FATIGUE

[geri]

HELLO, I HAVE SIGNET RING CELL COLORECTAL CANCER IN MY SIGMOID COLON. THEY WENT TO DO SURGERY, HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT TAKE THE TUMOR STATING IT WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO METS TO THE PERITONEUM.

I AM HAVING SEVERE FATIGUE. IS THIS NORMAL? I GET UP AT 6 AM. STAY UP FOR ABOUT 2-3 HOURS. THEN I FALL BACK TO SLEEP UNTIL 5 OR 6 PM AT NIGHT. IT IS FRUSTATING AND MAKING ME VERY SAD. I AM ONLY 49 YEARS OLD.

[lauragb]

Sorry to hear what you are going through. I don't have an answer to your question but I'm bumping this up for others on here who may have advice for you if you provide some more detail, such as whether you are on chemo, what other options have been presented to you and so on. There is a wealth of info on here. I'm sure you'll hear from others.
Take care.
Laura

[westie68]

Hi: Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy but you don't say if you are being treated and if so what kind of treatment. When I was fatigued from the chemotherapy, I just went with it. Rested when I needed to, took short walks with my dog to get some fresh air (and a fresh perspective!), took the opportunity to catch up on my reading (as long as I could stay awake!). I was only fatigued for a few days after each chemo though.

I would like to comment on the "mets to the peritoneum" though. You say the tumour in your colon could not be removed due to mets to the peritoneum. I'm not sure I understand that. I have mets to the peritoneum from gallbladder cancer. They removed the gallbladder, its tumour, and part of my liver, even though I have mets to the peritoneum and to the liver. I have had two rounds of chemo to stabilize and reduce the mets in preparation for more surgery. Can you clarify what you were told?
Cheryl

[pam1211]

Hi

I have stage for colon cancer, fatigue was a big problem for me. I think I slept the whole month of December away, I started treatment in Januaury and felt better right away. I do still suffer some fatigue right after chemo but it seems to go away in a couple of days. I hope it gets better when you start treatment

Pam

[geri]

I am not undergoing chemotherapy. Due to the advanced stage, they told chemo would not cure me. they told me I had six months to live. I chose not to get chemotherapy. The tumor was in the wall of the uterus. Also, it had spread to the peritoneum. They told me I had l2 months with chemo, and six months without.

[geri]

They did not remove the tumor. they closed me back up, and stated to get chemo I refused chemo because they gave me six months without chemo, and one year with chemo. I wanted quality of life.

[Terry]

With or without chemo, cancer can and when advanced does cause fatigue. Maybe some vitamins will help. I take Graviola and have slept less than ever before on chemo, it might be worth a try.

I'm sorry for your diagnosis. This disease sucks:(

Prayers and hugs!
Terry

[sandrichelle]

That is strange to me as mine had grown thru the peritenium, attached itself to my uterus and top of my vagina but they took it all out....not sure why they wouldn't have done the same for you and then treat the mets with chemo? Did you get a second opinion yet?

[esk2poo]

Geri,
Did you go for a second opinion? You did not mention that but there are a couple of people around here who have been told that before and are still here.

I also totally understand the quality over quantity and hope you beat their other numbers and enjoy the time you have left. Wish we would have known that 20 years ago with my dad. We may have traveled and enjoyed time left instead of being sick until the end.

And yes, cancer cells do eat up the fuel you put into your body instead of getting the benefits of food. Tis disease really does suck.
Allen

[gracie]

geri
I was sick and had numerous side effects on the Chemo, Oxi, & the 5FU pump, but the worst was the fatigue. (I really did not know how I could keep living with that much fatigue)

Now I see you are not taking Chemo, so it must be the cancer?

As Terry stated The Graviola has seemed to help her fatigue. I take that and many suppliments, and most of my fatigue has stopped. I still have problems sometimes (caused by the Oxi)

I went to a Naturpath and am taking what he put me on and it certainly has helped me.

Suppliments are certainly worth a try at this point. I wish you all the best.
gracie