Does anyone else feel wiped out for hours after radiation?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently halfway through radiation treatment, and I’ve been noticing that I crash completely about 2–3 hours after each session. It feels like my energy just disappears, and I need to lie down for the rest of the day.
I expected some fatigue, but I didn’t realize it would hit this hard, this early. Has anyone else experienced this kind of exhaustion that kicks in a few hours later? Any tips for managing energy throughout the day?
Grateful for any advice or reassurance. 💗
Jhonn
Comments
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Hi @jhonnmarie, What you are experiencing is par for the course. Unfortunately fatigue tends to get even worse for a while when treatment ends but it does clear up. My hospital offered free acupuncture for those undergoing radiation which I found helpful. I paid for some sessions myself after active treatment ended. I was working at the time so I scheduled my sessions toward the end of the day. That way I could crash without it interfering with my job as much.
There were signs up in the waiting room reminding everyone to stay hydrated and eat plenty of protein, fruits and veggies to help the body heal. It was easier for me to eat multiple small meals to consume enough protein.
I was in a clinical trial that measured levels of immunity during the whole course of active treatment for all kinds of cancer. They discovered that radiation lowered the immune system much more than anything else (even chemo.) The fatigue is a physical symptom of that. Rest as much as you need to and don’t push yourself too hard. Things get better a month or so after rads ends.
I hope the rest of your treatment goes well.
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