Extreme tiredness and weakness

[DarknessEmbraced]

Lately, I've been noticing that I become extremely weak and tired more easily than normal. I get so weak that I can't sit up and am breathing heavily for a while. After resting I'm ok as long as I don't push myself. I have asthma so I thought maybe it was that at first. I read that this is a standard symptom of colon cancer.

[NWgirl]

Fatigue is pretty common, especially once you start chemo and/or radiation and even long after treatment has ended. I've heard it can also be a symptom even before being diagnosed, especially if the cancer causes you to be anemic.

It will help us here to reply to your post if you could expand on your signature a little bit. I see you've put in your age at diagnosis, but if you could add some of the following it helps us know where you are at in treatment, staging, etc. - as all those would come into play when replying to a pose like this.

Date of diagnosis
Stage of diagnosis - stage 1, 2, 3 or 4
Rectal or colon cancer (as rectal cancer generally requires radiation)
Any treatments you have had or are currently receiving - such as FOLFOX/Radiation
Surgery date if you like and type of surgery(ies)

Those are just some basics that help us understand at what point you're at. You can customize it any way you like by adding additional info - but these basics would help a lot.

[DarknessEmbraced]

Thanks for the response. I think my GI doctor said that the cancer is at the junction between the rectum and the sigmoid. I had my staging MRI this morning but don't have the results back yet. I'm hoping it won't take long to get the results. For diagnosis I will wait until I know the stage. I will add more to my signature as I find out more.

[NWgirl]

Oh that's right - I remember you were waiting from a previous post - sorry about that. Chemo brain - I can't remember at thing! Sadly, that's a pretty common side effect of all our treatments too!

[BrownBagger]

You might try getting some electrolyte supplements. When your electrolytes get low, you feel like crap. Because I'm on chemo (and get the same sort of fatigue you describe), I take Nuuns tabs, which are simply dietary supplements that give you a good jolt of potassium and magnesium. Works immediately and well. You can also drink Gatorade or (my other favorite electrolyte supplement) drink pickle juice.

Stress is probably also contributing to your problems. Just try to get as healthy as you can and minimize stress as much as possible. Get some medication for stress if it's a problem.

Good luck with everything!

[DarknessEmbraced]

That's ok NWgirl! Thanks for the suggestions BrownBagger!

[KimT]

You might be anemic. That will make you tired and short of breath.

[DarknessEmbraced]

The GI doctor hasn't shared the results of the blood tests after my colonoscopy with me. I will ask about them when I see him once he has the MRI results.

[peanut_8]

You might be anemic. That will make you tired and short of breath.

This is the first thing that came to my mind as well. Anemia is not unusual in CRC.
peanut

[NZJay]

I felt the same in the months leading up to diagnosis. Extreme weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath. You're quite possibly anaemic. Iron supplements may help a little; I was taking them prior to my resection.

Bright side: once you've had your surgery and recovered, you'll feel awesome and energetic . At least until chemo starts... if you are having any.

[Jachut]

My vote is on anaemia. Are you cold also? I found I was really cold all the time - I wasn't actually anaemic yet, but my ferritin was 6. Freezing, and tired, and depressed.

Still, I've suffered with fatigue and weakness more so since treatment. For over four years, I've been bloody exhausted - and when I go for a run, it feels like trying to run through water. So its a common complaint. Just take it easy, go with it for now, there's plenty of time later to get your strength back.

[DarknessEmbraced]

Sometimes I'm cold but lately I seem to be too warm all the time even though I don't have a temperature. I do have hypothyodism so maybe it's related to that. I'm not sure if my GI doctor checked for anemia. I will have to ask him. I want to know the results of the blood tests.

[Valorie]

I too have a thyroid issue and for me temperature regulation is always a challenge. I know before my surgery, I tired easily. I guess that is sometimes a symptom of colon cancer. After I recovered from surgery my energy returned. Unfortunately, about half way through the Xeloda treatments I started experiencing lower energy but not fatigued. I wish you luck on this journey. We are here for you!!

Valorie

[DarknessEmbraced]

Thanks Valorie!!! It really helps having such support on this board!

[heyscott]

There are a growing number of studies that longterm fatigue is a complication of cancer treatment. Even those cured. The longterm effects of radiation and chemo (especially Oxaliplatin) have been associated with fatigue long after the cancer is over. It would be assumed to be perhaps worse with those who are still living with cancer. And to stress, no cause can be found.

Some men might find their testosterone levels have gone down after treatment and checking this might be a good idea.

Most people will check for anemia and thyroid problems but even if normal the fatigue can be unexplainable and persist. Eating right and trying to exercise is the best you can do as well as dealing with the psychosocial issues.

There is growing evidence that individuals who exercise about 30 mins a day for 5 days a week or equivalent (they are called MET's) have been shown to have less recurrence of cancer and improved fatigue.

I have all the studies showing this, its hard to remember them specifically but let me know if I can be of more help.