Can anyone help?
I’ve read that you feel tired during radiotherapy but what is it about the treatment that makes you tired?
I’ve tolerated chemo pretty well & have been able to work during my good weeks in the cycle as long as I’ve rested. So I was hoping that radiotherapy would be easy with only a bit of sunburn.
Mildred
Hi Mildred
I have had 15 out of 20 rads so far and I haven’t noticed being any more tired than usual - but I didn’t have chemo and I think this can make a difference.
Was told that the rads knock out the red blood cells which causes the fatigue in some - I think it depends how well you heal, and you sound as if you heal quite well.
Good luck
Jo xx
I just posted a thread on the role of nutrition and radiotherapy.
Red blood cells makes sense to me but hadn’t heard that. I’ve been on a supplement called spa tone since I was diagnosed, I only take it for a few days at the end of each chemo cycle though because my onc doesn’t approve of supplements and I understand why but this one is actually just sachets of water… yep just water, from a spring in Wales that’s rich in Iron so you can absorb it much easier than from food, it makes you feel a lot better very quickly. I found within days!
Hope it helps some of you get some energy back (says the chemo induced sloth… at least I made it 3 quaters of the way without sleeping all day eh 
Hi Mildred,
I too tolerated Chemo pretty well and had no probs with Rads, just slightly sore skin. I only had 15 mind and some people have alot more, but didnt notice being tired or feeling unwell. I think if you are fairly fit and healthy you may tolerate it better.
Its 8 months for me since last Rads and have been fine but the last month I feel really tired all the time like I could just go back to bed all day, Even after a good night sleep. Maybe its the school holidays ? My 11yr old starts Comp on Thursday and my 7 yr old starts Juniors next Monday so looking forward to that. My 11yr old said " Mum will you cry on my first day?" and I said yes, with Happiness. She wasnt amused.
Lots of love Andrea xx
Hi Mildred
I can’t say what it is that makes you tired during rads but it does happen. I didn’t have chemo and had 29 sessions in total including 4 boosters but I was able to work throughout, I got my appointments for late on in the afternoon and worked from 8am to 2.30ish each day, went to rads (about 45-90 mins journey each way depending on traffic) then came home afterwards. Towards the end I did find some days I needed to go lie down for half an hour or so … personally I think the travelling was a factor in my case.
I am 4 months post rads now and still find that I have the odd tired day - but then again I am not sleeping too great (perhaps the tamoxifen) so that is probably why I am knackered.
Hi Mildred
It totally zonks me - like you I thought it would be easy - and it is for some people
I am just so dog tired i have to sleep for 1- 4 hours . I take as long as I need.
It’s only the days I have radio - the weekends I just need a little nap
I am driven there and driven back - the whole thing takes 3 hours including lunch
If I try and carry on without resting I feel very sick
Good luck anyway - you will probably be fine! I found TAX a doddle compared to most people.
Good luck
love FB xx
Dear All
Thanks for the info on your experiences. I guess it’ll be like chemo - we all respond differently & I’ll have to wait & see how it effects me.
I have a radiotherapy planning appointment on Friday so hopefully things will come clearer then.
Mildred
Hi, I finished my rads two weeks ago and even though my skin didn’t break down during the radiotherapy it is now very red and sore. The skin has also peeled and bled but as long as I keep putting the cream on it seems to heal up very quickly. I was very tired during the radiotherapy and was signed off work for four weeks. Do you know that you can get your petrol paid if you drive yourself to the hospital.
Jen xx
Hi!
I have just finished 25 sessions of rads and have not felt tired at all and drove myself 12 miles each way every day - but then I didn’t have chemo so I’m sure that makes a difference. I take a supplement called Co-enzyme Q10 and have read on the net that 2 hospitals in the North are now giving it to rads patients as a trial to see if it helps with fatigue - so maybe that made a difference with me as I take it anyway.
Do you mind me asking how long you’ve been taking the coQ10 redders? I’ve taken it in the past and am going to start on it as soon as the 3 weeks past my last chemo have past which will only be 1 week before my rads start. Did you start on it specifically for the rads or were you using it anyway?
Cheers
Angie
… I have to say Mildred that I have been smiling at your first post on this …
… because I used to think in exactly the same way as you! … and i thought that as i don;t burn in the sun it would be easy peasy!!! ha ha blooming ha!
I had to drag myself out of radio today - i was extra popped - think it’s beacuse i didn’t have time for a decent nap yesterday - so heavens knows what I’ll be like tomorrow as today i was even busier - i only had an hour and i needed about 4!!!
Had an odd thought today … I really really hate being in electrical shops - Ijust get desperate to get out - when all the TV’s ar on it jus makes me feel awful - partly the flashing I suppose … anyone esle?? In case you were wondering I have never tried living under a pylon …
As a totally unrelated aside I hate bookshops becasue of the smell - ink makes me sneeze - reading a fresh newspper makes me sneeze! … or it did pre-cehemo anyway!
ranting on and ging to bed - night noght sleep tight -love FB xx
Hi ladies,
I’m getting worried that having rads in 11 days’ time is really going to zonk me. The reason is, I’m on day 23 after my last TAX, and I’m still very tired ( have to sleep a couple of hours each afternoon ), don’t feel like doing much, still have a funny taste in my mouth and am having trouble digesting my food ( I’ve not got much appetite ).
I did struggle with the TAX, after sailing through the FEC pretty much. I’m taking vit C and ImmuneACE and Co-Q and drinking lots of water. I wonder if my poor liver is struggling to recover? We are supposed to be going away to Norfolk for a week on Saturday, for a welcome break after everything, before I start my 20 rads, but I’m beginning to worry that the travelling is going to knock me for six, and I’ll end up feeling worse.
Have others felt tired in week four after chemo has finished? I sort of feel a bit ill and queasy at times, this week. I’ve had a bit of a cold, I should add.
Advice welcome!
Ann xx
Hi Ann
I have had 12 sessions so far and haven’t exprienced any exhaustion up to now. I sailed through FEC but found TAX slightly harder, taking a bit more time to recover. I am 5 weeks post last TAX and feel ok.
Like chemo, radio will take its toll on each of us differently. I personally would go for the weekend away and if you need to have a ‘power’ nap - then have one!
Anita
Hi Anita,
How long after your last TAX was it before you felt “normal”.
I’m still getting a funny feeling in my temples,which I’ve had with the TAX each time, my nailbeds are still sore,and digestion not right. Heartburn, mostly. Thank God I didn’t have four lots! I do hope I’m going to be ok when I start my rads!
Best wishes,
Ann
Hi everyone
Hope I haven’t set everyone off panicking … just like chemo we are all different
Judging by how we all walk out of radio I would say I am one of the worst affected where I am …you may be fine
Must be honest - it does go SO MUCH quicker than chemo - especially if you don’t have 33 !
Putting it into perspective - OH is looking pretty pooped and he’s not even having it!
Just think you have to be prepared to rest if you need to
good luck
love FB xx
Hi Fizbix,
Did you feel you had recovered from your TAX before you started the rads?
I’m still feeling the effects and worrying that I’m not going to cope with it very well. For one thing, my appetite is so poor, I’m not able to build myself up like I was hoping to this week. Any suggestions? I’m trying to eat healthily, no junk.
Has anyone used Milk Thistle to help their liver to recover? My friend has bought me some tablets, but I’m unsure whether to take them now or not.
Ann xx
Hi Ann
The advice I was given was hang the healthy eating but get the carbs in. it does help you feel as if you have more energy.
There is time when you’ve got through treatment to sort out the healthy eating.
Lv Crispy
Hi Ann
I started rads 3 weeks after last TAX as needed to fit them in before going on my hols (booked prior to dx). To be honest it took me a week to recover from TAX but I know this is fairly quick compared to some ladies on here. My side effects never included headaches, just had tax mouth, tiredness and pains in legs for a couple of hours (which were manageable) and by day 7 had cleared up.
Don’t worry about the rads as they are a whole lot easier than chemo. Just the travel to the hospital is a pain in the butt. I have to go to a hospital approx 10 miles away but it only takes 20mins on the motorway. I also use hospital transport and therfore have a driver.
As for the milk thistle - have you still got the number for your chemo suite? Maybe one of the nurses could advise you.
Go and see your doctor and get a prescription for OMEPRAZOLE 20mg once a day and that will sort out your heartburn. They usually give you a 28 day course and this should help you a lot.
My nails are ok but have ‘ridged’ quite badly but I haven’t lost any (yet!!)
If you have any worries about rads - the radiologists will be able to help and advise you. Mine are lovely and will answer what they can and if the can’t they will get hold of my onc who will!
Hope everything goes well for you and keep us posted
Anita xxx
Hi Vertangie!
Only just saw your post as my computer has been playing up. I take Co-enzyme Q10 anyway and have been for about 8 months, but I understand it will help with rads tiredness even if you only start the week before rads sessions begin.
Hi ladies,
Thanks for your advice. I’m taking Co-enzyme Q, so hoping that is helping. Travelling is making me tired, I think. I get home from the hospital and promptly fall asleep for about an hour and a half!
I’m half-way through my 20 rads now, and just starting to suffer with skin irritation and redness. I’ve been told to only use aqueous cream. Shall I ask if I can also use aloe vera gel?
How is every one getting on who has finished their treatment and been on holiday?
I can’t wait to get back in a swimming pool, it will be bliss!
Ann G