How long does it take to recover from chemo?

My acupuncturist has told me my body will take three years to fully recover. But that was for a combination of chemotherapy followed by radiation and immunotherapy.

@mommacandy Wow, that's so frustrating. After all you went through last year and finally getting your energy back too! I did not have chemotherapy but I can tell you I've had pollen and mold allergies for many years. Every single year my reaction to whatever is in the environment is different.

I'm curious what others in our Gynecological Support group will say about this question. Listening to your body is a good suggestion but...what if your head tells you something you want to do that your body does not? I guess that's real conundrum there, right?

I sometimes think that doctors clutch at straws to try and explain things that they have no answer for. Yes, everyone is different. That means that there’s no exact scientific cause and effect that is the same for us all. I would prefer if doctors just said “I don’t know”.
You are the best judge of what is happening in your body. If you think it needs pursuing, follow the symptoms.

that is exactly the conundrum...i was feeling pretty good, going out doing things...still can't go at the level i used to do but everyone keeps telling me "I don't know how you're doing all this" and its kinda a "if i don't it doesn't get done" kinda thing...but i've always liked tromping in the woods, hunting spring mushrooms etc.. and omg after less than 2 miles of climbing around on the mountainside Wed i was EXHAUSTED!!!! I'd been out on Mon, put in a full 8 hours at our charity on Tues, then hunting on Wed... yesterday i couldn't move off the couch!!! it felt like my head was going to explode and no amount of meds helped...i did benedryl last night, slept the night through....a little better today...went prowling around for about oh half a mile or so (according to my tracker) and once again i'm just beat...
i'm NOT one to "sit around and do nothing" i'm a firm believer in pushing myself (as if yall didn't know that already lol) but this....this is totally new and uncalled for!!!! allergies ???? i never had them before....

I'm just finished a 2nd cycle of chemo (4 more to go), and I thought it was interesting that my oncologist suggested an antihistamine that might help with the joint and muscle aches I am experiencing. Maybe there is some correlation between the chemo drugs and the histamine system. Don't try to do everything you used to in the same way. This treatment is tough on your body. Wishing you all the best as you continue to recover!

I developed asthma & allergies after chemotherapy. Allergy pills help, also wearing a mask. If you don’t agree with what your oncologist is saying, ask for consult with a pulmonologist. I didn’t push when my doctors attributed everything to chemotherapy & radiation, after my first treatments. Turns out my last diarrhea was undiagnosed Ecoli, I had developed asthma & needed meds. I’m usually a very good advocate for myself, having worked in diagnostic medicine for 28 years, but this treatment & cancer was new to me. I also still had cancer, (that’s a long story that you can find on this site, if you look up my name). You know your body best. Having said that, be honest with yourself; are you doing too much? Is a recovery day, after all that activity unreasonable? Are you giving your body time to recover? I too am (was) a very active/busy person. I’m still active, but definitely not able to do what I once did. The new normal, that no one wants! Good luck.

Gabapentin prescribed for bone pain, twitchy muscle spasms and travelling nerve pain, like mini-electric shocks pinging in any and all regions of my body. . Seemed to work ok. Used a heating pad at night for affected areas. That worked and was comforting.
Continued to exercise but only after about week following chemo, since all I wanted to do was nap. Energy increased followed two weeks thereafter (my regimen was every three weeks for chemo infusion).

Thank you. I am scheduled for chemo 3 this week and I am expecting to be a little lower overall this time. My oncologist has already prescribed a pain med after our conversation this week. I am in western Canada, so everything is covered aside from a nominal fee. Grateful!

well for those interested in my journey...here's what has helped with the allergies... eating 3-4 unwashed violets a day picked from my yard (just the petals)...yes i kid you not!!! one of my friends told me to try it, that it was an old cherokee remedy that she had used for years...and low and behold...i did and after about 3-4 days i was fine...so now i just make sure i eat violets every couple of days lol...
btw saw my oncologist yesterday and local clinic will draw my blood and unless my CA 125 goes back up into the 30's (its 12) or i start having abdominal pain/losing weight/lose my appetite etc i don't have to go back!!! they'll monitor it through the blood work and any visits will be telehealth if warranted unless something happens....
his words were
"whatever you're doing is obviously working, and we know the CA125 is a great indicator for you since it was over 1600 when you first came in so that's how we'll monitor it. You look really good, your hair has come back beautifully which is a good sign, you've gained weight which i really like to see, and you look vibrant and healthy and full of energy so keep it up"
now if i could only get my brain back clearly functioning and energy levels back up completely i'd have it made.. in the meantime...yall celebrate with me

Great news for you!