Cancer fatigue that occurs during cancer treatment is common. You can take steps to lessen your cancer fatigue.
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. For some people, cancer fatigue is mild and temporary. For others, cancer fatigue lasts months after treatment and makes going about daily activities impossible.
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 ability to go about your everyday tasks, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Inability to get out of bed for more than 24 hours
- Severe shortness of breath
- Worsening signs and symptoms
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. These may include self-care methods and, in certain cases, medications or medical procedures.
Medical interventions
Medications may be available to treat the underlying cause of your fatigue. For instance, if your fatigue is the result of anemia, blood transfusions may help. Medications that stimulate your bone marrow to produce more red blood cells might be another option, though this is controversial.
If you're depressed, your doctor might suggest medications that can help reduce fatigue, increase appetite and improve your sense of well-being.
Self-care options
Coping with fatigue might require things you can do on your own. You might try to:
- Take it easy. Set aside time in your day to rest. Take short naps — no longer than an hour — throughout the day rather than resting for one long period.
- Conserve your energy. Save your energy for your most important activities. Keep track of the times when you feel your best and plan ahead to do your important activities during those times. Ask for help when needed.
- Maintain your energy by eating. Drinking lots of fluids and eating well will help you keep your energy reserves up. Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol. If nausea and vomiting make it hard to eat, talk to your doctor about these side effects.
- Get moving. When you feel up to it, light exercise throughout the week may help you preserve your energy level. But keep in mind that once you start feeling fatigued, it may be too late to start an exercise program because it's hard to find the energy to get going. Instead, exercise regularly as you start treatment. You'll get in the routine of exercising, and it may even help you prevent fatigue during treatment.
Last Updated: 07/30/2007
