A couple of questions about energy level after radiation. How do you know if you're tired from treatment or if something is wrong? It seems like I had more energy a month ago then I do now. Of course, I'm doing more now then I was a month ago.........but it just seems like my body gets so tired and sore now! We took down the Christmas tree and all our decorations today and by the time we were done I was tired as a baby, lol. Is it common for the energy level to go up and down after treatment? How do we know if it's not our body telling us something is wrong? Thanks guys,
Minnie

Minnie,

I don't know the answer to your question but I wanted to say that I am 8 mos. post treatment and still exhausted. I also have Fibromyalgia which I've had for about 4 years so I've always been tired but not like this. I had lost 50 lbs. before diagnosis and then 30 lbs. while being treated and I thought with the weight loss I'd have more energy. Not so!

Khaja

Hi Minnie,
I am 11 months post Tx and my energy levels are quite normal now. I lost 60 lbs during Tx and my fatigue level shot through the roof. The sooner I started eating regular foods, the quicker my energy came back. I also worked out some to regain my upper body strength. I have not regained 35 lbs and I am grateful for that. Last Saturday night I played a 4 hour gig with a band, hauled all of my equipment in and out (I play the bass and have the heaviest amp) and felt great the entire night. It was a slow process. I still pace myself a little more than I did post Tx. Be patient, you'll get there.

Hi Minnie

For several months after treatment my energy level would go up and down. Several good days with a lot of energy, then the bottom would fall out and I would just want to sit around and not do a lot. Still can't deal with a lot of stress, which will draw down your energy level a lot more than the physical exertion will I think.

Eating a good healty balanced diet will help, more frequent small meals instead of just 3 big meals (or try some healty type snacks, fruits, etc between meals.)

I think our bodies burn the energy quicker than normal because of the healing process, so the peaks and valleys come quicker.

That's my take on things at least.. Hope it helps
Bob S.

Thanks for the answers you guys. I'm still going up and down with the energy level but I just keep plugging on. I think that I need to eat better and rest more. I was not a healthy eater before all this and now I'm finding it hard to be disciplined with the diet! And I still want to be a night owl like I was before which isn't working out, lol. Patience.............sure wish I had more of it.

Hi minniea,
I guess we both are doing a lot of chatting today.
When did you finish your treatment?

I finished radiation on 12/29. And in general am feeling great - so much energy compared to before, but I find the energy level really varies. I'll do great for a few days then wham! I'm suddenly exhausted. It is strange how the energy level is not predictable or consistant.

I too think I am overdoing it on a lot of days, and I am not eating as much as I should be. I've lost a lot of weight, and recently I've noticed I have no muscles anymore. I'd love to start exercising or doing something to regain the lost muscle, but don't want to push it since i'm not eating a lot.

Oh well, I guess I need to give myself more time, and slow down a bit. But I am thankful at least that I do have energy to do somethings!

michelle

I'm a little over nine weeks post treatment myself and after having pretty decent energy levels since then, I now find myself dealing with pretty intense fatigue. The fatigue started about a week ago and at first it scared me, but then I thought I'm still in the window to still be experiencing the acute effects of the radition treatment. As I continue to research this I find hypothyroidism may be a possibility. I'll be heading back to the docs in a couple of weeks anyway, at which time I'll get this checked out. It may be worth your while to investigate this further as I understand hypothyroidism is fairly common in folks who have had radiation treatments to the neck.

Hi Michelle,
I finished my radiation treatment on July 10th, 2003 so I'm almost 7 months "out". I had my surgery on April 16th, 2003.
My whole family has started the Atkins diet and seem to like it. My husband bought this monster looking workout center and the younger ones think it's a jungle gym, lol. I have very athletic children so it gives us something to do as a family and at the same time keeps them all healthy. I used to be able to out do anyone in my house, sure will be happy to get back to that point!
Brett, I have read some of Mark's posts on here about the thyroid problems and they make great sense. I am going to ask my doctor about it on Tuesday.
Take care everyone,
Minnie

For what its worth, I, too, experienced a sudden energy decrease. 8 weeks after end of rad/chemo, I was able to run several miles, and suddenly even a slow jog was hard work. I had my thyroid checked and found that it was a bit hyper, but a subsequent check found it to be headed back to normal. One of my many docs told me that hypothyroidism, if it is going to show up as a consequence of rad, will be at the 18 mos. to 2 year mark, or later. And yes, my energy did return when I put on a little more weight. Isn't all this post-treatment adjustment fun?