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Aches, pains and fatigue

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User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 14:44

Hi, this is my second post, I hope it’s in the right place. It’s 2 months since the last of 6 chemotherapies, steroids were finished 10 days ago, Brachytherapy is in 2 weeks time to be followed by 23 radiotherapies, and I thought by now I’d be feeling quite good, but not the case. I had been feeling better, but over the last 3 weeks the fatigue has kicked back in plus old sporting niggles have returned, swollen ankle, knee and wrist and when I walk the dogs, every step seems like an effort, more so now than during the chemo, and hours after the walk I’m really heavy and stiff legged. I’m also noticing myself becoming a bit melancholy, and that is a first for me in my 68 years! 
I was just wondering if this is, if not normal, then common. I’m suspecting stopping steroid intake could have a bearing on this, and I recently had my 2nd 6 monthly hormone injection. 
Anyway, any views on this would be most welcome, and again, thanks for reading. 
Del

User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 21:55
Delray, I haven't experienced chemotherapy either but I can say that after radiotherapy and ADT I was very definitely fatigued. In particular I found that in the evening it felt almost as if I was walking into a brick wall, there was a point when my brain seemed to give up and couldn't concentrate enough to engage with my family, or reading matter, or the television. I just had to go to bed early.

Things did improve over the next few months, though even three years later I need more sleep than I used to. Like you I was a bit more aware of niggles, but since I knew my body was suffering from the effects of the radiotherapy I took to taking ibuprofen which helped with those as well.

I did try to keep fit and sane as much as I could, the morning was much the best time for a good walk.

Good luck, you are not alone.

User
Posted 01 Oct 2025 at 14:45

Hi Del,

Just having a rare browse through conversations and seen this one of yours. I'm a bit further ahead of you in terms of treatment having had chemo, brachy, EBRT and now into my 3rd year of 3 yrs HT. Your symptoms are very familiar, I experience the same. I continue to be fatigued and knackered (if the terms don't mean the same thing). When I look back I think I got through the chemo, brachy and EBRT with relative ease, but the thing that has been  really killing me off throughout is the impact of HT. I'm on Prostap, one injection every 12 weeks causing multiple side effects and like you fatigue, weakened muscles and aching bones are part of it. This morning I felt like I'd been knocked down by a runaway lorry, some days are like that! I try to keep active, I like to be outdoors, but I can't even keep up with my family, even with the wife when out on walks! But I keep going and very much look forward to my HT independence day. One thing I did do as I am a previous keen mountain biker was to go electric, it was getting me down not being able to get up any hills or even to get out on my bike but now I can and it is great!

All the best, treat yourself, you can do it.

Spongebob

 

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User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 20:40

Delray, can't really help up, I have no experience of brachy or chemo, we seem to have lost a number of members the relevant knowledge, I don't mean lost as in died.  Have you called the prostate cancer nurses on this site ,the number is at the top of the page.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 21:55
Delray, I haven't experienced chemotherapy either but I can say that after radiotherapy and ADT I was very definitely fatigued. In particular I found that in the evening it felt almost as if I was walking into a brick wall, there was a point when my brain seemed to give up and couldn't concentrate enough to engage with my family, or reading matter, or the television. I just had to go to bed early.

Things did improve over the next few months, though even three years later I need more sleep than I used to. Like you I was a bit more aware of niggles, but since I knew my body was suffering from the effects of the radiotherapy I took to taking ibuprofen which helped with those as well.

I did try to keep fit and sane as much as I could, the morning was much the best time for a good walk.

Good luck, you are not alone.

User
Posted 11 Sep 2025 at 10:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Delray, can't really help up, I have no experience of brachy or chemo, we seem to have lost a number of members the relevant knowledge, I don't mean lost as in died.  Have you called the prostate cancer nurses on this site ,the number is at the top of the page.

Thanks Chris 

Good morning. Thanks for the reply and suggestion, I called the oncology nurses where my next round of treatments are, and they got back to me almost immediately. They are of the opinion that it is the cutting off of steroids, and the refreshed hormone injection that is causing the fatigue and inflamed joints (it’s now an ankle, knee and both wrists; all have been injured in the past). They also suggested that when taking exercise, to ‘push through’ when it’s tempting to give up/stop. 
Ok, just off to do a half marathon, assuming a marathon is 3 miles…

Cheers, Del

User
Posted 01 Oct 2025 at 14:45

Hi Del,

Just having a rare browse through conversations and seen this one of yours. I'm a bit further ahead of you in terms of treatment having had chemo, brachy, EBRT and now into my 3rd year of 3 yrs HT. Your symptoms are very familiar, I experience the same. I continue to be fatigued and knackered (if the terms don't mean the same thing). When I look back I think I got through the chemo, brachy and EBRT with relative ease, but the thing that has been  really killing me off throughout is the impact of HT. I'm on Prostap, one injection every 12 weeks causing multiple side effects and like you fatigue, weakened muscles and aching bones are part of it. This morning I felt like I'd been knocked down by a runaway lorry, some days are like that! I try to keep active, I like to be outdoors, but I can't even keep up with my family, even with the wife when out on walks! But I keep going and very much look forward to my HT independence day. One thing I did do as I am a previous keen mountain biker was to go electric, it was getting me down not being able to get up any hills or even to get out on my bike but now I can and it is great!

All the best, treat yourself, you can do it.

Spongebob

 

 
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