The Fatigue Factor

One of the most common side effects of breast cancer and its treatment is fatigue. During treatment, the body harbors its resources in order to battle the disease, draining the normal flow of energy and resulting in a pervasive feeling of exhaustion, weakness and inertia. Fatigue can accompany all stages of the treatment process and can even last past the end of treatment and into the recovery period when you most want to resume your normal, pre-cancer life.

What’s especially frustrating about fatigue is that it’s a mental as well as a physical condition—you can’t pinpoint it as stemming from a particular place on the body, nor can you identify precisely what causes it. The physical manifestations of fatigue can lead to low spirits and in some cases, even depression. Moreover, since fatigue doesn’t manifest itself as tangibly as some other side effects, people around you may start wondering if it’s all in your head, especially if the fatigue persists after active treatment has ended.

But fatigue is all too real and can be debilitating. And sometimes it is at a level that is beyond just forcing yourself to keep to your daily routine. If that is the case, you should seek advice from your doctor. But be as specific as possible when you discuss your fatigue so that you can get the most accurate evaluation and treatment options. There are also some things you can do yourself to help you on your way towards alleviating fatigue, such as adjusting your self-expectations, identifying stressors, asking for help from family and friends, keeping a diary of how you feel, learning how to deal with uncertainty and joining a support group.

Talking to people helps so much since it helps to know that others have some of the same issues and concerns. It’s my hope that you can use LivingConversations as a resource for discussing these kinds of issues and for the kind of mutual support that helps you live the life you want to live beyond cancer.