Why Am I So Tired?

Do you feel tired all the time — even in the morning, even after a long sleep? There's a reason.

Cancer tired is a different kind of tired

When most people feel tired, they rest and then feel better. But cancer can make a different, bigger kind of tiredness called fatigue. Fatigue doesn't always go away just from sleeping. You can wake up and still feel worn out.

This happens because your body is working super hard — both to fight the cancer and to deal with the strong medicine. All that work uses up your energy, like a phone battery that runs down fast.

Fatigue is one of the most common things people feel during cancer treatment. So if you feel it, you are not being lazy, and nothing is wrong with you. Your body is just busy healing.

What can help

• Rest when your body asks. Napping or lying down isn't giving up — it's helping your body do its job.
• Do the fun stuff when you have energy. Some parts of the day you'll feel better than others. Save those for the things you love.
• Let people help. It's okay to ask a grown-up to carry things or help you get around when you're wiped out.
• Tell someone how you feel. Your doctor and nurse really want to know if you're extra tired. Sometimes they can help make it better.

The tiredness usually gets better as treatment goes on and after it ends. Little by little, your energy comes back.