I am (finally) at the half way point for my radiation treatments. I have been fighting the worst fatigue since early September... TreStar, Zytiga & Prednisone, more hot flashes than I care to think about..
On the bright side, treatments seem to be working - PSA has dropped from 150 in June to .87 2 weeks ago...
But today - I had to make a conscious decision to say I needed to escape my couch, exhaustion be damned!
And now my head is back in a better spot, and ready to take on the 2nd half of my radiation protocol.
Sometimes you need to remember to take care of more than just your physical ailments!
Hope everyone is doing well - and thank y’all for this awesome community.
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TrashPanda72
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Dear Panda , I was in imrt over five years ago ,I remember the half way point and the fatigue . Get trough it , recover and heal . I wish for you to get on top of the dammed APC .... It worked well for me . May it serve you well . Priorities quickly come into focus .
Yes, the fatigue can be crushing. And can feel never ending. Add in ADT for a real joy ride. NOT!
Paradoxically, the only thing that seemed to help me was exercise. Didn't seem to make a difference physically BUT seemed to be a big plus emotionally and psychologically. Others have noted the same phenomenon. Btw, no idea why this is so.
You will get past the radiation fatigue - I had the max dosage a few years back and it took a few months to fully recover.
I'm 100 % and have had no long(er) term side effects. I believe most of us recover fully - your situation sounds like you'll be one of them - right attitude and an awareness of the benefit of exercise.
By the way - exercise actually stimulates good responses in the body - it is a natural chemical reaction that makes it so .... no drugs needed - just some exercise will do it - even walking does it ! Start with even a little - it goes a long way .....
TrashPanda72 wrote >>> " ...But today - I had to make a conscious decision to say I needed to escape my couch, exhaustion be damned!... "
GOOD - 4 - U !!! ;0) Glad to read of some positive results and hoping things continue well for you.
RonnyBaby wrote >>> " ...By the way - exercise actually stimulates good responses in the body - it is a natural chemical reaction that makes it so .... no drugs needed... "
When possible - as often as possible - exercise >>> exercising IS in itself treatment that can indeed knock you down BUT bring you back stronger. Try your best to include some form of exercise even if only a walk because "one who remains at rest --- rusts."
I was ok through the radiation sessions but 2 or three weeks after my last one I was exhausted for a solid 3 months. They told me it was my body recovering. Kicked my butt.
I agree, IMO exercise has made all the difference for me, radiation was in Jan,Feb, Mar and a year on Lupron and Zytiga/Pred and nothing resembling fatigue at any time yet.
Agree. Just get outside and do what you can each day. Walking in nature is a gift. Energy is going to healing and hence fatigue is a good sign. It takes a few months which will quickly pass.
My personal experience supports what everyone has said that exercise is the only thing that helps in minimizing radiation fatigue. I started ADT in Jun 19 and had IMRT - 39 sessions totalling 78 Gy. I am 74 years old but very active. I walk 5 km daily except when I play golf - 3 days a week of 18 holes walking all the way and sometimes pushing my bag cart as well. I have had nothing resembling the kind of fatigue that people complain about. Maybe I was lucky but I feel that it was the exercise that minimized the effect of the radiation. I forgot I also do light weights and free hand exercises 4 days a week.
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Please share your personal experience and references, but check your biases at the door
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