Cancer-Related Fatigue

Cancer-Related Fatigue

Tue, Mar 29, 2022
1:00pm to 2:00pm CT

Description

A Patient Educator from the Cancer Education Center hosted this webinar.  During this session we wanted to increase your understanding of cancer related fatigue and offer a variety of self-management strategies related to nutrition, exercise, sleep and relaxation.
https://youtu.be/0oe8eKJU0sc

Location

Online

Contact

Angie Murad
Angie Murad
Email: murad.angela@mayo.edu
Phone: 507-266-2991

I got a lot of good info from the video. Luke warm or cool showers… good pro tip!

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@rugbytrayn

My personal experience is not dissimilar to that of being, "kind of pregnant." You Are or you are Not. You have either had cancer or you have not. If you have had cancer then and only then do you understand the treatment-related side effects of fatigue. It is a fatigue that is chronic, a feeling of being, "worn out" each and every day. I have gotten used to yawning all day, every day, and am at peace knowing that a nap is not and will never be a "cure".

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I need to nap, I do not want to, real sleep seems to be the impossible dream. I have woken up from "sleeping" because I was yawning. I am always asked at the clinic how my fatigue is, but the question is asked in such a way that ithe fatigue is a "me" problem not a real problem in everyday life.

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@carlies

Trying to eat more nutritious food - instead of just the food I'm hungry for. Just hearing the comments made me feel like I'm not losing my mind?! Or that I am not alone?! Or that others feel this way and unfortunately it is 'normal'?! NO ONE (onco docs) have done anything to reassure me. The doc mostly listens and looks at me without comment-?!

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Have you found certain nutritious foods that help with your fatigue?

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My fatigue is more of a “bone tired” perception. Don’t feel sleepy, but feels like I’ve just been running 2 miles at very high speed. That kinda “lactic acid” tiredness. Lethargy, lack of motivation. How should I handle that kind of fatigue?

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@bolkydog

My fatigue is more of a “bone tired” perception. Don’t feel sleepy, but feels like I’ve just been running 2 miles at very high speed. That kinda “lactic acid” tiredness. Lethargy, lack of motivation. How should I handle that kind of fatigue?

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As I write this reply (comment) I believe it will be perceived, unfortunately by you to be of NO or little value ... I asked a similar question regarding my post-radiation, Head & Neck side effect-related, chronic Dry Mouth and initially felt this same way when reading the following, reply (comment), "It may go away, it may never go away, your job is to live with it and accept it because ACCEPTANCE is the answer to ALL of your/my problems today...." BTW....this reply (comment) has proceeded to change my life, forever....

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@muradangie

Have you found certain nutritious foods that help with your fatigue?

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Angie - Guilty as charged of an occasional, mid-day, chocolate, candy bar, i.e. Three Musketeers, Zero, Butterfinger, etc. and although though I consider myself to be a "bright" guy, a Night-School graduate and know the nutritional value is not dissimilar in content and value to that of a Slim Jim, I rationalize my decision by telling myself, "You know, Laurie a guy has to have some fun once in a while".... I doubt, Angie this reply/comment is of NO to little help or value to you...Sorry

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@jfn

I need to nap, I do not want to, real sleep seems to be the impossible dream. I have woken up from "sleeping" because I was yawning. I am always asked at the clinic how my fatigue is, but the question is asked in such a way that ithe fatigue is a "me" problem not a real problem in everyday life.

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Yesterday, I fell asleep at the counter while waiting for the cake for today to bake. It is a good thing it was not while I was making the cake. It does make me wonder if the cake has all of the ingredients. It will just need a fantastic frosting,! So my non-alkaline, least sugar as possible diet( which I think contributes to my fatigue more than the chemotherapy , anemia, and hypergammaglobulinemis) is not be adhered to for a day!!!!!!

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@jfn

I need to nap, I do not want to, real sleep seems to be the impossible dream. I have woken up from "sleeping" because I was yawning. I am always asked at the clinic how my fatigue is, but the question is asked in such a way that ithe fatigue is a "me" problem not a real problem in everyday life.

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I feel the exact same way.

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@bolkydog

My fatigue is more of a “bone tired” perception. Don’t feel sleepy, but feels like I’ve just been running 2 miles at very high speed. That kinda “lactic acid” tiredness. Lethargy, lack of motivation. How should I handle that kind of fatigue?

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Your description is word perfect. Thank you. Now that I know that "tired to the bone" is what others feel as well it is somehow easier to take

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@bolkydog

My fatigue is more of a “bone tired” perception. Don’t feel sleepy, but feels like I’ve just been running 2 miles at very high speed. That kinda “lactic acid” tiredness. Lethargy, lack of motivation. How should I handle that kind of fatigue?

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I take oral chemo for chronic cancer and I have that kind of fatigue. I am retired, so I can pace myself. This is what my day looks like:

1. I try to get a good 7-8 hours of sleep. Easier said than done bc I am often wakeful thru out night. Dry mouth and anxiety.

2. In the morning, I hydrate, do 30 minutes of gentle yoga, and putter around tidying up. I usually don't have enough energy for a shower until noon.

3. After a shower, I spend an hour eating lunch and chilling with a book, podcast, or knitting. I eat four smaller meals a day. Avoiding starch, sugar, and salty food helps with energy. Restaurant food, especially fast food, makes me crash.

4. Between 1 pm and 5 pm is my "peak" time. I do errands, maybe see a friend for coffee, do gardening, take a walk, etc.

5. I start winding down about 4 pm and start supper about 4:30 (unless I put something in the slo cooker in the a.m. I like soup.)

6. Supper is ready when my husband comes home for dinner and the kitchen is clean. I have just about enough energy to socialize with him before bed time.

I used to be an extremely high-energy person, very ambitious. It is hard for me to slow down, and I have a hard time not berating myself for what I don't do. But that kind of negativity really drains me. So I am trying!

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