Post-chemo, post-surgery, post-rads, fatigue...?

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NatureGrrl
NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hey, everyone,

I finished chemo last Sept (hurrah!), had a lumpectomy with all negative biopsies at the end of Oct. (another hurrah!), and finished radiation last week (hurrah, hurrah!).  Now I'm waiting to see if I'll be able to continue herceptin (last muga was at 47%).  I started Arimidex a week ago after I finished rads.

I should mention that in addition to going through my own cancer battle for the last 10 months, I was living with and caring for my mother, who also had cancer and dementia and some other problems.  She died right before Christmas.  So I have that added level of physical and emotional stress.

My question... when did you start getting some energy back after all your treatments?  Is the Arimidex going to kill any returning energy?  I know my low muga could mean my heart is contributing to my fatigue but I had another muga yesterday and I'm hoping to see improvement in the score.  I'd just like to know that I can and will get energy back!  I don't feel as bad as post-chemo but I'm still dragging around more and sleeping a lot (when I sleep, which is one problem). I know it's only been a week since I've been off rads and I'm still dealing with the emotional impact of a whole lot of very draining events in my life but I want to feel better again! Can you give me some hope?

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    My treatment was a little different from yours - first surgery (unimast) then chemo then rads, no herceptin and I'm on tamoxifen.

    I was told 6 months to a year to get back to normal energy levels. My experience was that when I finished rads (mid-Aug 2009) I was at about 5% of my normal energy, and now 5 months later I'm at abut 50%.

    I still find it frustrating to be so tired and dragged-out.

    By the way, I'm 59.

    Leah

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  • domenique
    domenique Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2010

    Hi there,

    I had a lumpectomy, chemo and then rads... I was soooo exhausted.  It really took about 6 months for me to even begin to feel normal energy levels.  By 8 months 60%...and continued to improve.  Really, it's been a year now since I finished everything and I feel great.  I am taking tamoxifen which is not a big deal for me.  Consider what you went through!  And with your mom.  That is alot to recover from, physically, emotionally, and mentally!  But each day you will feel better.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2010

    I'd say a year or even longer. I really didn't feel 'almost' normal until 2 years out!! Try to get some sort of exercise. That seems like strange advise when you are so tired, but it really helps! Good luck!

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  • ajjstwo
    ajjstwo Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2010

    Has anyone had side effects from taking Arimidex?  I had partial masectomy and went through 36 radiation treatments.  In April, it will be one year since finishing radiation but I am still sooooooo tired.  I do absolutely nothing.  I do not have energy, joints ache, weight gain, and am beginning to feel desperate.  I wonder if it is the medication or that I am still getting over radiation,  I try everyday to be positive.  I am thankful to be alive, just wish I could do something to get strength back.  I am tired of living like a zombie?

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2010

    NatureGrrl ~ My course of tx was also a bit different than yours (2 surgeries, chemo, rads, then a reconstructive surgery -- all rather strung out...), and I can honestly tell you there were days and weeks when I thought I would never be the same as pre-dx.  Other than during chemo, I think my very worst time was about 2 months after I'd finished chemo.  Every muscle and joint in my body hurt, and I was so weak I could barely climb a flight of stairs.  But the good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I just takes a lot longer than they ever let on to us going into tx.  I'm exactly 2 years post-dx, and I am finally feeling stronger and happier.  One thing that has been a salvation for me is walking, which I started soon after I finished rads.  I now walk for about an hour most mornings (although I started slower), and it has been the best thing for my physical and emotional healing.  So, hang in there!  I think some of the stress of what we've been through doesn't even hit us until it's over.  And you've had that extra stress of your Mother's illness and recent passing.  Go easy on yourself, and as ruthbru said above, figure it may take a year to rebuild your body and heal emotionally, but it will happen in time.    (((Hugs)))  Deanna

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Oh Nature G.and Ajj, I have complicated treatment issues in that I also have fibromyalgia, hypothyroidsim and CEBV. Have you seen a reumatolgist to rule out any underlying conditions. had thyroid tested, etc. How were your blood counts during your treatment? How are they now? We all want to be the superwomen we were B4 BC. I have had surgery and one chemo. Post surgery, I was in the hospital for pneumonia (asthma). The chemo (3 weeks ago)  was a disaster because I had a severe reaction. Chemo and RADS are a b*tch. The fatigue is like nothing I have felt and yes, I am spending days on the couch when I want to be on the beach. But I truly need rest and good diet high in protein. Please, go easy on yourself, one day at a time!! I truly have to plan my day to do one major thing at a time-like grocery shopping one day-rest-laundry the next-rest. Literature suggests that you only plan for :15 minute outings at a time, like to take a walk, etc.. My Mom died after very long illness and I was her primary caregiver and hospice caregiver. After she passed, my Dad had a stroke AND then I was diagnosed with BC. I have had no chance to really grieve all of the losses.Nor to stop and care for myself. These are major losses for you! The exhaustion from the BC treatment is absolute fatigue, But I was also very depressed and I had to get that treated too. Does your ONC team have a nutritionist that you can meet with and maybe get on a diet that will energize you, post chemo. Just a few thoughts, ((HUGS)) SV

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited February 2010

    I am sorry about your Mom I am sure that was difficult for you.  

    But,  Congratulations to you..... on completing your medical tx !!!  Now, it is time to work on your body, mind and spirit!

     First I had 22 weeks of chemo, modified radical mast, and 34 rads.  Was on Femara for a while and did my research and just didn't like how I felt.... didn't like what I read about it, and so  I have gone totally holistic.  ( I have met several women who are long term survivors who tell me they chose to take nothing.)  I am not a person who is interested in taking a drug and then taking another to counteract the first one.  I also feel I would rather have a shorter quality life than a life ridden with s/e's from pharmaceuticals

    I have wonderful counselors, medical advisors and my oncologist is a personal friend.  She says, knowing me, she thinks the least medical intervention,the better I will be.

    I take high potency vitamins and supplements,  I go for Reiki therapy, I read and  and listened to healing tapes, and books.  Still do!!     I take tap dance!  I am just a little over one year since rads.  I feel quite normal.  I work 3 days a week, and play the rest!  I am dancing in a recital fund raiser for Hospice! 

    I encourage you to do your research and listen to your heart.  For me, Reiki was profound.  We are all at a different awareness or spiritual level and that is OK.  You need to go with what you are most comfortable with.  I have a dear friend who is an 11 year survivor who did it holistically and she has been inspirational to me.  You can do it!!  Claim your healing and move on with your life.

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited February 2010

    P..S. to include stillverticle.  I also was hypothyroid.  I now treat that with Lugol's iodine which also blocks the estrogen  in the breasts.  My oncologist told me she was pretty sure my thyroid had something to do with my b/c.  I encourage you to do some research as well.  There sure seems to be a connection with bc and thyroid  and also with synthroid and fybromyalgia.  One of the nurses told me they never saw fybromyalgia until the wide use of synthroid! 

    At my last mammogram, my lumps in my remaining breast were smaller and she said she thinks it is from the Lugol's.

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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited February 2010

    Wow, thanks, everyone, for all the answers and support. 

    I just got back from my oncologist's and my muga this week was down a bit MORE (from 46% in Jan. to 45.3% now) so I'm seeing a cardiologist next week, maybe get some meds that will help my heart mend faster, and I'm off Herceptin for good.  No strenuous exercise for now because of my heart.  They felt my heart was probably the biggest reason for my fatigue but there are so many things going on that it would be hard to pull apart all the threads and say, this much is post-rads, this much is heart...

    Anyway, the best thing I got out of all your posts is that although our stories may vary, I'm probably normal in my slow recovery.  I don't know why I thought I would be bounding tall buildings one week after rads were done!  I'm going to be checked for my thyroid and iron work (although my hemoglobin is creeping back up to normal, slow but sure) at the end of Feb.

    I'm seeing a therapist, that helps with the emotional part; I think nutritionist is a good idea, because I'm too tired to cook or even eat much and know I need to improve in that area as well. and I have other resources, too, and I do my own research and follow my gut (which is why I had a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy, but that's another story).   

    I'm 58 (yesterday) and so I know my age will slow my recovery a bit more than someone 20 years younger but I was strong when I found out I had cancer and plan to be strong again!

    Again, thank you so much... I was so discouraged when I got out of the oncologist's today, I really needed to see all your fantastic and supportive words.  It's hard to focus on positives and healing when I'm so emotionally and physcially drained but I'll keep working on it. And now I don't feel like such a oddball and know I need to give myself time.  Thank you, all.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2010

    Give yourself time; but also try to do some fun/interesting things for yourself. Go out for coffee with friends, take a class in something you've always been interested in, join a choir, a book club, whatever......even though you are tired; getting immersed in something you love is great therapy mentally and physically (and then you are amazed that you haven't even thought about 'cancer' for a couple hours or maybe even a whole day!!!).

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  • ktn
    ktn Member Posts: 181
    edited February 2010

    Hi! I have to agree with other posts about taking things a step at a time. I had a double mast. then DD chemo and 5+ weeks of radiation. i was told to give myself a year after radiation to feel better. I finished radiation last Feb. so i'm nearing the one year. I'm able to work my part time 12hour shift as a nurse at the hospital but also have days where I feel exhausted and just take it easy. I think back to last june when I stopped needing to wear a wig and now I need haircuts! Celebrate the little things along the way and things do improve. Also about the arimidex- I've been on it since last March and initially had some bad side effects. I still get joint stiffness but much of the other stuff has disappeared. Good Luck!

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