I like having visitors but I find it very tiring. How can I cope?
Finding ways to manage your fatigue is important so that you can continue to do the things you enjoy – such as having visitors.
Keeping an energy diary may help you to work out if there are times of the day when you have more energy. A diary may also help you to identify if there are any activities which make you feel more tired. You can then decide how important these activities are to you and whether you can save your energy for other things by delegating or asking for help with these activities.
Planning your day will allow you to plan rest periods as well as other activities – this can help you to pace yourself. Ask your visitors to let you know beforehand when they are coming and plan this into your day. Avoid having visitors during your rest times or at times of day when you are more tired. If you find larger groups of visitors more tiring, talk to your visitors about planning their visits so that this does not happen.
I am feeling very tired and struggling to cope. Is there anything the doctor can give me to give me more energy?
There are many causes of fatigue. They include sleep problems, breathlessness, anxiety, stress and depression. Infections and the side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy can also be very debilitating. A poor diet which does not provide enough energy for the body is another possible cause, perhaps because you are having physical difficulties eating or you have little appetite or you have little strength to prepare meals.
There is no specific medication that can be given to help fatigue. However, your doctor may be able to help you by treating other symptoms such as pain, nausea or anaemia that may be making your fatigue worse. They may also be able to refer you to other healthcare professionals who could offer advice and support in managing fatigue effectively. For example, an occupational therapist may be able to suggest and order equipment which could help you save energy.
It is very important that you tell your nurse or doctor if you are struggling with fatigue. This will allow them to review your care and discuss possible ways to reduce the fatigue or treat other symptoms. However, sometimes - particularly if a person is very ill or near the end of life - it may not be possible to treat fatigue. Instead the focus may be on finding ways to manage the fatigue so that a person has some energy for the things they really want to do.
I am caring for someone who is suffering from fatigue. What can I do to help them?
Caring for someone who is suffering from fatigue can be very challenging and can often lead to a carer suffering from fatigue too. It may be necessary to bring in other people to help care for the patient. Occupational therapists, for example, can provide practical help and advice. Nurses may also be able to provide support for you as well as the patient.
It is often useful for people suffering from fatigue to keep a diary of their activities and to note times when they feel the symptom is worse. Using this diary you and the person you are caring for can discuss ways of prioritising daily activities. Look at the diary and assess when the patient has more energy and arrange activities at these times. For example, they may be more lethargic first thing in the morning and struggle to have a shower at this time, so you may choose to delay this activity until later on in the day.
Do discuss with your doctor or nurse the impact that fatigue is having on your lives, and tell them what methods you have already tried to alleviate the problem.
