Do I have Cancer-related Fatigue?

[cloverdavid]

I have had most symptoms of Cancer-related Fatigue (CRF) in 6 episodes over the past 18 months. (No pattern emerged for these episodes.) My oncologist says I do not have CRF because the literature says this diagnosis is for newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma pts (I was diagnosed 11 years ago) and pts who are refractory to chemo. (I still take Pomalyst and Decadron) I am in a "stable condition" (M-Protein at 0.4 for over a year) and still am on chemo. If I do not have CRF, what do I have? Oncologist does not know what the diagnosis should be. What suggestions for dealing with the awful symptoms of my extreme fatigue symptoms?

[specialmom]

Oh, sorry to hear this.  Been a long road for you.  Well, if you had CRF, how would they treat it?  What things can they do to help with fatigue?  Rather than making him agree to that name for what is going on, focus on how to help with it, what suggestions your doctor can give, etc.  How is your nutrition?  Improper eating and nutrition can result in pretty bad fatigue along with misuse or over use of caffeine.  I've actually bumped up my energy level with regular use of a multi vitamin and exercise and a no caffeine regimen.  How is your sleep?  What other factors are possibly playing a role?  Could the chemo have a long term effect of fatigue.  Is this weakness or tiredness?  

[cloverdavid]

More research found that Cancer-related Fatigue (CRF) affects all multiple myeloma patients, not just those who are newly diagnosed or who are not responding to treatment. There really is no treatment for most of the symptoms, which include long bouts of sleeping and inability to eat or drink. Caregivers must be insistent that the patient gets up to walk around occasionally, take some liquids and daily medications. Most of the care is palliative. There is some anecdotal evidence that ginseng helps, but I haven't been able to find a pill or tablet or capsule that I can swallow. They all are too large. The literature says that chemotherapy and radiation release a substance in myeloma patients called cytokine, which happens to promote fatigue.

At my request, my oncologist is sending my chart and all of my messages about CRF to the oncologist who is responsible for my HMO's care in the county. What I keep hoping for is that others who have the same problem will chime in and let us know if anything has worked for them to mitigate the effects.