Anyone else worn out well after treatment finished?

[rareoldme]

So I had SCCOHT and TAHBSO 2017 with 6 rounds of cistplatin and etoposide. That finished March 2018. Every day I feel physically worn out. Back pain, neck pain, weak arms and legs. I feel like I’m going to drop most days and I don’t even work. I have a 10 year old so do school runs and house work but that’s it. And I’m beyond done in.

I’m wondering if because the surgery throws you into the menopause and given that the menopause usually hits in your 50’s (ish, I think. Correct me if I’m wrong) does that mean I am health wise in my 50’s? Am I trying to do too much and my body is actually 20 years ahead of where it should be? Does that make sense? Anyone else feel like this?

I’m back at hospital soon for a check up so I will mention it. So far I’ve had my head stuck in the sand and just said I’m ok to get through the appointments. To be honest the last one I had an emotional meltdown. The ones before haven’t been too bad. This has been going on for about 4 months now.

[mizpurple]

I've been through three different rounds of treatment and found that fatigue was one of the toughest bits. Often the fatigue is cumulative so by the time you get through 6 or 8 cycles of chemo the build up of the fatigue is frightening and seriously impacts your ability to function. After the most trying of my treatments it took many months to feel any degree of stamina. Give yourself lots of time and treat yourself kindly. Do keep hydrated and get what exercise you feel capable of on a regular basis but don't try to push too hard. I found that a combination of yoga and strength training in really easy stages was quite helpful. I'm still a work in progress but now that the treatment has dealt with the disease, the residual fatigue and lack of stamina is much improved. Hang in there - best wishes! Deb in Colorado

[caf132 in reply to mizpurple]

Can you get a transfusion? When my levels got really low I had one and felt 109% better. I avoided it for a long time

[mizpurple in reply to caf132]

I've been given IV fluids a few times, but my blood work always looked good enough that blood transfusion was never an option. But certainly others have benefited from transfusions and that might be a possibility.

[chemlcali]

So sorry you are having issues with recovery. We have all heard the phrase, New normal! I am six years past my treatment. I still suffer from chronic fatigue and neuropathy. Plus anemia that never is stable. Some days I can do some housework or go out. I also have days where lifting my head takes all I can muster. I talk nonstop to my oncology team and my primary plus neurologist. All I ever get is it is different for everyone or I get the classic shrug with fatigue is a tough one. I try to focus on I am still here and enjoy what life I can. I could never return to work full time. I had to retire. I wish you well. Try not to be too hard on yourself. I am very hard on myself. I used to go Mach I with my hair on fire. I loved my life. Today, God gave me a time out to enjoy what I can. 😺😎🙏

[Bettyxxx]

Hi there

I can totally relate to this legs that feel like you are walking in treacle, arms cant grip properly, i am-in my 50’s and had 2 lots of chemo and a bowel blockage 18m ago but this was different xx saw my gp and had some bloods done and B12 deficiency was found. I had a course of jabs and feel amazing. The problem is sometimes with this cancer its only cancer we think of and there are other ’things’ we can get so it might be worth a gp trip?

Good luck

Diane

[carolleigh]

I am not sure if my situation was exactly relevant, but I am pretty sure I felt very tired a few months after chemo, more than during chemo. I was never tired on chemo. My doctor said he hears of that from others. I still feel a bit less energy, but it's rising. Exercise helps they tell me.

[lesleysage]

Hello rareoldme, my chemo nurse told me, at my last infusions (carbo/taxol/avastin) that these "will age you by 20 years". I was 67 at the time so well past menopause but you are contending with premature menopause as well as backlash of chemo. I was wanting/needing to sleep either in a chair or in bed for almost two years after this second line intensive chemo finished. I have worked steadily since at gentle but frequent exercise and don't get it right all the time so can feel drained, even when I can see no reason. There is an App called 'Untire' which may help reassure and guide you.

Can I also suggest you ring the Ovacome freephone 0800 008 7054 and chat to Anna or Julia and ask for the Factsheet on 'Surgical Menopause' and maybe look at their Wellbeing leaflets too. This link maybe helpful:-

ovacome.org.uk/Pages/Catego...

Warmest wishes, L