Extreme Fatigue

I had my ovaries removed over a year ago and I still have horrible fatigue. Actually, my onc called me last week (I posted about this on a separately too) and he told me my iron levels were super low. He said it could explain my fatigue. Something to think about maybe.

Glad you are having it checked out but it could be many things other than cancer. I had bc 8 years ago, finished all my treatment and started getting more tired as time went on. Finally my primary doctor did a thyroid test on me and sure enough my numbers were way off. I started medication and felt great within weeks.

Hi, I finished treatment for stage 2B e&p positive breast cancer with 4 positive nodes which included dose dense chemo, mastectomy and rads, over 4 years ago. I still have overwhelming fatigue. I went on disability for a month, ended up being out for over a year (since I wasn't working I decided to get tx for knee pain, 2 surgeries, 3 mris, a misdiagnosis of bone mets and a total knee replacement were later I was still out of work and still exhausted. I got so sick of myself I went back to work against my oncologist's advice. What a mistake.

In the first week it was clear that I absolutely can not work 30 hours, now trying 20, but the day I returned to work they stopped my benefits and now I am working and totally broke. But how could i know what i could do until i tried?

So, I know it's real, my docs know it's real, but I can't get better. I have done everything -- lost 70 pounds, meditate, do yoga, exercise (walk 1.5 hours a day), nothing helps. I have frequently fallen asleep at the wheel, although for now 10 mg of Ritalin one hour before I drive seems to keep me awake for trips under an hour. Fatigue is ruining my life. I am single ( cancer related divorce) have used all my reserve money, rent out my condo because I can't afford to live there, and I am too exhausted to do anything. I have had antidepressants, provigle, Ritalin, therapy, and I am off tamoxifen, still can't work enough to support myself and have no energy for anything fun.



Has anyone found an answer? Anyone tried the fatigue clinic at mc Anderson or in Hartford, CT? I have had all the tests, seen every specialist, and my oncologist is very supportive and tries to find treatments, but sometimes it feels like dying of cancer would have been better then living with this, and dealing with the financial worries and continued poor health. I hide it well, but at home I collapse and can't move afte even 3 hours of work. I am an RN, not an easy job but one I love. Please, share any success you have had. I will do anything to get better, but it has to be 50.% effective at least for me to take on more financial debt.



Thanks for letting me vent and for any help, Jody

jfsnh -

What you describe is so rough! Have you had the fatigue for the last 4 years or did it come on later in your post treatment?  I really understand what you said about being an RN and loving your job but can't do it.  I'm a systems analyst at a refinery and I have loved it for 25 years but when I was at work I was struggling to get through one day.  It used to be that the days and weeks flew by -- I was always irritated that it was lunchtime and that I hadn't done as much work as I wanted to get accomplished.  Last time at work all I could do was watch the clock and was relieved it was time to go home.

Nancy -

I've been suspecting my thyroid but I don't think that is the problem.  The TSH was 2.5 one month and then spike to 4.6 but the last two months it's been back in the 2.x range.  The other thing I've seen since I've been seeing the onc every month for the last 4 months is that my RBCs and WBCs alternate.  One month the RBC will be just above the minimum and WBC below then it gets switched.  Don't know if that is a factor or not. I just want my old energy back.

Thanks for the input, Mary.  My onc keeps mentioning the lack of estrogen can cause fatigue but I guess I really don't like that answer because it might mean that I will never get my energy back. 

Today's a better day just because I'm finally getting over the cold/sinus/bronchial thing that I had for the last 3 weeks.  I'm tentatively planning on trying to go back to work in December.  But I afraid it won't be successful since I don't feel like anything has really changed.  Oh well.  Play the hand you're dealt.