Yes, it is normal to experience fatigue following brain tumor treatment. Brain tumor treatment fatigue is a feeling of tiredness, often more severe than tiredness normally felt from a lack of a good night's sleep. Individuals have described brain tumor fatigue as weakness, exhaustion, lack of energy, sleepiness, drowsiness, confusion and impatience. Most people have a lack of pep, feel a strong desire to stop and rest, and a strong desire to lay down and sleep. When people experience cancer fatigue, it may affect the way they think. They may have trouble paying attention, reading, watching television, or talking with family members. They may find they may not be able to do all the activities that they used to do. It is not known what the cause of brain tumor fatigue is. Some ideas to manage brain tumor treatment fatigue are:

• Plan your day so that you have time to rest.

• Take short naps or breaks, rather than one, long rest period.

• Eat as well as you can and drink plenty of fluids.

• Take short walks or do light exercise if possible.

• Try easier or shorter versions of activities you enjoy.

• Try activities that are less strenuous, like listening to music or reading.

• Save your energy for the most important things.

• Become comfortable asking others to help with things that you used to be able to do alone.

• Develop consistent sleep habits (go to bed and get up at the same time every day).

If you continue to have problems with brain tumor treatment fatigue, consult your physician or oncology nurse.