Fatigue

Hi  just wanted to reassure you that it's still very early days and highly likely that you will regain your strength in time! However it might be worth requesting a blood test, if you haven't had one presently, to check iron levels, B12 and Folate levels. All of which can cause fatigue!

However sadly, sometimes people can be left with long term fatigue which is horrid, especially when you are so young. I suffer with fatigue but for many different reasons but it's been ongoing since I turned 40, diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 38 and Secondaries at 40! 

What I have learnt is that theres no point beating myself up over it. ITS NOT YOUR FAULT!! The best thing you can do is listen to your body, rest when you need to and exercise when you are able. Your children will love every minute thet get to spend with you, so if it's a choice between hoovering the house or playing with the children then the children should always come top! Let others help if they offer, I know it's not great accepting that you aren't as able as you think you should be, but accept this is how it is for now and hopefully sometime soon you will start to feel more able. 

Take things one day at a time Hun. The most important thing for your husband and children is that you are still here!! Sending ((((((HUGS))))) your way. Sal xxx

Hello Sal

Thanks so much for replying so quickly. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I see from your profile that you have had a really tough time and are still going through it. I wish you well and I hope your pain is well managed and everything remains stable. 

I will just have to chill out and stop trying so hard to be the former me.

Sending you big hugs also. 

Take care

Diane xxx

      Hello,

  It is five years since my cancer diagnosis and my treatment was very similar to yours. After surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. Once I had finished, we thought things would begin to improve but was shocked by how long it took to get over the fatigue. It has improved now.....I just get tired ( which might be old age anyway) but no comparison to the fatigue that came on after radiotherapy had finished. It probably lasted around two years ..........LondonLass is right to tell you to have a blood test if the fatigue doesn't start to ease a bit. Last year my neurologist discovered I had deficiencies in B1, 6, and 12 plus vitamin D. Gradually, still taking daily pills, I am less tired. So I agree it would be worth having them checked.

However, over the years, I have read many posts which ask about the length of the fatigue. It is ofcourse a ' how long is a piece of string' question but very reassuring that it is very common.

I also understand your fear about the mammogram.  Again, I think most of us start to wonder as the annual date is close. My five year is on the 26th. Have you suddenly got aches in your breast or breast area? I do. Every time! It goes with the results but a couple of times I was really concerned because the scar tissue had formed another lump. I was again surprised how long it has taken the scar tissue to properly heal. I think at last this year the lumps have settled down.

I wish you well. You may need to rest from time to time which I can see will be difficult with small children. Never feel guilty if for a few months more you must put yourself first. In the long  term your children will appreciate you more when you are sucessfully fully recovered as I'm sure you will be.

Take care and stay safe.

Love Karen

Hi , I was diagnosed almost a year ago. Stage 3 so chemo first,then mastectomy and anc followed by radiotherapy,herceptin and tamoxifen.

I'm struggling with fatigue also but my oncologist and breast care nurse have been really supportive and reassuring that it's normal and will hopefully pass. It's still very early since your main treatment, as with me. I kind of feel like I've been running on a hamster wheel of physical and mental stress and you kind of keep going while your on it, but now I've got off I'm knackered! I do feel like the fatigue is slowly lifting and have good and bad days. I'd say prioritise the nice stuff,cuddle with the kids and reading or watching a movie together when you are tired. Look on Amazon for labour saving gadgets to help with cleaning (id love a cleaner but too scared re covid!) Ready meals are a godsend. As others have advised it might be useful to get bloods checked to put your mind at ease, and sometimes you just need a duvet day and you should 100% have one and not feel bad about it. 

Fingers crossed you start to feel better soon xxx

Hello Karen 

Thanks so much for the lovely reply. It's good to hear other people's experiences. I couldn't believe you said about the breast pain. I got my appointment letter on Monday and my breast has been sore all week! Totally crazy!

Thanks for the info and I am glad to hear that the fatigue is normal. Its just quite hard to accept but I am so grateful to be alive and over the worst of the treatment.

Good luck for your mammogram. I'm sure it doesn't get any easier facing it every year but aren't we so lucky the NHS keeps a check on us. 

Take care 

Diane xxx

Hi Cheeboe

Thanks for getting in touch. Yes it sounds like we are around the same stage. I feel exactly the same as you. Going through the treatment and travelling to the hospital is mentally and physically drainng and now that all that has stopped I am just realising how tired I am. I would also like to get a cleaner but am terrified of letting anyone in the house because of covid. I just try to keep the place tidy and my poor husband has to do all the cleaning lol.

How are you finding the Tamoxifen? My hot flushes are crazy. 

Take care 

Diane xxx

Not sure why those wee emojis appeared there. Ignore them x

The emojis are an ongoing issue, you put one and they pop up randomly. 

I'm not finding the hot flushes too bad touch wood, I take tamoxifen at 5.30 and will feel a bit hot and bothered in the evening and occasionally wake me up. I feel cold a lot more than I used to strangely! My main side effect has been joint and joint aches, especially in my feet. I get really stiff in mornings or after being sat down etc and have to hobble about for a bit. Feel about 100 some days!

One thing a nurse said to me I found really helpful was to be your own benchmark,don't compare to anyone else. You'll hopefully see that you are slowly getting better. For example a couple of weeks ago I had to rest after changing a bed. Today I've done 3 and got them all in the laundry and feel ok. So small steps but getting there fingers crossed! 

Take care xxx

Hi thought it might be useful if I popped on as I'm slightly ahead of you . I was diagnosed end June 2019 had op and finished chemo in Dec. Now ongoing herceptin til Jan and six monthly infusions til end 2022.

So do get leg/ bone ache and fatigue but it does improve had appointment with Onco last week first face to face since Feb. Bloods all clear and heart scan good so I asked about fitness levels and fatigue and she agrees it's normal ..it just takes time 

As Cheeboe says we just have to make adjustments and celebrate the small victories lol

So I will go for a walk on a morning 2/3 miles but now instead of needing a sleep when I'm back ten min sit down does it . I'm a lot better in the mornings so slow cooker a god send . Best bit of advice listen to your body if it says rest do so I also now plan for rest days .ive learnt not to go mad when I feel ok but pace myself so I last longer lol  

So will do picnic lunch tomorrow put in car with a book and get hubby to drive somewhere with a view . Might get out for walk might not but will get out of house . 

Take care you will get there