Fatigue

[JanJames]

Hi

my husband has just finished 5 radiotherapy treatments to his spine and sacrum.he is extremely tired and we are not sure if this is caused by the radiotherapy or the morphine (MST) which he is currently taking for pain relief or could it be Zytiga which he started last week, Any ideas

Jan

[Tall_Allen]

It’s probably not the radiation. Fatigue is a common side effect of Zytiga. Constant pain is fatiguing.

[JanJames in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you

[Canoehead]

RT can cause some fatigue, but it is cumulative (5 sessions is nor much), and it is minimal compared to Lupron and Zytiga. Typically the body adjusts with a little time. And the more fatigue there is, the more exercise helps. Obviously weight bearing exercise is the best, but if that’s not possible, climb stairs, walk a mile, anything.

Hang in there.

[JanJames in reply to Canoehead]

Thanks for that

[Noel91]

Father is also tired but neither know if it is because radiotherapy,Zytiga or ADT.

In father's case.it helps to keep the mind bussy,going with friends,museums,something that he enjoys.

This is not a medical advice but as he is really less active since dx it is helping him to be active. He haven't tried to do excercise but a lot of men here said.they feel better with that.

[JamesAtlanta]

I have had radiation, chemo and am currently on Lupron and Zytiga. I was also on Oxycodone and OxyContin when I was first diagnosed, until the radiation alleviated the pain.

I’m sure the combination of ADT, Zytiga, radiation and morphine all contribute to fatigue. The pain meds made me feel like I was in a bit of a fog.

Through it all I walked - especially when I did not want to. It helps with fatigue a lot. Start slowly if necessary.

Hope this helps. Best of luck on the journey! 😊 we are here for you!

James

[JanJames in reply to JamesAtlanta]

Many thanks James

[AlanMeyer]

Jan,

There is evidence that ADT significantly reduces energy by damaging mitochondria that convert the potential chemical energy in food into a form (ATP - adenosine tri-phosphate) that can be used by muscles and other tissues in the body. The best, and possibly the only remedy is exercise.

If your husband is in pain, exercise is going to be hard to do. However he may be able to walk. I have known a number of men who felt a great improvement in their energy level just from walking. If he can do it, it can improve his energy level and maybe help alleviate depression. Just looking at the world outdoors can put a person's problems in a new perspective and make him feel better. It helped me.

Best of luck.

Alan

[JanJames in reply to AlanMeyer]

Thanks so much, he does walk every day but because of both cancer and osteoporosis in his spine he has to chose exercises carefully. He was going to hydrotherapy twice a week but docs have stopped that

[Ian2017]

I had 5 sessions to the spine last year to relieve initial pain (pressure on the spine). It worked very well though took a few weeks for the full relief to kick in. I was on a Fentanyl patch and other pain meds for about 10 weeks thereafter. I was fatigued but found the best way to cope with it was simply to sleep it off. I walked short distances every day and worked out most days in a heated pool (a huge plus) and tried to keep to a healthy diet so as not to end up with, for example, digestive issues.

[JanJames in reply to Ian2017]

Hi Ian

Thanks for your reply, very interesting to read that you were going in a heated pool. Can I ask what was the problem with your spine. My husband had been going in a heated pool and got some relief from it, however docs have advised against it because his spine is such a mess they are concerned he may do more damage. As well as mets to spine he also has osteoporosis and has crushed L3 and T12, We are hoping to see a spine specialist to see what his opinion is.

[Ian2017 in reply to JanJames]

I had mets pushing up against the spine. When I say heated, the pool was around 31C. So not a hot pool at all, which I understand can be harmful to my condition.

[Mormon1]

i get relief from a cold pack or bottle of cold water to back. T3