Overwhelming fatigue 4 weeks after Mastectomy

JenXX

Hello all:

 I had a full mastectomy of the right breast with removal of 4 lymph nodes (which were clear) 4 weeks ago and this week it seems like my fatigue has become worse than before.  Last week I went to Hawaii on a trip I had booked before the diagnosis - I took it easy, but was still pretty active.  I've been back a week and can't get out of bed in the morning, and after a cup of tea I'm unable to do really anything.  I haven't started chemo yet.  Has anyone else had this problem or have any ideas?  I'm supposed to be working 50% to keep my medical benefits but wasn't able to go in yesterday.

 Thanks!

barbe1958

Apparently it takes one month to recover for every hour you are under anaesthetic. I was under for 4 hours, ergo, 4 months. Also, your body is in shock from the initial surgery AND the diagnosis.

If it continues, check with your doc as it could be a sign of depression, but hey, we should be depressed with all we go through!

Keep posting...it helps. Really.  Even in the middle of the night, someone is here for you.

samiam40

Of course you are exhausted--you had a mx 4 weeks ago and took a trip to Hawaii on top of that!  The farthest I went a few weeks after my mx was to the grocery store!  Take as much time as you can to put your feet up and rest.  Your body has been through a huge trauma, you need to respect that and be kind to yourself.

NatureGrrl

I can't add to the excellent answers you've gotten except to add support and say it isn't surprising to me that you're tired -- even with reduced activity, a trip to Hawaii a month after surgery is really taxing to your body. (but it sounds lovely -- I'd go in a heartbeat!)  Give yourself time to rest and heal more, and keep your dr. informed... and take good and gentle care of yourself!  That's the hard part for me -- my head always wants my body to be further along than it is!  As I was reminded once (and it made me want to grind my teeth, but I saw the truth in it), we heal in (God's, the universe's, whatever you want to insert here) time, not ours.   In other words, be patient! (but do keep your dr. informed!).  Warm hug.

JenXX

Thanks for all the useful comments - I appreciate it.

A friend of mine had knee surgery same day as my Mx and said I had to up my protein which helps the body to create new tissue.  So I started adding more protein and felt better after about a week.  Tomorrow I start chemo so I will have all sorts of NEW fatigue issues, .... blech.

Thanks,

Jen

barbiecorn

I am experience fitigue after six months BMX - has anyone gone through this - I am so afraid of a recurrence and the symptoms it may bring.

gumshoe

Hi Barbiecorn - You might want to create a new post for this. I noticed the date is 2009! Sometimes I wish they'd archive old posts because I have done the same thing.

Moonshine51

yes I do! I had a unilateral mastectomy 3 weeks ago and I had more energy the first week than now. Maybe it was pain meds? All I know is I'm low energy, fluctuating moods, and off and on back pain on same side as surgery! I just was checking to see if anyone else was having issues

Olami

Hi I finished chemo on May 11th 2017 and just had a mastectomy of both breast. I was going to ask how long before the fatigue leaves, but you answered that question. So now my next question is how long before the numbness in your arms subsides? My surgery was June 13th 2017, less than 2 weeks ago.

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