Forum Discussion
Post-active treatment fatigue
I treated myself to a sleeping pill last night, went to bed early (for me), didn't have to get up for anything this morning, and so had 10 hours sleep. Woke up three times, but nonetheless it was fab.
At 1.30pm I went to an opening day of a new yoga centre that focuses on healing, and particularly healing from trauma. They also have pilates, individual meditation rooms, and a super dooper massage chair. It was very impressive. I did a half hour yoga class which was challenging but not excessively so.
After a bit of wandering about afterwards I started to feel incredibly fatigued. I dragged myself to the supermarket and home. Fortunately my husband was cooking dinner. After hanging up a load of laundry I sat down until dinner. I could barely manage to stay upright at the table and I've excused myself to lie down in bed.
I don't consider that I've had a particularly bad time with fatigue. Active treatment finished 15 months ago and it hasn't dogged me too much. However this is something else. It's like being back on chemo again!
Is this normal? Normal to be so fatigued over a year later? Just wondering!
At 1.30pm I went to an opening day of a new yoga centre that focuses on healing, and particularly healing from trauma. They also have pilates, individual meditation rooms, and a super dooper massage chair. It was very impressive. I did a half hour yoga class which was challenging but not excessively so.
After a bit of wandering about afterwards I started to feel incredibly fatigued. I dragged myself to the supermarket and home. Fortunately my husband was cooking dinner. After hanging up a load of laundry I sat down until dinner. I could barely manage to stay upright at the table and I've excused myself to lie down in bed.
I don't consider that I've had a particularly bad time with fatigue. Active treatment finished 15 months ago and it hasn't dogged me too much. However this is something else. It's like being back on chemo again!
Is this normal? Normal to be so fatigued over a year later? Just wondering!
36 Replies
- I do like the Pilates machines, too - but not the floor stuff.
- Crikey @Anne65! There's no way I could fit that all in round everything else I have to do. You are amazing!
Did the Reformer Pilates this morning and remembered how much I enjoy it. I don't what it is but I do! When I can fit it in I'm planning to do two Pilates classes a week and one yoga class a week, each one followed by a meditation. Fingers crossed this will help me enough that I can build on it into a substantial change and improvement in my life. - @Sister @Giovanna_BCNA Brilliant!
- @Giovanna_BCNA That is awesome news about Charlotte. I will certainly watch a podcast even though i heard her speak twice last weekend. I found her inspiring & so easy to listen to. She has a gift for public speaking & as she is living through the bc journey herself, we can relate to her story.
@kmakm I would certainly recommend you to listen to the podcast from Charlotte that Giovanna is organising. I know you & many others will get a lot out of hearing her speak.
I am an exercise-aholic & my additiveness to it has caused me many injuries as I tend to do too much so end up with over-use injuries which has lead me to many specialists for treatment & also to hospital for surgery! So perhaps dont do as much as I do! At the moment I have my third dose of achilies tendinitis due to over doing my running & I also have shoulder bursitis from too much power walking & strength training! I am currently an anti-inflammotories & am doing gentle exercises/stretches & strength work using therabands following a program from a physio & exercise physiologist (both being my nieces which i am glad I have in the family). I am improving so I reckon in the next week I may start to try a gentle walk to see how I pull up.
I have also found out from recent blood tests that I have neutropenia (low white blood cell count) which means I shouldnt be exercising as it is too risky for me as I have a high chance of getting sick from infection. This was 1 of 5 reasons they said during the conference for people to NOT exercise....grrrr!! I also have a return of my over active thyoid (Graves disease) which may be related to the cancer/radiation treatment so I am off for a few more tests.
I am a morning person & find exercising then is good as you arent running late or feeling tired from a busy day! Seeing the sunrise is a magic time of the day & puts you in a good head space for the rest of the day. You do get used to it & I do sleep better when i am exercising so that is a big help. When I am at my peak, I exercise twice a day, I run 10kms 3 times a week, power walk around 4-5 kms around 7 times a week, do strength training at home 3 times a week & I still do my Pilates DVD from the My Journey Kit 5 times a week. I was doing all this a few months ago but now will have to build myself up again.
Im so happy to hear you're off to Pilates today. You'll be addicted like me soon. It will certainly help you sleep & any exercise gets the endorphins going & makes you feel better about yourself. This new centre offers a lot so I hope you find lots of interesting & varied exercise/meditation for you to do. Find what you enjoy & then you'll continue to go back. It's a great way to meet new people & you can always enjoy a well earned coffee after. I hope you arent too sore but as you said, its a good kind of sore!! keep up the good work & let us know how you got on. love & gentle hugs xx - That's great news!
- Hello @Sister I have spoken with our podcast team and they have already approached Dr Charlotte Tottman about recording a podcast with her, hopefully when she is next in Melbourne. Will keep you posted.
- @Anne65 How do you do it, getting up to walk/run at dawn? Are you a morning person?
Pilates tomorrow. It's the one with the wooden frames, Reformer Pilates. I've only done the one on the floor before. I'll be tired and sore! But the good kind of sore.
What have you done to yourself? Will you be better soon? K xox - @kmakm You go girl!! Sooooo proud of you. That's exactly what you need to do. Exercising & meditation is so good for you....every speaker told us so......the best & cheapest medicine of all. And from that exercise makes for better sleeping quality thus the nanna nap! I am injured at the moment so cant exercise & its driving me MAD!!!! I miss seeing the sunrise during my run or walk & breathing in the morning air ......albiet a little cold this time of year! I would have loved you to be with us on the weekend & hear the speakers especially Charlotte but I dont reckon any of the conference was being webcast. Hopefully there might be a podcast of her available to listen to as I could have sat & listened to her all weekend. Hang in their my love & think of me next time your yoga - ing & getting into the "downward dog"!! xx
- I am 5 years post treatment but do suffer another chronic illness but I still struggle with fatigue and every now and then, I just have to put my head down. I generally will sleep for a few hours and wake for tea and then have a solid 10-12 hours sleep that night. It's like it all just catches up and I have to lay down and sleep. Once I have had that huge amount of sleep I do feel better though.
- Hello @Sister that's a great suggestion and will forward to our Podcast team. I know our schedule has been set this year but certainly something we can work towards.
