depression causing fatigue

carrebear03
carrebear03 Member Posts: 10
in Emotional Support #1

I was diagnosed with breast cancer last January. I finished my treatments in the fall and just had my third surgery two weeks ago. Even before my last surgery I was extremely tired to the point I could barley function. Mt doctor said she thinks I have depression. She started me on Wellbutrin. Now I can't sleep at all. Therefore I am just as tired and fell just as bad. I feel like such a mess. I just want to be normal again.....like I was before cancer. I want to be happy and full of energy. I have two little boys that need me. I also work full time. I just want me back. 

Comments

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #2
    just checking

    I'm sure your doctor has run blood work to check for anemia, low B levels, hypothyroidism.  If not, ask for a physical that covers things that could contribute to fatigue.  A cardiology workup might be in order, too.  Talk, talk, talk to your oncologist doc and nurses.

    And Welbutrin doesn't work for everyone.  No medicine works for all.  Ask for something else.

    Don't forget the benefits of regular exercise, eating right and doing things that make you feel emotionally balanced, whatever that is for you. 

    Hope you feel much better soon.

     

     

  • carrebear03
    carrebear03 Member Posts: 10
    #3
    Noellesmom said:

    just checking

    I'm sure your doctor has run blood work to check for anemia, low B levels, hypothyroidism.  If not, ask for a physical that covers things that could contribute to fatigue.  A cardiology workup might be in order, too.  Talk, talk, talk to your oncologist doc and nurses.

    And Welbutrin doesn't work for everyone.  No medicine works for all.  Ask for something else.

    Don't forget the benefits of regular exercise, eating right and doing things that make you feel emotionally balanced, whatever that is for you. 

    Hope you feel much better soon.

     

     

    I did have all my labs done.

    I did have all my labs done. Only thing that was off was my vitamin d but not enough to cause such bad fatigue. I had been running before my surgery and am hoping to get back to it this week. I kind of just want to stop taking the Wellbutrin. I think it might help a little but not being able to sleep is not helpful and I think I would feel SO much better if I could sleep normally. I know it takes time to work too though. I just feel kind of stuck with it. 

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #4
    carrebear03 said:

    I did have all my labs done.

    I did have all my labs done. Only thing that was off was my vitamin d but not enough to cause such bad fatigue. I had been running before my surgery and am hoping to get back to it this week. I kind of just want to stop taking the Wellbutrin. I think it might help a little but not being able to sleep is not helpful and I think I would feel SO much better if I could sleep normally. I know it takes time to work too though. I just feel kind of stuck with it. 

    check with your doctor

    See if there isn't something different to try.

    Things do take time to work out.  Not sleeping is very frustrating.

  • yamster34
    yamster34 Member Posts: 75
    #5
    I went through bad depression

    I went through bad depression around 25 years ago. I had fatigue with it, but not as bad as what you are experiencing. What worked wonders in giving me more energy and stablizing my moods, was taking Vitamin B compex 50 mg. One pill in the morning and one pill at night (with food). I noticed a huge difference in one week. Although the improvement also had to do with getting divorced since my ex husband caused much of my depression. However the Vitamin B did help me cope better with the emotions of getting divorced. 

  • carrebear03
    carrebear03 Member Posts: 10
    #6
    yamster34 said:

    I went through bad depression

    I went through bad depression around 25 years ago. I had fatigue with it, but not as bad as what you are experiencing. What worked wonders in giving me more energy and stablizing my moods, was taking Vitamin B compex 50 mg. One pill in the morning and one pill at night (with food). I noticed a huge difference in one week. Although the improvement also had to do with getting divorced since my ex husband caused much of my depression. However the Vitamin B did help me cope better with the emotions of getting divorced. 

    I do take 5000 units of

    I do take 5000 units of vitamin d but maybe I'll have to ask about the vitamin b.  I do feel better with the medication I'm on but one of the side effects is insomnia and I have having a heck of a time sleeping.  I've tried a few things to help me sleep but they don't work well.  I kind of want to stay on the medication since it is working but at the same time I want to sleep like a normal person again so I don't know what to do.  I'm also affraid of taking medications becuase I don't want to end up NEEDING them to sleep.  Some of them can be addictive.  That scares me too.  I'm not good with this whole depression thing.  The whole situation is scary to me.  Just becuase cancer isn't enough to deal with lets just add on some depression.  

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #7
    carrebear03 said:

    I do take 5000 units of

    I do take 5000 units of vitamin d but maybe I'll have to ask about the vitamin b.  I do feel better with the medication I'm on but one of the side effects is insomnia and I have having a heck of a time sleeping.  I've tried a few things to help me sleep but they don't work well.  I kind of want to stay on the medication since it is working but at the same time I want to sleep like a normal person again so I don't know what to do.  I'm also affraid of taking medications becuase I don't want to end up NEEDING them to sleep.  Some of them can be addictive.  That scares me too.  I'm not good with this whole depression thing.  The whole situation is scary to me.  Just becuase cancer isn't enough to deal with lets just add on some depression.  

    sleep

    Sleep is just so important for everything you are fighting.  There are sleep medications that are not addictive.  I know how impossible it is when we can't get good sleep.

    Please talk to your doctor again.

  • yamster34
    yamster34 Member Posts: 75
    #8
    You may want to ask your

    You may want to ask your doctor about a supplement called Melatonin to help you sleep. It is something our bodies naturally produce to help us sleep. It may help with your insomnia.

  • Hussy
    Hussy Member Posts: 29
    #9
    yamster34 said:

    You may want to ask your

    You may want to ask your doctor about a supplement called Melatonin to help you sleep. It is something our bodies naturally produce to help us sleep. It may help with your insomnia.

    Insomnia is a common side

    Insomnia is a common side effect of Wellbutrin.  Tell your doctor you cannot sleep and request that he or she prescribe a different anti-depressant.  I might also add that you seem pretty anxious and anxiety is another common side effect of Wellbutrin.  However, it sounds as though some of your anxiety is attributable to the very concept of taking an anti-depressant.  Please consider supplementing your [new] anti-depressant with some psychotherapy.  Good luck.  

  • carrebear03
    carrebear03 Member Posts: 10
    #10
    Hussy said:

    Insomnia is a common side

    Insomnia is a common side effect of Wellbutrin.  Tell your doctor you cannot sleep and request that he or she prescribe a different anti-depressant.  I might also add that you seem pretty anxious and anxiety is another common side effect of Wellbutrin.  However, it sounds as though some of your anxiety is attributable to the very concept of taking an anti-depressant.  Please consider supplementing your [new] anti-depressant with some psychotherapy.  Good luck.  

    I've actually started

    I've actually started sleeping a lot better the last few days. I still am taking the Wellbutrin and feeling pretty good now. I hope with more good night's of sleep I'll be even better. 

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