I need energy

Grubworm1943
Grubworm1943 Posts: 50 Member
edited November 12 in Health and Weight Loss
Every since i went through radiation back in october ive been exhausted. never enough sleep. today i slept until noon. its 9pm and im ready for bed.
my doctor insists its not related to the cancer/tumor or radiation. maybe im lacking certain nutrients? ive cut back on pop and everything ive read says i would feel more energized and id feel better but its been pretty much the opposite. even more tired. sluggish.

what am i missing here? anything i can do?

Replies

  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    edited February 2015
    Either it's a side-effect of radiation or you're not eating nearly enough.

    Or get a 2nd opinion.
  • kmash32
    kmash32 Posts: 275 Member
    Question, what kind of cancer did you have? Was it by chance Thyroid?

    Has your doctor checked your iron, vitamin D or Vitamin B12? I have been exhausted lately, went yo the doc last week and it turns out I am in a state of hypothyroidism and my ferrin levels are incredibly low. I didn't even know what ferrin was but, it turns out it is a protien in your body that helps with the absorption of iron. My iron levels are fine but because my ferrin is so low my body isn't absorbing it and it is contributing greatly to my exhaustion. I was told this is fairly common for people with no thyroid or who are in a state of hypo thyroid. Something to consider.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Maybe get a sleep study done too. These days they can send you home overnight with a strap on monitor.
  • nani0886
    nani0886 Posts: 12
    Hi!!! What are the odds? I am a medical assistant to one of the UCSD radiation sites in San Diego. I work directly with patients that require radiation as a part of their cancer treatment. The main side effect from xrt is fatigue! Not matter what type of cancer, from skin to breast, almost every patient gets fatigued (unless you are on steroids).

    You might have remaining fatigue from radiation, but research has shown that patients with a sedentary life get more fatigue. Did you stay active during radiation?. Are you getting enough sleep?. I am a big fan of melatonin, it is a. Over the counte supplement, it is not for energy, it is actually a sleep aide, I use it myself and it helps a lot.

    Low iron levels can also be linked to your fatigue, maybe check your levels? I don't know your diagnosis, but some estrogen blockers affect also your energy levels. Check the side effect of any meds you take, add a multivitamin to your diet, and definitely consult with a physician!

    Good luck!!!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Grubworm1943 wrote: »
    Every since i went through radiation back in october ive been exhausted. never enough sleep. today i slept until noon. its 9pm and im ready for bed.
    my doctor insists its not related to the cancer/tumor or radiation. maybe im lacking certain nutrients? ive cut back on pop and everything ive read says i would feel more energized and id feel better but its been pretty much the opposite. even more tired. sluggish.

    what am i missing here? anything i can do?

    I'm so sorry you are going through a hard time right now.

    When my aunt had chemo followed by radiation for breast cancer, she was exhausted. I urge you to talk to your doctor again, or get a second opinion.
  • Grubworm1943
    Grubworm1943 Posts: 50 Member
    nani0886 wrote: »
    Hi!!! What are the odds? I am a medical assistant to one of the UCSD radiation sites in San Diego. I work directly with patients that require radiation as a part of their cancer treatment. The main side effect from xrt is fatigue! Not matter what type of cancer, from skin to breast, almost every patient gets fatigued (unless you are on steroids).

    You might have remaining fatigue from radiation, but research has shown that patients with a sedentary life get more fatigue. Did you stay active during radiation?. Are you getting enough sleep?. I am a big fan of melatonin, it is a. Over the counte supplement, it is not for energy, it is actually a sleep aide, I use it myself and it helps a lot.

    Low iron levels can also be linked to your fatigue, maybe check your levels? I don't know your diagnosis, but some estrogen blockers affect also your energy levels. Check the side effect of any meds you take, add a multivitamin to your diet, and definitely consult with a physician!

    Good luck!!!

    no i didnt stay active. i was in the hospital for about a week and wasnt allowed to leave the room. not that itd have mattered. i was in so much pain and so out of it that i barely woke up to eat. i had uveal melanoma so they took the radiation plaque and surgically put it into my eye. while i was in the hospital i brushed the exhaustion off on the nurses pushing pain meds on me. i got a shot several times a day that made me so sick id vomit, then itd knock me out. anyways i had a follow up appointment a few weeks ago and finally asked about the fatigue and he said it wasnt related to the radiation but that its not uncommon for the stress of everything to get to people. esp as bad as i had it leading up to radiation. he said id get over it. nearly 4 months post op and im still zombie mode.
  • JenniDaisy
    JenniDaisy Posts: 526 Member
    Have you thought about the emotional burden of having cancer and it's treatment?
    Depression is really common with cancer and a symptom of depression is exhaustion.
    Just look after yourself mentally and physically before you try to do too much.
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