Fatigue - Will my energy really come back

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RuthieL
RuthieL Member Posts: 10
edited April 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I have completed my 3rd round of chemo (Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Herceptin) and the fatigue I am feeling is horrible. I come home from working 4 to 5 hours (desk job) and have to take a 2 hour nap.

I am scared my energy level will not return to the level it was and it really has me concerned. I still have 3 more rounds of the Docetaxel and Carboplatin and would appreciate any thoughts on when and if energy levels really return to normal.

Thanks so much for any input!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2018

    Hi RuthieL-

    Welcome to BCO! We're glad you've joined our community, you're in the right place for support. The fatigue is definitely a hard side effect to manage! Everyone responds to chemo differently, but many of our members will tell you that yes, your energy levels will start to feel normal again. In the meantime, be kind to yourself, and give yourself time to adjust to the treatment. We know it isn't easy! But you're not alone.

    The Mods

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  • Gussy
    Gussy Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2018

    Yes, your energy level will return. I have gone through chemo and surgery and I can promise you that it will come back. It has for me and now in retrospect I have a hard time remembering how bad the fatigue was. Hang in there.

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  • Okkate75
    Okkate75 Member Posts: 151
    edited April 2018

    I know just how you feel! It's so scary. I couldn't imagine my energy coming back, but here it is, less than two months out of chemo! There is another side, I promise. You'll feel so much better sooner thank you think. Sending strength!

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  • Debsmisto
    Debsmisto Member Posts: 171
    edited April 2018

    I'm on the same regimen as you Ruthie, I have had 4 rounds and I agree the fatigue is scary bad. I still have to have surgery after chemo and I'm afraid I'll be too weak to withstand the surgery. I am glad to see someone else feels like I do and that many of you felt better after chemo. I keep telling myself you can do this 😊

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  • Ginaf326
    Ginaf326 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2018

    Hello-

    Had first chemo treatment last Friday. Having 4 rounds over 3 months as a precaution as my oncotype came back at 25.

    Having a tough time sleeping anytime of day or night. Very restless. Sore throat, hurts to swallow. 

    Will all of this stop before the next treatment in May or is it going to be ongoing. 


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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    I was very fatigued during chemo, but my energy came back about 3 mo PFC. It prolly would have come back sooner, but I had BMX 6 wks after chemo and suffered a lot of complications. It seemed all my energy went to healing for a while there.Still, I went on a major business trip across the country about 13wks PFC and did great.

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  • pingpong1953
    pingpong1953 Member Posts: 362
    edited April 2018

    I had terrible fatigue when I was on docetaxel, which I got in 3 infusions after I had the FEC combo. The fatigue was absolutely the worst part of all of my chemo. I'm retired, so I didn't have to balance it with work, but even then I can remember having to take a break half-way up the stairs to my bedroom. It went away gradually and I was back to normal by the end of the second month PFC. I also thought I'd never be normal again!

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited April 2018

    I had A LOT of fatigue during the AC chemo, and some, but less, with Taxol. I think whenever I bike back strength and energy it’s time for a new phase of treatment (surgery, radiation), so it’s hard to say, but I do think/hope that I recover energy wventually

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  • RuthieL
    RuthieL Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2018

    This is so helpful! Thank you!

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  • RuthieL
    RuthieL Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2018

    The only time I have trouble sleeping is when I take my steroids. I have to take them the day before and the day after chemo and that usually keeps me up. My doctor advised me to take them as early in the day as possible so they don't interfere with my sleep. They still do somewhat but it's better. I haven't had any other symptoms you mentioned but I am hopeful they go away soon. Keep fighting the good fight!

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  • RuthieL
    RuthieL Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2018

    The only time I have trouble sleeping is when I take my steroids. I have to take them the day before and the day after chemo and that usually keeps me up. My doctor advised me to take them as early in the day as possible so they don't interfere with my sleep. They still do somewhat but it's better. I haven't had any other symptoms you mentioned but I am hopeful they go away soon. Keep fighting the good fight!

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