struggling after chemo, any advice?

[secondfavouritesocks]

I keep starting well, running regularly, even building up then get muscle and joint pains, then stop for a few weeks then start again.

How can I avoid this? How can I treat the problems once they start so they go away quicker? I've just had a 6 week break and am desperate to start running again, but don't want to keep getting the same problems. I've started slowly each time, built up slowly, but it just keeps happening. I finished chemo in March

I would be bloody proud of myself I was you!

Amazing! March is really not that long ago.

Did your cancer nurses offer you any rehab with the physio department? I moaned highly about my fitness and was referred for six weeks of physio at the hospital. Perhaps your cancer nurses can refer you? (I wouldn’t go through the GP, that would take ages)

Is it only running you are doing? That’s fairly high impact. Would you consider mixing it up with some lower impact cardio or including some weight sessions to build strength?

I love a spin class. It’s easy on the knees and gives a massive cardio hit. But it’s not everyone’s thing.

sounds interesting, I will look into spin

Yes I’m amazed you’ve been able to do that much running too so well done. I think it takes time to build up energy & stamina after chemo. How about something like swimming? Also have you looked at the online courses run by Penny Brohn? They run a range of exercise classes & are well worth checking out.

I will look up Penny Brohn

Can you take more breaks, I think you might be being too hard on yourself if I may say so.
Maybe take smaller and shorter breaks more frequently.
You've done really well!!

Honesty they are excellent! I’m going on one of their retreats soon. They’re based in Bristol but they do lots of online stuff.

I think you're doing amazingly well!

One DFriend of mine, who hadn't had Chemo, kept getting sore and having injuries. She decided to do the C25K and it seemed to work like magic.

It would probably be a little frustrating at first but should build up your strength and stamina quite quickly if you follow the plan