exhaustion and depression

Options
sablecanine
sablecanine Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I have had 16 chemo treatments, and a masthectomy.   I am now in my third week of radiation, with three more to go.  I seem to be very exhausted all the time.  I am also very depressed.  I do see a psychologist, and psychiatrist, and depression is not new to me.  I try to schedule activities with friends, and then get so exhausted I have to go home and rest.  I have trouble reading, tho I do try.  I do get up each morning early, and take a walk around the complex ( about a half mile) because I know I need to keep moving.  After that I take my meds, and eat breakfast.  I started chemo last October, and my appetite has not returned yet, tho I eat because I know good nutrition is important.

People tell me that my energy will slowly come back.  I am hoping and praying that is true.  Is there anyone out there with a similar experience.

Please do write to me ...i need my village.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited June 2013

    Hi Sablecanine and welcome to BCO.  The exhaustion you are feeling is very normal after chemo and during rads.......it will however continue for some time yet but it does get better given time.  At this point in time don't push yourself too hard as it only exacerbates the condition.  I find that an afternoon nap is a good thing.

    Have you asked your doc about an anti depresant?  Most women at some point in their BC journey need one to help get them through.

    Do keep posting as you will find lots of women who have been through the same thing here to help.

    Love n hugs.   Chrissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2013

    Hi Sable - Sorry you are having such a hard time. Cancer sucks! I have no exp with chemo or rads, but I do with depression and exhaustion. I was totally clueless that after "active" treatment ends we are particularly vulnerable to PTSD. In hindsight I realize when I was at my lowest point I was having panic attacks almost constantly even in my sleep. Talk about being exhausted! For me there was no easy recovery. Time, talking, and meds pulled me out. It sounds like you are headed in the right direction. I pray for your comfort and for peace of mind. Big Hug.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sablecanine
    sablecanine Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2013

    What meds were you taking for panic attacks.....I take 1 mg. lorazapan three times a day, and I am finding I need it four times....Ihad PTSD before treatment,and now somehow have more anxiety than ever. Thank you for responding.  I am thankful...please continue.  And for anyone else...please do write tome.  My radiologist tells me to go have fun.  WHAT!!!!!!!!  I would love to have it be that simple.  I do make plans for fun, and then get exhausted, and tired.  I am hoping and praying this will begin to heal after radiation is over. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2013

    Initially I was taking .25 mg (?) of Xanax three times a day, but found that I wanted more and more. I was only on it a little over a month but was afraid of addiction. I weaned off it quickly and that's when the panic attacks really set in. I fell into a deep dark hole, and my PCP came to the rescue and put me on Prozac and Klonopin. Initially I was taking the Klonopin 2- 3 times a day, (.25 mcg??) then 2 times for about 8 mo, then 1, then I weaned off about a month ago, so in all I was on antiaxiety meds about a year. I recently tried Tamoifen again and this time it worked, so my onco switched me to Effexor 37.5 mg. I love it.

    I also met with a Stephen Minister from our church, who happens to be a cancer social worker for a nearby teaching hospital. She was and is a God Send. She was the first person to acknowledge what was going on and she helped me at my pace. I was a person who thought I had control of a lot of things, but soon discovered I couldn't will myself to health. She always said "You know how long it will take for you to feel better? As long as it takes."

    She also said not to be so hard on myself, and that I had work (emotionally speaking) to do before I would feel better.

    Feel free to private message me. I am here for you.

    It is a process. I understand.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2013

    Thank you so much farmerlucydaisy for sharing your very honest account of your process. I'm sure your story and words of encouragement will help other members here!! What a wise comment from the minister!  

    Wishing you the best, 

    The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol9722
    carol9722 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2013

    Good morning. Like you I am through my chemo and have "just" four more Herceptin infusions to go. For almost a year I have been up, positive, working and trying to carry on as normally as possible. Result, NOW I am fried but others think I should be recovering because I am "just" on Herceptin. You know what? It takes time. It has taken almost a year for us to conquer this beast and will take time to recover. Like you, I have cut back on reading, social engagements, etc and sometimes I feel guilty but this is my time to heal and get better and Yes it may take a long time. It is very difficult to be patient and I am not used to giving in but listen to your body and nap when you need to, say no when you have to, get audio books and large print books (I get the book and audio from the library and switch back and forth), do only what you can and be patient. NOT easy I know. It IS easy to get depressed being so tired and worn out. Be good to yourself and give yourself a break. There are no time limits in this race as each person responds differently to treatment. I don't know if this helps, I know it helped me in writing it as it reminds me to follow my own advice. haha I hope you have a great day and will check back here often. Best always, Carol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • beachwalker54
    beachwalker54 Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2013

    Hi girls, 

    I am totally exhausted and am 4 weeks out of rads and have been on aromasin for about 9 weeks.  the last 3 days I have been more fatigued than ever and am wondering what the heck is going on.  As I read this thread and others I am guessing that is could be from the rads and /or the AL.  I am used to being on the go all the time and this is really difficult for me! 

    I have been on 1mg. of klonopin for years and 10mg. of lexapro for PTSD after my mother passed away (for panic attacks)  It has been a g-d send to have these meds even though I wish I didn't need them.  Now I am VERY grateful to have them since my dx in 1/13.  I take the klonopoin with leunesta to sleep at night and it works wonders.  It seems crazy with my exhaustion from rads and AL to have trouble sleeping at night but I do. Perhaps I am stuck on the leunesta but I don't think I will try going off it now, although I have thought of it. 

    Anyway, I have never in my life felt so tired and have aways been very active.  this could  get me down but I 'm trying very hard not to.  My late husband always said, "don't let the bas---ds get you down" and I am applying this to bc too. I also like what the minister said about how long it takes to feel better.  My family has a hard time believing this because I look pretty well.  this is the same situation my poor daughter with chronic lyme disease has.  She looks well but feels very tired and and is in pain most of the time.  I am dealing with this as well as she is now on ssi and living with me at age 32.  We are still trying to find her better treatments and now it's both of us.  Oh, the twists and turns of life can make you nuts, but patience and support are such great helpers!

    Anyone else have extreme fatigue either weeks after rads and /or from just the AL?  It's hard  for me to tell because it's all so new.

    bc has really had a major affect on my life but it does help me to appreciate each and every day that much more!

    thanks for "listening"

    hugs to you all!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited July 2013

    I was incredibly tired after rads.  So much so that when I decided to take a vacation, I was so run down I ended up with shingles!  and of course, I was 9 hours away from home.  the pits

    it just took time, my stuff included 3 lumpies plus rads and I worked during the entire deal.  So yeah it took time to get my energy up again.  Now on aromasin for 4 1/2 years...not that I am counting but looking forward to the end of the med

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories