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

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jenn32214
jenn32214 Member Posts: 89
edited November 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

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.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2016

    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.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2016

    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

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  • Fallleaves
    Fallleaves Member Posts: 806
    edited September 2016

    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...


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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited September 2016

    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.

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  • Iniah
    Iniah Member Posts: 70
    edited September 2016

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



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  • SusanaQ
    SusanaQ Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2016

    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.


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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2016

    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.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited September 2016

    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.

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  • menelao
    menelao Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2016

    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

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  • KarenInCanada
    KarenInCanada Member Posts: 271
    edited September 2016

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

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2016

    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.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited September 2016

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

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  • bethanygb1
    bethanygb1 Member Posts: 31
    edited November 2016

    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!

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  • cinsby88
    cinsby88 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2016

    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!!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

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

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