Fatigue and brain fog

Oh I’m so sorry to hear how you’re feeling , I’ve had fatigue and brain fog and only had a 3rd of the radiotherapy that you’ve had. No chemo or zolodex! 
The radiotherapy alone will knock you for six , even after this amount of time, letrozole (which I am taking ) also has its side affects of fatigue, and working full time ! You’re a Trojan ! 
your husband needs to be a bit more understanding .

Can you talk to your BCN about it , or your GP?

 Emma1972 ......hello...

The fatigue after radiotherapy  has finished is very common. I had it some months after my last session. I would be fine then it would suddenly hit me and I could barely take another step. I would have to sit down and often needed an afternoon rest. I know many others have written similar. Tell your husband that fatigue is not the same as feeling tired. Desk job or running a marathon, if it hits you can't control it.

What can you do? Well, actually I was fortunate that I was still seeing a specialist for another problem and I mentioned it. He sent me for blood tests and it showed I had deficiencies in B12, B6, B1, and zinc probably caused by the cancer treatments. So I was given medication to improve this and still take B12 every 10 days and a prescribed multivitamin for the rest. My bloods are now in the normal range ....but I also developed neuropathy and need the B vitamins for that.

I would recommend you ask your GP or BCN if you can have those vitamins checked. If you are deficient, it is unlikely the fatigue will just go away. If not, you will just unfortunately have to give it time to improve but be reassured, this is common and can continue for months beyond the end of treatment so you must be prepared to rest when you need to. 

I hope you feel better soon. Love Karen

Hi Emma1972

Thanks for your post,  sorry to hear you're having a tough time with Letrozole. 

I am 8 months  post chemotherapy and 5 months post radiotherapy.  I took Letrozole for 7 months and had hideous side effects. Most disturbing for me were the extreme fatigue, joint pain, low mood and brain fog.

My oncologist switched me to Anastrozole after a month's break from Letrozole. I started taking Anastrozole 3 wks ago. It's  early days but so far, I seem to be tolerating it better.  The low mood has gone, so has much of the pain. I still have fatigue, though I think it just might be lessening, fingers crossed. 

I am self-employed and worked very long hours prior to diagnosis treatment.  I am in no way able to work the way I did before at the moment.  I currently work part time and know that I couldn't manage any more hours.

I would speak to your oncologist or BCN and let them know how you are feeling. You may find there are options.

I have also found it really helpful to step up the external support in this 'post treatment' phase. Activities which are specifically for those who've had a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It can be very lonely and scary after active treatment ends. Do you have any resources in your area that you can access? 

I wish you all the very best.  Huge hug. Shaka

Thank you 

Thank you, that's helpful to know I will certainly look into that. It's just good to be able to message others who know what it's like x

It's a very long road isn't it and changes everything, thank you for your response x

I will ask about the change in meds x