Fatigue, feeling tired and lacking energy, is the most common symptom reported by cancer patients. The exact cause is not always known. It can be due to your disease, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, low blood counts, lack of sleep, pain, stress, poor appetite, along with many other factors.
Fatigue from cancer feels different from fatigue of everyday life. Fatigue caused by chemotherapy can appear suddenly. Patients with cancer have described it as a total lack of energy and have used words such as worn out, drained, and wiped out to describe their fatigue. And rest does not always relieve it. Not everyone feels the same kind of fatigue. You may not feel tired while someone else does or your fatigue may not last as long as someone else's does. It can last days, weeks, or months. But severe fatigue does go away gradually as the tumor responds to treatment.

How can I cope with fatigue?
Plan your day so that you have time to rest.
Take short naps or breaks, rather than one long rest period.
Save your energy for the most important things.
Try easier or shorter versions of activities you enjoy.
Take short walks or do light exercise if possible. You may find this helps with fatigue.
Talk to your health care provider about ways to save your energy and treat your fatigue.
Try activities such as meditation, prayer, yoga, guided imagery, visualization, etc. (See the section "Complementary Therapies.") You may find that these help with fatigue.
Eat as well as you can and drink plenty of fluids. Eat small amounts at a time, if that is helpful.
Join a support group. Sharing your feelings with others can ease the burden of fatigue. You can learn how others deal with their fatigue. Your health care provider can put you in touch with a support group in your area.
Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink.
Allow others to do some things for you that you usually do.
Keep a diary of how you feel each day. This will help you plan your daily activities.
Report any changes in energy level to your doctor or nurse.

Nausea and Vomiting
Many patients fear that they will have nausea and vomiting while receiving chemotherapy. But new drugs have made these side effects far less common and, when they do occur, much less severe. These powerful antiemetic or antinausea drugs can prevent or lessen nausea and vomiting in most patients. Different drugs work for different people, and you may need more than one drug to get relief. Do not give up. Continue to work with your doctor and nurse to find the drug or drugs that work best for you. Also, be sure to tell your doctor or nurse if you are very nauseated or have vomited for more than a day, or if your vomiting is so bad that you cannot keep liquids down.

What can I do if I have nausea and vomiting?
Drink liquids at least an hour before or after mealtime, instead of with your meals. Drink frequently and drink small amounts.
Eat and drink slowly.
Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of one, two, or three large meals.
Eat foods cold or at room temperature so you won't be bothered by strong smells.
Chew your food well for easier digestion.
If nausea is a problem in the morning, try eating dry foods like cereal, toast, or crackers before getting up. (Do not try this if you have mouth or throat sores or are troubled by a lack of saliva.)
Drink cool, clear, unsweetened fruit juices, such as apple or grape juice or light-colored sodas such as ginger ale that have lost their fizz and do not have caffeine.
Suck on mints, or tart candies. (Do not use tart candies if you have mouth or throat sores.)
Prepare and freeze meals in advance for days when you do not feel like cooking.
Wear loose-fitting clothes.
Breathe deeply and slowly when you feel nauseated.
Distract yourself by chatting with friends or family members, listening to music, or watching a movie or TV show.
Use relaxation techniques. (See the section "Complementary Therapies.")
Try to avoid odors that bother you, such as cooking smells, smoke, or perfume.
Avoid sweet, fried, or fatty foods.
Rest but do not lie flat for at least 2 hours after you finish a meal.
Avoid eating for at least a few hours before treatment if nausea usually occurs during chemotherapy.
Eat a light meal before treatment.

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