Chemotherapy Related Fatiigue

Posted by margitdill @margitdill, 3 days ago

Has anyone been prescribed and taken ProVigil or steroids to help ease severe fatigue related to chemotherapy and cancer? Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

lilypilly | @lilypilly | 3 days ago

No never heard of such therapy but interested.
How long have you had fatigue?

margitdill | @margitdill | 3 days ago

In reply to @lilypilly "No never heard of such therapy but interested. How long have you had fatigue?" + (show)

18 months! I talked to my palliative care team yesterday… we are going to try Ritalin which they suggested.

markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | 3 days ago

I had good success with Ritalin when I was working. Now that I've been forced into medical disability retirement I don't take it any more. Numerous palliative docs emphasize the value of exercise when dealing with chemo-related and cancer-related fatigue.

There is also a mental component in some cases. Depression, which is common in cancer cases, can be a big contributor to fatigue.

Don't overlook your hemoglobin & hematocrit levels! Chemo can really knock your H&H down into the toilet, which not only contributes to fatigue, but limits the amount of exercise you can do to address it. Occasional-low H&H can be treated with a blood transfusion. More chronic cases can be treated with a red-cell booster like Aranesp or ProCrit. About 4-5 weekly shots of Aranesp brought my hemoglobin up from the high 7's range to above 10, and I definitely feel better on average.

The first 3 days after chemo (Gemcitabine + Abraxane + Cisplatin) are still rough (and getting rougher) for me. I've recently needed a small amount of oral steroid (dexamethasone, 2mg) on the second day after to recover from chemo. I try to avoid it because it makes my blood sugar really hard to control (with half a pancreas).

lilypilly | @lilypilly | 2 days ago

In reply to @margitdill "18 months! I talked to my palliative care team yesterday… we are going to try Ritalin..." + (show)

Thank you. Good luck I hope you find something soon.

margitdill | @margitdill | 2 days ago

In reply to @markymarkfl "I had good success with Ritalin when I was working. Now that I've been forced into..." + (show)

Thank you! My H and H are chronically low with chemo. On Monday I will ask the NP about red cell boosters. Mine is chronic. Yesterday I started a chair exercise routine that I’m going to do 3x a week. After a couple of weeks, I will graduate to the on-site gym. I will start the Ritalin this week as soon as the pharmacy fills it. I’m going to try some dietary supplements as well, namely beetroot powder, gingseng, and Encer. I did not have fatigue this severe until I had radiation last May and a few months later started on TIVDAK. My mental state is pretty good; I’m just so tired of being tired!!!