fatigue, anxiety and depression 3 years out

jfsnh · June 2010

I completed my tx in 2007 Stage 2B, mastectomy, chemo & radiation (usuccessful reconstruction. I have been tx for anxiety depression, PTSD all along. A year ago I started feeling tired--and it has just gotten worse every month. Bone weary, can't get off the couch fatgue. I have been for a sleep study, to an endocrinologist, neurologist, onc, GP--no one can find anything wrong. The MD's say it is depression, Psyche says I am depressed because of the fatigue. I am now looking at takeing 6-12 weeks out of work to "rest.' Has anyone felt like this and found answers?? I am at the end of my rope and just can not keep living this way. Thanks.

Cowgirl13 · June 2010

jfsnh, I have not had your experience but I would encourage you to take 6-12 weeks off to rest. Family leave act will cover your job i believe. Looking at your profile and seeing that you are an oncology nurse leads me to believe you have a very stressful job. It must be like dealing with cancer 24 hours a day. Take some time, be kind to yourself. Is there anything you would like to do that you haven't been able to do? Please don't give up. Also, you may need a change in your medication. Hang in there. You are a good person.

katkel · June 2010

Yes, I totally agree with Cowgirl. Take the time- for YOU. I truly believe that time for yourself is better than any medicine- for all of us. I am a single Mom with two boys, but I try to take a week or two each summer at the beach by myself. I look forward to it and I feel it rejuvinates me for the whole year.

You are worth it!!

Kathy

everyminute · July 2010

Feel free to tell me to go to he.... but have you tried exercise? I know it sounds counter intuitive but there is a lot of evidence showing that moderate exercise - yoga, walking, pilates - actually combats fatigue and depression

Of course you have to start off slowly and add on a little at a time but don't knock it till you try it!

I am a bc survivor, a personal trainer and I work solely with cancer survivors - I have an online group that started with the stage 3 board. Please pm me if you would like more information or some motivation (nagging)

Hope you feel better soon!

LeggyJ · July 2010

I give up, I'm tired, in pain, and no one helps. I'm 54 single and work as a gardener, bent over in the hot sun, working with a bunch of lazy boys. Two years ago, I did 8 rounds of TAC, Rads, and Tamoxifen, I have arthritis from head to toe, and this just sucks.....

jfsnh · July 2010

Hi--I have done the "exercise" thing, which brings me to todays problem. I did agree to take a month off from work. Right before that, I saw an MD for knee pain, which I attributed to my efforts to exercise, but he decided something was wrong, so he sent me for an MRI. The report came back "worrisome" for mets to the distal femur." My onc will do a PET and biopsy next Wed, and then if necessary a bone scan. Cr-p. So now I get to spent the "long weekend" worrying about my cancer instead of getting paid to worry about my patient's cancer. This is not the "rest" or break I need. I also had rising CA 15.3 markers a bit more then a year ago, which after following a few moths with min increase and a neg PET, we decided to stop following. More reason to worry, even forme, the oncology nurse. Anyone else with a "worrisome" MRI?

jfsnh · July 2010

Thanks, but my thyroid and Vit D are both normal. I saw an expert Endocrinologist as part of my workup.

nobleanna007 · July 2010

I was going to suggest the thyroid test, but see its been addressed.

I am having similar problems as you are, but I do have thyroid problems. I just feel the lst time I have felt this tired and realy felt and had to sleep with know other symptoms for 10hrs. was when I discovered I had cancer. I keep thinking its stress or getting off pain meds in May which was a very low dose. I have had headaches everyday and just feel blahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I ave been getting out in sun to give me the seretonin, and what not, but still feel tired!! My thyroid was tested 12 week ago and was good. I have not had a full blood count in6 months,

I am putting it all out their I am on 150mg ext.release effexor, 175mc levithryoide, and 2mgs clonzapan for sleep and anxiety. Still have major depression and I am one of the ones who is just waiting for the cancer to come back..

I am slowly killing myself cause I stil drink and smoke!!! I am so disgusted with myself for doing this, but I have the thought process of Oh Well its going too come back anyways so I should enjoy my life as it is now. How Crazy is that thought process!!!!

I think you are doing the best you can! I too had a reconstruction problem and am still facing 3 surgeries, so I am with ya!!! I feel till we are done we can't feel complete!!!

I live in Maine, and have a horse training in Hampton

nobleanna007 · July 2010

Sorry pushed the wrong button, but I have a horse in training in Hampton Falls and go there once a week if you ever want to meet and talk. I do understand how you feel!

Pm me!

Hugs-B

amoccia53160 · July 2010

Fatigue is a symptom of depression. Since everything else has been ruled out get yourself to your onc or primary and get on antidepressants. 12 weeks laying around at home will only make this illness worse. Do not continue to suffer. You will be feeling better in a week or two. Depression is a medical illness that can be treated. xxoo Annette

jfsnh · July 2010

Thanks for your reply, but I am on an antidepressent and antianxiety drug. Neither my psychiatrist nor my therapist believe that depression is the cause of the fatigue, because my depression was well controlled. The fatigue has made me more depressed, and that probably adds to the fatigue, but they do not believe it is the root cause. Hopefully I will find out the "worrisome for mets" are not mets, and I can get back to just being fatigued! Funny how priorities change.

fatigue, anxiety and depression 3 years out

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