Chronic fatigue

[Fatigue123]

I'm 5 years out from lowdown down rectal cancer.I had chemo and radiotherapy prior to opp to remove the tumour, from about 6 months after treatment I suffer with chronic fatigue.

I start every day late afternoon with with tiredness, big yawning, legs and knees weak and aching.

Have to go to bed and will go unconscious for 2 hours and sleep well at night.

GP has done bloods and come back normal.

Could my symptoms be related to pelvic radiation has anyone got chronic fatigue?

Thanks for reading.

[briarsw]

hi there. Absolutely it could all be related. You need to remind yourself that you survived cancer and your body is probably still recovering. I’m nearly 8 year’s post cancer. I don’t sleep well but I nap loads. I don’t know where you are in the world but the climate you live in and the amount of poisons you had administered to kill the cancer off takes its toll. Also your age and general health will affect your immune system and sleep. I go with the flow more these days and there’s no crime in allowing yourself to fully heal. Cancer is a huge battle. I try to fight sleeping during the day by keeping busy but if I’m in dire need of a nap I allow myself no more than an hour. Sleep is the best remedy for healing. Be kind to yourself

[Perido]

I'm 6.5 years post treatment (surgery + chemo-radiotherapy) for cervical cancer. I defo have less energy than I did pre cancer. My most profound side effect is lymphoedema which I feel contributes to my fatigue. Even if you don't have lymphoedema related swelling it's possible your lymphatic system has been compromised by treatment. Something you could try is manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage and see if it helps.

MLD UK has a register of therapists; those with 'member DLT' after their names are fully trained to treat people with lymphoedema: mlduk.org.uk/therapists/

Another option is simple/self lymphatic drainage (SLD) massage which you can do yourself. The Lymphoedema Support Network has produced some videos demonstrating SLD: lymphoedema.org/information...

You mention you have aching legs. I'm wondering if that could be a sign of lymphoedema, especially if you also get swelling?

[Zezes-nan]

Hi there. I think the previous posts have given a lot of advice especially about MLD. I wish I had know about that following my chemo and radiotherapy in 1999. I have good and bad days, still get exhausted so pacing is important. Google the "spoon theory" that sums it up really well. Be kind to yourself, keep a symptom diary and keep talking to your GP.