Chemo Fatique

I am new on this forum and so glad I found it.  Most sites deal with other cancers and they just don't relate to my situation.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3c ovarian cancer and had a total hysterectomy on October 13th.  I have completed 3 of my 6 Carbo/Taxol treatments which I have every 3rd thursday.  After the first treatment I went back to work on Monday, after 2nd I went back on Wed and after the 3rd I went back on Friday and only stayed half a day.  I have my 4th in a couple of hours and am not really looking forward to it.  Is this normal to be so tired and in so much pain (neulasta every friday after chemo)that it is taking me longer after each chemo to feel a little more normal? I seem to have bad days or manic days where I rush around trying to get everything done because I don't know when I will get "energy" again. I am around alot of cancer patients but none of them have ovarian. This time I got post chemo effects two days before chemo.  Stabbing leg pains, fatique so bad I was talking to my boss one second and the next I was in chemobrain/fatique mode.  Is all of this normal? I am a very athletic 50 yr old usually with boundless energy. I am just so tired all of the time.  I don't know if it is the weight loss from surgery (121 to 108) or just the normal course of things.  Any comments would be helpful.

[Helmar]

Hello... and yes, fatigue is one of the side affects of some chemos. I'm presently on Taxotere/Carboplatin, and I find that this is the only bad side affect I have too... (apart from the hair loss, of course)...terrible fatigue. It hits me for about 3-4 days after treatment, then I begin to pick up again. I have my treatments every 3 weeks, so by the time the next one rolls around, I'm feeling really energetic, but once I have the treatment I'm just ever so tired for a few days. I guess it's a small price to pay, if we can get rid of this lousy cancer though.
I hope  you will soon feel better, and the chemo is doing the job for you.
Best wishes and hugs...Helmar...

[Christa54]

I'd like to encourage you to hang in there.  I noticed extreme faigue during my Taxol/Carbo treatment during the last 3 rounds.  After the last treatment I knew that there would be no way I could tolerate another round so I was very thankful it was completed.  Although I had other complications and side effects from my chemo, I did eventually began to get my strength back but it did take several months.  I understand your frustration because I was also a very fit 51 y/o.  I had to come to a point where I had to accept that my precancer life that I used to know had changed. However, I know there are many ladies that do recover nicely and get back to their normal.  I hope you are one of them.

Best wishes,
Christa

[Tybear]

I've just had my 3rd treatment for a recurrence, this after already having 6 treatments last year. I am always exhausted - are you not allowed to be off work right now? I'm from Canada, so maybe it's just different here, but the minute I was diagnosed, I was off on disability and have remained off ever since. That just seems like so much to be doing right now. I also get the stabbing leg pains and that's probably my biggest complaint. You need to give your body time to recover - are you able to take a couple months off to rest? I wish you the best of luck,
Becky

[SimplyStar]

Daughter had her surgery in July, finished chemo in Nov, got extremely tired for 4-5 days after each treatment, went back to work 1/2 days 5th of Jan,, she had enough sick time built up along with 6 weeks vacation so her checks came through till she returned to work. Since the imumne system is so critical during chemo, we felt that staying away from risks of colds etc was more important. She got her flu shot and takes her vitamines and supplements to maintain her health. She is 49 and has always been very active and healthy.  Told me yesterday that the main thing that was bothering her now is her vision. She can't seem to read the small print now even with new glasses. Also has some neuropathy left in her hands, using the B12 patch for that now,legs and feet have gotten much better. We are looking into the PH level now, going to try and get it to 7.6, walking outdoors and doing deep breathing seems to make her fatigue go away quicker.

[baguba]

Chemo fatigue is very, very common......annoying, but common.  Unfortunately it is also cumulative. By the time you finish your 6 rounds you feel like garbage, but you will bounce back.  Don't try to over do in any way.  I found that I slept in late some mornings and when I got up I was l-a-z-y.  So I tried to keep a pretty "normal" routine - getting up at the same time each morning, eating breakfast and lunch (whatever you feel like and could tolerate), and getting into bed early at night.  It's very hard to do all that while you feel tired, antsy from the steroids, tastebuds stink, etc.  But once you finish, give yourself some time and you will bounce back.  Many of the ladies on this site truly believe in the benefits of herbs in helping with this process; I have not done that, but I'm sure they will be along to offer their suggestions.  God speed and good luck!  Judie :)

[Kimchi]

, am on my 4th round of taxol/carbo for Stage 4 OC and I noticed a pattern after my third round.  I would get really tired 2 days after my chemo and would last for about 3 days.   Also during that first week, the taste buds are shot and I find myself eating everything to try and satisfy them, hence a fast weight gain. So I prepare myself now before each chemo, do all my errans the week before and cut back my hours the week of chemo.  Then my energy starts up again and can go on my normal routine as long as I can get a few goodnights sleep.  I had a complete hystorectomy and surgical menopause has hit me hard, insomina and hot flashes on top of the chemo and weather (live in a very humid country).
Everything the ladies mentioned above, I've experienced as well.  Good luck.

[Tybear]

What are these vitamin B12 shots? I've just started expierencing the tingling in the hands and feet - it's beyond annoying, for sure! Did you have to have the neulasta shots? It almost sounds like many women have them as part of treatment, but I've never had to - is it just for when your counts are low?
Hope your doing well!
Becky

[loralai]

I completed my 6th treatment in Dec and am now awaiting my first scan in Feb. The fatigue built up after each treatment for me too. I found that walking on the treadmill really did help. I would go to the gym and walk for at least 30 - 45 minutes 3x a week. I went in the morning because that's when I had the most energy. I also take Vitamin B6 for those annoying tinglies in fingers and toes. I hated the Neulasta shot...that wiped me out more than anything!! I took Aleve for it but it didn't help that much. I'd just expect to take it easy those weekends after that shot which I got on Thursdays because my treatments were Wednesdays. I unfortunately am a comfort eater so weightloss wasn't on my list. I lost after surgery about 22 lbs and I've probably gained 1/2 of it back since this all started. So I recommend walking if you can. They also say to try yoga...I just couldn't do that because I have toddlers with me during the day. Good luck! You are almost there so hang in there!!

[celde32]

I'm also a newbie here. I have stage 3b ovarian cancer.  This past Thursday I just started my taxol/carbo.  I felt good Thursday and Friday.  Today I couldn't get out of my recliner all day.  All I can manage to eat is saltine crackers with peanut butter.  Nothing sounds good to eat.  Any ideas on foods or snacks that are easy to eat?