When will I start to feel better

[helenl89]

To whoever, I am 48 yrs old have ovarian cancer, have had hysterectomy, and six rounds of chemo. was done with last one at end of August. still feeol lousy, get tired very fast, and don't have the strength i used to.  I also had to have two blood transfusions, during my chemo, cause of anemia. Just don;t feel up to doing to much,am back to work though, but can't seem to do more thana five hr day. I also need to do a hip replacement, but can't do it till I get strenght back. When will I ever feel good again? Will the neuropathy ever go away. Sometimes still get nausea, and the shakes. Chemo fogg on occasion still. ct scan in sept, was good but haven't seen oncologist since then. should I be concerned of these symptoms still?

[helenl89]

I meant to post this message to you and think i posted it to cindy, chemo fog,a dah its after 2.00 pm thats when it hits me. what is neurotin? is it over the counter or need to get script from dr, and who see primay, onc or neuro,as to still tired, but can seem to make dinner when i get home from work, but still don't sleep well, tried sleeping pills, don't work well for me to foggy afterwards. Have enough fog in life don;t need more. a  co worker noticed, that I don't laugh and smile like i used to, used to be fun to work with. can't repeat what i really wanted to say to this person. My boss repeated it for me however, you'll like this, called him a member of the AmA, Americans Moron Association. Talk about being one, sometimes people can be soin in sensative ? I still have good sense of humor, it just doesn't always surface. somedays

[crecco]

  I hear that it can take many months for the effects of chemo to finaly start going away. Though since I have never been off of chemo it is really hard for me to say. What I do know is that you will gradually get used to it and one day will wake up and realize that you feel yourself again.
  In the mean time, do what it takes to get you through. Nap if you feel like it, ease your workload, any thing that helps.
  I wish you the best.
   Chris

[milashka]

I had my last chemo infusion on March 30, 2005. I was so looking forward to that last treatment that I forgot that it takes a month for the chemo cocktail to leave your system, so just because it is a last treatment doesn't mean you should start feeling better after that day. So April was still rough for me. I went back to work full-time on May 1, and remember being pretty tired after work, for a few more weeks, then gradually getting my strength back. BUT: never like before. I was superathletic before the surgery and that drive and endurance is simply gone, I blame it on hormone removal as much as chemo. Keep in mind, at 48, you experienced a sudden drop into menopause. I was 42 when I had my hysterectomy.

I am taking life easier than BC (before cancer). I still exercise, but more walking, some swimming, the gentler stuff. I also need 8 hours of sleep or I will get headaches/migraines. Although I am active and stay very busy, I feel that I have definitely aged.

[yrrek]

I am 45 and am just about 7 months out from chemo.  I went back to work 2 weeks out to 12 hour days, I am a nurse, the other 12 hours I slept.  And on my days off for ahwile I slept.  I didn't feel nausiated so much and I ate and I ate and ate.  Now I am a little overweight but I can take it off.  I work 40 hrs per week, still like to sleep alot, but I try and exercise.  I do have neuropathy in my hands but I am manageing that as well as the instant menopause with no hormone replacement.  This week seems like I have been getting hot flashes every 4 hours or so:(  My hair is back, better than ever:)  I am actually going to my first hair appt. tomorrow since about a year ago (I used to go every 6 wks before cancer)  I do have chemo brain.  My family said I can only use that for a year:)  But chemo brain is very real and I just try and accept it, my family, friends, co-workers understand this and are supportive, most the time.  I believe it will get better for you.  We will always live with the Big C.  Try now and put it beside your ear instead of right in front of your eyes.  Kerry

[survivor_susie]

Hi,
Unlike some other women, I had very little fatigue with chemo.  I felt normal within two weeks of my last treatment.  I even went through radiation for two months after that.  No fatigue.

And I'm a complete wimp.

Anyway, here are things that I did which must have helped me more than I knew!

1.  Acupuncture.  It gives you energy and concentration.  Helps the neuropathy go away.  It's weird, but it works wonders. Night and day difference.

2.  Exercise.  I never stopped working out at the gym.  I'm no jock; I'm short and overweight, but I continued to exercise even when I was a little tired.  It gave me energy.

3.  Vitamin B.  It's for concentration, energy, and neuropathy. Take it every day.  Great results.

4.  Caffeine! On days when I did get pretty tired, against all advice I'd drink coffee.  Made me feel terrific!

5.  Protein.  Lots of it.  People with chronic fatigue syndrome eat lots of good protein.  It helped me, too.  Canned tuna, straight from the can. Yik.  Every day for three days I ate it.  An immediate response; I stopped coming home from work and sleeping.  Instead, I'd come home and fix dinner, clean, etc.

Good luck to you!  If I can do it, anyone can!

[Teresa222]

Unfortunately, I have to say to you: Join the club!  It takes a long time to feel even decent.  I am about eight months out from my first line of chemo and still have trouble making it over six or seven hours a day.  I get tired very easily and sleep 12 hours a day. I am still battling neuropathy too. I finally began taking Neurotin and it has helped immensely.  If I miss one dose, I suffer.  From what I understand we will suffer chemo fogg forever.  Mine seems to be getting worse.  I know I've lost ground on my IQ.  I used to be quick witted, etc..now it is gone.  

I hope you are taking an anti-depressant.  This helps me a lot.  I don't get too depressed, but I am not giddy either. :(

Take it slowly and be patient. That's one thing I have learned: PATIENCE.
Teresa

[Cindy809]

I'm sorry that you are having a difficult time.  After my first line chemotherapy it took about 6 months for me to feel normal again.  I didn't have has much fatigue that you are discribing.  If you are seeing your oncologist every 3 months, you should be near another check-up in Dec.  Can you get some blood work done sooner?  You might still have anemia.  Dealing with hip pain could also cause you to feel tired.  Are you on any medication?  You will eventually start feeling better.  It does take time.  Everyone is different but I do know the effects of chemo could last a while.  Congratulations!!!!  You are NED !!!  That is wonderful news and should help with your recovery.  Best wishes !!!  Cindy