Does palliative care help with persistent fatigue?

The assessment considers sleep, pain, breathlessness, mood, nutrition, hydration, medicines, infection symptoms, and the effects of cancer or its treatment. Your team may suggest balancing activity with planned rests, simplifying tasks, accepting practical help, and using gentle movement when appropriate. They may also coordinate tests or treatment for a contributor such as pain, poor sleep, nausea, or low blood counts. The aim is to help you use available energy for activities that matter to you.

Track when fatigue is strongest and what makes it better or worse. Prioritise essential tasks, sit for activities when possible, keep commonly used items nearby, and ask someone to help with meals or transport. Maintain fluids and small nourishing meals if you can. Tell your oncology team before changing activity or medicines, especially if fatigue began suddenly or is stopping you from washing, eating, walking, or taking treatment.

Call your cancer team promptly if fatigue suddenly becomes much worse or comes with fever, dizziness, new confusion, bleeding, chest discomfort, worsening breathlessness, or an inability to keep fluids down. Emergency help is appropriate for fainting, severe breathing difficulty, new one-sided weakness, or difficulty staying awake.

Could a symptom, medicine, sleep problem, or treatment effect be adding to my fatigue? Which activities are safe for me? What changes should prompt a same-day call?