I was doing just great and then not so great. Is it back?

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beeve
beeve Member Posts: 71
edited July 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

It's been just over a year since my double mastectomy, no reconstruction yet (no implants, just to neaten up all the uneven parts - and an eyelid job I already wanted to have done).  I finished Chemo around Thanksgiving, Rads at the end of march.  I work out on an exercise bike in inclement weather or when I can't hit the actual road.  I was almost at my pre-cancer distance/duration and then I severed a tendon in my thumb so I lost a couple of weeks to pain and all that jazz.  In the past week, I've been back on the bike and it was going great, every day doing a few more minutes until I hit 25 minutes and plateaued for a couple of days.

The next day I shattered my old record, going all the way to 33 minutes.  My legs were jelly so I took a day off, but yesterday I got back to it but could only sqeak out 10 minutes; today I was nearly fainting at 13.  Add to that I'm way too tired, and it's not because I'm abusing my medication or anything.  I'm eating healthy, getting as much exercise as I can and sleeping a lot but the past few weeks I'm just exhausted by everything. 

Normally I wouldn't worry too much, just go with it and nap it off, but since it's been several weeks since my blood got checked and knowing I have no more appointments scheduled (although I could have sworn my last Herceptin was at the end of July - I'm going to check on that tomorrow.

But is it because I'm getting older or is there something more deadly at play and what are the chances?  Can anyone enlighten me?  Don't tell me to call the doc because I'm actually going to stop by his office while I'm in town to find out the skinny and maybe have them do my blood, but I'm a wee bit anxious.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited June 2014

    Beeve, if there was something deadly in play it would sneak up on you, not hit you with a brick.  Honest.  Breast cancer (even mets) takes time to grow. 

    I suspect you just overdid it and your heart isn't very happy with you.

    If after a couple of weeks you still can't ride your bike I would talk with the doc.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2014

    I agree with pajim - you just overdid it. I ride my bike a few miles every other day and alternate with the treadmill. My best is 20 and I set it at 3.5. Some days I am like the energizer bunny and others when I cant wait until my time is up. I also played volleyball with a team and the first game was fine but the second game my serving arm hurt so bad I couldn't play. Go figure. Had several checkups since then and nothing sticks out as a worry. I so understand your anxiety though every ache and pain causes concern when you have BC. I don't think it makes us hypochondriacs I just think we are branded with the C word and will always have to look over our shoulder. That's just the reality of it.

    Diane

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  • Nan54
    Nan54 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2014

    I think that there are so many reasons for why you would feel exhausted - it doesn't mean that anything crazy or terrible is going on... Easy, of course, for me to say, but I completely understand the concern!  I would give it a few weeks to see if you feel any differently. If not, follow up with your doctors. But, keep in mind, that it is much more likely that you are tired for any of the many reasons that many of us are!

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    Feeling tired after a long work out is natural. Are you feeling something "different"? If you are concerned, which it sounds like you are, please go see your Dr.  I felt something was "wrong" and I am so glad I kept following up on it until my BS finally biopsied the spot that she thought was nothing but scar tissue.  You know your body better than anyone else.  Trust your instincts.  I'm sure its nothing, but why worry over nothing? Get yourself to the Dr.

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  • beeve
    beeve Member Posts: 71
    edited June 2014

    Thanks ladies.  I feel calmer, though I will probably mention it when I  do see a  doc if it hasn't improved.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited June 2014

    Beeve    get your heart checked. This kind of exhaustion can be heart-related and you did have herceptin which can cause heart problems. I don't want to alarm you, but please got to the doctor asap. One sign of heart attacks in women is deep exhaustion and I don't like that you nearly fainted. Actually, go the emerg. They can pick up anything unusual with a blood test. I am hoping you go. Better safe than sorry.

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  • beeve
    beeve Member Posts: 71
    edited June 2014

    I have doctor's appointments scheduled now (I'd fallen through a small crack) and will definitely mention it. 

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  • BabyRuth
    BabyRuth Member Posts: 264
    edited June 2014

    Beeve-it definitely could be the herceptin affecting your heart.  Have you had an Echo lately?  I never had any heart issues before and was a healthy runner before herceptin 5 years ago.  I am now taking heart medication due to herceptin damage to my heart.  My symptoms which I did not even at the time realize were an issue were, fatigue, shortness of breath and lightheadness. 

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  • beeve
    beeve Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2014

    I've had my tests and appointments, everything looks good.  I feel pretty good except for a healing injury to my thumb.  None of my doctors are worried about my heart and my energy is back to increasing, well okay, it's up and down.  But I am getting older, maybe that's all it is.

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