Feeling tired and lacking energy is the most common side effect of chemotherapy. It is known as cancer-related fatigue.
Learn more about:
Overview
Along with cancer-related fatigue, you may also:
- develop muscle aches and pains
- have trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
- find it difficult to do daily tasks such as getting dressed, showering and cooking.
How long with fatigue last?
Fatigue can affect you suddenly and it doesn’t always get better with rest or sleep. If you find it hard to do everyday things, you might feel frustrated and isolated.
Fatigue caused by chemotherapy may last for months or years after a treatment, however, many people find that their energy levels return to normal 6–12 months after treatment ends.
While fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy, it can also be a symptom of depression. If you have continued feelings of sadness, you may have depression, and treatment may help.
For more information on depression, visit Beyond Blue and talk to your health care team.
For more on this, see Fatigue and cancer and listen to The Thing About Cancer podcast episodes on fatigue and sleep.
How to manage fatigue
- Get extra rest the day of and day after chemotherapy to allow your body to recover.
- Plan activities for the time of day when you tend to feel most energetic.
- Try to be physically active with moderate exercise (e.g. walking, swimming) and some strength training (e.g. weights or resistance bands). See an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. They can develop a suitable program.
- Accept offers of help or ask family, friends and neighbours to help with shopping, driving, housework or gardening.
- If you have children, ask trusted family and friends to look after them during your chemotherapy sessions and to be on call in case you become unwell afterwards.
- Find ways to manage anxiety or sleeping difficulties as these can increase fatigue. Try relaxation or meditation techniques to help reduce stress, improve your sleep and boost your energy levels. Listen to our podcast on meditation and relaxation.
- Talk to your GP about trying acupuncture – some studies suggest this may help with reducing fatigue after chemotherapy.
- Check with your doctor whether your fatigue is related to low levels of red blood cells (anaemia). Anaemia can be treated.
- Speak to your employer about how they can support you (e.g. you may be able to take a few weeks off, reduce your hours or work from home).
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and don’t skip meals.
- Try to limit how much you drink, smoke and vape.
For more on this, see Exercise for people living with cancer and Cancer, work and you.
I had no idea that I would still be feeling tired 5 months after finishing treatment. I didn’t know how to make it better and I was scared that’s how it would be: that I wouldn’t go back to normal, that I would never go back to having energy again.
Judy
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A/Prof Kate Mahon, Director of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Katherine Bell, Dietetics Department, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Brigitta Leben, Dietetics Department, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Sophie Michele, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Jess Smith, Medical Oncologist, Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Karene Stewart, Consumer; Julie Teraci, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Skin Cancer and Melanoma, Cancer Network WA.
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