When Will I Feel Normal Again!!

Hello.....

I think you have summed up well the yoyo effect of recovery from this treatment. There are so many contributors who will agree with you. I know several people who went back to work then after a few months found that' normal' wasn't the same and retired. Others who can't retire, can struggle intermittently. . 

However, sometimes the fatigue you are feeling can have a physical cause. After the severe treatments of chemo and radiotherapy, some deficiencies can occur in our bloods. Ask your GP for a full blood test. I had deficiencies in B12, B6, and B1 plus magnesium. I now take these regularly some daily., some stronger doses monthly but they have helped. I do have more energy again but it has taken years not months.

The most important thing.....you are you. How you reacted to the treatments will not be exactly the same as anyone else. Don't get demoralised when you see celebrities on tv appearing to return to their previous lives or when you read of those who just took two days off a month from work for chemo and life ' is fine now'. If they are being honest, it is just they had a different reaction to you. The tiredness you feel is very common. More people react like you than you can imagine. And because only you know how you really feel, always check out something that doesn't feel quite right with a medical professional.

I wish you well. Recovery is long but you are getting there and life.....whatever changes we end up making....is still there to be lived and enjoyed. 

Take care. Karen.

1. Hi, I too have been feeling really tired all if a sudden, just like in the beginning when I had my diagnosis. I’ve had a busy couple of weeks but I around 4pm every day I have to have a sleep in the sofa. My chemo finished in December 2023. I do believe this can happen that chemotherapy take its toll and fatigue sets in even months later. I’m going to speak to my oncologist at my next appointment.

Hi

Thank you for replying, sounds very similar to how I've been feeling. If I have a few busy days it knocks me for six and have to rest quite a bit to get over it. 

I do wish someone at the hospital had spoken to me after my last chemo session to let me know what to expect, I think if you're prepared for it it's easier to handle.

Good luck, i hooe this settles for us all! 

I was diagnosed August 2020, had chemo, lumpectomy, radiotherapy, zoledronic acid infusions for 3 years and I'm on hormone therapy for 5 years (zoladex and exemestane).

I still really have to pace myself. My energy levels are fairly low, though that doesn't mean I'm sitting around not doing anything. I'm running, but I keep that to a few times a week. I use lunchtimes to get out there in the open air with the dog etc rather than after work when I'm too tired. I make sure I don't have social events on over consecutive weekends. I just need to manage myself better now.

No idea if my pre-cancer energy levels will return once I have finished hormone treatment, but I think it is pretty normal to still be fatigued for years after diagnosis. I work from home to manage energy levels and I still have days during the week or weekends when I need to go and have a sleep during the day. I'd say that is still at least once a week.

It also takes me a while to et over either a big social event, or a period of stress. i no longer bounce back - I can be extra fatigued for weeks.

Hoping energy comes back a bit more, but I just pick and choose what I really want to do now as I don't have the energy for everything any more.

• Hi, I’m in the same treatments as you are. I’m planning on going back to work ASAP as my money stops this month other than PIP. Not sure how I’m going to be, radio starts on Thursday. I work I a school so not sure how I’m going to cope?? Going for the best!