Coping with fatigue: What are your coping tips?

So true. Cancer treatment fatigue is bone deep and by all accounts you can’t get rid of it while you’re under treatment. No quick fix.

The way I looked at it my body was fighting very very hard to help beat the cancer cells. If my body needed me to conserve energy (lie on the couch and watch Netflix or whatever!) then that is what I did so my energy could be focussed on the battle going on inside me.

I accepted that I could only do the best I could do within my new limitations to help my body - whether that was resting, walking, having a hot scented bath and practising mindfulness or eating as healthily as I could.

It did frustrate me initially that I couldn’t run anymore during treatment and had trouble walking a fraction of the distance. A hill I used to run up as part of a long run became a struggle walking up and took 4 stops. I learned to chuckle and just be grateful I was out and about.

The best thing is also knowing that the fatigue does go away once treatments stop. I may not be back to running yet but I feel strong again walking up that hill without stop 😁

I hope that helps 🌹

I get two monthly shots and take 2 different meds a day, they all say may cause fatigue. Best I can tell, I will be on the meds for some time. Yes, it's better then not being on them but not easy. Still working and still moving. I posted one time, "fight fatigue, mow the lawn. I've since gotten a self propelled mower, lol, big difference. It's hard to deal with the fatigue every day but that is the only choice we have. It helps a great deal to know I'm not the only one fighting this. Best to all.

I am taking Tabrecta and have a lot of fatigue everyday. Two weeks ago they reduced the dosage and said that would help in a few weeks. Anyone have experience with this?

Thank you for the suggestions. I actually do all of those things but the fatigue continues. It's discouraging. I just try to take one day at a time.

My husband has been done with treatments for four months and still has no energy some days, or he might do some yard work and have to rest more. I heard some people say fatigue could last a year or more. This might be the new normal he thinks.

I’m sorry to hear that. My fatigue fortunately improved remarkably within 6 months after my treatments ended, although even a year later I would still hit the wall on occasions. My hair, nails etc were also remarkably better within that 6 month period. We’re all so different. It’ll take take how long it takes, and we need to be kind to ourselves 🙏

thank you for sharing the part about learning to laugh. The old term "laugh or cry" fits me. Lucky for me it laughing, I sometimes just start laughing and I'm not sure from what, my wife just shakes her head now. Guess I'll just blame it on the meds. we get through the day any how we can. It's certainly a learning curve on the fatigue, finding what works and accepting when it doesn't. I try to accept it but sometimes I'm left shaking my head as to why some days you feel as you do when the day before seemed okay. All we can do is keep moving forward. Best to all.

Absolutely! It’s how my family rolls too. All the best.

Right on moving forward day by day. I try to walk around the house every hour. Not always successful but I know that it "supposed" to help. I'm doing a hard puzzle which helps me to focus on something other than "my trials and tribulations".
Take care

I had this past week off from my 40 hour on my feet job. I did odd chores around the house, keep busy, take a rest. I feel better about being able to handle the fatigue then I did before. I'm always worried that I need to keep moving to fight fatigue, how am I going to do when retirement gets here, (close). This past week showed me that it will be okay, great actually. Emotionally I feel really good after this week. The cancer is not going away but I want to have joy in my life. We got this. Best to all.