I’m starting radiotherapy next week and having 15 sessions. I wondered how soon do people notice they get side effects especially fatigue.
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I finished my radiotherapy on 23/12/24 and the tiredness has just hit me. I had my treatment over 5 days, 26 Grays in total. I saw my oncologist last week and he said I was about to peak, how right he was. I feel drained so taking it easy and resting a lot. During treatment I felt fine other than soreness and itching, Aloe Vera and antihistamine really helped. 
xx
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Two weeks after treatment finished (5 days) I had a weekend where I was completely shattered. Lots of rest and it soon passed. Hope everything goes okay for you. x
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I had radiotherapy in May last year. I had fifteen sessions in total. I worked throughout and drove to and from my appointments. I was ok for the first week or so, but after that I had a nap when I got home from work. I think that carried on for a couple of weeks. I didn’t really suffer with any skin problems, though I did get a funny tan. I was moisturising three times a day minimum.
Good luck with your treatment
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My experience is that it hits you a bit later on but I never found it overwhelming. I think one of the things is that the tiredness is as much a product of the fact that the sessions come one after the other and for many of us involve considerable amounts of travel. Also, as it often comes after other treatments and is pretty much a walk in the park, compared to chemo and surgery, there’s a sense of disease fatigue. Yes, you will be tired but it really is no big deal as long as you look after yourself
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Hello Rosa, wishing you well, with your radiotherapy treatment.
I had 15 rounds, it can be quite tiring, however sometimes they start the treatment midweek, my hospital didn’t carry out treatments at the weekend so you get a couple of days break.
Be kind to yourself, rest if you can, also drink plenty of water and use lots of cream of your choice some are better than other, the nurses will guide you through.
Health and happiness going forward, lots of luck for 2025
well done for getting far
biggest hugs Tili 
I had 25 treatments and after the final one, I slept all afternoon. Maybe they gave me an extra zap! 
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Also worried about fatigue due to the travel involved…it’s a 3 hour round trip for me and I’ve got to drive myself. I’m having 20 sessions…people who have been through it, is this doable? I’m really worried about driving so much if I’m feeling exhausted 
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How did you get on?
I started this cancer journey with ME chronic fatigue.
Radiotherapy starts Monday, 15 fractions over 5 wks with hour travel (walk, 2 trains & walk) each way. Praying I manage it because the alternative is no treatment or £38 taxi ea way I can’t afford.
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Dear Adastra,
So sorry your not feeling to good at the moment, understandable with all what’s going on.
Was wondering if your cancer centre could offer you transport to and from the hospital for your radiotherapy as you have ME it maybe worth asking the question as the treatment will be a lot for you to cope with.
Wishing you well going forward, please let us know how your getting on
Hugs Tili
I’m 12 sessions down - 8 to go. I’ve found the travel pretty gruelling to be honest. I’m not even sure if I’m tired as a result of treatment or travel, as I think 750 miles of travel over 5 days each week would wipe anyone out! That said, I am managing. Yes I’m tired, but I’m trying to make sure I get a bit of exercise every day alongside plenty of rest. So I would say it is doable, but just make sure you listen to your body and get plenty of rest when needed. Best of luck 
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I completed 5 sessions on 7th January and I am struggling with fatigue. My reason for popping on here today to talk about it and find answers.
I have really good days and feel quite normal and work, cook dinner and do light housework. Mornings i am generally good. But then suddenly a day comes along at least twice a week, where i am wiped out. Just want to rest and everything hurts. Aching all over and i have not taken any anastrazole yet because i don’t want to feel worse. Im sleeping pretty well at night. I just want my energy back.
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Me too! I had 5 sessions of radiography to the chest wall, post mastectomy which finished on Jan 14th. The feeling wiped out is so depressing. I seem to get it if I walk too far/ up hill. I get breathless and it totally wipes me out, somwtimes for days. Its depressing because i used to be really fit.
Hi, hope the sessions went well, curious if you did have any fatigue side effect?
I’m due to start 10 session in a few weeks, and my oncologist (who’s not very informative) said I would have only maybe have some skin problems.
I’m a single mum who works full time, so concerned about the fatigue part, etc. Take care x
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Has anyone struggled with nausea? I had 5 days of radiotherapy and am now one treatment away from finishing 5 days of the booster radiotherapy.
Was fine after my treatment yesterday but by the evening I was getting waves of nausea. Finally went to sleep at 3 in the morning but have woken up feeling nauseous again. Did anyone have this and did they take anything to help it? Hate feeling like this!
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I had fatigue and nausea and a bit of dizziness all seemed to be part of the fatigue. Whenever I get fatigue ( post - viral / COVID ) I also get nausea now. You might be a bit dehydrated from the treatment so try to keep up your fluid intake. I ate and drank a lot of food and drink with ginger - lemon and ginger tea , ginger kombucha , crystalized ginger , ginger nut biscuits . Cola can also be helpful for all kinds of nausea. I developed an addiction to Bendicks bitter mints as well and found it easier to drink water with the mint taste in my mouth. I ate small amounts unfortunately not always nutritious food as it was only what I felt I could eat - quite a lot of biscuits . Sometimes the act of eating something eased the nausea . I would ask your radiotherapy team if they would recommend having anything prescribed if it’s disturbing your rest though. X .
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