What can help with fatigue?

There are lots of things you can try to help you manage fatigue. You could:

• ask for help from your medical team
• plan your time so that you rest when you need to and do more when you have more energy
• try building some gentle physical activity into your routine
• try cognitive behavioural therapy and deal with negative thoughts and feelings, which may make the fatigue harder to cope with
• get some support from family, friends, local services and other sources
• try complementary therapies
• deal with any memory problems you may be having
• ask your doctor or nurse whether steroids might help.

Who can help with fatigue?

It’s important to talk to your medical team about any tiredness or fatigue. You should have a main contact in the medical team, who is normally a specialist nurse.

Your doctor or nurse may try to work out what is causing your fatigue and how bad it is. If they can find the cause they may be able to treat it. For example, treating symptoms or changing the treatment may help.

Palliative care or supportive care teams can also help manage complex symptoms, including fatigue. They also provide emotional and practical support, and aim to help people live as well as possible for as long as possible. These services aren’t just for people at the end of their life. They are available at any point during your treatment or care.

Other professionals who can help with fatigue

• Occupational therapists (OT) can provide advice on how to manage your fatigue so that you can carry on doing things you want and need to do. This can include how to change tasks, and equipment that can save you energy. They can also suggest ways to help you relax and sleep well. Your GP or nurse can refer you to an OT. You can also contact your council, as social services also provide occupational therapy.
• Dietitians provide advice about diet and nutrition, and help you manage digestion problems. This may also help you manage fatigue. If you haven’t seen a dietitian, ask your hospital team or GP to refer you to one.
• Physiotherapists can give you exercises and advice to help you keep active. Your doctor or nurse can refer you to a physiotherapist.
• Psychologists can help with the emotional effects of pancreatic cancer and fatigue. Your GP or nurse may be able to refer you to a psychologist.

Planning your time

Planning your time can help you deal with fatigue. This can help you do more of the things you want or need to do. But it is important to pace yourself. Don’t try to do too much.

A fatigue diary can help you see when you have more energy and help you plan your time. A diary can also help you describe your fatigue to your medical team and show how any treatment you are having affects it.

An occupational therapist can help you plan your time to make the most of the energy you have.

Planning is useful, but things don’t always go to plan. Don’t give yourself a hard time if your plan doesn’t work out.

Physical activity

There is good evidence that gentle physical activity can help with fatigue and increase energy levels. Physical activity is unlikely to make your fatigue worse. It can also help you feel better generally, improve your strength, and help you deal with stress.

Speak to your medical team about what type of activities are best for you, and any safety issues to be aware of.

A physiotherapist can give specialist advice about physical activity. An occupational therapist (OT) can help you include activity in your daily routine.

For physical activity to help, you need to do it regularly. But don’t overdo it. For most people, doing ten minutes of gentle activity three times a day would be suitable. This could include:

• walking, such as going for a walk around the block or garden, or a longer walk, depending on what you can manage
• light housework or gardening
• sitting in a chair or lying on a bed or the floor, raising your leg, and holding it for a few seconds, before lowering it and repeating a few times
• lifting some small weights, tins of food or bottles of water, while sitting in a chair
• walking up and down a few steps.

It is important to do activity within your own limits. Take it easy and only do what you are able to. This will depend on how well you are. For example, you may not be able to do much if you are having chemotherapy.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a type of talking therapy. It can help you deal with problems by changing how you think and feel about them. There is some evidence that CBT can help people with cancer deal with fatigue and problems sleeping. It can also help with anxiety and depression.

CBT is available on the NHS. You can access it yourself through the NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) on the NHS website. Your GP can also refer you, or you can pay for it privately.

Dealing with negative thoughts

You might find that fatigue gets you down and you start to think quite negatively. For example, you might think that you should be able to do more or cope better. You might worry that other people think you are lazy or not trying hard enough. Or you might feel that things will never get better.

These kinds of negative thoughts are normal, but they can make it harder to deal with fatigue, and make the fatigue worse. If you have pancreatic cancer, it is normal to feel tired. Try not to feel guilty about not being able to do what you used to.

Getting some support

Fatigue can be difficult to deal with and have a big impact on your life. Getting some support can help you cope.

Support from family and friends

Family and friends can be a big support. For example, they can help with practical things like household chores or driving you to hospital. This can help you save energy for more important things. You might find it easiest to ask people to do specific tasks. You may find that people like being able to help in this way.

Family and friends can also provide emotional support, which can help you cope.

Your medical team

Your medical team can provide support. You should have a main contact, who is often a specialist nurse if you are being cared for by the hospital, or a community or district nurse who cares for you at home. Tell them about the fatigue, as they can help you find ways to manage it.

Support from other organisations

Cancer centres provide information and support. Some run courses or provide services such as counselling or complementary therapies. Examples include Maggie’s Centres and Macmillan information and support centres.

Support groups

There are cancer support groups around the country where you can talk to other people going through similar experiences.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies include things like acupuncture, massage and meditation. Some people find that complementary therapies help them cope with fatigue. There isn’t a lot of evidence about them, and they don’t work for everyone. But they may help you feel more relaxed, and might help with other symptoms. They can also be something to look forward to.

Don’t stop any cancer treatments if you have complementary therapy. It’s important to speak to your medical team before trying a complementary therapy, as some may affect your cancer treatment. And tell your complementary therapist about your cancer treatment. The Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council have a list of registered therapists.

Distracting yourself

You may find that it helps to distract yourself from the fatigue. Try to focus on doing things that you enjoy. For example, you could see friends and family, do hobbies, or even just read or watch television. If you have a pet, you may also find that they help to distract you from fatigue.

Social care

There may be times when you need extra support at home. Your local council’s social services may provide support such as:

• help from care workers with everyday tasks, such as washing, dressing, preparing meals, or housework
• equipment or adaptations to the home
• respite or day centre care to give your family a break.

You may have to pay for some of the care. This will depend on what the service is and your financial circumstances. Speak to your GP, nurse or local Macmillan information and support centre for help organising care at home.

Dealing with memory problems

Fatigue can make it hard to remember things and concentrate. This is normal, but it can be frustrating. An occupational therapist may be able to help with this. Speak to your nurse if you are having a lot of memory problems.

Steroids

Steroids are medicines that can be used to treat some symptoms and side effects, including pain and sickness. They may sometimes help with fatigue in the short term, particularly for people with advanced cancer. There is some evidence that they may make it easier to do physical activity.

Steroids are not suitable for everyone, and they should only be used for a short time. If steroids are not taken properly, they can cause problems sleeping and stomach problems, so follow your doctor’s advice. Steroids can cause your blood sugar level to rise. Your doctor or nurse will need to monitor this if you have diabetes.

Updated October 2022

To be reviewed October 2025