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gurneys's avatar
gurneys
Member
7 years ago

Hello!

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've been on here and I've returned to hundreds of notifications! I hope everyone is travelling well. I'm now two years post diagnosis and treatment and nearly two years post double tram flap recon. Looking at the next step of recon soon - tattoos! In the long term, I'm still feeling tired but I'm also working full time as a teacher so that may also be a contributing factor. Does the tiredness ever subside? My body has been through a lot. Maybe I should just be a little kinder to it.
  • I’d second @"Kiwi Angel" suggestion - two reasons-  one is anaemia and there are 2 types iron/folic acid deficiency.Plus I know a quite a few post menopausal women now on thyroxine as their thyroid gland has slowed (?) Personally I think I am still getting over several anaesthetics from surgery and radiotherapy despite being 16 months post diagnosis but like @primek has indicated exercise has helped a lot with my energy and sleep but needs to be done carefully so as not to overdo it.
  • @gurneys have u have any blood work done recently to make sure u aren’t low in something??
  • I have not been on here for awhile.  I was diagnosed back in August 2015.  I am now 68 and at the last visit to my oncologist,  March this year, in response to my fatigue question she simply said "well you aren't 35 are you"?  She did say in nicely as possible.  
    But really it does not seems how much I do or don't do, I suffer with fatigue.  
    Im on holidays at the moment, so not doing much.....still tired mid arvo.  
    When at home I have no trouble doing water aerobics, balance or stretch class and yoga and walk five mornings a week....and get fatigue. I always feel brilliant (like I'm 35!!!) in the mornings. 
    Before coming away I went to a Natropath and she has put me on a tonic,  so No big change yet but will let you know how I go. 
    Yes just be gentle with yourself.
  • Thanks for your comments everyone. Glad to know it seems to be a common, ongoing side effect and not just me. :)
  • Ho and welcome back. Tiredness seems to be an ongoing side effect of cancer treatment. I believe we were going through treatment at the same time.

    I too am working full time and have not fully returned to my old zest. Many days I still need a cat nap.
    Sleep is my most important treatment. So attempting to relax and get enough is huge for me. I have found that focussing on really good nutrition from a wide varieties of food is really important. (My hb is now the highest it's been in my life) And of course exercise. I have struggled getting back to my 6 to 7 days a week exercise without crashing to exhaustion. With help of an exercise physiologist I had a program set...and finally have regained muscle and energy. The secret...do not work flat out...wirk out at a 5 to 6/10. That way there is some energy to carry on. So now I'm happy to manage 3 structured exercise sessions a week and have a reasonably active job. I'm still working on getting more days of exercise in and still having energy to work and care for my home and myself but I'm getting there. 

    I've decided I'm not going to except it's because I'm turning 54 this year. I put more energy into my workday than many co-workers half my age and no being fit is a big part of that so I intend to just keep plodding along. 

    Woohoo on tattoos a coming. I'm waiting for my call gor my nippke reconstruction then I'm going for my tattoos. The icing on the cake so to speak. 

    Kath x

  • I am 5 years out and I say no it is still present for me.... nice to see you pop in ....
    @primek might agree with us all ...
  • @gurneys well Hello, it is nice to see you able to pop back in here and let us know how you are going!

    gurneys said:

     Does the tiredness ever subside? My body has been through a lot. Maybe I should just be a little kinder to it.
    Very good question and at present I would say No!  It is an ongoing issue for me the fatigue part of it but hopefully in the months to come I can conquer it or at least extend it out a bit further between bouts.  

    Be proud of how far you have come, woo hoo!

    Take care and pace yourself accordingly