Fatigue!

[Ladyparts]

Hi everyone,

I seem to be going through a bout of fatigue recently, eventhough I'm sleeping through the night. I wake up and practically drag myself through the working day, especially the morning. By evening I seem to have more energy.

I am always in some form of pain - when my pelvis and bowel are ok my hips and pelvic bones burn and ache like I'm 100 years old! I'm guessing that since the radiation, my body is in a constant cycle of inflammation and trying to repair itself, hence the tiredness that comes and goes. I had my bloods done recently and all was normal/ok.

What are your thoughts? What has your experience been with fatigue? I am 11 months post chemoradiation for cervical cancer, stage 1b3.

Thank you x

[Mariecapp]

Sorry that you are going thru this. Chemo and radiation does a number on our bodies for sure. I am 4 yrs cancer free and I still experience the same things that you talk about. I take my life a day at a time and it all depends on how I feel when I get up in the morning as some days are better than others but I must say that I do everything that brings me joy and I try not to let the constant pain and fatigue stop me! God bless!

[Ladyparts in reply to Mariecapp]

Thanks so much. Yes, I try to remind myself that my body has just been through a major trauma. It makes sense that we will struggle sometimes after basically being poisoned and incinerated on the inside!

I find it's really difficult to get a sense of what's normal as everyone seems to respond differently to treatment, although I guess there are so many variables. I guess everyone's treatment plan and body is very different.

For me, the challenge is to not stress that the cancer is back when I experience these symptoms. Ah, it's a fine balance!

[SpaghettiBetty]

Hi Ladyparts sorry to hear you’re struggling with fatigue. I had terrible fatigue until it was discovered I had a B12 deficiency. I now have injections every 8 weeks which has help with the majority of my fatigue although I do get it from time to time. Typical issues with PRD which cause tiredness can be anemia, folate deficiency and vitamin D deficiency so it’s worth getting checked out for these.

[Ladyparts in reply to SpaghettiBetty]

Thank you. I had bloods done recently and all was ok, but I will definitely be keeping an eye on these in future! X

[Blue_Hawaii in reply to SpaghettiBetty]

I suffered fatigue, even having B12 every 8 weeks Since been on sick leave since 2019

I’m lucky I have time to get up slowly to start the day

Sorry you have to go through that, Please take care of your self

[Blue_Hawaii in reply to Blue_Hawaii]

Be kind to you self x

[RoseTyler]

I put it down to the premature Menopause :/. I am 11 years post-treatment and the bowel problems have gotten worse, but the fatigue is about the same. I don't think it's related to radiotherapy any more.

[Ladyparts in reply to RoseTyler]

Yes, that would make sense for sure.