Very tired after finishing radiotherapy

Hi Ann (and everyone else!)
Sorry you are feeling a little bit down in the dumps!
I believe that is very common to feel quite down at the end of active treatment and can take time to adjust. The last few months have been so busy and appointments etc day after day, I think it maybe only at the finish line that all your emotions and feelings catch up with you and realisation of what you have been through hits you.
I have 4 more sessions of radiotherapy to go and so many people have said to me that’s great, all over and done with, you can get back to normal, done and dusted etc etc etc but I know, for me, that is not the case. I know they are being kind but unless you have been there you cannot imagine what it is like. I think we need to give ourselves time to adjust to what has happened to us, recover physically and get our ‘heads around it all’. Your BC nurse or the helpline here should be able to put you in touch with a counsellor to talk to if you think that may help. A lady I spoke to, who had BC some years ago, said it was the best thing she did and felt it really helped her move on, in fact she changed many things in her life, for the better, including her career!! I won’t hesitate to be put in touch with someone if I feel it may help.
Be kind to yourself, have lots of treats and plan to do something, in the very near future,you always wanted to do and never got round to doing before BC.
Hope you soon feel more positive and energetic and I am sure once your skin heals you will feel much brighter.

After chemo rads is a doddle honestly. Once you get used to lying back you can relax. I imagine your chemo is still active so would not worry about the gap in between but if you need assurance call this helpline or your bc nurse. Wishing you well Love Lorna x

I started taking Tamoxifen on 13th July and had 4 weeks of radiotherapy in August. I felt fine apart from weight gain and night sweats but the last couple of weeks I have felt really tired. Is this normal ? 

Very normal! Still shattered myself and I finished in August. Body still affected, repair happening too then there’s just the psychological side now your through treatment…all takes it out of you. Sleep when you can and give yourself a few months to heal and get over it all. Love Lorna x

Your welcome. It’s a question I asked myself because I’m that tired it scared me! Hey we’ve had cancer, we’re bound to worry and be a bit paranoid about our health. Here’s to getting our energy back! Lol x

I finished rads in July. Had mx sept 14, chemo from nov-april, recon in may! Still absolutely shattered, can’t imagine getting back to work. Had first post dx mammogram this week now waiting on results.

I read that it takes the same time to recover as the treatment took - or about a year!

Same as me i feel weak and low hope your well soon x angela

Hi Angela. I’m getting there, three years from diagnosis! Had near enough a year of treatment, followed by a recovery year with some ad hoc casual work (plus 2 puppies!!) Been back to work for a year. Still having to pace myself, plan rest breaks daily and especially on holidays. It’s something which will always be niggling I’m the back of your mind matter if looa

Thanks for reply ive been for acupunture for sweats today hope it works and hope you feel well soon x

Thanks for reply katy felt ok today but not 100 percent still tired im finished with cream as skin is fine now.get panic attacks worried ill never get back to my old self hooefully i will x hope your well today