Hi All,
I am new to the site, already had two lots of FEC and was looking for a discussion from someone saying how fatigued they were, but I was too tired to continue looking!!! so thought I would start my own.
Is this the same for the rest of you? I start off on little everyday tasks but seem to get exhausted so quickly. Can I put it down to the chemo? or should I consider weight gain…(quickly turning into a small rotund butterball).?..lack of exercise…(as I get too tired to walk very far).? …whats the answer…and what is your solution help me out here chums!!
I have finished 2 fec treatments too… i have been fatigued…the first 4 days afterwards I feel jittery and tired but too jittery to relax. I have read lots of people have fatigued.
have a nice day,
lee
Hi Topper
Welcome to the site - the girls on here are fabulous, and always on hand to offer advice, support, and encouragement.
Yes unfortunately, tiredness is an awful side effect of chemo. I have just finished eight sessions (thank god!), and my first four were EC. The tiredness hit me like a ton of bricks - and being someone who is used to racing around all the time, I found it very very hard to come to terms with. I’m married, with two kids and work part time, and stupidly thought I could continue exactly the same as before - WRONG ! The week after my chemo was the worst, and I eventually realised that I had to give in to the tiredness. I used to take my youngest to school, then come home and spend the rest of the day alternating between the sofa and the bed. I generally picked up by the next week so was able to go into work (thank god I finished at 2.30pm though!).
I don’t really have an answer - just to give into it, sleep when you can, and make the most of your “awake” times - which I’m sure you’ll have. Oh, and drink lots (not alcohol though - that’s not a great idea !)
Take care
Julie xx
Hi Topper,
I have only had one session of EC so far (next due on Wed) but felt “unplugged” on days 4 and 5 and could little more than sleep, but picked up after that and find that drinking water helps, but I mean gallons, not just a glass or two. I felt “normal” again after two weeks.
I am trying to plan and organise my next 3 week cycle around a similar pattern, so I hope it works out the same.
There doesnt seem any point in fighting the tiredness, which reminds me of being pregnant in the way it comes on and lifts suddenly.
Just do what you can when you can and put yourself first as much as possible.
Keep ploughing on, we can all make it through this. Take care
Tracey x
Hi Topper,
I’m so sorry you’ve joined us but ‘welcome’ to this most wondeful site, I’m glad you’ve found us!!
I started E-CMF chemo in May and am due to finish next month. The CMF has been absolutely fine but the Epi did make me feel really exhausted, especially once it started accumulating. I think its prob the Epi in the FEC that is causing you to be so tired. I swear by lucozade these days, don’t think I could function without it!!
On the Epi I found that I would get myself ready to go out, but by the time I was all sorted I’d be too knackered to go anywhere!! Its a type of fatigue that I have never experienced before. I would regularly say to my boyfriend how I felt like I had run a marathon!! Not that I’ve ever run one, just speaking metaphorically!!! LOL.
Anyway, I wish you well as you continue this journey. Take care and be sure to keep in touch,
Kelly
-x-
Thanks all for the suggestions. I have been drinking much more water and have sent out for the lucozade - thanks Princess. I am feeling a little better even if it is just having something else to try…and of course for all your good wishes Thanks .Chemo number 3 is on Friday - Half way there!!!
Hi Topper,
I was lucky and had little side effects from FEC other than awful constipation. I was well enough to return to work one week after each round of FEC, however looking back that wasn’t perhaps the best move as I could have picked up infections which might have caused worse problems than tiredness.
Give yourself permission to send visitors away if you suddenly need to go off and sleep. If you have children to look after don’t feel guilty if you have to stick them in front of the telly for a few hours whilst you sleep. There is an end to it but build in the possibility that you may not be able to take every course on time. Towards the end of my sessions I had to wait a week for my blood count to rise so what I thought would take 18 weeks took 21 weeks in the end.
Hi Topper
I have also had 2 FEC. I have continued to work fulltime apart from 2 days after each chemo. Last night i was really tired and decided to work from home in pj’s all day and had an hour nap this afternoon. What a difference i have a bit of energy tonight. Usually by the time i am collecting the kids from afterschool i am fit to drop. Tonight i might even manage the brownie pick up.
Think the tiredness is more debilitating than i have been letting on, might need to slow down a bit. Hope you are not feeling too bad tonight
take care
Lesley
x
Hi Topper
Hi Topper had 3rd FEC yesterday, and agree I am absolutely kn******d, the fatigue seems to have accumulated with the chemos,
But as you say half way there so here’s to plenty of lucozade water and sitting and lying around!!! until I finish chemo.
Kim x
Hi Topper,
I just wanted to wish you well for your chemo tomorrow,
Take care and may your side effects be almost non-existent!
Kelly
-x-
Topper
I too have FEC tomorrow - mine will be number 4 (out of 6) and have never had tirdness like this in my life. The week after chemo I feel like I’ve been hit by a train. The steroids drive me nuts though, mess up sleep at nights no end no matter what time I take them. I get so fed up lying/sitting down all day (because I just can’t do much) that by about 4 days after chemo the last thing I want to do at night is lie down again!! It’s almost like because I am so inactive & don’t want to do ANYTHING my brain just gets bored. SO BORED. It’s like watching paint dry for me, just waiting for the chemo to be flushed out so I can feel normal again.
I have two children under 5 which wear me out at the best of times so I farm them out to friends & family until I feel up to it. I used to feel bad about that but now I know it’s in all our best interests - I get rest & they get someone who can play.
Lucozade is a definate - I’m going to try Red Bull this time, see if that helps?? Lots of water. Then I get bored of drinking!!!
What fun chemo is eh girls!
Good luck Topper, hope it goes OK for you - I hope I get mine - the last 2 have been delayed due to low bloods.
Alison
x
Hi Alison,
I hope your blood results are good and you get your chemo as planned tomorrow. I wish you well and hope it goes ok and your side effects are minimal,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Thanks Kelly -
I’ve got the mouthwash, ginger nuts & lucozade at the ready!! Fingers crossed
xx
Seen the consultant today and changed some of the anti sickness drugs so that I shouldn’t get three days of twitching and jumping about.
Well done for workingg I really don’t know how you can do it. I was just given a six month sickness certificate in May and haven’t gone back. Also I have no children to look after ( age 56 me not the kids) Well done Alison.
Water and Lucozade at the ready I won’t try the Red Bull as I drank some on a hike a while ago and went hyper running up hills and laughing! I will save that!!!