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Along with my abdominal pain I feel exhausted all the time. I often sleep 8-9 hours at night and still feel exhausted in the daytime. The only time I had any energy was oddly enough when I was taking dexamesthasone during chemotherapy. Unfortunately due to injuries suffered during a nearly fatal car accident I can't exercise. Does anyone have any suggestions or helpful hints

I bought a book on sitting exercises and one on sitting yoga. Now I just need to get at them.

I am sorry to say but it is true. I am glad other cancer survivors suffer from fatigue too. I do nap but always feel guilty but now perhaps the guilt will go away. Exercise seems to be key so I must get at it.

@WestWind you should not feel any guilt. Napping and rest are an essential element for recovery. Interestingly I did a search using the bar above, typing in "fatigue" and there are many threads on this site, about this topic. So it is so very common. You take all the rest you need!!!!

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Hi @WestWind fatigue is such a common cancer side effect. Even two years post my initial diagnosis and surgery, I still find there are days when I'm overly tired for reasons I can't explain. I just accept it and will take a nap or just go and rest in a quiet space. 

I did a search on the Wellspring site and found a link to some Chair Yoga poses if these are of any help. They also have a program on Cancer Related Fatigue and a Cancer Exercise Program that is also meant to deal with fatigue. I put those links below too. I couldn't see upcoming sessions however you could contact them and ask. They offer a lot of programs. If you scroll through the Programs on their site, perhaps you will find one that may be of help.

https://wellspring.ca/blog/2024/10/18/6-accessible-chair-yoga-poses-after-cancer-surgery/

https://wellspring.ca/program/cancer-related-fatigue/

https://wellspring.ca/program/cancer-exercise/

@Courtenay and @Gratitude123 also have some great ideas too. I too took up swimming. I had to teach myself as I never did learn as a child however it has been one of the more therapeutic forms of exercise I've ever done. Of course, it requires having access to a pool so I understand that it can be a limiting option for some people.

I know that many individuals have spoken about just getting up and walking. Even doing small things like walking from one room to another in your own house. Doing that for a few days and then expand to a few rooms etc. I recall when I was recovering from my surgery I was in a condo building and I would walk the hall on our floor. It took me a few weeks to be able to walk from one end to another. By week 6 I was walking 10 lengths which was huge for me. Ultimately, I think it's just about getting started and doing something that may seem so small to you, but over time will yield great gains.

If you haven't already done so, I would also speak to someone on your medical team. They can look at your bloodwork to make sure your iron levels etc. are ok. Just another thought.

Don't forget to give yourself grace. You have a lot going on and stress can also cause fatigue. Take 'baby steps' in whatever you do. Perhaps keep a journal and see how you were feeling on days that you had more energy. Was there something you ate? Was it the weather? Sometimes having an opportunity to reflect back can yield useful clues and tools to leverage moving forward.

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Thanks so much for your respinse. I just had my CA125 done as with my abdominal pains it was thought my cancer might have returned. My CA125 is 9 so that is a positive sign. My CT scan is in early March. Other lab results show I might have an UTI.

@WestWind well that is good news on the CA125 but sorry to hear about the possible UTI. Those can cause all sorts of other issues so if that's the cause they can treat it and hopefully that will help you gain some energy back. Also sending 🤞for your pending CT scan.

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