My body currently feels old. It can't be menopause, surely, as I am on HRT?
Five months on from finishing chemo, I am still... - My Ovacome
Five months on from finishing chemo, I am still aching at the joints and quite fatigued. I am on HRT. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Written by
SaraL
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
4 Replies
•
Five months isn't a long time. Oncologist usually say it takes 6 months to recover from chemo, but most women say it takes longer. The surgery alone is a huge shock to the system. Also I think you need time to come to terms with the shock of having cancer.
Who put you on HRT? Some ovarian tumours need hormones, so it's not always a good idea to take HRT.
I would give yourself a little more time. Try to eat healthily and take some exercise each day. Be kind to yourself and hopefully you'll begin to feel better.
Eleni in reply to
Hi there
I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with fatigue and joint pain - but a little relieved to hear it 'cos someone is feeling like me! I finished my chemo 2 months ago and have painful tendons and joints plus 'trigger thumb' and I still have immense fatigue. It's frustrating and I feel pressure to be ok; people seem to take the attitude that because the treatment is finished, I should be bouncing back and I don't feel like that. I know too that as Chrystynh says, i am only know trying to come to terms with the shock of having cancer and having had such a major operation etc.
I am also suffering menopausal symptoms but have been told I can't have HRT.
This reply reads like I'm just having a moan back! but it may help you to know that you're not alone.........knowing about you has helped me!
Dear SarahL,
I am sorry to hear you are feeling so fatigued. Side effects experienced from chemotherapy are mostly short-lived. Once the body replaces the healthy cells that were lost, symptoms tend to subside.
Chemotherapy kills the cancer cells as well as the good cells, like white blood cells which grow quickly---as do cancer cells. Your immune system is weakened and fatigue and aching bones may be side-effects of your chemotherapy.I suggest that you speak with your doctor so that your full blood cell counts are monitored. Foods rich in Vitamins A and B complex are useful to have as a regular part of your diet.
It is important to get plenty of rest. Do not carry out tasks or activities that you do not feel up to.
Light exercise, such as walking or yoga, can help boost your energy levels, but be careful not to push your body too hard.
HRT is sometimes started after the chemotherapy and helps to prevent the symptoms of the menopause.
Please feel free to call us on the Ovacome helpline to talk through this.
Take care.
Hello. Thanks so much for your replies.
Chrysynh, yes, I find other women say it takes longer than this to recover. My GP and Onc suggested HRT - the type of cancer for which I was being treated is not an oestrogen receptor so I should be ok to take HRT.
I'm eating well and trying to rest when I can. I have two small children (age 3+ and almost 2) but have help with caring for them. I do walk into town often, which helps on the exercise-front. My onc says I need blood tests to rule out anything else that may be nothing to do with the chemo. So thank you LathaKan for confirming what she has said. She says there isn't much that can be done for the aching joints, though has suggested I try a few supplements (such as Glucosamine - not sure whether to take as it has sugar in it? - and chlondroitin - ditto re sugar [as in cancer loves sugar...]).
Eleni, I remember the feeling of reeling in shock at around two months. It's not a good period of time, is it? Indeed, people think you should be getting on with life as normal after the chemo has finished. But yes, it takes time (it's not a cliché for nothing!). And yes, it does help to read other people's experiences, so thank you! I hope this helps you. I think I have recovered from that shock most of the time, though it still does bite your bum sometimes.
Ovacome, what a brilliant service you are providing in giving answer on here! It is reassuring to hear that your response is, in the main, similar to the oncologist. Sometimes you simply don't want to believe what they say (i.e. "it's not the chemotherapy that is doing this") so it is useful to have another Voice.
