My Jeff just started taking Zytiga/Prednisone.
We knew to expect fatigue, but he is profoundly fatigued and is struggling to stay awake.
I’ve read that exercise can help with the exhaustion, however Jeff is compromised with severe leg weakness and mobility is a huge issue.
Any tips or tricks to combat the fatigue?!
~ Stephanie
I might should mention today is the first day he has taken Zytiga. I don’t know if that makes a difference. Maybe it gets better as his body adjusts? We were just surprised at the immediate and profound effects. He can barely keep his eyes open and he’s at work!
Wow! First day! You guys have been through so much already . Hope he’s not an aircraft controller. ?? I was 53 at dx. Over six years ago. I got hit by chronic fatigue syndrome for three years . Went on Ssdi. But I had a bad urology with tubes and such . At one point I thought I was Rip van Winckle .. would not eat or drink and sleep three days straight. Very bad for me then . If we sleep more than we’re awake each day then it’s a problem. My wife would get me out walking each day . I pray that you both find some port in this dam pc storm.. 🙏❤️
Fatigue is a common side effect of Zytiga.
accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...
Physical activity if possible and some meds like provigil or ritalin may help to improve the fatigue.
Perhaps try taking it at night, two hours after dinner. The prednisone with breakfast in the morning.
Wanted to thank you for this suggestion.
Although they now think Jeff’s extreme fatigue was due to his low oxygen, we were still concerned about the side effects of the Zytiga.
Jeff’s oncologist approved his taking the Zytiga at night and the Prednisone in the morning.
Thank you!!! 😊
I am taking Aberaterone (generic Zytiga and my fatigue is highly variable. I am yawning all the time but the severe fatigue does relate to lack of exercise. I am able to ride an e-assist bike and hike up steep slopes so it is possible to ameliorate the sleepiness somewhat. However as tired as I get I often can not sleep. I thought about taking Ritalin but is is not PRN, yo uhave to be on it continuously so I am asking my MO next visit if Adderall might be more useful.
There is likely some exercise you can do such as using a home gym. Other than exercise I can not figure out what might correlate with extreme sleepiness such as I am experiencing now.
Maybe changing your spllep schedule might help. I am always wide awake several times to varying degrees in the early mornijng but if I get up and tr to do something useful it does not work. During the day I am a wreck if I have not gotten good sleep.
At this point I have reduced all other side effects of aberaterone and Firmagon but this interference with sleep is a real challenge. All I can suggest it to not succumb and keep going. If I force myself to keep working or playing I can avoid falling asleep during the day. Be sure to not do anything dangerous when sleepy. I always got tired after the least bit of driving but solved that with podcasts. After aberaterone and Firmagon I feel at times that I am a real hazard to myself and others driving. Same is true for other dangerous activities like climbing ladders or operating machines.
If he just started, it’s probably not the Zytiga. Certainly moving around the time of day he takes both it and the prednisone may help if it is.
‘Severe ‘leak’ fatigue? That is leg? Just making sure.
He needs to move. What other drugs is he taking? In particular, Lupron or similar.
He appears heavy in your beautiful photo. He cannot afford to be heavy or inactive, it will overtake him. Whatever exercise he’s willing to do, nothing else is this important. Stimulant drugs are a bad idea for most.
Do not delay on this!
Oops, typo/autocorrect… yes, leg weakness, not leak 🤦♀️
He gets Eligard injections and takes:
Metformin (he’s diabetic)
Morphine
Robaxin
Oxycodone
Gabapentin
Cymbalta
Eliquis
Tylenol
Lipitor
Glucotrol
Zestril
Zofran
Pantoprazole
(Zytiga, Prednisone)
That's quite a list...opiods and eligard + zytiga. .I think I'd be sleeping too. Somehow he needs to cut the opiods down...hopefully as the zytiga kicks in his bone pain will subside and he can get off those opiods.
I take Spirulina & it gives me energy & counteracts fatigue .
We ended up in the ER last night and we’re still here.
They think his cancer has spread to his brain.
I’m just lost at the moment.
Sorry to hear this, keep us posted.
I posted a more detailed update today. Unfortunately they confirmed his cancer has spread to his brain.
Hello Pancake- I am so sorry to hear that. Do they think the extreme fatigue is from the cancer spreading to the brain? My father is experiencing the same extreme lethargy but just started Zytiga 3 weeks ago. I am wondering if the cancer has spread to his brain also?
That's tough. You might see if doc will increase prednisolone dosage.
I have a similar problem with Zytiga.
Sometimes I feel tired just standing up; especially in the Carolina summer heat.
We have a big yard with lots of trees and bushes, etc. I set up a lawn chair with a bottle of water next to it and take as many breaks as is necessary to get whatever I'm working on done.
I use the same process when I am cutting the grass. Eventually I'm done and I feel good about it.
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