How did you deal with fatigue from radiation for perianal carcinoma?

magscratch,
I was told two to three months after colorectal cancer. I think exercise helped, but you can't exercise without energy. My understanding is that your body is expending energy repairing cells damaged by radiation and radiation affects bone marrow, significantly lower red blood cells.
You might doctor for iron infusions and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. They tell you to be careful with nutrition--B12, folic acid, iron. Tell them you'd like to speed the process, that your fatigue is unbearable.
Fatigue after radiation is common; I don't think it's about age.
I hope your doctors are cooperative.

Thank you so much for this information. I’ve never experienced fatigue like this before. Im usually a very upbeat person but this is getting me down. I’ll check with my drs & that may do the trick.

@magscratch fatigue from cancer treatments really is like no other. You might find some helpful tips from this older, related discussion:
- Fatigue: How bad is it really? What helps?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fatigue-how-bad-is-it-really/

It seems counterintuitive, but @gently that physical activity or exercise is often recommended. That doesn't mean going to the gym or training for a 5 mile run. That's impossible.

Instead, it can help just to add a tiny bit more than yesterday. That could be something like walking around the living room or to the end of the driveway. See what is your limit today (no judgement, just take note.) Then do a couple more steps the next day. Expect that not every day will be better, but over time, you'll likely see improvement. Be patient with yourself.

Did you talk to your doctor about testing your blood leverls?

Thank you so much for this info. I am still exhausted. I don't feel like myself but will absolutely try some of your suggestions. I see the radiation oncologist next week and will talk to him about it but truthfully I don't expect miracles in his replies., just as I didn't get any real guidance from the colorectal surgeon on an earlier visit, although I think they do the best they can Sometimes I think doctors think their responsibilities end after they do their "magic". I always joke that they've become so specialized that we now have a Left big toe specialist and a Right big toe specialist and never the twain shall meet. But I'll keep trying. Your resources are a God-send. Thank you!! Thank you!!