I am not crazy or lazy. The fatigue and constant pain are a normal part of your body fighting for months to just stay alive. Just because the hardest part is over, doesnt mean everything is peachy and back to normal. I start radiation soon. I am scared and hope it goes by quick. I attached an article I read about your body after the fight for those that still dont get it. :P Although your treatment has ended, you are still coping with how it affects your body. It can take time to get over the effects of cancer treatment. Each persons schedule is different. You may wonder how your body should feel during this time and what may be a sign that cancer is coming back. This section talks about some of the problems that can occur when treatment is over. What you experience may be related to the type of cancer you had and the treatment you received. It is also very important to remember that no two people are alike, so you may experience changes that are very different from someone elses, even if they had the same type of cancer and received the same treatment. Fatigue I can walk and keep busy, said one testicular cancer survivor, but it gets very tiring. If I sit in a chair and really want to read or watch something, Im gone in about 30 seconds, and it is a deep sleep. Some cancer survivors report that they still feel tired or worn out after treatment is over. In fact, fatigue is one of the most common complaints during the first year after treatment. Rest or sleep does not cure the type of fatigue you may have after cancer treatment, and doctors do not know its exact cause(s). The causes of fatigue are different for people who are receiving treatment than they are for those who have completed treatment: Fatigue during treatment can be caused by cancer therapy. Other problems can also play a part in fatigue, like anemia (having too few red blood cells), poor nutrition, not drinking enough liquids, and depression. Pain can also make fatigue worse. Researchers are still learning about what may cause fatigue after treatment. How long will fatigue last? There is no normal pattern. For some, fatigue gets better over time. Others, such as those who have had bone marrow transplants, may have less energy for years after their final treatment. Some people feel very frustrated when fatigue lasts longer than they think it should and gets in the way of their normal routine. They also may worry that their friends, family, and coworkers will get upset with them if they complain of fatigue often. Getting help with fatigue from your doctor or nurse Talk to your doctor about what may be causing your fatigue and what can be done about it. Ask about: How any medicines you are taking or other medical problems you have might affect your energy level How you can control your pain, if pain is a problem for you Exercise programs that might help, such as walking Relaxation skills Changing your diet or drinking more fluids Medicines or nutritional supplements that can help Specialists who might help you, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, or mental health care providers Tips: fighting fatigue How do you fight fatigue? Here are some ideas that have helped others: Plan your day. Be active at the time of day when you feel most alert and energetic. Save your energy by changing how you do things. For example, sit on a stool while you cook or wash dishes. Take short naps or rest breaks between activities. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Do what you enjoy, but do less of it. Focus on old or new interests that do not tire you out. Try to read something brief or listen to music. Let others help you. They might cook a meal, pick up something at the store, or do the laundry. If no one offers, ask for what you need. Friends and family might be willing to help but may not know what to do. Just say no to things that do not matter as much to you now. This may include housework and other chores. By using the energy you have in rewarding ways, you can live a fuller life. Think about joining a support/education group for people with cancer. Talking about your fatigue with others who have had the same problem can help you learn new ways to cope. Top Pain You may have pain after treatment. In some cases, it is caused by the treatment itself. Types of pain you may feel following cancer treatment include: Skin sensitivity where you received radiation. This type of pain is quite common and can last for many months. I am so sensitive [there] that I cannot put on anything tight, one breast cancer survivor noted. Pain or numbness in the hands and feet due to injured nerves. Chemotherapy or surgery can damage nerves, which can cause severe pain. (This is called neuropathy.) Painful scars from cancer surgery. Pain in a missing limb or breast. While doctors do not know why this pain occurs, it is real. It is not just in your mind. Getting help with pain from your doctor or nurse You deserve to get relief from your pain, and your doctor or nurse can help you. Wanting to control pain is not a sign of weakness. It is a way to help you feel better and stay active. If you are older, you may not know whether your pain is because of cancer or because of other health problems, such as arthritis. You might not think to mention it to either your oncologist or your other doctors, but you should do so. If you are in pain, tell your oncologist or another doctor. With your help, your doctor can assess how severe your pain is. Then, he or she might suggest one or more of the following approaches. These approaches have helped others recovering from cancer and may help you. Pain relief medicines. In most cases, doctors will try the mildest medicines first. Then they will work up to stronger medicines if you need them. The key to getting relief is to take all medicines just as your doctor prescribes. To keep pain under control, do not skip doses or wait until you hurt to take these medicines. You may be afraid that if you use medicines youll become a drug addict, but this almost never happens if you take the correct dose and see your doctor regularly. Antidepressant medicines. Some of these have been prescribed to reduce pain or numbness from injured nerves. Physical therapy. Going to a physical therapist may help relieve your pain. The therapist may use heat, cold, massage, pressure, and/or exercise to help you feel better. Braces. These limit movement of a painful limb or joint. Acupuncture. This is a proven method that uses needles at pressure points to reduce pain. Hypnosis, meditation, or yoga. Any of these may help your pain. A trained specialist can teach you these approaches. Relaxation skills. Many people with cancer have found that practicing deep relaxation helped relieve their pain or reduced their stress. Nerve blocks or surgery. If you do not get relief from the other approaches in this section, you may want to ask the doctor about these. Nerve blocks or surgery often help if you have persistent, limiting pain, but they may put you at risk for other problems. They may also require you to stay in the hospital. Note: Health insurance does not always cover these approaches. Find out whether your policy covers the approaches your doctor recommends. Tips: Talking to your doctor about pain Here are some tips to help you describe your pain to your doctor: Use numbers. Talk about how strong the pain feels on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you could have. Describe what the pain feels like. Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, steady? Point out the exact places it hurts, either on your body or on a drawing. Note whether the pain stays in one place or whether it moves outward from the spot. Explain when you feel pain. Note when it starts, how long it lasts, if it gets better or worse at certain times of day or night, and if anything you do makes it better or worse. Describe how your pain affects your daily life. Does it stop you from working? Doing household chores? Seeing your friends and family? Going out and having fun? Make a list of all the medicines you are taking (for any reason). If you are taking any for pain relief, how much do they help? Talk about any side effects from your pain control medicine, such as constipation or other changes in bowel habits, or feeling groggy or out of it. Many of these problems can be solved. Talk about your goals for pain relief. Do you want no pain at all (which can sometimes be hard to achieve), or is your goal to feel well enough to do specific activities? Keep a pain diary. A diary can help you track changes over time. It can also show how you respond to any pain control medicine or other treatment you receive. Top Lymphedema: Arm or leg swelling Lymphedema is a swelling of a part of the body, usually an arm or leg, that is caused by the buildup of lymph fluid. It can be caused by cancer or the treatment of cancer. There are many different types of lymphedema. Some types happen right after surgery, are mild, and dont last long. Other types can occur months or years after cancer treatment and can be quite painful. Lymphedema can also develop after an insect bite, minor injury, or burn. People who are at risk for lymphedema are those who have had: Breast cancer if you had radiation therapy or had your underarm lymph nodes removed. Your risk is even higher if you had radiation in the underarm area after your lymph nodes were removed.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:59:25 +0000
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