Will I every get my energy back?

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Kerry1000
Kerry1000 Member Posts: 103
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
Will I every get my energy back?
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  • Kerry1000
    Kerry1000 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2008

    I don’t know what to do, or if there’s anything I can even do, at this point.  Any comments, advice, or experiences would be greatly appreciated….

     

    I finished dose-dense AC/TH chemo about 16 months ago and Herceptin about 10 months ago.  Shortly afterwards I had a prophylactic mastectomy w/immediate reconstruction (I also had a mastectomy pre-chemo) and had revision surgery about 4 months ago.  I recovered quickly from the surgeries, tho my skin has been slow to heal from the latest surgery due to the previous radiation.  Chemo and rads did a number on me.

     

    I’m now 49 years old and in otherwise good health.  I’m an at-home mom and have lots of help and support (my dh works from home).

     

    My energy level has of course been down since treatment, but I’m becoming very discouraged as I feel it’s getting worse rather than better.  I actually felt better a year ago than I do now.  I sleep 10 or more hours a day and just don’t feel I have the energy to do very much.   I don’t think I’m depressed (tho I’m starting to feel like that now); I’ve been taking anti-depressants for many years and my psychiatrist who knows me well also feel that this is physical rather than mental.  I still want to do things and do as much as I feel able to, including enjoyable things, but it doesn’t make a difference in how tired I feel.  My husband says I look tired almost all the time.  I’m sick of living this way.

     

    I take a multivitiman daily and vitiman B-complex which has helped in the past but isn’t helping now.  I’ve been exercising 2-3 times a week and have tried doing both more and less exercise but it doesn’t seem to make a difference either.  I’ve tried giving in to the tiredness and fighting against it; again no difference.

     

    My onc. and nurse-practiconer have said to give it more time and also to accept the “new normal”, but I’m not ready to accept the current situation as normal.  I’m going to call next week and speak with them again; also to speak w/my psychiatrist and try a new or supplementary anti-depressant.

     

    Of course I have to keep going w/my life, keep exercising as much as possible, etc. but I’m just so tired of this being tired.  Am I just too impatient?  I know that there’s no “magic pill” but what, if anything, has helped people?

     

    Or maybe I’m just a lazy complainer.  I’m beginning to wonder about that also.

     

    Anyway, if anyone has any advice or info. for me I would love to hear it, because I’m fresh out of ideas.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Kerry

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited June 2008

    There could be so many factors... whats your hormone status?  Do you still have your period?  Are you in menopause?  Have you checked your RBC count to see if you're anemic?

    When you sleep ten hours, (which is more than recommended) do you have trouble breathing, snoring etc... possibly sleep apnia (sp?) that could lead to fatigue during the day?

    Allergies?

    Do you wake up on a routine-- same time, scheduled meals etc?

    Sorry for the 20 million questions-- but there could be so many things.  I know all the treatments and herceptin and surgeries do a number on you for sure-- but you shouldn't be feeling more tired as time goes on.

    I hope some people come along with more insight.

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited June 2008

    Just a thought, but have you had your thyroid checked?  Not everyone has all the noticeable symptoms.  I didn't for one.  I didn't gain weight at all, but had a small enlargement of my thyroid on one side I hadn't even noticed prior to BC.  Just a thought anyway.

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  • Kerry1000
    Kerry1000 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2008

    Thanks so much, I forgot to write that I had all my blood work done on my last doctor's visit a few weeks ago and everything is normal.  I keep a regular schedule and do eat regulatly and fairly healthfully (at least enough so that I shouldn't be this tired).  I do have allergies, which are well-controlled by antihystamines, and am in menopause now (wasn't before chemo) but haven't had any troublesome symptoms.

    I'm not always this fatigued all the time, it seems to go in cycles as probably everyone's energy does - before bc I noticed I certainly felt more energetic for a while and then less so - but now with my generally lowered state of energy the 'highs' are just near-normal and the 'lows' are like I feel now.  Am I destined to feel this way forever?

    I've been reading some of the other threads about possible causes, but I don't feel particularly depressed (tho I'm going to try additional/more antidepressants anyway, because who knows maybe I am), I can keep up w/housework, etc. - by my desire to things just isn't there, not because I don't want to but because I feel just so darn fatigued.  We had guests over last nite and had a good time cooking for them and enjoying their company but it still didn't change the way I feel physically.

    Maybe I just need more time to recover physically...but how much time should it take?  I've heard about one year and it's close to 18 months...I did have two other surgeries in the past 8 months but still....maybe I'm just being impatient or maybe I'm just a complainer, I don't know.  I'd like to put breast cancer behind me in terms of it dominating my life and I feel like I am emotionally but it's hard to do when the physical effects are still so apparent.

    Sorry to bitch and moan.....

    Kerry 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2008

    I agree with both Beth and wishiwere that there can be an underlying physical cause that hasn't yet been identified. I can tell you, from personal experience, that hypothyroidism can do a huge number on your energy level and just about everything else, including one's outlook. But if all physical causes are ruled out, I'd vote for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)....it's very different from depression, but just as real and debilitating.

    Above all, don't accept feeling lousy as your "new normal"...that's BS. Pursue the cause, seek treatment for it, and get back to living this glorious life. After all that you've been through, you absolutely deserve it!

    ~Marin

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  • Kerry1000
    Kerry1000 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2008

    Thanks, everyone.  Your suggestions are great and I am going to investigate thyroid further - I'm sure it was checked but my understanding is that current recommended levels may not fit everyone's needs (my youngest child has low thyroid function and takes synthetic thyroid).  Marin, I've always admired how fit and together you are - 'Fitchick' really suits you.  I think about you when I do strength training classes.  I totally agree that I shouldn't (and can't) settle for this as my life.  I was happy and productive before bc, and all I've every really wanted to do was to get back and stay that way.  I may be down but I'm not out and I'm determined to keep fighting to get my quality of life back...I know it's nothing compared to what others are going through but it's important to me!

    Kerry 

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