Anyone diagnosed with CFIDS following treatment?

Brendatrue

I have experienced the adventure of breast cancer three times, with the last being an invasion of my chest wall in '09--which was addressed by biopsy, chemo (T/C), re-excision, and hormonal therapy (tamoxifen). I had a very difficult experience with T/C, and I never recovered to my former level of functioning. Fatigue continued to mount following chemo and throughout tamoxifen (which I still take--I cannot tolerate AIs). In January '11 I experienced a severe case of the flu, and it was like I jumped off a cliff at that point. I simply could not and did not recover, even to the level I experienced immediately prior to the flu. I developed multiple symptoms of Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, which my internist recognized fairly quickly. I became unable to continue my career and left employment in late April. Fortunately I was approved for SSDI and employer based LTD when I first applied. I am now challenged by living daily with complications of cancer treatment and CFIDS. I find that I am significantly more socially isolated, and I am hopeful to connect with others who find themselves in similar situations. Whew! It has taken more energy and concentration than I imagined just to write the above. I hope to hear from someone!

BelaT

awee, I am so sorry. Cancer in young women is nasty. My onco just handed me research produced yesterday about that. he wants me to take xanax

Brendatrue

Thanks for your support. From your post I am assuming you are experiencing anxiety, because your doctor wants you to try xanax. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, I also experienced anxiety and used low dose lorazepam with good results. I discovered that other techniques were very helpful to me over time: relaxation breathing, meditation, tai chi, guided imagery, music therapy, etc. With my third breast cancer "event," I experienced anxiety related to the effects of the T/C chemo regimen, so I again used low dose lorazapem as needed while also using so many of the relaxation techniques that I had learned over the years. I hope you will find what works best for you!