I know that tiredness post treatment has been discussed here before but I can't seem to locate it thru searching this site. My son's radiation Tx ended in December '06 and he is working full time (computer programmer) but his energy level is still low and he seems kind of down about it. I know everyone reacts differently to radiation but it has been 9 months since the end of Tx and I was wondering if this is still in the "new normal" range or should there be other health things to check out? Does anyone ever get 100% energy back?

I think some people here would say they do have 100% of their energy back. I am two years out and still don't feel that's true for myself, though I have enbough energy to make it through the day, but that could also be an effect of aging, perimenopause or something else. Also, I had two different rad treatments in a year for two different cancers which I think made the getting my energy back thing much harder.

Your son should definitely have his thyroid checked, though, if he has not had it done recently since one of the main symptoms of a failing thyroid is fatigue and it's not at all uncommon for the thyroid to fail after radiation.

A doctor that I saw for help with swallowing problems when I was about 9 months out from radiation (about where your son is now) told me that I should consider myself 70% healed from radiation but that the other 30% could take up to another year--that last little bit of recovery is very gradual. So tell your son there's good reason to believe he's not at his new normal just yet and things can still get better. I hope it cheers him up.

Nelie

Anne-Marie, I have been going full tilt since just a few months post treatment. I did not have the double whammy like Nelie, so she has a higher mountain to climb most certainly. If a thyroid check is normal, I would recommend exercise. I found early on that the more I moved, the better I felt. I started early pushing myself to walk farther, faster, and soon was running. Working with weights will also build up muscles that have not been used for a while. I truly believe that exercise speeds up the return to a more normal life. Good luck to your son!

Hi all,
Haven't had radiation, but have had 3 months of chemo which resulte in very low blood counts--haemoglobin, neutrophils and platelets.
I'm 58 and have always been fairly active, though not exactly an exercise nut.
I was really worried 3 weeks ago when I was waiting for a blood transfusion and could barely get from the sofa to the bathroom, or make myself a cup of coffee.
I am now 'charting' my exercise/housework to build myself up again--the greatest joy at the moment is on fine days to be able to walk AND look round shops!
Am also hoping to resume swimming again soon when blood counts rise and risk of infection is less.
BUT--I still know if I've 'overdone' it, and take a rest when needed.
I know this is nothing to what you've all suffered through surgery and rad, but it's along the samelines, just in a more miniscule way!
Brenda

Hi Anne-Marie,

It took me over a year to feel kinda good. It has just been the last 6 months that I have been pushing my self more and doing OK.

I do get tired real easy though. I do not think things will ever be 100%. I am happy to be able to do what I can.!! My husband is happy that I can cook!!

I still drink the high protein drinks, & try and take my vitamins. I figure it will help some.

Check His thyroid as Nelie said. Many of us lose thyroid function due to treatment.

Hope things improve soon. Take care,
Diane

Anne-Marie,
I stopped radiation about 5 months ago. On weekends I prefer to sleep 12 hours a night and during the week I sleep about 10. During my waking hours I have all the energy I've ever had. I know this wouldn't be true if I wasn't going to bed at 8:00 PM. I am working full-time although for the first time in decades full-time means no more than 40 hours. I'm not an exerciser, but can say that a weekend bike ride seems to give me energy for the week. I think it's part of feeling alive again. Last week I rode 15 miles along a beautiful flat coastal path. I also found a daily cup of coffee makes a huge difference. It's funny how before I could hardly tell if I drank 3 or 4 cups. I strongly recommend making time for sleeping. It's hard to do, but I really think it's what allows me to fully function during my waking hours. I've been trying to take vacation time at least every other week too. This allows me to not have my schedule so full that I can't get to bed on time.

Anne-Marie,

In my case I would have to say that the "one month recovery time per one week of treatment" was pretty close. Now, a little over one year post Tx there is only one oddity I notice. Regardless of how much sleep I get the night before, around 2 to 4 PM each day I get a heavy sleepy feeling. I will take a brief nap if I can and it seems that just a 15 to 30 minute nap is all it takes. I honestly don't know if this is a by product of Tx or if I just got used to the daily nap while in Tx last year and can't break the habit.

Bill D.

Thank you all, so-o-o much! I did suggest to my son (Paul) that he get his thyroid checked, so I hope he does, soon. I've printed out all your comments and he will have them tomorrow when I am at his house. Altho' he had 28 rad treatments, it was spread out over about 8 weeks because of a couple of breaks during treatment so he is pretty much at the "one month of recovery for each week of treatment" point. I think he has beeen taking vitamins but I will check on this and on whether he is exercising, too. It has been so encouraging to me to get everyone's thoughts on this and to know that there is hope for more improvement. You all are awesome!

Hello all,
Ive not posted... but have lurked for quite some time.
I was at stage 4a and had a tongue dissection, two additional surgeries, radiation (8 weeks) and chemo.
To add to all of the above, I also was given three times the amount of cisplatin than ordered!Anyway to your point...
I'm 14 months post treatment and actually in pretty good shape(the typical good and bad days) with one MAJOR exception and that is exhaustion!
I'm 48yrs. and as I mentioned, doing well but fatigue is still a big deal 14 months out!
I normally sleep 10+ hrs. but 12 or more is not an exception!
My docs, told me to expect that for at least two more years!
So even though, your son is younger his fatigue, at least compared to my experience is to be expected.
Also, I'm now on provigil which does help... some!
Ram