Feeling tired is a pretty common phenomenon, with many potential causes from not getting enough sleep to not eating enough of the right foods. However, in some cases, it can signal something more sinister.
According to Cancer Research UK, tiredness is a common sign of cancer – affecting around 65 percent of patients.
It can be a symptom of the cancer itself or a side effect of treatment.
But what is the difference between feeling a bit tired and the kind of fatigue that comes with cancer?
A cancer patient took to social media platform TikTok to explain the difference between “normal tiredness” and fatigue caused by the disease.
Fahad Khan, who was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called lymphoma in 2020, revealed there is one key distinguishing feature when you wake up to look for.
Speaking to his 19,500 followers, he said: “So what does cancer fatigue feel like? So, a lot of people have asked me what it feels like to be fatigued leading up to a cancer diagnosis and also how it feels to be fatigued because of the treatment and the chemotherapy and how this differs from normal tiredness.
“So, I guess the best way to describe this is, when you feel tired, you know, when you sleep after you wake up, you will feel refreshed.”
He went into more detail: “This is not the case with feeling fatigued because of cancer or treatment. There were times and there still are times where I just have to lay down and have a nap because I’m so exhausted.
“I literally cannot even get up. And even when I wake up after I wake up, I will still feel the same level of tiredness and just want to go back to bed.”
Fahad added: “I think one more thing which is a key difference is that you’ll feel your heart racing because you’re so tired because of the treatment and because of the cancer in your body.
“It’s almost like your body’s working overtime and that’s why you’re so tired. Your heart rate is racing all the time and it just makes you want to lay down and have a nap.”
Cancer Research UK also says that cancer-related fatigue can be accompanied by a number of related issues, such as:
- Lack of energy – you may just want to stay in bed all day
- The need to rest even when you’ve done little or no activity
- Feeling you just cannot be bothered to do much
- Sleeping problems such as unable to sleep or disturbed sleep
- Finding it hard to get up in the morning
- Feeling anxious, sad or depressed
- Pain in your muscles – you may find it hard to climb stairs or walk short distances
- Feeling breathless after doing small tasks, for example, having a shower or making your bed
- Finding it hard to concentrate, even just watching TV or talking to a friend
- Finding it hard to think clearly or make decisions easily
- Loss of interest in sex
- Loss of interest in doing things you usually enjoy
- Negative feelings about yourself and others.
If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue or any other symptoms you should speak to your GP.
Fahad is currently fundraising to undergo a stem cell transplant to fight his cancer. To find out more visit gofundme.com/f/funding-for-critical-stem-cell-transplant.