struggling with fatigue 18 months post chemo

[susiesparkle]

Hi, Diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 2  2 years ago. Had oophrectomy and debulking, 6 sessions taxol/carboplatin. Still get extremely fatigued, has anyone else struggled with fatigue so long after treatment.

[Conquerer]

I am 16 months out of chemo and still have fatigue but i will say swimming makes me feel better.  It helps fatigue and the nueropathy.  some days are good and then I usually crash but pick myself up and run hard again and then crash again.  But it is all ok
take care.

[crecco]

  The girls are right in saying that there are many things that could be causing your fatigue. But I have read that sometimes it can take several years for the effects of chemo to finally leave your body. You may want to question your Dr about this as several things could be the cause. (low red counts, low iron, menopause)
     Chris

[quilter50]

what were some of your symptoms as I am having lower pelvic pain or more like a ping mostly on L sometimes on R, lower back pain, nausea, now hip and upper leg pain, I thought recently I had a bladder infection but the dr said it was negative, I am so tired all the time. I can't see Dr until August unless I really can't wait.
Thank you

[Mary 53]

Remember, too, that Surgical menopause alone can do a number on you. Granted, not everyone will suffer the same symptoms, but when you think that Estrogen alone is responsible for over 400 functions in the body and now in Surgical menopause (regular menopause allows for at least diminished estrogen and testosterone until you hit the 70's and 80's.) you have no supply from the ovaries (body fat and adrenals take over production to a certain extent). Testosterone affects mood, energy levels, muscle mass, chemical sensitivities, and also low levels can cause clumsiness and sensitivities to loud noises.

Also, Progesterone, which was released each time an egg from the ovaries was released, is gone, too. There is a Tiny, tiny bit manufactured from the adrenals, too, but frankly, my husband makes more progesterone than I do (although I do supplement with Bioidentical Progesterone...NOT the synthetic progestin....under medical supervision) but the Progesterone alone protected many of us from bouts of anxiety. Perimenopause has arrived when the eggs are released less and less and the estrogen levels drop. So many of women frequently go through anxiety issues once perimenopause hits ....also, anxiety can be caused by thyroid issues and thyroid and menopause go hand in hand. And, progesterone levels, whether you have ovaries or not, affect thyroid levels.

And, you have to have a doctor who will really HEAR you on the thyroid thing because the standard blood levels they used for years for evalulation are now being revised in that just you can be just a little bit off on the blood values according to the lab reports, and still feel like sleeping at red lights (I know I did). Any good psychologist or Psychiatrist will ask about thyroid before suggesting anti-depressants since the symptoms are so similar. I have not been on any anti-depressants since I started meds for hypothyroism four years ago.

Hope this helps somewhat. I listed some books that I found very helpful on my profile in case you are interested.

Mary

[onniebay]

I'm 39 and was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago.  Finished chemo a little over a year ago.  I still have days where I get tired.  I can't be on my feet all day like I used to.  I have to take several breaks and sit down.  I used to only need 6 hours of sleep a night and could function great.  If I get less than 8 hours now,  I'm a wreck.  I have not tried B12, but may look into too.  

[susiesparkle]

thanks. I'm 50 now, 48  when diagnosed. will look into B12, see it mentioned quite a bit on these forums. Some days i feel like my old self, then out of the blue comes the fatigue and accompaning anxiety, sooooooooooooo frustrating
Susiesparkle

[Teresa222]

You don't mention on your profile your age.  I am 59 and finished chemo at the end of March.  I still have days I experience fatique.  I seem to require at least nine hours sleep a night, sometimes more.  It's a shame that chemo does so much good, yet also does harm too.  Also remember that getting over that surgery takes a long time too.
Teresa

[msjazz]

I only had a 10 month remission. During that time, I still had extreme fatigue. There should be some ladies on here with that long remission, so maybe they will see this. Other than that, do you know if your red blood count ever came up from being low? Have they done a thyroid panel? I would ask for a complete blood workup. If nothing there, then you may need more rest ( 8hrs) and lots of fruits and fresh vegetables. I also take B12 shots occasionally, they help with energy. Possibly vit. c with a good vit. mix.  Best wishes.