Hi! I'm Lindsay, and I've been having problems with fatigue. Every since I started my cancer terament, I've found mkyself with a lot of exhaustion and unable to do even simple household chores. Is there antying I can do to combat trhis?

Hi Lindsay,

Here is information I pulled from the Nurses' Corner section of Caring4Cancer.  You can find more answers to questions like these in our Daily Management Section (go to Nurses' Corner) of the website!

Q: What can I do to overcome the exhaustion I feel?

A: It may sound crazy, but one of the best ways to reduce exhaustion is to increase your physical activity. That's right--exercising will make you feel less tired. Research shows that cancer patients following a home-based exercise program of walking and using resistance bands were less tired during chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In addition, they also seemed to suffer less nausea and vomiting. Additionally, talk to your health care team to see if you are anemic (low red blood count) as the No. 1 sign of anemia is extreme tiredness.

Start slowly and build your activity level gradually. Do a little bit at a time and as much as feels comfortable. Even 10 to 30 minutes of exercise daily can help to minimize fatigue. If you can't walk, just move your arms, legs, and torso. Talk with your health care team about good ways to stay active during treatment. Exercise will help you rest better and increase your own sense of well-being.
--Kathy Newman, RN, BSN

Hi. I too was very tired. I tried fighting it and went to work everyday but treatment days. It wasn't easy but when it was necessary I rested.  I sat down when necessary.   A short nap does wonders.  On treatment days go to bed and rest. I would sleep the afternoons away.  You need your rest to fight this disease. I didn't do much household chores or cooking thanks to family and friends.  Don't try to do too much.  Stay active and social to the best of your ability and rest when needed.  There are no martyrs here. There is nothing wrong with resting.  We all have combatted fatigue.  You're not alone. When treatment ends, your strength will return little by little.  Remember all the chemicals that are going through your body. One of the many side effects is fatigue. God Bless you and don't give up or in to this disease.

Hi there, you are not alone with the exhaustion, that no amount of sleep will fix. I continue to work full time as a nursing supervisor. I have found the best thing for me is a brisk walk, either with the dogs or my daughter, or sometimes even by myself. Physical activity seems to help and I've learned that it doesn't really matter if the dishes don't get done daily or the floors vacuumed. what does matter is me, and how i cope with the disease, the treatment, the side affects and the exhaustion. some mornings i come home from work, feed the critters, collapse in my chair and sleep til its time for work again,,,its tough, it will probably be one of the hardest things you have to deal with...but keep going, every day you wake up is a gift. Some days I'm so exhausted that friends drive me home from work, but i keep going, knowing that sooner or later, this too shall pass...its just another pot hole in the road of life.....Losing my two older daughters makes dealing with colon cancer small, you will learn to put things into perspective.. You come first, if you need to vent,, just give me a holler...

Lori

I continue to fight my fatigue every day.  I was diagnosed with Renal cell Carcinoma in Dec. 2006 and have had radiation and currently am under going 3 more rounds of chemo.  The chemo wipes me out.  I have found that simply sleeping more and resting when I feel tired is best for me.  Like others have said, the housework suffers, but what can you do?  We used paper plates and bowls to cut back on dishwashing.

I have continued to work part time (I telecommute which helps) but am planning on taking disability soon.  I just find that the fatigue is winning the battle and my health must come first! :)

 My best advice:  listen to your body and get lots of rest! 

Hi Lori!  I, too, have colon cancer.  What kind of chemo are you getting?  What part of the treatment are you at?  I've only had two and my third session will be next week.  I guess I am nervous....

 Paula