Fatique after breast reconstruction

[rosedale]

In April I had a double mastecoty with expanders put in place.  July 7, and expanders removed and silicone implants put in since returning home after that procedure I became very weak and could not keep any food in me for 20 days.  Doctors first blamed the antibiotics, then after going to the emgerency room for fluids, all blood tests came back normal.  Could not even pick up my head at this point, I requested a mono and menegitis test and the mono and epstein barr came back highly positive.  Two weeks later same test results but blood count was dropping and cholesterol was higher.  It's now almost 3 months and although some symtoms are better still cannot function normally, just found CRF Cancer Related Fatigue how do I find a doctor that will consider this or underlying causes for my fatigue?  I have made an appointment with my Thyroid Specialist, my internist says nothing can be done let the virus run its course, my plastic surgeon just gave me a note last week so I can attend exercise classes.  Tried of feeling tired, can't eat normally, vitamins upset my stomach, constant headache, I even thought maybe I was rejecting the implants, have a second opinion on those next month.  Any suggestions as to who can help or what to do next.  I was originally told I would be off work for two weeks that was 5 months ago.  My blessing is I am cancer free and do not have to under go chemo or radiation therapy.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear rosedale:  If you have had mononucleosis recently, this may be a good explanation for your fatigue.  My understanding is that this can take months for the virus to completely resolve.  Certainly, surgery (or any trauma to your body) can also contribute to the fatigue and the timing of the surgery to the Epstein Barr may have made both situations worse.  Certainly, you can benefit from the strategies that are used to deal with cancer-related fatigue.  There is an article on this on www.chemocare.com - select managing side effects and then select fatigue and cancer fatigue.

[rosedale]

Thank you for your answer, when I took it to my doctor he said it's good your researching, but they don't know you had a "double" dose.  To my surprise he gave me a copy of my blood work and I also have the cytomegalovirus (quite high active level), which I would have never found out unless I showed him my question and answer to this site.  Don't know how or where I got this but may I suggest to anyone having reconstruction request a blood test before any surgery.  Since most reconstruction procedures are done outpatient they do not require blood tests,my mastectomy was considered a 24hr procedure, even though all my regular functions liver, white count are normal I test highly positive for 3 viruses, which I probably had before the surgery.