Extremely Tired

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Honey2020
Honey2020 Member Posts: 2
edited July 2020 in Stage II Breast Cancer

Hello Everyone,

I am writing this message on behalf of my wife. About 18 months ago she had double mastectomy and the doctor told her the cancer had spread to a couple of nearby lymph nodes which they removed them. Her cancer tissue sample was sent to special lab in California for analysis and the result showed her cancer type would not benefit from chemo treatments so they recommended her radiation therapy which she did. Then they put her on a drug which she was supposed to take for the next 5 years but the drug made very sick and she stopped it after taking for 3 weeks.

Now she is not taking any medication. Her biggest problem is extreme exhaustion. She is extremely tired all the time and even exercise makes it worse. She also experience ear blockage and she has to consistently open her mouse if she is cheating on something to help relieve from ear blockage. We feel very helpless. If anyone of you have had similar experiences what is your thoughts on this. Thank you in advance.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2020

    Dear Honey2020,

    We are really sorry to hear what is going on with your wife, and her fatigue. Fatigue is certainly not unusual but since she isn't in active treatment, you would certainly hope she'd be feeling better. Has she been back to her oncologist to ask for advice? Also, have you had a second opinion with any team?

    We're all here for you.

    Warmly,

    The Mods


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  • DATNY
    DATNY Member Posts: 358
    edited July 2020

    My onco always ask me during the visits if I feel tired, apparently it could be an early sign of metastasis And I am, not sure why exactly, but so far so good cancer-wise. I have some other underlying conditions including Gilbert syndrome (a liver condition I was born with, but which was discovered only during cancer treatment and can make one very tired) and Hashimoto hypothyroidism (this also can make one very tired). Perhaps your wife could look into these two as both conditions are very common.

    What caught my attention was your reference to ear blockage. This is something I experienced just before cancer diagnosis, and lately it comes back intermittently. I feel this is due to some sort of systemic inflammation and overactive immune system.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2020

    Honey - I hope she will go back and consult her oncologist.

    Although she didn't have chemo, I expect the drug she was prescribed for 5 years was because she is ER/PR+?? There are a number of drugs available that serve the same purpose. Usually if one made her sick, the doc would have had her try another one. How many has she tried?

    Note - I was tired for a full year plus some after radiation. She could call the RO also.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited July 2020

    The tiredness could be from anything, and totally unrelated to cancer. She should see her PCP and start with basic bloodwork and go from there.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2020

    Good clarification Alice, the blood work is a given. I just assumed her MO would do that.

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  • Honey2020
    Honey2020 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2020

    she saw her oncologist last week and he physically checked her and said there is no lumps he could see. My wife is worry may be the cancer spread somewhere else which might be making her extremely tired all the time. No didn't get second opinion other than her family doctor

    The oncologist ordered blood work and she is waiting for the results. The underlying health conditions - She has stomach ulcer and she gets sick if she eats certain foods.

    Thank you for your help

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