Tiredness & Fatigue

[gr4nt4]

Hi All

I'm 64 and three years since diagnosis and being monitored , no symptoms with all bloods etc being are fine and nothing else to worry about but I have had chronic tiredness and fatigue for the last few years and it seems to be getting worse and wondering the cll is causing this or has nothing to do with it.

I've been to the docs a few times about it but nothing in full bloods etc has turned up.

Just wondering what others think

Thanks

G

[scryer99]

It's hard to tell. The number one complaint with CLLers is fatigue. But the mechanisms behind this are not well understood, and since doctors tend to work with evidence-based medicine, they often will dismiss fatigue reports.

The only proven thing that will help is exercise, paradoxically. You don't have to be a workout fiend, but simple stuff like long walks will help a bit.

My oncologist midway through W&W recommended B12 supplements based on bloodwork. They did seem to help but this may be anecdotal.

You're likely not imagining things, though.

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed in 2022 after bloodwork from non-related issue. I began feeling fatigued one year prior to this. In early 2022 I kept telling every doctor I saw that I felt fatigued. It's a different kind of fatigue- like hitting a wall. My CLL specialist at Dana Farber says fatigue is normal with this disease. Think of how hard your body is working to produce millions of useless white blood cells- no wonder its fatigued. I am countering this by getting a lot of sleep and not pushing myself. If I'm tired, I rest. I work full time but stopped cleaning the house. It's a complete mess but I can't both work 50 hours a week and do housework anymore. My daughter comes by intermittently and sweeps the floors. I let dirty dishes stack up and only wash them when I feel like it.

[FifthFloor]

Seems likely to me. I'm also 64, 3 yrs on W&W, no other issues, and have the same gnawing fatigue that seems to be growing progressively worse. Moderate exercise does help a bit. I often read posts that fatigue is also a side effect of treatment. Then again others report gaining energy with treatment. We'll just have to wait and see how we respond when the time comes. All the best!