Fatigue

Can’t help as not had the same surgery and haven’t started on the hormone therapy yet but hoping this keeps you on the first page and some one sees it who can help 

Hi Violetsniff, I’m on hormone therapy too (anastrozole rather than letrozole, similar list of side effects). I too feel tired in a totally different way from pre treatment tiredness. I’m sure  it’s the hormone therapy. I worked full time pre cancer, I’ve been back at work for nearly 8 months now but am still doing only 3 days per week. On my GP’s advice I do alternate days so I have a day to ‘recover’ in between. This also allows me to do weekly Nordic walking and swimming, which were recommended by my lympheodema nurse (bad boob didn’t appreciate the radiotherapy and developed lympheodema afterwards). I definitely find that exercise helps with the fatigue, luckily I love walking (but hate swimming, I just do it because it definitely helps the lympheodema. And I like the coffee afterwards!)

I think I’ve heard others talk about post active treatment fatigue. I am considering retiring earlier than planned because of it, and like you I do say no to more things than I used to. I usually just say that the medication that I’m on makes me tired. Sadly just another rarely acknowledged aspect of the c*** that is cancer!! But on the plus side I walk a lot more than I did before, weirdly I can walk for miles and can keep up with all my non-cancer-survivor friends! And am equally happy to walk alone, I find it very calming and therapeutic.

Hope it helps to know you’re not alone in feeling tired. And of course if you feel that you are getting worse, do go along to the docs and ask for a blood test just to check you’re not low on Vitamin D or other things that contribute to weariness. HFxxx

Owwwww this is soooo me, every single thing is an effort, and as for driving, I still try to avoid driving at all costs.

You say ladies of 80-90 leave you standing, this is just like me, my lovely Mum is 89 years young and phones asking if we can do this or do that, shall we go here, shall we go there..... I'm like arrrrr zzZZzzzzz

Can I ask this as an added question, how does everyones head feel.... meaning, this is so hard to put into words, my head feels 'empty' - like if I think about my head, there are no thoughts or expressions in there, if this makes sense.... now have I always had it or is this a sign/side effect from depleted oestrogen  arrrrghhhhh

Sending love and hugs xxxxx 

Thankyou so much for your helpful and lovely replies.It is nice to know I am not alone...you are so lovely.

nowWhatHappened....not sure if I have the same feeling in my head as you describe but hooe somebody can help you with that XxxVioletsniffxxx

Hi Violetsniff ... I’m on Letrozole too but it mainly affects my joints, which were problematic at times before bc. It sounds as though you get fatigued and, as has been mentioned, you may have low vit d levels. Keeping active helps me with Letrozole effects and energy levels. I’ve also been eating too much rubbish lately and I find that has a negative affect too.

hugs xx

Thankyou,....

unusually for me,I am on a quite healthy diet really...and have been for a while.I seem to have evolved a taste for nuts and grains and fresh fruit,so thats ok...also have given up drinking at all.

i walk everywhere,as I dont have a car,so not that I dont think.

It was interesring that you said about junk food making your joints worse.

but still get shattered, really really shattered ...

Anyway,thankyou for your help,lovely Xxx

Violetsniff  great to have a healthy diet. I’m not too bad as I cook from scratch, like veg etc too. It’s when I get a craving for biscuits, I’ve started making my own if I want some, ice cream or chocolate and I can go overboard. I think it usually happens when it’s bad weather so not active, sit and read or doing something where I’m static so joints feel more stiff. Plus the added weight because of eating ‘treats’.... not good. And it does make me feel more tired ... catch 22. I don’t get shattered although Ive  experienced fatigue on a few occasions but do have a general tiredness about me ... doesn’t stop me doing anything though. I aim to eat fruit/nuts when I feel the need to snack and have a break from the bad stuff.

How are you today?

xx

Hi Violetsniff and Flossie,

yes I get tired too, but suspect it might be that it’s a) time of year as autumn always has me sleeping longer and b) lovely Letrozole, as when I wake I often get a hot flush which takes a little while to settle. 
I too have an urge to eat more in the autumn, maybe it’s ‘putting on a winter coat’!!! But do try to make it healthy food if I snack, like you Flossie, fruit or nuts. 

hugs to you all xxx

Hello,Lovelies,

am ok thankyou,Flossie25....

yes,going for the nuts and fruit sounds like a good plan.I think making your own ice cream is such a cool idea.I get low-calorie ice cream for a treat...but no way am I a saint...I have just ordered belgium chocolate eclairs in my shopping delivery...!!(Grandma used to say a little of what you fancy does you good!)

I also agree that extra weight adds to the general fatigue and also pressure on sore hips etc,so I  try to be good....

I think you are right ...I think people do put on weight to overwinter....My Dad used to say that.

I am resring today and making jewellary,and reading a Whodunnit,but I do try to get out as often as possible.My activies take me on a 2-mile round trip 3-4 times a week,too,by foot.

I think I have read somewhere that letrozole can cause fatigue...but if you tell people you are tired that sounds so generalised that their immediate response is,”Oh I am too”.

well,there we are,thanks Letrozole!another side effect they never told me about.But at least we know we are doing most we can to stop the cancer coming back....that vision is too horrible Xxx