Most people with mesothelioma complain of fatigue during and after treatment. It is a normal symptom treatment.
Fatigue is defined as fatigue, lack of energy or exhaustion after exercise. normal fatigue disappears with rest periods or with an effective stress management.
However, cancer-related fatigue (CRF) lasts longer, and it n ?? t resolve with rest or sleep. CRF is unpredictable because mesothelioma patient may one day feel energetic, but tired another day without any change of activity or resting grounds.
The National Cancer Institute examined numerous studies indicated that CRF between 20 and 0 percent of patients on symptoms of active treatment experience fatigue. Studies show that 20 to 80 percent of cancer survivors reported fatigue after the end of treatment.
The symptoms of fatigue-related-cancer
Most treatments against cancer lead to fatigue during and after treatment
Some of these symptoms may include :.
- Spending more time for rest and sleep
- Feeling too tired to work, clean, cook or engage in fun activities
- fatigue after adequate sleep
- Feeling lethargic after minimal effort
- sudden and overwhelming tiredness
for example, chemotherapy patients report fatigue usually a day or after two treatments. Feeling tired may improve during the chemotherapy cycle or become worse with subsequent treatments. post-chemotherapy fatigue can last up to a year or two after completing chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy
causes cumulative fatigue during week-week treatment. post-treatment fatigue can last for a few weeks to a few months after the end of radiotherapy.
bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are difficult, and patients report profound fatigue during their transplantation. This fatigue can last up to one year
There are many other potential contributors to CRF :.
- drugs against pain
- Nausea medications
- weight loss treatment -related
- stress
- Poor sleep
- depression
- anemia or other blood components imbalances
How can you fight Cancer-Related Fatigue?
Discuss your fatigue with your oncologist and ask questions on determining its cause. If you are anemic, then you may need iron supplements or transfusion. This can help your fatigue. If the pain leads to poor sleep, then perhaps a better pain control can help reduce fatigue.
Keep your energy
ration your energy. It is helpful to think of your energy like money in the bank.
You're on a tight energy budget because you have less energy in your bank. Most of us are accustomed to spending our energy all day until we get everything done, and then go to bed
Most mesothelioma patients should prioritize the activities they spend their energy on because it isn ?? t enough to do all the things they used to do.
Keep track of your energy levels throughout your cycle of chemotherapy. You will learn that there may be certain times of the day ?? days or during your chemo cycle ?? when you have more energy. It is useful to plan energy activities during these times.
Do not use all your energy on housework or chores. It is important to give yourself permission to spend your energy on fun or enjoyable activities that improve your quality of life.
Time periods of rest or nap instead of waiting until you feel very tired to rest.
Ask for help with long tedious tasks like vacuuming, laundry and yardwork.
Avoid long, hot showers because they undermine your energy and make you want to crawl into bed
exercise
oncologists recommend regular light to moderate exercise to prevent cancer-related fatigue.
activities such as walking, yoga and light weight training are suggested. Exercise minimizes the loss of muscle mass that is very common in cancer patients. When we lose muscle mass, we just n ?? t have the strength to do things we were doing.
cancer patients who exercise regularly during treatment report less pain and better sleep. Exercise is also great stress reliever.
realistic expectations
Most mesothelioma patients struggle to accept that fatigue is part of their treatment and disease. Some expect that they should be able to do more work or social activities as their energy allows.
This is useful for mesothelioma patients to have realistic expectations of their energy levels and allow to rest or nap when their body needs.
nutrition
nausea or lack of appetite contributes significantly to fatigue because you do not eat enough.
Part of the reason why cancer patients lose muscle mass because the calorie intake of inadequacy. Instead of burning calories for fuel, the body consumes muscle as fuel.
Oncology dietitians recommend high protein and high calorie foods to fight against fatigue. Seek consultation with a registered dietitian in oncology to customize dietary recommendations for your fatigue.
Using energy conservation, good nutrition and engagement in gentle exercise will help reduce the impact of fatigue.
Have realistic expectations of how mesothelioma and its treatment affect energy will help cancer patients and their caregivers to understand and deal with the usual fatigue.
