option.

Momine describes that leg heaviness perfectly. I remember being in a huge stadium 6 weeks after I finished chemo and having so much difficulty climbing the steps to my seat that I actually sat there so sad and wondering if chemo had propelled me into old age (that 95-year old feeling!), and if I'd ever be the same again. But, thankfully, our bodies have a tremendous capacity to heal and rebuild. It will just take a little time. And I'm sure the rain isn't helping with your down mood, but that too will pass. In the mean time, maybe make an effort to play music that makes you feel good, buy some fresh flowers, etc... anything to lift your spirits. (((Hugs))) Deanna

etherize · March 2012

Yes, I feel like I'm 95! I will take your advice and try to move a little bit more. Thanks again, everybody--it's so helpful to have your support!

SpecialK · March 2012

etherize - that heavy burning feeling in the legs is a direct SE from chemo induced anemia. Lowered hemoglobin means that your muscles are not being effectively oxygenated. As your counts improve that feeling will go away. Try short walks on flat surfaces for a while, if you can. If not, just rest up until you can! Fake it till you make it, right? On the break between chemo and rads - everyone I know has had a 4-6 week break. Most oncs want that break to definitively separate the SE's from chemo and the potential SE's from rads. Also, you need the break to rebuild enough to tolerate rads. I had a similar break between the end of chemo and the start of the aromatase inhibitor.

etherize · March 2012

Very interesting, SpecialK! You always have such good information. Thanks so much!

SpecialK · March 2012

You are most welcome! Congrats on reaching the end of chemo, I know this has been hard for you, and it is great that you can see the light at the end of that chemo tunnel!

ruthbru · March 2012

Try to keep moving at whatever level you can during chemo. It will really help you bounce back faster & better when you are done. Other than getting tired of going there every day, I felt GREAT during rads. Probably because I was so thrilled not to be doing chemo anymore......that said, I've read that you should give yourself the same amount of time you were in treatment before you can expect to be back to a 'normal' energy level (if you were in treatment 6 months, expect it will take 6 more months). Personally I think it takes a lot longer...I would say it takes more like double the time.....but it does come. Best of luck!

cfdr · April 2012

I am 3 months post-chemo; I had rad before chemo. I got pneumonia immediately after chemo, so I've only really been "healthy" for two months.

I am no longer short of breath from anemia and pneumonia, and I don't have achy legs from just walking up the stairs. But, my energy level has been very up and down. I was doing great for a while, exercising lots, and then I got a rebound fatigue and it was like being on chemo again. That has happened twice now...I feel like I'm just getting past the second round of fatigue. I've learned that I have to increase my activity very slooowly, and that chores like vacuuming and weeding can exhaust me just as easily as a 5 mile hike.

One of the oncology nurses told me that it would take 6 months to a year to feel normal again. Ugh.

Megadotz · April 2012

Hi,

First, congrats on completing chemo. That's a big milestone.

I had rads after chemo and they had me wait three weeks -- the same amount of time that I waited between infusions.

My RO told me that for the fisrt several weeks that the fatigue was a wash because I would be gaining strength from ending chemo at the same time that the effects of radiation were starting.

The fatigue cylce is definitely differnet between the two types of treatment -- chemo is more of a roller-coaster whack-a-mole exprience, radiation is slower and cummulative. You don't go down as hard and fast as you do from chemo, but you also don't have the up periods between treatments.

On the plus side, you already are acquainted with fatigue and better able to judge energy levle by the time you get to rads and are less like to be overconfident about what's feasible.

You have more issues to deal with than many of us, check with your MO and RO to see if a little bit longer break might be beneficial to help you gain more strength. The advice is still to drink lots of water and get plenty of protein. The center wher I had treatment wanted folks to hold off on taking any supplements other than a multi-vitamin.

All the best.

etherize · April 2012

Megadotz, that's very interesting about the difference in fatigue with the two treatments. I've noticed a cumulative fatigue with chemo, though -- the first three treatments were pretty easy but the last three have had me wondering if I could find the energy to even take a shower. I guess a lot depends on the kind of shape you're in before you even start chemo.

cfdr, you've really been through the ringer! Anemia plus pneumonia plus chemo! Hopefully you'll get your energy back sooner than what the chemo nurse predicts. I think you're right about taking it slowly.

Megadotz · April 2012

Etherize, there is a cumulative effect to the chemo fatigue, after the crash portion, the recovery period doesn't get you back to your previous energy level before the the next chemo and the next crash, which makes you more fatigued than the last.

I'm sure that the fatige level we start with is a factor as well as the particular chemo regime. My chemo was six sessions of TAC (taxtore, adriamycin and cytoxan) every three week I'd have chemo on Thursday, neulasta on Friday and crash on the weekend. I worked during chemo and had a very early bedtime. By the weekend before the next chemo I'd have enough energy back to do something fun like go to a movie.

I think handling radiation fatigue is more manageable for folks who have chemo first, because we have experience dealing with fatigue and are more able to recognize when we need to slow down and take a break.

For both types its important to listen to your body and take it slow.

sunflower71 · April 2012

Congrats on finishing chemo! It's over!

Last year at this time, I was where you are. I am now 1 year PFC and I feel like my old self with a different haircut. I can workout, I do not feel like I am in a pool of jello, and my head is no longer foggy.

I started rads immediately after chemo. I also was still getting herceptin. I started feeling better 3-4 months after rads. But, 10 months later I woke up and felt "normal". Again, herceptin could have played into that. During rads I was tired, but not as tired as chemo. It was a whole different animal. I was so grateful to be done with Taxotere that rads seemed easy.

I found that during chemo and rads I dealt with the fatigue. After they were over I was so anxious to return back to old self that I was often sad and angry when I felt "95". It felt like forever. It's not. It will come back, everyone is different, but eventually our bodies heal. Wishing you smooth sailing thru rads!

etherize · April 2012

Thanks sunflower and Megadotz!

I was told the effects of chemo would be cumulative and that's what I've noticed. I'm looking forward to the end of treatment when I'll start getting energy back, and getting my brain back, too. ;-)

Brooke51 · April 2012

HI Ladies - I'm new to this but enjoy reading your comments. I just finished 4 A/C treatments over 12 weeks and the first two were fine with a 48 hour period of heavy drug feeling then the third one I got bronchitis and with the effects of the neulasta shot I felt sore and sick for two weeks from the viral infection, the last chemo just made me more tired so I didn't plan anything for 4 days so I could sleep when needed (listening to your body is so important). Now I am gearing up for 12 weeks of weekly taxol with Herceptin and had a few days this week where I was overwhelmed and just cried.

I found the Neulasta shot just as challenging as the chemo plus the steriods really make me "hot" all the time (flushed face) and sleeping for 3 hours at a time. My oncologist and surgeon have set up treatment with 3 weeks between beginning new chemo then a month off before lumpectomy then month off before 30 rads. I think the break gives my body a chance to recover. I am very healthy other than this "cancer thing" and I am very careful to eat Vegan/organic and take supplements and excerise when I can. I mowed the lawn the other day and walked so slow I looked like a turtle moving across the lawn - really straight lines!

Any suggestions for relieving the symptons of steriods? I celebrate with you on your last chemo - I am planning a special song, celebration with nurses on my last day of chemo - maybe a new pair of shoes too!

Momine · April 2012

Definitely new shoes! It is amazing what new shoes can do.

msphil · April 2012

Hey sweetie, I am so glad to hear you,re one away from final chemo and then rads, I too was very tired and fatigued from both in time it will get better, hang in there, take it from a Survivor long time, 18 yrs and counting (Prasie the Lord). ms (idc, stage 2, 3 nodes, Lmast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen)

JoanQuilts · April 2012

Thank you ladies! This thread has been so helpful to me! After my 4th chemo a few weeks ago, I started to feel the exhaustion/heavy legs/95th year old woman syndrome you're all describing and I have been very down about it. I spoke to my MO and he said it was from chemo-induced anemia and you've all confirmed that.

So happy to hear that it is normal and that it will lift. I am a "young" 53 and I hate feeling like my elderly mother. I am so exhausted these days that it is depressing. My last chemo is in 3 weeks and I realize that it will take about a month before recovery starts after that, so I've still got a ways to go, but I am committed to doing whatever it takes from a diet and exercise perspective to move my recovery along.

Love you ladies!

Energy after chemo

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