Radiation and fatigue

[Spettis7]

I have completed 10 rounds of radiation and I have 14 more rounds to go. I am extremely tired. Has anyone else experienced fatigue during radiation?

[OneLump22]

Yeah, but not regular. It would come & go. I had days where I would feel normal, then once in a while would be a day where all I wanted to do is either sleep or just lay in bed & brows my fav YT channels, play games. Whatever I felt like doing, I did. I just rode the tide & followed drs. orders till treatment was done.

[kpgirl]

Yes! This is a very common compound side effect. Make sure to get lots of rest. It will get slowly get better after your radiation treatment has ended. With me, it took some time. That's the way it is, but you will get through it! All the best for you.

[Rbeth]

Yes. I watched Say Yes to the Dress. It was happy. I expected the fatigue to go away when my treatments stopped. But it stayed for weeks. That was 2010. Hang in there. I still have numb spots but I’m alive and kicking with MBC. Lots of water, lots of radiagel to stop the burn. Be strong. Reenie

[Beryl71]

I had radiotherapy when I had my primary tumour many years ago and I do remember feeling tired. However I was post surgery and had chemo running at the same time. Good luck and do what your body tells you. X

[PJBinMI]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I had ten rad treatments late last year for cancer cells in the lymph nodes close to my right arm pit, where pressure on nerves damaged coordination of my hand, and of course I am right handed. The fatigue got worse as I went thru that treatment, and I don't remember how long it took to ease. But I'm a long timer with MBC, 18 + years, and and alot more tired than I was earlier on. Do ask what your rad onc recommends for rad burns. Mine only hurt when I touched it and did show up until I was several treatments in. I hope the rads will work well for you...................

[Spettis7 in reply to PJBinMI]

Thank you for the reply! 18 years MBC is amazing! You give me hope!

[Cureforever in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi. You are giving me hope with 18 years mbc. I am very depressed. Waiting and hoping for cure. Can you share What Mets do you have and what treatments have you been? I am on abraxane now iv chemo after only three years of mbc. I am very sad. So many new developments but nothing to cure us. It’s so difficult to live with this. Please share your experience. Thank you so much. Best,Marina

[PJBinMI in reply to Cureforever]

Marina, I can tell you more about my cancer experiences, but remember that our cncer cells, response to treatment, symptoms and side effects are unique to us. Early on I met a 30 year survivor with mbc and that was sure hopeful! I have lobular bc, E+ her2neg. Initially P+ but switched to P - quite awhile ago. At time of diagnosis, I had "extensive" bone mets, in spine, pelvis, shoulder blade and a rib. I had a lumpectomy but I forget how long it was after I'd started on Femara (Letrozole) and Zometa (IV drug for bone mets). I got almost five years from Femara and then was put on Faslodex, and I got over 9 years on it. Ibrance was added in 2016 but it damaged my lungs after just a few cycles. When Xgeva was FDA approved, I was taken off Zometa and put on Xgeva. When Faslodex stopped working, I was switched to Exemestane and have been on it ever since. I should add that my oncs have never been quick to change my meds. Progression has been very slow and was only i9n my bones until about 3 years ago when cancer cells were found in tissue blocking a ureter (tube from kidney to bladder). A stent was put in the ureter and has to be changed every 3 month. (I have a pre-procedure appt at the urologists' tomorrow) Then last fall, two tiny mets were found on my brain, right inferior cerebellum, and one stereotactic radiation treatment got rid of them and now I have to have a brain MRI every 3 months for 2 years. Right after that radiation, mets were found in lynph nodes near my right arm pit. I had, and still have, problems with fine motor coordination and strength in my right hand. But I am still here, still involved with family and friends, enjoy our dog and cats, reading, music, and watch news on TV every evening. Some of us do well for a long time. Averages are brought down by those with aggressive cancers, those who already have very very advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis and those who just don't have the resources to follow a treatment plan. Nobody knows how well we will do over all or how we'll be 3, 6, 12 months from now................... I hope you do well for a long time.

[Cureforever in reply to PJBinMI]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this ugly disease. It’s amazing that you have been on exemestane for so long. Ibrance and exemestane was my first line and f treatment. Since that time I have switched 6 or seven meds and am on iv chemo I always have hope for cure. Good luck to you. Thanks for your support

[Thatflowerlady]

Hi I had 1 radiation treatment to cover the sacrum and T12-L3 spine . I had this done 4 weeks ago . After the initial vomiting & nausea within 1/2 hour of treatment , pain flare up within 12 hours lasted 24 hours . After that the fatigue continued but is gradually getting better . This was all a little bit more than I was anticipating. I still lay down to rest a couple times a day .

I know it is frustrating to feel so tired but it should get better with time .

Luann

[Cowgirl1951]

Hello, In 2001 I had 33 radiation treatments to the right chest after mastectomy and chemo. I had this done every morning before work. I was exhausted but I was 50 and somehow plugged along. In 2020 I had 3 treatments to my sternum in one week and that wiped me out for probably a month. I was 69 then. Hope you feel better soon.❤

[Gingerann1]

Hi Spettis 7! Didn’t experience fatigue but I had 36 treatments to the point of my skin disintegrating. I have a couple of tips that I hope will help as you get further into it. There is a cream called Silvadene (sp) …ask your radiation team, they will know. It was very helpful and soothing. Nothing else worked for me. Also, the saving grace for me was mepolex (sp) pads which are only available through the hospital. They are customizable sheets that do not stick to your skin and served as a barrier from my clothes. I had whole chest radiation so these really saved me. Wishing you a smooth journey through this treatment. Get lots of rest and drink lots of water.

[Spettis7 in reply to Gingerann1]

Thank you!

[mariootsi]

Yes. During first dx I was just exhausted from the radiation! Took awhile to recover!

[life8888]

Yes! My radiation oncologist said the only thing that makes the fatigue better is exercise. Isn't that crazy? She said they tried all sort of drugs but only exercise really works. So that's what I do, but my energy levels crash, so then I lay down and nap.

[Tazi127]

Yes!!!! Under went 2 different sessions. 8 sessions each time. Ribs and L234. After 2 treatments I'm down. No energy at all. Took about 2 weeks to regain all my initial energy prior to treatment. After 3 days of no treatment my energy started to slowly eek back. All I can do is lay on sofa, bed, lethargic to even get something to eat. Diet decreased as well. It does pass..but slowly in my case. Best wishes, cave into any craving you get. Mine was smoothies.