Really tired ?

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jessie123
jessie123 Member Posts: 532
edited May 2019 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I'm on the hypo fractionated radiation program which is a total of 16 whole breast sessions. I have completed 13 of the 16 --- however today I am exhausted --- not sleepy, but my body is exhausted. The tiredness started a couple of days ago, but this morning it is terrible. Is this normal?

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited May 2019

    Yes. Very normal. You have been through a lot, and your body is telling you. If you need to rest, or nap, go ahead. Don’t feel guilty. The tiredness does get better after you finish but will take time. Was about a year for me. I will be starting rads again in a few weeks not looking forward to that.

    Hang in there, it does get better.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited May 2019

    Yes, towards the end I needed to nap a couple times. It gets better quite quickly afterwards. There is tissue damage being done with radiation + stress + all the commuting .. it all adds up to make your body just very tired. Nourish the body with fresh air, lots of water, nutritious foods and adequate sleep.

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited May 2019

    Thank you spookiesmom --- I've got 3 more regular and then 4 boosts. I slept 10 hours last night or maybe 11. This scares me a little because I am alone. I wonder if patients can take a short break from radiation. I had one 1 mm margin --- that's the only reason for my boosts. I just ate a bowl of cereal and am feeling a little better. I have to be able to complete this!!!

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited May 2019

    This is fatigue! I’d never experienced it until rads. It’s like you’re not really sleepy tired but you *have* to get off your feet. FWIW, I found that trying to muscle through it didn’t help. I also only really had it a few days, and not consecutively. I thought it was more related to having a really big day the day before. I also found that the only way to get over it was to go ahead and lie down. After an hour or so it would pass and I’d feel better. The good news is you’re almost finished and the boosts aren’t as taxing (and the non-irradiated part of your skin will start to heal). (Whoops—are you doing boosts?

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited May 2019

    yep, I'm doing 4 boosts. I just called the nurse to see what she thinks. Maybe they will let me take off today and Friday --- that way I'll have a 4 day break. This is like having the flu or a virus, but you're not sick. My surgery didn't even make me tired so this is the first adverse event for me. My breast is red, but it doesn't burn or hurt, however on Monday the doctor told me my breast may be inflamed and may even hurt by today---- Talk about possible power of suggestion!!!! Sure wish the nurse would hurry and call me back because I'm supposed to leave for radiation in 30 minutes. Thanks everyone!

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited May 2019

    I slept for a solid week after finishing rads.

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited May 2019

    Just got back from rad's. Doctor said that I can take off tomorrow as that won't affect outcome at all. For some reason I don't feel as tired as I did earlier today. The tech's also said the tiredness is normal. I think that I just get so scared when something new (like tiredness) happens that I become almost psychosomatic about it and imagine symptoms that aren't there. Anyway thanks for all the support -- it really has helped me.

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