Why is chemo making everyday movements so hard?

Chemotherapy can definitely affect muscle strength, energy levels, and coordination, making even simple daily tasks feel much more challenging than usual. Many people in this community have shared similar experiences with chemo side effects being harder to manage than radiation treatments, so you're certainly not alone in feeling this way.

Kaytie, I have not received chemotherapy but have done radiation for brain metastasis. Fatigue was a problem. My balance was affected and a found a PT facility that specializes in balance therapy. I had targeted radiation that caused swelling, seizures and a mild stroke. All symptoms were handled with medications and my neurology team. Talk to your team and lean on your family. Prayers for success

Hi Kaylie and all. At this point I am in Remission thank God!! I only did Chemo once and 3 or 4 days later I felt horrible. I went in to see my Oncologist and get some fluid. I eventually went into seizures that day and ended up in the hospital. No more Chemo. Then I went on Keytruda and it attacked my adrenal glands and now I have been diagnosed with Addison's Disease. If you are like most people you are saying "what's Addison's?" The best way to describe it is the adrenal glands were damaged and quit producing Cortisol and you need Cortisol to live so now I'm on steroids for the rest of my life, which is miserable but we all forge ahead whether we want to or not. The drug that put me in Remission was Lumakras because I have the Kras mutation. God Bless you all and I hope you all find Remission without Addison's !! 🙏❤️🙏

I am presently on a regimen of one year of Keytruda. I am very pleased I am feeling very well with little side effects. Keytruda is not all bad as you often hear.

Hi Kaytie, I have Stage 3 adenocarcinoma of the lung. I had 7 weeks of chemoradiation. The cancer shrunk but was not gone. I also have asthma + blood cl I ts in my lungs. My treatment is now 3 years on daily oral targetted therapy, Tagrisso. I have a CT scan scheduled for Friday. I am now on supplemental oxygen and steroids because my lungs are very inflamed ( thought to be related to previous cancer treatment). Less coughing and improved breathing with the prednisone. Radiation can do some long term damage to your lungs. And chemo is so bad I think it should be banned. Thank God for newer treatments like targetted and immunotherapy. As much as I hate the damage done to my body, the cancer has not progressed and I am still here and getting some times of enjoyment in my life. Let us know how you are doing. Each of us is fighting our own battle with that monster named cancer. Sending support and understanding your way. Hugs and prayers. Sue

Steve M. I was on Keytruda for about a year also but it wasn't shrinking my tumor so they switched me to Lumakras due to my KRAS mutation. It was until about two years later I found out what happened to my adrenal glands. Keytruda gets your immune system attack other parts of your body I think, not just Cancer. Even thr Lumakras, while it got me in Remission, it caused a small stroke and killed a couple little spots in my brain!!

Jackie M Unfortunately, every cancer treatment seems to have adverse side effects. Thank God you are still with us. Sending you hugs and prayers.pay attention to the new treatment using ultrasound waves. Maybe a brighter future for those battling CANCER.

Sue D. I am Stage 4 adenocarcinoma but I am in Remission now, but I still have to deal with the Addison's Disease that can also be life threatening just by becoming stressed!! I really have to watch myself. I hope all of you reach Remission with one difference, no Addison's Disease!! God Bless you all!! 🙏🙏🙏

Jackie, I had read about the potential for Keytruda overactivating your immune system. I am so sorry it happened to you. Right now I am dealing with radiation pneumonitis 3 months post radiation. I am taking high doses of oral steroids to try to decrease inflammation in my lungs. I am hoping that tomorrow's CT scan shows I am also in remission.

I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in January. I had a 6 level lumbar fusion. Three days later I started getting a pressure headache behind my right eye. It turned out the something came out of my right lung and planted itself in my tight frontal lobe in my brain. I had a craniotomy in January and started 7 stereotypic radiation treatments within 2 weeks of my surgery. After that treatment I had chemo immunity therapy every 3 weeks for 8 sessions. The small mass shrunk. I go for a ct chest scan and a brain mri in early October. Hopefully the small lesion is “dead”. I will have no surgery to have a removed it I can say the that chemo immunotherapy has horrible side effects. It affected my sleep and appetite. I developed mouth sores and dropped weight. I hope that you have people that can be you care giver. Everyone is different. I wish you good luck and stay positive If you live in a state that offers cannabis, get some gummies. Indica will help you sleep and sativa will help you through the day. I hope that this will help you with your treatment. Just remember that you have to be your own advocate! 🙏❤️

Dear Katie B, I was able to retrieve my original post from back in March of this year.. I sincerely hope it will help you get through your current situation.. I’ll be praying for you every day and asking Our Lord and Savior for your healing.. Hello everyone my name is Thomas and March of 2025 I was diagnosed with stage four lung and bone cancer and given one maybe two years at the most.. I’m 73 years old and have gone through radiation treatments and immunotherapy treatments that needless to say almost killed me.. After my second immunotherapy treatment I told my oncologist I was finished with treatments.. I had never been so sick in all my life.. I lost not only my appetite but 40 pounds as well.. I spent eight months going from the bedroom to the bathroom sick as hell from the treatments and that was NOT how I thought God wanted me to end this life.. My wife needless to say was totally against my quitting therapy but now understands completely .. I can’t tell you when but one day after treatments I got down on my knees and gave everything and I mean EVERYTHING to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. None of us know how when or where we’ll take our final breath it’s all in Gods hands period.. A couple of weeks ago I had a six month follow up with my doctor.. The week before I had blood work and a Ct scan and the results shocked my doctor.. Blood work came back great and the scan showed NO new growth of any cancer.. According to the doctor he’s only experienced this a couple of times in his career and I was one of them.. Praise be to God.. I’ve put back on almost all the weight I lost I’m eating like a horse and have even started painting the exterior of our home.. My testimony till the day the Lord sees fit to take me is PRAY.. I don’t care what religion you are or where you come from but we all have a choice in our lives and surrendering ourselves to our Lord and Savior is the BEST DECISION you’ll ever make folks.. Something to think about folks; Cancer is a multi billion dollar a YEAR business, do you think they’re going to find a cure and lose all that money.. I DON’T.. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving it to GOD.. And finally I hope and PRAY each and every one of you finds and experiences the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. I pray that this will touch your heart and soul and you all experience the love of Jesus Christ.. God Bless you All Thomas

Thomas O, I was just having a long communion with the Lord this morning as I received a frightening CT scan report. However, I am breathing easier and have much less coughing than I have had in months. God has a plan and He is always with us. Thank you for this testimony. Sue