I was diagnosed with CLL four years ago. My biggest concern has been fatigue, I try to get up early and get as much done as I can before. I feel just wiped out. I need to take a long break.
This morning I went and did my blood work and decided to start cleaning up my flower Garden. As American men are inclined to do, I push myself until I was done.
Then I cleaned up and took a shower. Went to get a haircut and go have lunch. Today, my barber asked me how I was doing. I replied I was doing OK just a little fatigued. And the four years of going to her since my diagnosis she had not shown that level of concern for me. She told me she did not like the way I was moving and it looked like I was totally exhausted. She told me when my haircut’s done. I need to go home and take a nap.
I left the barbershop and went and got lunch at one of my usual lunch places. After I ordered one of the owners and one of the managers came to my table to make sure I was all right. They told me that I’d look like I had no energy left. They offered to drive me home after I ate. I told him I would be OK as I only live about a mile from the restaurant. They both kept checking on me while I was there having lunch making sure I was good to get home. When I got home, I sent them a text and let them know. I was home safely.
Then I lay down and took a nap until my wife got home. I overdid it today, and I am so thankful I have family, friends, and others that see me on a regular basis, not be afraid to tell me time out take a break. And yes, I do listen to them.
My support team is great, they are not afraid to tell me to park it and to settle down and relax. Right now this fatigue is what I hate most about CLL.. I was on Calquence for just over three years, then I was taking off Calquence and just finished six months of chemo. I I am under standing that one of my chemo drugs is going away, and I will be having chemo every two months before I believe a couple years.
I am not a fan of the fatigue at all and wish it would go away. I tried to pace myself, but then I sometimes get too involved with what I’m doing, but I just wear myself out.
Good luck, fatigue sucks

John, you are definitely not alone. Fatigue has been my major complaint since diagnosis. As the years go by, it seems like the fatigue gets worse. Even though my numbers are good, I still have the fatigue.
Our bodies are in a constant battle to fight and destroy cancer cells. Most of the time, our B and T cells only go into fight mode if we have an infection, but with leukemia, they are fighting all the time and of course that affects how we feel.
It's very frustrating to a person that has been active for all of their life but it's what we have to deal with.
We have to pace our activities, take a rest when needed and get lots of sleep including naps. Our body will heal when we sleep and allow everything to slow down for a while.
It's the pits but it's what we're dealt with. I hope you are doing well otherwise. 😊

Hey John yes it's it's a continual thing the hire your wbcs the worst of fatigue I dealt with it for almost four and a half years sometimes I would have to sleep all day long with no energy so you're not alone but I will tell you that it wasn't until I started getting treatment and I'm probably sounding like a broken record Brukinsa killed cancer cells lowering my infected wbcs it wasn't until my wbc's got down to 18 to 9000 that I started getting energy back not having to sleep all day at least for me I tried diet I tried vitamin B12 I tried vitamin d none of it worked I hope this helps God bless you have a great day

Dvrdan58, I have found when I get fatigued I stop and rest and don't overdo it. I take a nap and wake up alive again. So it is great that you learned to pace yourself.

I have been dealing with the fatigue for over four years. Probably would help the best is my friends and family that know me and are afraid to tell me to stop and rest.
Like most males, I will do what I want to do and I push myself to keep going, that I am totally wiped out. I am learning not to overdo it and to pace myself.
I was recently put on Ritalin one in the morning and one after lunch. This was not a cure all for the fatigue, but it is making my day-to-day activities go a little smoother.