ME/cfs after breast cancer treatment - My Breast Cancer ...

My Breast Cancer Community

3,846 members1,820 posts

ME/cfs after breast cancer treatment

13 Replies

I would be interested to know if anyone has developed ME (chronic Fatigue Syndrome) following their treatment for breast cancer. I was first diagnosed in 2008 had chemo etc and got ME right at this stage. Thanks

Read more about...
13 Replies
Jennymary profile image
Jennymary

I'm the other way around, diagnosed with CFS in 1994, breast cancer in 2013, how are you doing now x

in reply to Jennymary

Its awful having ME isnt it, without having anything else? Unfortunately im on my second cancer which resulted in mastectomy but thankfully more treatment. Im trying to deal with ME, mastectomy side and frozen shoulder on other side and was looking after my m with dementia so things a bit crazy. Mum now in respite and ive got physio on board. Im taking time to rest up a bit and doing stuff i enjoy. How do you manage your ME take it just PACE. Wish you well and hope you dont get too exhausted with the holiday hype x

Lorraineam profile image
Lorraineam

I haven't been diagnosed with ME but have had chronic fatigue since I finished treatment.

sue-mar profile image
sue-mar

Hi I haven't been diagnosed with ME but I have suffered with severe tiredness since chemo and radio therapy 3 years ago, something not right but don't seem to get help from doctors get the feeling they think I'm Lazy! Did your doctor actually say/diagnose you as having this? I would be interested to find out as could do with some help on this! Sorry I'm not actually answering your question!

Thanks

in reply to sue-mar

Will write back soon. Im at my concentration limits x

in reply to sue-mar

Hi suemar for me i was exhausted from start of chemo and it was recorded all the way through my treatment

My own gp and breastcare nurse said it would take a year to clear. I was same as you never getting better and felt being a nusciance but dugy heels in and wrote to my oncologist. After barage of tests ti be sure nothing more sinister she said i had ME. (Was near 4 years later) I was referred to ME nurse specialist for official diagnosis. If you suspect you have it the Meassociation has a good webpage and dr sarah myhill is leading medic and also has some good info. Hope this is of help. Even more so hope that you havent got this debilitating illness and thats its just prolonged cancer related fatigue x

sue-mar profile image
sue-mar in reply to

Thanks for your reply I wish you all the best in your journey, hopefully with improvement in the future xx

showmustgoon profile image
showmustgoon

I'm not diagnosed with ME but have symptoms . My explanation is is that the trauma of cancer and chemo sucks the life out of you . You just have to find strategies to hey your mojo back.

in reply to showmustgoon

There has been a lot off studies in US re cancer related fatigue but nothing so much here. I was hoping mine was that as it gets better, but can take up to 15 years im 8 years post chemo but still have problems but not as bad as some so have something to be thankful for. I have some strategies in place but too impatient been through enough in life. Sorry to rant just want to feel my best x

SarahL321 profile image
SarahL321

Hi,

It's interesting reading these comments as I am currently 2 years post chemo and 1 year post Herceptin and still getting tired.

Work was originally supportive, allowing me to have a phased return to full time hours and time off for my Herception treatments, MUGA scans etc. These days they are expecting the normal 8 hour day, plus commuting 2 hours each way on top, before they will even consider support in any shape or form.

Its hard to explain to someone that you just can't physically, or mentally, do what you used to be able to do.

I am working hard on staying positive, but it is hard at times, every now and again I just have to think of a good friend of mine, who unfortunately lost her battle, and that gives me the motivation to shake myself and get another burst energy.

Wishing everyone best wishes xx

Borogirl61 profile image
Borogirl61

I'm the other way round, I was diagnosed in2011 with ME,diagnosed with bread cancer in 2014.

Hope you're doing ok?

in reply to Borogirl61

Im doing not too bad thanks still in early recovery stage after mastectomy but learning to look after myself better. Hope you are doing ok - do you manage to do ok just with Pacing? Dont suppose there is anything else to do for such a complicated illness one day hopefully there will be a cure. Wish you well x

Borogirl61 profile image
Borogirl61

* breast cancer

You may also like...

Finished Breast Cancer Treatment

community I have just finished my full treatment for breast cancer after 10 years. I have been...

Breast cancer and Thyroid treatment.

bit dubious as my stage 3 cancer was hormone receptive... I feel as though my cancer has not been...

Sister has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer

lung cancer 3 months after diagnosis. Now we have just found out my younger sister (37) has breast...

second primary breast cancer

been diagnosed again. First diagnosis was in 2016 in right breast, now it's back in other breast....

Scared and Uninspired, Rare Aggressive Breast Cancer, What is Next?

I have Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer Grade 3...