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Fatigue....

Jac05
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Hi. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Aug 2013 aged 42. I had a full left sided mastectomy, followed by 6 rounds of chemo, then herceptin afterwards (18months in total). It's now 2 years since the end of my treatment. I feel constantly tired & really struggle with everyday tasks that I once took for granted, which I find frustrating. My family keep me busy & I walk the dog every day, but by teatime I am shattered & ready for my pj's on! Anyone else????

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    Hello Jac05,

    I am sorry to hear you have been struggling with fatigue 2 years after the end of your treatment. It must be quite difficult for you to manage and I hope you have spoken to your doctor about it as he or she will be able to suggest something to help you cope with it.

    Walking the dog every day is a great idea and I am sure the fresh air will do you - and the dog! - some good and help you feel a little better. We do have some information on our website on treating fatigue which you can read here. It includes a section on the causes of long term fatigue.

    I hope you will hear from others here who have suffered from this intense fatigue and that they will share some good tips with you on how they themselves dealt with it.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hello Jac05. I empathise completely. For me, it's a year since my treatment ended, but I'm struggling like you. At the moment, I am waiting to attend a post-cancer fatigue clinic. I potter around the house, take the dog for her daily walk... and am then exhausted! I really want to enjoy life again and be 'me' again. Thank you for your post. Wishing you a fatigue-free future.
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    Hi Jac05,

    YES YES YES!!!! Someone else that understands! I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in August 2015 and after 8 sessions of chemotherapy a month of radiotherapy and a lumpectomy I'm in remission since June 2016. I have fatigue all the time and try so hard but it's like have something attached to you that brings you down.

    Unfortunately no I don't have any ideas as I think I've tried a few things now. And everyone just says I'm lazy or tired and not going to bed at right times etc and I'm fed up of explaining, not that I need to. I just wanted to let you know; you are not along in this.  

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    Hi Jac. I am in the exactly same position as you. I feel tired all the time. I am in bed early but still find it difficult to get up. I did not have Masectomy but wide local excision. I had 36 round of radiation followed by 4 boosts. It was my left side. We just have to get on with it. Take care. X
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    I think this is something really common. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in August 2013 afpged 43. I underwent 28 fractions of radiotherapy, together with oral chemo, then surgery which left me with a stoma, then IV chemo. My stoma was reversed 2 years ago and since them I've become more and more fatigued, to the point even sleep isn't helping.

    ive been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia & CFS...it really does seem to be a case of pacing and accepting we can't do as much as we did before. If I have something I have to do - like a wedding I have in a few weeks, I try and save up energy in advance and I know it'll knock me sideways for a few days.

     

    sorry I don't have any magic solutions to offer, but hope things improve for you soon 

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