how to combat fatigue from chemo treatment

How to Fight Fatigue During Chemotherapy

• Get moving. . You might not feel like moving a muscle, but exercise can actually boost your energy. ... Try walking or...
• Ease your mind. . Mind-body workouts like yoga, tai chi, or qi gong (a Chinese form of moving meditation) can reduce...
• Go easy on yourself. . Figure out what needs to be done today and what you can put on...

Full Answer

How long does fatigue last after chemotherapy?

The standard answer from most oncologists is that “it is not unreasonable that fatigue continues for months, if not for a year or year and a half” after the finish of chemotherapy [1]. The real answer depends on how you take care of yourself.

How to restore energy after chemo?

• Exercise. Regular exercise increases your sense of well-being after cancer treatment and can speed your recovery.
• Eat a balanced diet. Vary your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. ...
• Maintain a healthy weight. ...
• Rest well. ...
• Reduce stress. ...
• Stop using tobacco. ...
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. ...
• Do what you can. ...

Does chemo make you tired?

Side effects - Chemotherapy

• Tiredness. Tiredness (fatigue) is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. ...
• Feeling and being sick. Many people having chemotherapy will have periods where they feel sick (nausea) or are sick (vomit).
• Hair loss. ...
• Infections. ...
• Anaemia. ...
• Bruising and bleeding. ...
• Sore mouth. ...
• Loss of appetite. ...
• Skin and nail changes. ...
• Memory and concentration problems. ...

More items...

How to fight fatigue during chemotherapy?

You might try to:

• Take it easy. Set aside time in your day to rest. ...
• Conserve your energy. Save your energy for your most important activities. ...
• Maintain your energy. Drinking lots of fluids and eating well can help keep your energy reserves up. ...
• Get moving. ...
• Consider integrative medicine options. ...
• Ask your doctor about supplements. ...

What helps with fatigue during chemotherapy?

Try to add strength training, such as lifting weights, a few times a week, too. Consider integrative medicine options. Some people with cancer find relief from fatigue through meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices that encourage relaxation. Massage and acupuncture can be helpful, too.

How can I boost my energy during chemo?

Eat iron-rich foods. Your body needs iron to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body and give you energy. An iron shortage can lead to anemia, which makes you really tired. Include iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, beans, fortified cereals, and red meat in your diet.

How long can chemo fatigue last?

This can occur regardless of the treatment site. Fatigue usually lasts from three to four weeks after treatment stops, but can continue for up to two to three months. Combination therapy. More than one cancer treatment at the same time or one after the other increases the chances of developing fatigue.

How long does cancer treatment fatigue last?

Cancer fatigue usually lasts from 3-4 weeks after treatment stops, but can continue for up to 2-3 months.

What foods give you energy after chemo?

Power snacks. Eating small meals or a snack every three to four hours will help keep your energy level constant. Try 1/4 cup of nuts or seeds, whole grain crackers topped with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter, or 2 tablespoons of hummus as a dip with baby carrots to boost energy.

What does chemo fatigue feel like?

Feeling very tired and lacking energy (fatigue) is the most common side effect of chemotherapy. You may have muscle aches and pains, get worn out quickly, have difficulty concentrating or find it difficult to do daily activities. Fatigue can appear suddenly and it doesn't always go away with rest or sleep.

How do I get my energy back?

Here are nine tips:Control stress. Stress-induced emotions consume huge amounts of energy. ... Lighten your load. One of the main reasons for fatigue is overwork. ... Exercise. Exercise almost guarantees that you'll sleep more soundly. ... Avoid smoking. ... Restrict your sleep. ... Eat for energy. ... Use caffeine to your advantage. ... Limit alcohol.More items...

How do I get my strength back after chemo?

With your doctor's approval, start slowly and work your way up. The American Cancer Society recommends adult cancer survivors exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, including strength training at least two days a week. As you recover and adjust, you might find that more exercise makes you feel even better.

How many days after chemo do you feel better?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.

What is the best vitamin for cancer patients?

Vitamin D is one of the most studied supplements for cancer prevention and treatment right now. Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E , and beta-carotene contain antioxidants once thought to help prevent cancer.

Does chemo make you extremely tired?

Nearly everyone who has chemotherapy has some tiredness. It can be due to the direct effect of chemotherapy on the body. But anaemia may also cause tiredness. This is because chemotherapy can stop your bone marrow from making red blood cells for a while.

Do the side effects of chemo get worse with each treatment?

The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle. My doctors warned me: Each infusion will get harder. Each cycle, expect to feel weaker.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Some fatigue during cancer treatment is to be expected. But if you find that cancer fatigue is persistent, lasting weeks, and interferes with your...

Coping Strategies: Medical Treatments and Self-Care

Because cancer-related fatigue may be caused by many factors, your doctor may suggest more than one method to reduce and cope with your symptoms. T...

Speak Up About Your Fatigue

Don't assume the fatigue you're experiencing is just part of the cancer experience. If it's frustrating you or affecting your ability to go about y...

How to get rid of fatigue?

Try walking or another moderate activity you enjoy as often as you can even if it’s only for 15 minutes. Ease your mind. Mind-body workouts like yoga, tai chi, or qi gong (a Chinese form of moving meditation) can reduce fatigue by helping you focus on relaxation. Go easy on yourself.

How to keep your body from getting tired?

It’s important to bring this up with your doctor, but there are also a few steps you can take to keep your fatigue in check. Get moving. You might not feel like moving a muscle, but exercise can actually boost your energy. (Make sure you get your doctor’s OK first.)

What to do before bed?

Right before bed is also a good time for activities that relax you, like meditation or journaling. Talk it out. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness can add to fatigue as well. A therapist can help you let out some of those feelings.

How to get rid of a tired body?

If your appetite is off, try eating 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day instead of three big ones. Cut back on sugar. Sugar y foods spike your energy, but it wears off quickly. In the end, you’re left even more worn out.

How to get more rest?

Sleep well. A good night’s sleep can help you feel more rested. To help make that happen, don’t get into your bed to read or work on your laptop. Turn off music and all screens during bedtime, and limit daytime naps to an hour or less.

How to get alert and mentally refreshed?

Go outside. Whether you sit on the beach, bird watch, or take a walk through a park, simply being outside can help you feel more alert and mentally refreshed.

How to keep blood sugar levels stable?

To keep blood sugar levels stable, try snacking on a mix of protein, fat, and fiber like a piece of fruit with cottage cheese or a handful of walnuts. Eat iron-rich foods. Your body needs iron to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body and give you energy.

What does fatigue mean in cancer?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Fatigue, usually described as feeling tired, weak or exhausted, affects most people during cancer treatment. Cancer fatigue can result from the side effects of treatment or the cancer itself.

How long does cancer fatigue last?

Your cancer fatigue may occur episodically and last just a short while, or it may last for several months after you complete treatment.

How to help someone with cancer?

Some people with cancer find relief from fatigue through meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices that encourage relaxation. Massage and acupuncture can be helpful, too. But check with your doctor to make sure these are safe, especially if your blood counts are low or if you're taking blood thinners.

Why is it so hard to eat after cancer treatment?

When you have cancer, your body may need more nutrients than usual. But it can be hard to take in enough nutrients if treatment side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, make it difficult to eat.

What causes fatigue in the body?

Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy may all cause fatigue.

How to maintain energy during a syringe?

Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, riding a bike and swimming, throughout the week may help you preserve your energy level. Exercise regularly as you start treatment. You'll get in the routine of exercising, and it may even help you prevent fatigue during treatment.

What can a doctor do for depression?

If you're depressed, your doctor might suggest medications that can help reduce the depression, increase appetite and improve your sense of well-being.

What are the contributing factors for fatigue during chemotherapy?

Contributing factors for fatigue include pain, depression, anxiety, lack of sleep, and other medications a person takes while undergoing chemotherapy.

How to treat fatigue from cancer?

Doctors may also recommend treating cancer-related fatigue directly. This could involve psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, or even increases in exercise.

How long does cancer fatigue last?

For certain individuals, this side effect can last for a long time. Some people experience fatigue for months or years after their successful cancer treatment. Between 25%–33% of those who previously had cancer report feeling fatigued up to 10 years after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

How long does it take for chemo fatigue to go away?

As the NCI explains, someone’s chemo fatigue will tend to be worst just after having received a stage of medication. After a few days , the fatigue should begin to decrease.

What is chemo therapy?

As a 2020 review explains, chemotherapy is a type of cancer therapy. An individual undergoing chemotherapy uses medications that function to help prevent the growth and multiplication of cancer cells.

What causes fatigue in the body?

Doctors often treat the condition that is causing or worsening the fatigue. This could be pain, depression, or anemia.

How to improve alertness without being tiring?

Find activities that improve alertness without being tiring, such as bird watching or walking in a park.

How to fight chemo fatigue?

8 Ways to Fight Chemo Fatigue. Get enough calories. This isn’t the time to start a diet – even if you’re overweight. A sizable amount of what you lose in chemo is muscle mass… a sure way to wind up fatigued. Eating enough calories may be more important than eating healthy. When you are fighting cancer is not a good time to diet.

How to get rid of insomnia after chemotherapy?

Improve your sleep. Worrying about your chemotherapy treatments not only will give you insomnia but will also sap your energy. If you find yourself awake at late hours, ask your doctor about prescribing a sleep aid or supplement.

How to get stronger after chemo?

You can worry about dieting after you have recovered from chemo. In the meantime be kind to yourself. Take supplements for balanced nutrition. Poor nutrition can contribute to fatigue.

What to do if you have nausea?

If you have nausea, tell your doctor right away . There are drugs that can help you control it. Some drugs can constipate you so tell your doctor so he/she can prescribe a laxative that will be safe with your other medications and chemo drugs. Fortify your blood.

Can you lose muscle mass while on chemo?

A sizable amount of what you lose in chemo is muscle mass… a sure way to wind up fatigued. Eating enough calories may be more important than eating healthy. When you are fighting cancer is not a good time to diet. Talk with your doctor, oncologist, or nutritionist to find out how many calories per day you need to consume while in chemo.

Can anxiety cause fatigue during chemotherapy?

Anxiety was linked to fatigue in chemotherapy patients in a 2008 study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Try journaling or blogging about your experience a few times a week, she advises. You can also participate in online forums for folks undergoing cancer treatment.

How to reduce fatigue after cancer treatment?

Research studies have shown that physical activity during and after cancer treatment can decrease fatigue. Your health care team can refer you to exercise specialists (physical therapist, physical medicine, rehabilitation specialist) to help you with a safe exercise plan that can be modified to your condition. Yoga has helped improve sleep for some people with different types of cancer who are going through treatment.

How to help cancer survivors with fatigue?

Behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction has helped cancer survivors reduce fatigue. Sharing your feelings with others can help ease the burden of fatigue. You can also learn coping hints from others by talking about your situation. Ask your health care team to put you in touch with a support group.

What does fatigue look like?

Some signs of fatigue or weakness often look a lot like those of depression, and it’s easy to confuse the two. Depression involves an inability to feel pleasure – people who are depressed feel sad or unworthy. They may give up hope.

What is the best way to measure fatigue?

The best measure of fatigue comes from the way you describe your fatigue level to your cancer care team. You can describe your level of fatigue as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Or you can use a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means no fatigue at all, and 10 means the worst fatigue you can imagine.

How to overcome tiredness?

Mental health counseling, stress management training, and relaxation exercises are some ways you can learn to improve the feelings related to fatigue and help overcome the tiredness you feel.

What are the best supplements for fatigue?

You may be prescribed vitamins or supplemental electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, or magnesium) to help reduce your symptoms.

What are some ways to help with weakness?

Exercise, yoga, massage therapy, counseling, and dietary or nutritional counseling are all used to help treat fatigue and weakness.

How to get rid of fatigue?

There are some simple things you can do to help yourself when experiencing fatigue: Take several 30 minute naps or breaks in a comfortable chair or bed. Try simple exercises such as walking or yoga, which can help regain energy and clear the mind. Try easier or shorter versions of the activities you enjoy.

What to do if your doctor doesn't ask you about fatigue?

If your doctor doesn’t ask you about fatigue, be sure to bring it up. That’s the best way to find and treat the cause. Treating Fatigue. To determine whether there is an underlying physical cause (like anemia), your doctor may order a blood test to find out if your red blood cell count is abnormally low.

How to avoid confusion when making a medical appointment?

In addition to bringing questions, if possible, bring someone with you to any appointment. Another set of ears can help reduce confusion.

Is fatigue a side effect of cancer?

Fatigue (feeling really tired) is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment and ranks at the top of symptoms reported (alongside pain). Simple activities required of daily living can take longer, use up more energy, and feel debilitating. It’s important to talk with your health care team if you experience fatigue.

What to do when you are tired and tired?

Eat as much as possible at your best time of day. If fatigue worsens later in the day, eat a larger breakfast or lunch.

What happens when you are treated for cancer?

When you are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, fatigue can become a life-disrupting problem. Fatigue may be experienced as tiredness, weakness, lack of energy, or sheer exhaustion.