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Lingering fatigue and changes in stool

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 3:20 pm
by Capri
My son completed chemo 7/2018. He is still experiencing fatigue, going to bed 7:30-8 every night. He does have a physically active job and works often 6 days a week, long hours. (Have I answered my own question here?) Is his fatigue normal over a year out? He's 48 now.

He keeps a lot to himself, but he did share that his stools are "sticky" or greasy, requiring more cleaning than usual. He sees the onco in a couple weeks; she did tell him on the phone that possibly, he may need another colonoscopy.

Interested in anyone's take on the fatigue and the stools. Thank you.

Re: Lingering fatigue and changes in stool

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:25 pm
by Gravelyguy
It is amazing to me how long the fatigue lasts. It was at about the year mark that I felt pretty much back. His long hours I am sure are a big cause of it too.

As far as the stool goes that is par for the course as far as I can tell. I certainly could own stock in Charmin!

Dave

Re: Lingering fatigue and changes in stool

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 4:58 am
by Jacques
I had fatigue for about two years after the end of chemo. I think it was due to the damage caused to the bowel by the chemotherapy regimen.

After chemo, the bowel needs time to recover in order to start digesting food like it used to. Since chemo likely destroyed most of the "good" bacteria in the intestine, a special diet as well as the addition of some probiotics may be needed to speed up the recovery process.

What I would suggest is for your son to ask the oncologist for a referral to a good gastroenterologist, or to a good oncology dietitian (or both) in order to launch a supervised plan to rehabilitate the bowel.

In my case, I didn't do that, and I regret that I did not take some sort of action earlier. The tiredness went on for months and months, and I suspect that the recovery could have been speeded up if I had sought the right kind of professional help at the beginning of the 5 -year surveillance period.

Re: Lingering fatigue and changes in stool

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:24 am
by NHMike
I have fatigue but it may be more caused by spending more time in the bathroom, thereby losing sleep time.

Fiber may help with bulking up stool. I find that it makes a difference for me.

Re: Lingering fatigue and changes in stool

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 4:58 am
by Maelleous
For my first year I was tired. I am 3 years out and FINALLY feel normal. I STILL go through bouts of loose stools, etc. I have since the surgery for rectal cancer. It is much better, but depending on my diet, if I eat crappy, or eat too much veggies I can get frequency or sometimes diarrhea. I would not be too worried. A year out they will be regularly checking him.

Re: Lingering fatigue and changes in stool

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:52 am
by zephyr
Gravelyguy wrote:I certainly could own stock in Charmin!

Dave


... and Cottonelle. :mrgreen: