I'm EXHAUSTED!

FightingTheFight · January 2017

I finished my final chemo a week ago, but ever since my 4th infusion awhile back I've been suffering from exhaustion and muscle weakness. Every day, as soon as I wake up, I'm exhausted. It was more bearable when I didn't have to work, but I had to return to work a few weeks ago and it's been so hard. Mentally, it's hard to start the day so tired that I have to get dressed in stages, with breaks, because just putting a shirt on makes me tired and want to lay back down.

And by the end of the day I'm more tired, though I'm never sure how (since I didn't have energy from the beginning). After making it the three flights up to my apartment (no elevator), I only have strength to collapse on my living room couch. And it takes at least 5 minutes of laying there before I have strength to get up and do anything.

And when I explain the exhaustion to others (my MO, friends, etc.) I don't feel like they are taking me seriously. Like in their minds, they think they understand b/c they've been tired before. But I'm not just tired. I'm literally, physically, constantly exhausted. Every activity gets my heart rate up like I've been running (with the stairs up coming home being the worst). And I have to rest after the smallest exertions.

I know it will pass eventually (I pray), but I just needed to vent here. Because it adds to my frustration when I explain it to people who don't get it, and seem to be very blase about it. When, to me, I'm taking what feels like all of my mental and physical strength to get through to the end of each day.

So thanks for reading all this. I'm tired of being "tired" and just want to go back to normal. Or at least get to the point where I can walk to the bathroom and back at work without praying during each step that I don't collapse.

Freya244117 · January 2017

I didnt get that feeling from treatment, for me it was the month before I was dxd. Tired to the bone! I put it down to being December, super busy at work etc. Nothing deflates the soul like waking up totally and utterly exhausted and knowing you have to make it through the day somehow.

It is hard to explain it to others, it's one of those "walk in my shoes" things. It is not normal tiredness or laziness, it is feeling like a limp rag, all rung out and...........cant even explain it I hope it helps that people here will get it. Best wishes.

stephincanada · January 2017

hi there,

I had almost the same treatment as you (docetaxel, which is a taxane like taxol, perjeta and herceptin). I was also exhausted, had terrible muscle aches/fatigue and felt and "winded" after climbing a flight of stairs. At my three month echocardiogram, I found out that my lvef had dropped. Have you had yours checked recently? I also found that Perjeta caused extreme muscle aches and fatigue. I felt much better after it was dropped from my protocol.

What you describe is exactly how I felt; I can definitely validate your experience with TCHP! Am doing much better now. I am so sorry that you have to work throughout this tough treatment. I don't think I could have done it. Try and hang in there; it may take a few weeks to get the chemo/Perjeta out of your system. hese are difficult treatments but they promise great results.

FightingTheFight · January 2017

Thank you guys for understanding. That's why I love this forum. And my last echo, which I think was just before my 5th treatment (but after the fatigue started), showed things as ok. B/c I too wondered if something might have been going on with my heart.

And when it does clear my system I won't miss this phase at all (really, I'll miss none of it).

Also, I need to update my signature to be more clear. The "T" in TCHP I got was taxotere.

Lookforward · January 2017

Hi Fighting

I had TCH and lost my muscle strength as well. By the end of treatment my lvef dropped 15 points, but was still in the normal range. I know how hard climbing one flight of stairs was, I can't imagine having to climb 3 and work full time. Slowly but surely your strength will improve, it just takes time. I can jog and run up and down the stairs now. Our bodies have been through a lot and need to heal, but you will get there.

MinusTwo · January 2017

Fighting - are you still on Herceptin? I was exhausted for probably a year AFTER the final Herceptin.

Hahlyn · January 2017

Fighting - honestly I thought something was wrong with me. Why is nobody else tslking about being utterly exhausted. I too have to do.everything in stages. It's awful just to put on my pants is a major task. My muscles are extremely weak. I finished my last TCHP January 4 and I still feel like hell. Not to mention the neuropathy. This is just horrible. I couldn't imagine having to.get up.and go to work. I work but my job was kind enough to let me work at home. I go in when i.can. but that isn't going to last for long.

Asked my MO if.there was anything I could take supplements wise for the neuropathy aND she said 2500 micograms of b12. I cant tell any difference just miserable be glad when this is said and done.

FightingTheFight · January 2017

Thanks again to everyone for responding.

Lookforward - It's encouraging to hear from someone that made it to the other side. Each day I keep telling myself was a little less hard (not sure if it's only in my mind, but even so I'll take it). I've always been the type to prefer taking the stairs vs. the elevator and been a fast walker. So it stung to suddenly need the elevator and to be so fatigued that I shuffle along at the slowest pace. Basically just dragging my feet along the ground, rather than picking them up.

MinusTwo - I just finished my last chemo on Jan. 12th and haven't yet started the Herceptin only. That'll be my next appt on Feb. 2nd.

Hahlyn - I'm glad I made this thread and found out other people have been through the same (not that I want anyone else to be suffering). My MO recommended B12 vitamins to me in the beginning and I started taking them right away. But when extreme fatigue side swiped me after chemo #4, they didn't seem to be helping much at that point. And going to work is rough. After I had to go back to work, I had my MO sign off for me to get a temp handicap tag. Now I just need the strength to go to the DMV tomorrow (I'm starting to think I should have mailed the paperwork off to begin with). And I try not to get down on myself if I need to stop and sit down on the way in and out of the building (I work in a very large office building).

MinusTwo · January 2017

Hooray for the handicapped tag. I don't know how I would have made it w/o that during chemo & rads since I drove myself to every treatment.

Pinkwashmenot · January 2017

I had T&C chemo 4 rounds - rather easy stuff compared to other cancer treatments - I completed it last Oct 26 - 3 months ago now, and I am still tired all the time and have no energy. I wonder when I will feel like aa person again?

quaydvt · March 2017

I haven't even started tx yet. screen mammo was Feb 20th and it's been one followup after another since then. the MRI is tomorrow am, then appt #2 w/the surgeon the next day when I (hopefully) will finally have a game plan - besides the BMX I am requesting. Chemo? Dunno yet. Hormones? Dunno that either. Rads? Unknown. Stage? BIG question mark. But seriously getting tired of living on one nerve and little sleep. Hard to keep it up at work, but I want to get my students through the end of the semester - 4 more weeks. Valerian + magnesium is helping with the sleep; although i wish I could stay down for more than 2 hours at a time, at least I'm more relaxed when I hit the pillow than I was. Once I have something more defined than ILC, I will be able to focus I think.

I'm EXHAUSTED!

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