Why do I sleep all day and still feel exhausted?

Feeling exhausted despite getting plenty of sleep is something many people in the cancer community experience, and it can be incredibly frustrating when rest doesn't seem to restore your energy. This type of persistent fatigue is often different from regular tiredness and can have various causes related to treatment, medications, or the body's response to cancer itself. Speaking with your healthcare team about this ongoing exhaustion can help identify what might be contributing to it and explore potential ways to help you feel more rested.

All the time! Right I’m doing infusions and I’m so wore out from everything I ve been through. It’s horrible but it’s a way of life unfortunately that we’ve been given. So I guess we just have to learn to live with it. There are plenty of bad days! I’m Mary.

Hi Aymee Stress can cause extreme fatigue. Also the various treatments. I completed radiation and then started on Anastrozole about 2 weeks ago. I take it in the AM and by 2 or 3 in the afternoon have to take a nap/lay down. I am hoping I adjust soon. Otherwise, I may try taking it in the evening. I have also had other days where I don’t have energy to get out of bed until late in the day. Trying to give myself some grace but also want to be strong and push through some of this. I am realizing it’s best to listen to my body and heal.

I slept most of the weekend.. bc of my headache that wouldn't go away

What’s causing the headaches? Do u know? It could be the drugs they’re giving u. I suffer from headaches anymore but they’ve become more often with dizziness from the infusions I’m getting. And of course the nausea. So find out if u can and let me know. Feel better! Mary❤️

Granix has headaches as side affect.. this aren't headaches... I've been drinking lots of ice water thinking I might be dehydrated

What’s the pill for? Maybe u ought to tell the Dr. u have these headaches from the pill and maybe he’ll change it.

It's a shot not a pill and helps the bone marrow develop white cells that help fight infection

No it’s a reaction from the pill I know cause they’re lasting too long.

I am not a pill. Granix is a shot they gave me...

I didn’t see what u just wrote than it’s a reaction to the shot. I get shot also every 3 mons. or so also for my bones in my back.I can’t spell but it begins with a x.

Anastrazole is causing insomnia for me. Trazadone helps me sleep a little better but then I'm groggy all morning. Constantly feeling tired sucks.

I also take anastrazole and I’ve been taking them for about a year or so longer and it seems like I can never get enough sleep. I sleep all day and then I’m up all night and if I go to bed early I’ll be up in the middle of the night. I’m learning to work with this schedule a best I can and it’s not easy.

I’m sleepy all the time . I go to sleep at 4-5 am and get up at 11-12. My husband’s and my day usually starts around 12. Now I’m on this immune therapy-chemo it’s like a walk in daze all the time. Luckily I’m able to rest when I need to. So I know exactly what u all are going through! Mary❤️

Stress will do it a lot of times…that does it for me…and/or the meds you’re on. Do discuss it with your medical team. Good luck!

All ready did had the right fusion yesterday and spine by little heat out . My markers are up because some of the irritation is not having the 2 infusion I missed . So in another a couple hopefully it will go away like before . How do feel? Write me anytime a lm always here. Feel better. Mary❤️

Yes

Our bodies have been through so much! We start with fight or flight our nervous system is on high alert, we know that we have to fight all through our treatments and surgeries we are in survival mode. Then after treatments are done our bodies crash because we need to heal so we rest the doctors tell us through active treatment what to expect but when treatments are over my doctor never told me how exhausted I would be! I am 43 years old and before I was diagnosed with DCIS in situ stage 0-1 I was energetic and bubbly I work at an Elementary school with special needs children So after each I radiation I would go to work. I didn’t feel too bad up until the end when my skin became so uncomfortable and sore and itchy but I pushed through and even put an ice pack in my bra to get through my work day it wasn’t until about 2 weeks after I finished radiation that I felt like I was hit by a bus and my energy level had plummeted. So exhausted that even 8-9 hours of sleep at night wasn’t doing the trick That’s when I started to really educate myself although from day one I was educating myself on my diagnosis, my doctors never told me how I would feel after treatment. This really upset me because I didn’t know what to expect. I read, asked questions and learned that some people are tired/ exhausted for years after treatment because our bodies are trying to heal and our fight or flight had declined So I’d rest when my body told me to, but I’m strong willed and didn’t want my loved ones to think I was lazy, depressed or weak it took me some time to realize that my body needed to rest I swallowed my pride and started working half days and learned to give myself grace. It’s not that we’re tired this is an exhaustion that no body can understand unless they’ve been in our situation. Then comes the 5 year pill..which is a whole other ball game. Side effects and still exhaustion.. I’m so frustrated with the whole standard care everyone is different every cancer diagnosis is different and effects everyone differently, and then when you ring the bell after your last radiation is nothing but a false sense of “You’re finished, You’re done”! Yeah with radiation your finished but it’s not over and that’s just another false hope So give yourself grace and listen to your body, pray on it, advocate for yourself educate yourself because from my experience I’m just a name on a piece of paper on someone’s desk that gets shuffled around a number who plan is protocol

Agree on all points. I am trying to find the balance between “I’ve got this” and “I need a nap”. A physical and mental nap! I finished radiation and now weathering the 5 year pill side effects. Sigh. One day is fine and the next not so great. Appreciate others sharing their stories here. It’s also nice to be able to freely share my experiences here with no judgement. Take care of yourselves out there!

I just had lumpectomy surgery 6 days ago. I will be starting radiation treatment. Any advice or suggestions

Yeah make sure they done burn u. The first time I had 2nd degree burns on my chest and the second time it burned my esophagus and it took almost 2 months before I could eat anything solid. Good luck let me know how u do❤️ Mary

Hi Aymee....I brought this up at my support group meeting and found that it's not uncommon. I have been on letrozole since March after trying out other hormone blockers and I am suffering from chronic fatigue sometimes sleeping 😴 11 hours or more. The group recommended that I mention it to my oncologist next time I see him

How can u make sure u do t get burnt while u do radiation? I have my lumpectomy may 26th then heal 4-6 weeks then radiation, is there any creams or lotions that help with the burns? Thanks💖

The first time I had second degree burns the second time it burned my esophagus and it took almost 2 mons. before I could eat anything solid. The first I had an infection and needed antibiotics. Everytime I saw the radiologist she told me it was normal. Just out and make sure urself that ure not being burned. Ask the Dr. to look at it. At the end of the treatment I had 3or4 to go so I refused them. U’ll be ok let me know how u do. U can probably use any creams that are for burns. Good luck! Mary Z.❤️

I sleep 10 hours and still need naps. Fatigued much of the time. Exercise helps a bit but often too tired to exercise. I always have a good book to read and a series to watch. Often don’t leave the house. I am on truqap and fulvrsant. Both cause fatigue. Plus I am 86 so advanced age also increases fatigue.