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Fatigue

I'm sure I pissed off a few people on the MCL message board today with my comments about fatigue, and I'll probably piss a few more people off with this latest post, but I can't help myself. I actually enjoy sparking controversy sometimes, it helps get the juices flowing, not to mention fatigue is one of my favorite topics, second only maybe to discussions on the US health care system, or lack there of.

There seems to be constant discussion about fatigue on all the message boards, not just the MCL board, but it all boils down to lymphoma survivors claiming bouts of fatigue, after chemo, a transplant, or just from having lymphoma, without any logical explanation, e.g. low hemoglobin (around 10 g/dl), EBV, CFIDS, all which can be checked for.

I have to admit I am of the opinion of most of the doctors, who have little sympathy for these patients, that fatigue in the absence of a low hemoglobin etc. is mostly psychological.

Certainly there is the fatigue associated with receiving chemo or getting a transplant, but that is just the body's natural reaction to be infused with deadly chemicals. I liken it to how I feel after an intense 70 mile bike ride.

I'M WHOOPED!

But eventually I recover, and in a day or two, I'm good to go, and do it all over again.

I'd even be willing to give all the sufferers of fatigue the benefit of the doubt, that going through chemo and/or a transplant is a lot harder on the body then a simple bike ride, but it doesn't change my belief, in the absence of a low hemoglobin etc. fatigue is psychological.

I am fatigued every freakin' morning, and just trying to get going is by far the most difficult thing I have to do every day. It would just be so simple to stay in bed, or sit on the couch all day watching TV, wallowing in my sorrow, feeling sorry for myself.

I just refuse to let it get to me, and I force myself to get out of that bed, and do something, whatever it is [usually a bike ride or golfing], because I know the more time I spend doing absolutely nothing, the easier it is to keep doing absolutely nothing.

So my advice to everyone is to get your butts out of bed, or off the couch and do something. You can start off slow, and build up your endurance. It will take time, but you'll feel a lot better about yourself, and then you'll even have that logical explanation for feeling fatigued.

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Gerry said…
Missed you Monday for our ride, still in bed?

During my chemo, I rode ever morning (almost) then took a afternoon nap, worked for me...
1:48 PM
Gerry said…
P.S. I still take the afternoon nap!
(After my swim)
1:49 PM
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