Chemotherapy can have multiple side effects, including fatigue. Taking self-care steps at home, such as resting and eating a nutritious diet, can help minimize chemotherapy fatigue.
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects among people who receive cancer treatments, including chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy fatigue happens because chemotherapy drugs kill healthy cells along with cancer cells. Typically, chemotherapy fatigue resolves after the treatment is complete.
Read more about chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy fatigue?
Chemotherapy can have several side effects , one of which is fatigue. It happens because chemotherapy kills healthy cells in addition to cancer cells. This can leave people undergoing chemotherapy feeling tired and fatigued.
What causes chemotherapy fatigue?
Healthcare professionals use multiple drugs in chemotherapy treatment. These medications kill cancer cells along with healthy cells. Chemotherapy can also cause the bone marrow to stop producing red blood cells. A lack of red blood cells can lead to anemia , which is linked to fatigue.
Not everyone who has chemotherapy treatment will experience fatigue. The way your body responds to chemotherapy depends on many individual factors. These factors can affect the side effects, including fatigue, that you might experience with chemotherapy.
Fatigue can also be a symptom of the cancer itself, resulting from the biological process of the cancer cells spreading and shedding.
Chemotherapy fatigue is different from general tiredness. Some people describe it as hitting a brick wall or still feeling as though you have minimal energy even if you’ve rested and slept. It’s one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.
What’s the treatment for chemotherapy fatigue?
One of the best ways to treat chemotherapy fatigue is to give your body time to rest and recover. Self-care at home during chemotherapy can help reduce fatigue and other side effects.
Your cancer team might advise that you:
- Take breaks and short naps throughout the day.
- Keep up an exercise routine with activities like walking.
- Try relaxation therapies like meditation.
- Ask for help from friends, family, or services for activities like meal preparation, house cleaning, child care, and transportation.
- Go to bed at the same time each night and take other steps to improve your sleep hygiene .
- Eat a balanced diet that’s high in energy-boosting nutrients.
- Work from home during your chemotherapy treatment.
- Track your fatigue, including what days it’s better or worse, especially around your chemotherapy schedule.
- Use information about when you experience fatigue to help you and doctors plan your treatment schedule around days with more or less energy.
If your chemotherapy fatigue is linked to anemia, you might have additional treatment options. For instance, your doctor might recommend:
- Iron supplements: These can help increase your iron and energy levels.
- Blood transfusions: Blood transfusions can increase your red blood cell count and might reduce your fatigue.
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents: These are medications that can help your bone marrow make more red blood cells.
What’s the outlook if you have chemotherapy fatigue?
Typically, fatigue resolves after your chemotherapy ends. It might take a few weeks for your energy levels to completely return to their prior level.
However, if you’re still receiving other cancer treatments, like radiation or targeted drug therapy, you might experience fatigue as a result of those treatments. It’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare team about the side effects you might experience from each of your treatments.
Frequently asked questions
How do you fight chemo fatigue?
It can help to take self-care steps. You can try taking short naps, taking walks or doing other light activities, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Your doctor might prescribe additional treatments if your fatigue is linked to anemia.
How long does chemotherapy fatigue last?
Chemotherapy fatigue typically starts within a couple of days after a chemotherapy treatment, and it often resolves before the next treatment day. However, not everyone will experience chemotherapy fatigue in the same way.
Fatigue often builds up over the course of chemotherapy treatment and tends to get worse the further along you are in your treatment journey.
Is it typical for chemo patients to sleep all day?
Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatment. People with cancer often report severe fatigue. For some people, this could mean feeling excessively sleepy and even sleeping for most of the day.
If the side effects of your chemotherapy treatment are causing significant disruptions to your life, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor. They might be able to adjust your chemotherapy formulation or dosage.
What week of chemo is the hardest?
The hardest week of chemotherapy symptoms depends on factors like the exact chemotherapy regimen you’re receiving and your specific cycle. Not everyone who undergoes chemotherapy follows the same cycle.
Takeaway
Chemotherapy fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy. It happens because chemotherapy kills healthy cells as well as cancer cells.
Taking self-care steps such as resting at home, getting enough sleep, and eating a nutritious diet can help reduce chemotherapy fatigue. If your chemotherapy fatigue or other symptoms are difficult to manage, let your doctor know so that they can adjust your dosage.
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