Tiredness
More than 50% of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer feel tired or fatigued. The possible causes of tiredness include:
- the cancer itself
- anaemia (low amount of red blood cells in blood)
- the side effects of treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery
- travelling for various treatments
- coping with pain or other symptoms
- the stress of living with cancer
Inform your doctor about any tiredness you experience so that it can be evaluated and controlled as best as possible.
Treatment of tiredness includes:
- treating the underlying cause of the tiredness
- gentle exercise
- steroids only if severe due to side effects such as weight gain, muscle weakness, insomnia, increased appetite, and stomach ulcers
Some practical suggestions to help you conserve your energy are listed. These suggestions are based on the experience of health professionals working with women diagnosed with cancer, and from women themselves.
Practical suggestions to help you conserve your energy include:
- make sure your symptoms such as pain are adequately treated.
- conserve your energy for what you want to do, and for activities that give you pleasure.
- ensure you have adequate sleep.
- plan rest periods in the day during which you will not be disturbed.
- see a physiotherapist about a gentle exercise program appropriate to you.
- encourage friends and family to have short, frequent visits rather than longer ones if you are feeling tired.
- have a well-balanced diet.
- a wheelchair may be useful to allow you greater mobility than you could achieve on your own.
