extreme fatigue two years after lumpectomy/radiation

carolion
carolion Member Posts: 1
Am extremely fatigued two years after diagnosis. Declined chemo. Had radiation. Not able to tolerate aromatase inhibitors, so not taking them. Fatigue is debilitating. Is this normal?

Comments

  • jendrey
    jendrey Member Posts: 377
    ...
    I don't know if that's normal or not. I think what you may really be asking is if anyone else has had a similar experience? =)

    It hasn't been that long yet for me but there are times when all of a sudden I just have to stop whatever I'm doing and rest. I guess my fatigue comes in a different form.

    Depression may imitate fatigue, perhaps a visit with your doctor to discuss this 'feature' with him/her. Maybe it's something as simple as being low in iron or anemic that would certainly make you tired among other things. Have you been fatigued ever since radiation?

    (((Hugs)))
  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    jendrey said:

    ...
    I don't know if that's normal or not. I think what you may really be asking is if anyone else has had a similar experience? =)

    It hasn't been that long yet for me but there are times when all of a sudden I just have to stop whatever I'm doing and rest. I guess my fatigue comes in a different form.

    Depression may imitate fatigue, perhaps a visit with your doctor to discuss this 'feature' with him/her. Maybe it's something as simple as being low in iron or anemic that would certainly make you tired among other things. Have you been fatigued ever since radiation?

    (((Hugs)))

    Normal?
    I have no idea what normal is. I know that I had a lumpectomy and radiation a year ago, I've been on Arimidex a little over a year, and I'm feeling good. BUT, and this is just me, I'm eating better, put exercise into my life, and maybe most importantly, I made some really hard decisions and stopped seeing some family who were really emotionally taxing for me. Those things right there probably are giving me energy I didn't used to have.

    It's good you're asking questions if you don't feel well. I hope you find what's bothering you so you can fix it.

    xoxo
    Victoria
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    We are all different!
    There is no one "Normal" after DX/TX - just as we were not all the same before BC.

    I'm a bit over 2 years since DX with IBC. I had 4 A/C 2 weeks apart, Mod.rad.Mast., 12 weekly Taxol and 25 Rads. Have been on Femara for 1 1/2 years.

    I get tired easier than I did before BUT I'm also 2 yrs older which can be a bit at 65. I do everything I want just don't push past quite as hard as I did before. On your next blood draw you might ask for your D and B levels to be checked and your thyroid levles.

    Talk with your DRs.

    Susan
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    Rague said:

    We are all different!
    There is no one "Normal" after DX/TX - just as we were not all the same before BC.

    I'm a bit over 2 years since DX with IBC. I had 4 A/C 2 weeks apart, Mod.rad.Mast., 12 weekly Taxol and 25 Rads. Have been on Femara for 1 1/2 years.

    I get tired easier than I did before BUT I'm also 2 yrs older which can be a bit at 65. I do everything I want just don't push past quite as hard as I did before. On your next blood draw you might ask for your D and B levels to be checked and your thyroid levles.

    Talk with your DRs.

    Susan

    I am 2 years out of rads,
    I am 2 years out of rads, but never had a fatigue problem, even during the treatment.
    You might ask your doc to do some tests to see if a another cause could be found.
    Hope you can get some relief.
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    I am only
    a little over one year out of rads but the only fatigue I have is from working 10 hour days. When I was near the end of treatment my fatigue starting getting bad. After I was done with rads I ended up having to take 10 days off from work. When I went back I could only work 4 hours a day and was able to increase 1 hour every 2 weeks.
    I think you should consult your dr. to see if there is another cause for your prolbem.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    ladyg said:

    I am only
    a little over one year out of rads but the only fatigue I have is from working 10 hour days. When I was near the end of treatment my fatigue starting getting bad. After I was done with rads I ended up having to take 10 days off from work. When I went back I could only work 4 hours a day and was able to increase 1 hour every 2 weeks.
    I think you should consult your dr. to see if there is another cause for your prolbem.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Talk to your doctors
    everyone is different. My radiologist told me within 12 months fatigue should go away. You might have fatigue from aromatase inhibitors or from depression. Please talk to your doctor, ask for blood tests.
    Wishing you the best
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    aisling8 said:

    Normal?
    I have no idea what normal is. I know that I had a lumpectomy and radiation a year ago, I've been on Arimidex a little over a year, and I'm feeling good. BUT, and this is just me, I'm eating better, put exercise into my life, and maybe most importantly, I made some really hard decisions and stopped seeing some family who were really emotionally taxing for me. Those things right there probably are giving me energy I didn't used to have.

    It's good you're asking questions if you don't feel well. I hope you find what's bothering you so you can fix it.

    xoxo
    Victoria

    My rads oncologist told me
    My rads oncologist told me that you can still feel the exhaustion from rads up to a year or more after you finish. I exercise and did during rads which I feel helped me and still helps me to not be so tired.


    Good luck!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Talk to your doctors
    everyone is different. My radiologist told me within 12 months fatigue should go away. You might have fatigue from aromatase inhibitors or from depression. Please talk to your doctor, ask for blood tests.
    Wishing you the best

    I agree with Olga, please speak to your
    Doctor ..

    As Victoria stated -- 'what is normal' now? No books, research is limited so only you and your Doctor can determine if your fatigue is normal.

    My opinion, and it is just that - - my opinion -- fatigue, the blue's, depression are all symptoms of the aftermath of breast cancer, chemo, and/or rad's.

    Please rest and take care of yourself -- while pushing yourself to move, walk, read .. anything to simulate your mind, body and soul.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    Carolion
    Two years is a long time to still be dealing with cancer fatigue. Do you have a low red blood cells counts? You could have some form of anemia or perhaps a thyroid problem. If you are taking other drugs, it could be one of them.

    I certainly would check it out with your primary doctor. I would say by now your fatigue from your cancer procedures should be over. Don't put it off, ok?

    Best to you,

    Doris
  • gagee
    gagee Member Posts: 332
    So sorry to hear.....
    I have the same problem plus a few others and it has been a year since lumpectomy and 9 mos. since last rad. I can't do anything as I tire so quickly. My husband has been such a help but I want my life back. I sit and gain weight and swell from the arthritis. What a b@$%& this has been. Sometimes I feel bad about complaining because so many have been through much more than I. They are so strong and it helps me to read about their strength. I don't write very often because I feel like all I have done is complain for the last year and half.

    I will add you to my prayer list. As I get comfort from that.

    Diana
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    Normal: is anything normal?
    Normal: is anything normal? I was very fortunate I did not burn, chap or tire at all..I worked full time and packed friends HOUSE ALONE of 35 yrs of JUNK alone. But I am odd ball..for sure..

    when Dr would say are you fatigued? I would say I DONT" think so..he said IF YOU were you would know!

    I am/ was very high energy person prior to treatments to I told MY drs maybe this would even me out to normal person at my age...he laughed..

    sorry...you are fatigued!

    Denise
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    gagee said:

    So sorry to hear.....
    I have the same problem plus a few others and it has been a year since lumpectomy and 9 mos. since last rad. I can't do anything as I tire so quickly. My husband has been such a help but I want my life back. I sit and gain weight and swell from the arthritis. What a b@$%& this has been. Sometimes I feel bad about complaining because so many have been through much more than I. They are so strong and it helps me to read about their strength. I don't write very often because I feel like all I have done is complain for the last year and half.

    I will add you to my prayer list. As I get comfort from that.

    Diana

    You can be exhausted from
    You can be exhausted from rads for a long time. It just varies with how many you had and how your body reacts. Don't be discouraged. You will feel better.


    Hugs, Lex