7 Ways to Manage Ovarian Cancer Fatigue and Maximize Your Energy

All of this can make living your life and enjoying the activities and people you love feel challenging. But there are strategies that can help. “The goal is to work around it, conserve energy, and utilize energy when it’s available,” says Dr. David-West.

1. Rule Out Other Factors That May Be Draining Your Energy

Things such as depression, excessive weight loss, inadequate nutrition, and poor sleep can all make fatigue worse. “Both a depressed mood and malnutrition can impact functional status and contribute to fatigue,” says Gina M. Mantia-Smaldone, MD, an associate professor of surgical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. And fatigue can lead to feelings of depression, so it can become a tricky cycle.

Depending on the symptoms you have, consulting with specialists such as a therapist or nutritionist can be helpful, says David-West. “A focus on a high-protein, low-sugar diet that minimizes processed foods is important to avoid sugar rushes and subsequent crashes,” she says, noting that good fats provide energy stores and can help mitigate nutrition-related fatigue.

2. Plan Around Your Treatment Cycle

When going through treatment, your energy levels can fluctuate from day to day. David-West recommends observing the first cycle to understand how your body responds, noting which days are especially difficult — for example, the first week after an infusion — and which leave you with higher energy levels. “Based on this, you can carve out a personalized schedule,” she says. For instance, wherever possible, avoid scheduling social events, multiple appointments, or big commitments at work when you anticipate feeling your worst. “This proactive time management helps you navigate treatment while maintaining your quality of life,” says David-West.

3. Lean On Friends and Family

On days when fatigue is at its worst, friends and family can provide emotional support, says Dr. Mantia-Smaldone. And don’t feel bad relying on family, friends, or neighbors for practical help. Chances are, they’ll be happy to pitch in with chores, meal prep, or everyday tasks that can be a struggle for you to complete when you’re low on energy.

4. Outsource Tasks That Zap Your Energy

If you don’t have family or friends who are close by and able to help, look into local chapters of organizations that could assist with meal delivery, groceries, and more. “Tapping into any available resource ultimately helps patients manage their energy,” says David-West.

Services such as Meals on Wheels America or the Food Is Medicine Coalition are two good options. Check if your health insurance offers assistance programs, too.

5. Incorporate Gentle Activity Into Your Day

That said, “The key is to exercise when energy is present, not to push through profound fatigue,” says David-West. She recommends aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming, and gentle activities, such as yoga, to stay active without overtaxing your body.

6. Don’t Fight the Fatigue

Staying active and focusing on quality sleep are powerful ways to manage fatigue, but it’s also important to accept that some fatigue is unavoidable. “Fatigue is multifactorial, meaning it’s influenced by factors beyond ovarian cancer itself, including emotions, sleep deprivation, anemia, psychological factors, and physical changes like decreased muscle mass and protein stores,” says David-West. Rather than fight it, acknowledge when it’s there, rest when you need to, and trust that the feeling will pass.

7. Discuss When Fatigue May Be a Red Flag

Tell your doctor about any fatigue that’s unrelenting, worsening, or not improving with rest, as this could be a sign that treatment isn’t working as expected or the cancer is progressing, says David-West.

You should also let your oncology team know if the fatigue is accompanied by dizziness, which could be a sign of worsening anemia, Mantia-Smaldone advises.

Any fatigue that’s accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting also warrants a call to your care team, Mantia-Smaldone adds. Depending on the cause, they may recommend adjusting the treatment dosage or taking a short treatment break. Or they may want to try adding on a treatment to address an underlying cause of fatigue, such as thyroid hormone replacement to treat an underactive thyroid. Fatigue with excessive sleepiness in the morning may be due to medication and is different from end-of-the-day fatigue. Be observant and tell your doctor about little things, as they can provide clues to fixing the fatigue.

At the end of the day, “It’s always important to keep an open dialogue with your [healthcare] provider,” emphasizes Mantia-Smaldone.