Dealing with Radiotherapy Fatigue

Just like many other medical procedures, patients receiving radiotherapy may have some side effects. The severity of which greatly depends on the person receiving radiation therapy. Be assured that radiotherapy departments actively try to minimize the chances of side effects occurring without compromising the treatment. One of the most common side effect related to radiation therapy is fatigue.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a tiredness, or total exhaustion, that often doesn’t improve with rest and sleep. Fatigue makes it hard to function and do everyday tasks. People generally confuse fatigue with tiredness. Tiredness happens to everyone — it is an expected feeling after certain activities or at the end of the day. Usually, you know why you are tired and a good night’s sleep solves the problem. Fatigue is overwhelming tiredness (physical and emotional) not relieved by rest or sleep.

What is cancer-related fatigue?

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment. It can happen to anyone, with any type of cancer, at any time during or after treatment. This fatigue happens even without exercise.

For patients and caregivers, the fatigue associated with and after cancer treatments can be overwhelming. It is tiredness unlike any other that you may have experienced. The symptoms of fatigue can range from mild to severe and be so disruptive they make daily activities hard to do. The reason for this fatigue is unknown, but it may be that as cancer cells die from the radiation they release waste products. Your liver and kidneys have to work harder to get rid of these toxins being released, using valuable energy.

This means that Radiation therapy can cause fatigue that increases over time- which may be a good thing as more cancer cells are dying. Fatigue can usually lasts 3 to 4 weeks after treatment stops but has been know to continue for several months.

Other factors may also add to cancer-related fatigue

Compounding side effects can cause fatigue, or make fatigue more severe. Side effects of treatments such as nausea, or diarrhea, anemia (this is when there is not enough hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells which transports oxygen around the body in the blood). Medication used to treat nausea, pain, depression, and seizures can cause fatigue.

Other causes of fatigue can be pain- dealing with pain is very tiring, so using medication to treat pain is sometime necessary. Stress can also contribute to fatigue. We all know that having cancer is very stressful.

Depression: depression and fatigue sometimes go together. If your mood is low, and you have no interest in things you may benefit in talking to your doctor about options to help.

What are the signs of fatigue?

There are several signs of fatigue to look out for;

1. Mild tiredness to total exhaustion and resting does not make it better
2. A feeling of being ‘drained’, having no energy or strength
3. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
4. Finding it hard to do everyday tasks
5. Lacking motivation and finding it hard to concentrate
6. Finding it hard to think or speak
7. Low sex drive
8. Finding it hard to cope with life
9. Difficulty in managing your feelings

What can you do about fatigue?

You need to consider your level of energy. Think of your personal energy level as a ‘bank’. Regular withdrawals (moderate exercise, household chores and attendance at treatment) and deposits (nutritious food and rest) are made over the day or week to keep an energy supply available. After and during radiotherapy you may find keeping a diary, or notes about how you are feeling helpful. Be aware of your own warning signs of fatigue; for example short temper, loss of appetite or low mood.

• Try to do gentle exercise, such as walking, as this can help to lower fatigue levels.
• Physical therapy may be another option if you are ill or need to be on bed rest.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of liquids.
• Get up slowly to help stop dizzy spells after sitting or lying down.
• Speak to your doctor if you are finding it hard to sleep at night.
• Each day make a list of your responsibilities, and do the most important ones first while you still have the energy.
• Don’t forget to do things that you enjoy. It will take your mind off your cancer and make you feel more relaxed. Learning relaxation techniques including deep breathing or visualization may be helpful. Find activities that divert your attention away from fatigue, such as knitting, reading or music.

You can do many things in your everyday life that will help to save your energy. Taking short cuts on some things or getting help from other people may help.

Tips for saving energy

Here are several tips for dealing with fatigue and saving energy;

1. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get to places.
2. Pace yourself. Combine activities and try to spread the load evenly during the week rather than doing everything at once.
3. Where possible do household tasks sitting down; for example peeling vegetables or ironing
4. If you have children, play games that you can do sitting or lying down; for example reading, puzzles, board games or drawing.
5. Ask family and friends for help with shopping, housework or collecting the children from school.
6. Have plenty of nutritious snacks and drinks in the house, so you can have something quickly and easily whenever you feel like eating.
7. A ‘power nap’ during the day of an hour or less can help. Try to have your nap early in the after­noon so your night sleep is unaffected.
8. Use Facebook, an answer phone and emails to update friends and family on how you are. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to visitors.

Tips for the caregiver/family member

If you are a caregiver, family member or someone supporting a cancer patients remember to give the person more help if it is needed. Offer to help them with organisation a gentle exercise plan, or reduce their stress and workload by doing some of their everyday tasks. Don’t wait to be asked for help!

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Originally published at www.radicalradiationremedy.com on March 23, 2017.