Feeling awful about the tiredness.

I take exemestane  and joint pain and fatigue are a real problem. I think part of the problem is the expectation, from ourselves as well as others ,that once surgery, chemo, and radiotherapy are complete we are "better". It is very hard to adapt to life in a slower lane but we have no choice . 

I have just returned to work also on a phased return. I take exemestane and really struggle with the tiredness. It feels as though my brain just turns off ,especially in the afternoon. I don't think my colleagues really grasp how bad it feels. I think because I look OK on the outside, they think I'm OK on the inside, but I'm definitely not.

Hi well I was taking letrrazole  but after 6 months came of it and for me the fatigue is much worse now I'm told its from the radiotherapy and can last up to a year don't want to upset anyone but it's a fact I'm worse now with fatigue than ever 

Hi Glade, I really feel for you as I have found the fatigue the worst side effect from Anastrozole. I went back to teaching on a phased return, doing alternate days on the advice of my GP. I never managed to get any further. Every work day was a horrible struggle, only just bearable because I knew I’d be off the next day. Even that became too much and I ended up signed off sick, having struggled for months. I felt incredibly guilty about not being able to keep up with paperwork and was also forgetting things. Thankfully I was eventually able to retire a few years earlier than planned. The relief was overwhelming. 

I know this is not an option for most people so feel very lucky that it was possible. Obviously it’s had financial consequences but I really couldn’t have carried on. 

Now that I’m retired, the fatigue remains but it’s manageable. And I’ve finally learned to say no to things I can’t cope with. Strangely I can walk for England, I think it’s a mental fatigue for me. And definitely no more early mornings - I used to be up by 6 to leave the house by 7 but that start to the day would still make me feel ill so early starts are a definite no no! All down to oestrogen starvation I am sure. 

Sorry you’re having to struggle on with work, I can only sympathise and try to encourage you to ditch the guilt and practise saying no…. easier said than done, I know. Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

I am very lucky to be able to work from home as whenever I see anyone face to face, it exhausts me. However, I just wanted to say that I ty and run most days and am pretty active with other things too. I don't find fatigue that bad and I think it's because I am doing a lot of exercise, I definitely still need to pace myself and can get very tired but day to day I'm pretty OK.

I'm 7 months post-chemo, 6 months post lumpectomy and 4 months post radiotherapy.

I also worked all the way through treatment and I don't know if that actually might have helped with things like chemo-brain. Forcing my brain to stay active (especially when I could not do much physically during chemo) seemed to keep away the brain fog.

I think the more you do, the more you will find the fatigue starts to get better - though obviously you will still need to be kind to yourself and pace yourself. 

Are you getting out and walking every day, or some other activity? Exercise is one of the best things for fatigue, I also find it really helps me mentally and notice it when I haven't been outside enough some days,

Yes I gave 2 dogs I walk abs try to stay active but it’s hit. E like a ton of bricks I’m 66 but feel 96 can’t explain it anymore than that 

I am surprised at how tired I am and finding the fatigue a real struggle. I have only been taking Letrozole for 7 days but since I started taking it I’ve been sleeping quite poorly. I’m fortunate as I took early retirement so don’t have work to consider, I really sympathise with you having to struggle to work. I am normally very active, I look after an elderly aunt and I have two active dogs that I normally walk for hours every day. My surgery was only three weeks two days ago but I’m amazed at how quickly I have lost my stamina and the effort I have to make to do anything, and yes the frustration is always at the forefront. I keep telling myself it’s my body’s way of coping with the healing process. I think it’s important that all of us on our various journeys need to remind ourselves of how fragile we currently are and to stop expecting to be superwomen and carry on as we usually would.

Thank you so much for all the replies and support. I've taken note of all the advice and suggestions. 

I think that you've hit the nail on the head. Expectations from ourselves as well as others. 

My best wishes and virtual hugs to you all.

One step at a time.

that is exactly it. My down time as I call it seems to be around 4 or 5 pm.

At least we understand each other. Which is the beauty of this forum.

Thank you so much.

CVMyes, you're right .

We are not superwoman and should not expect to do what we used to.

Thank you so much for being there and understanding.