I’m just seeking reassurance really by reaching out to anyone that is experiencing fatigue months after radiotherapy?
I seem to be okay in the mornings, but I really struggle in the afternoons most days. I often need to lie down, and I find it hard to think clearly, like I’m in a fog. I’m approaching 60 so that probably doesn’t help?
Although I am much better than I was when going through treatment I know I need to keep positive! I swim and do exercise regularly, so I try to keep active. Thanks!
@jus2 Hi there. I finished 10 sessions of radiotherapy 15 months ago at the age of 64. This followed chemotherapy and surgery. I found that the fatigue, that I had felt since having chemotherapy, didn’t lift until about 6 months after the end of radiotherapy, and even then I still had days where I was very tired.
I think it’s important to remember that radiotherapy often comes after other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy, not to mention the shock and stress of diagnosis which can all cause tiredness in itself. I also started Letrazole, Abemaciclib and Zoledronic Acid either just before or just after the radiotherapy so I found it’s impossible to know what causes what!!!
I have to be honest and say that it probably took me almost a year to feel ‘normal’ and myself again, which I have also heard from other people. A friend who had no hormone treatment or Abemaciclib perked up a bit quicker. It took me quite a long time to accept that finishing radiotherapy didn’t suddenly mean that everything was back to normal so I learnt to pace myself and not try and do too much on successive days.
Our bodies, and minds, have taken a huge battering during treatment so we have to be kind to ourselves and accept that it will take however long it takes. Remember to that the BC nurses are still there for advice if you need anything and they can arrange appointments to doctors, physios etc if needed.
It took me three months to properly get over radiotherapy and I only had 5 sessions and no chemo beforehand - I did have another injury plus family problems and wasn’t getting on with Anastrozole either so all of that made it harder . Psychologically I was just starting to process as well - I did the Moving Forwards course online at around that time and it helped me move on psychologically which helped me physically as did the resolution of my family problems .
Are you on any other therapies which might be affecting you as well ? Just continue to be kind to yourself , you have seen an improvement so you will get there . Like you I’m a keen swimmer and also love Yoga - I think it took nearly a year to get completely back to where I was before physically but I’m grateful for that as for some people it isn’t possible . I put myself back a couple of times trying to do something too soon or to a level that had been normal for me pre breast cancer . I was 57 at the time .
It’s a balance between challenging yourself a bit and and not overdoing it . Xx
Had radio therapy after chemo in Feb and yes I still have not great days … stay active as possible and do your stretches daily to keep the scar tissue to a minimum
3 operations is a lot of healing to do. Add radiotherapy on top and it’s not surprising you’re fatigued as your body is still on catch up.
Plan to rest with quieter days before or after busy ones. Listen to your body and stop before it insists you do.
Eat as healthily as you can. I boosted this with Actimel and a daily shop bought smoothie just to make sure my body was getting what it needed. I also take a multivitamin. And drink lots to flush any toxins through.
Hi Jus. I’m 78 and was pretty active. I had a left breast mastectomy and 22 lymph nodes were removed in Aug 2025. All went very well. I then had 15 sessions of adjuvant radiology. Still felt fit and good, considering. However about a month or so after the end of the radiotherapy I started to feel lethargic and fell asleep every time I sat down. It has taken me 18 months + to get back to being me and to be able to go for most of the day without having to rest too much. I’m now doing the garden and my collie dog is getting much longer walks. It’s taken a lot for my brain to compute that my body has gone through a lot even if I did feel pretty okay along the way. Hopefully you’ll get better and stronger as time goes on. It does feel good now when there were times when I wondered if I’d ever get back to me.
Hi I’m 10 months post radiotherapy and still get fatigue, not tired, just need to rest for a bit, then I’m ok again until next bout of fatigue hits. My BN said radiotherapy can take 2 years to fully go and sometimes you never get your original fitness back. I’m 67 so maybe older than you. Just try to do what your body tells you, easy for me as I was retired and I know others are still working . Take careb
Hi @jus2 - not much help for you but other responses have helped me. I’m 63 and 16 months post radiotherapy - the fatigue is still a big issue and I regularly sleep for 10-11 hours a night! Fortunately, I’m retired so it’s not a massive problem but it’s reassuring to know it’s not just me. Mx
Oh glad you feel more reassured that you’re not the only one. Yes it seems with all the lovely replies that many of us experience longer term fatigue.
I just had a final phone appointment with a breast cancer nurse yesterday and I mentioned my fatigue. She said it’s very common, and could be a year or more before hopefully getting all energy back. I guess it takes as long as it takes. I hope you gradually feel better. I guess we have to listen to our bodies
I know I need to keep positive! I swim and do exercise regularly, so I try to keep active. Thanks!
. I’m 63 and 16 months post radiotherapy - the fatigue is still a big issue and I regularly sleep for 10-11 hours a night! Fortunately, I’m retired so it’s not a massive problem but it’s reassuring to know it’s not just me. Mx