Fatigue....

Sitting here thinking, I know scary right.
If my fatigue has something to do with my Cancer..?

What in the shop said...it is counterintuitive...but most wisdom is...not knowing your physical condition...sans Pca...check with physician...if able ...do not stroll...walk...sweat...you will be amazed...do it more often than not...General piece of advice...do at least one thing daily that you do not want to do...when it becomes a habit...find another thing you do not want to do...and do it...

MG0351, I suppose that it depends on what level of cancer there is, what the treatment is, and where you are in the process.

For me, I had RALP last March. Prior to my diagnosis I'd signed up to run 2 half marathons and had my training level up to do them. I also had a workout streak going, 17-1/2 years plus 2 days, of never missing a daily workout: run, bike, swim, lift, elliptical, etc.

After surgery I walked, a lot, but even though I was in good shape it was in effort and, at times, I felt really down and would rather not. I tried to pick up the pace, just walking briskly, at 6-weeks post-op, but passed blood due to incomplete healing of the anastomosis. That really got me down and hammered my motivation. It took over 3-1/2 months before I could truly run again and start rebuilding my base. I'm up to 5-6 miles 3 times a week right now and doing well.

The "down" feeling evaporated with the increase in in exercise. Also, I keep an eye on what I eat and how much I eat since I have found somethings can make me sluggish.

Good luck.

Your fatigue probably does have something to do with your cancer--it's emotionally very difficult to get this diagnosis. I remember I pretty much shut down immediately following. As to is there a physical connection to your cancer? Very, very unlikely unless you were diagnosed with a very advanced case of PCa.

What was your PSA? If it's under 20, it's very unlikely to show anything on a scan. And keep in mind that PCa moves very slowly compared to other cancers. (But for the record, I sweated my scans when I had them...)

MGO,

The answer to your question is "Yes... and No" or maybe it's "No... but Yes." Let's go with that second version for the moment.

So, no, fatigue is not a direct symptom of prostate cancer. Nobody ever goes to his doctor and says "Doc, I'm feeling a bit run down these days" and has his doctor say, "Well, bend over then so I can finger your prostate and we'll see what's making you tired." Most guys who are diagnosed with prostate cancer feel fine before they get the news. It's after the diagnosis that they wear themselves to a frazzle worrying. And even then if you compare a diagnosis of prostate cancer with other similar forms of existential dread it doesn't stand out as particularly fatiguing.

Fatigue is a frequent side effect of prostate cancer treatments but not of the disease itself.

You've probably worn yourself out worrying and adding a worry that feeling worn out is somehow a symptom of your cancer just closes the circle.

Several guys have recommended exercise and it's a good suggestion. It helps directly with the fatigue -- it helps keep your body from slipping into low-energy standby mode -- and it also helps with the feeling of helplessness -- it gives you something you can do to make your situation better, something you can control.

Keep us posted. We're all pulling for you.

fear, anxiety and depression will also knock the wind out of your sails.

F8 said...
fear, anxiety and depression will also knock the wind out of your sails.

And the inflammation they cause just feeds PCa

Continuing from Union98's remarks, you might also check for anemia. Which could result from not eating well, which in turn can also be associated with depression or anxiety.