UTTERLY EXHUSTED

[ricky23]

I'm on my 3rd of 6 Carboplatin. Day 6. I am so so so exhusted . Can hardly do anything. Just lying on sofa. Didn't feel this tired the 1st and 2nd time in fact bounced back real quick. Is this because it's accumulated? Sickness worn off drinking well not too hungry but am eating. This is normal ? xx

[caf132]

Hi Ricky- I was that way also. My hemoglobin was quite low. Have your levels checked which they always do before your next chemo. The hemoglobin on the red blood cells carry the oxygen to all parts of your body. If it is low your body is telling you to slow down. I had a transfusion mid way through chemo and I felt like a million bucks. My hgb went from 7.9 to almost twelve with two units. I resisted for a long time but finally did and was a good choice for me. Let us know how you get in. You are half way through!!! Hang in there.

XX Carol

[ricky23 in reply to caf132]

Thank you Carol. It's reassured me. I felt so engeryless yesterday and couldn't do a thing!! I rested all dayongoing didn't even get dressed. We went to bed at 9am. Having the weirdest dreams and awake every hour or so!! Feel less exhusted today but still being lazy!

Hoping you are keeping well. ❤

[caf132 in reply to ricky23]

Hi Ricky-are you on steroids? they can give you some very odd dreams. Rest and feel better!!

Carol

[ricky23 in reply to caf132]

Yes only very very low dose have been for 5 years. Hoping I sleep better tonight!! x

[Choski]

I had carbo only for my 4th and 5th sessions of first line chemo - I was totally wiped out - in a different way from carbo plus taxol - and I found it very hard.

I think it does build up and it may be worth speaking with your chemo unit and definitely letting your Onc know in case there I something that you can be given etc.

I'm so sorry that you're feeling so rotten

Clare

[ricky23 in reply to Choski]

Hi Clare

Thank you for reassuring me it nade me feel so much better. The ladies are so full of information and help.

I was ok first 2 back to normal after 1 week but this time it's been horrid so I'm doing as my body is screaming at me . REST! I gad carbo /Taxol last year had to be stopped as too ill. I just want to get all 6 carboplatin done and gain some more time hopefully. I have my 4th on 11th so will tell them how it's been ...in fairness my bloods haven't been happy so he reduced it by 15%.

Thank you for replying very very grateful. x

[Purple-iris]

Hi Ricky

Half way through hang on in there. Yes definately worth letting your CNS know incase they need to check your bloods .

I used to gets waves of extreme tiredness when just had to sleep .

Went on a talk at Guys about recovering after chemo and they stressed even when tired try and make sure you get alittle exercise . Maybe a little walk round the block or walking around the house to keep everything circulating .

Try and get out in the fresh air if you can . I know it's hard when all you want to do is sleep !

Good luck with the rest of your treatment .

Love and best wishes Kim X

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Yes sound perfectly normal. Chemo is cumulative. I used to find that the exhaustion lasted until about Day 12-14 then the third week I was back to 'normal-ish'. Listen to your body, rest as much as you can. If you are extremely breathless you might want to ring the chemo helpline just for reassurance . Try sitting in the garden and enjoy the sunshine if you can muster the energy. Fresh air does help. Kathy xxx

[ricky23 in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thankfully I'm not breathless just very tired. I'm desperate to do things hate sitting around but I am as that's all I can do ha ha!! Been in garden with dogs today sun's out!! Thank you for your positive words I am very grateful . Hope you are keeping well. x

[Katmal-UK in reply to ricky23]

I'm well thanks, scan tomorrow, results next week, so time will tell lol. Glad you managed to get out into the garden and are enjoying the sunshine. I remember how frustrating it is not to be able to do things. I well remember trying to wash up 2 cups and two plates one. I had to rest in between each item, felt so pathetic. You will get better thos and lets face it those jobs /things you want to do will still be there. Take care, Kathy xxx

[Lyndy]

Sometimes a duvet day is required..you are doing well but your poor body is being poisoned!

As the others have said ring your chemo line and report it...specially if there's no improvement. All the best to you xxx

[ricky23 in reply to Lyndy]

Yay!!! improvement today more energy but still resting up. !! x

[Mommoo65]

I found that the overwhelming fatigue hit me the worst after the 3rd and 4th treatment. I had one 2 week period that I rarely got off the couch or out of bed. I think what you are experiencing is normal but do let your doc know how you are feeling.

[ricky23 in reply to Mommoo65]

I'm a couch potato lol and I'm aloud!! Not so tired today but watching boring tv !! x

[Mrs_Atko]

Hi Ricky - I can't offer you any advice but I did just wanted to send you a gentle virtual ((hug))...sounds like you're having a bit of a tough time, but I have all my fingers crossed this treatment is doing you wonders. Glad the sickness isn't too bad. Whenever you feel poorly, eating little and often is always a good plan (& things that you fancy too) and keep well hydrated. And of course, rest, rest, rest. Best wishes hun. Jemima xx

[ricky23 in reply to Mrs_Atko]

Ah Thank you love to get hugs ha ha!!!! I so want to finish all 6 and have some more time with my family.

Do you know when I get my half way scan ? The masses in my neck and chest have disappeared hoping the rest in my stomach gave cleared off too!! Thank you for reassuring me I'm very grateful xx

[yewbarrow]

Yes it probably does get a little bit worse each time, but also because you're ticking them off , i always thought "i can do it" The other thing i told myself is if it weren't attacking the blood cells (making you tired) then it wouldn't be attacking the cancer, so in a way it's positive. Also, it wasn't always worse, i had one easier one in the middle, maybe you will too.

Very good luck, you're getting there and I'm thinking of you all the way xx

[Annr5h]

Yes sounds normal to me it definitely accumulates the more you have, but your halfway now so only another 3 to go. You may have a break and have your surgery if this is your first time xxx

[Sunfleury-UK]

Yes had the same with single carboplatin... For me, drinking plenty, forcing myself up and out for just the teeniest bits of walk (round the garden or to the end of the road), and most importantly not fighting against it or myself too much were the only things that helped. Also be prepared for a 'false dawn'- I used to have a 'better' day, try and do things and then end up wiped out again for a few more! You're over half way there, do be gentle with yourself. Best wishes, Sx

[Purple_k_in_Oz in reply to Sunfleury-UK]

"False Dawn" is such a great way to put it Sunfleury. I often feel great in the morning or for a full day and fo at things a million miles an hour before collapsing in exhaustion. It makes me wonder if I just plodded along all the time, would I ultimately have more energy? Who knows! X Kirsty

[Sunfleury-UK in reply to Purple_k_in_Oz]

O for that crystal ball eh? Recognising (after the fact!) that this was a 'false dawn' didn't really change much of what I did, but importantly (for me) it meant I didn't feel such crashing dispondancy when exhaustion hit again! I accepted that I had tried to do things for the best of reasons (me being me) and came to know that I'd get my energies back again soon and sooner if I rested and was kind to myself! xx

**keeping a simple diary through each cycle really helps!

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Ricky23,

This is normal so take it easy it does become accumulative, I had the same could not make a bed with out laying down 1/2 way through it, I tried to make a cheese cake I found it hard to crumb the biscuit base, you will return to normal , remember your poor body is taking a betting. Hope you have good support my husband was great he cooked most night now I'm feeling a bit better I try and cook him all his favorites.

Just think if it's making you this tried lets hope it giving the beast a harder time.

Best wishes Lorraine xx

[ShropshireJo]

Hi Ricky. You've had some great advice from the others. The only thing I would add is that it might be worth getting your magnesium/potassium levels checked via a blood test. Mine got so low that I sometimes needed an infusion via a drip but mostly prescribed supplements were enough. When the levels were nearer normal, I felt a good deal less exhausted. Best wishes, Jo 🌺🍀🌼

[Marzipan]

I had the same thing. Rounds 1 and 2, I bounced right back, but Rounds 3-6 took ever increasing time to recover.

It's hard to describe the depths of chemo fatigue to others. People thought I would be watching TV and reading, or even doing light gardening! 😳 But honestly there were some days where that was too much to concentrate on. I just got up, ate a bit, had a mid morning nap, ate a bit, had a mid afternoon nap, ate a bit, and had an evening nap, then got up and went to bed.

But then on Day 4 or 6 or even 7 or 10, I would just turn the corner and announce to my hubby, "I'm baaaack!" and then we would be off for an outing, a treat to celebrate my return to humanity. And that is how I got through 6 rounds of high dose cisplatin!