Hello I started on tamoxifen for a few months and then was put on Letrozole after I had my ovaries removed. After 3 months I was taken off Letrozole due to severe side affects of joint and muscle pain I had a 3 month break which by the end of 3 months I was back to being able to go for walks, do stretches losing weight all the things they tell you to do to help reduce the risk of cancer coming back. I was then put on exemestane I took this for four months and even though the aches and pains were not as severe as the Letrozole they were increasing and happening often so have stopped taking the arimidex. I am now back on the tamoxifen and it’s been just over a month I have been able to go on my walks and do stretches, I have had really bad fatigue though and usually when this happens to me I go and sleep and would be ok the next day but this fatigue now lasts for days, I get depressed about this because I can not do anything and I am feeling very stressed out as I really don’t want to keep living like this for the next five years, I am trying to do all the right things to help my chances in surviving but the hormone blocking treatment would no doubt be the hardest part of my cancer journey for me ,,,, please someone tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel....

Hello @iserbrown thankyou for the links I really appreciate this. Hello @JennyD78 thankyou for your help I will ask my oncologist I have always been an active person to keep fit but find it very hard to keep active when I am fatigued like that. I am monitoring myself and my side affects and will give it a good go see what happens...

@iserbrown I was the same went through the surgeries and the radiation treatment really well I have found the hormone blocking medication and fatigue has been the hardest part of it all. You take care as well .

Dear @Dreaming2019,from jennyss in Western NSW

@Dreaming2019 I have also found the fatigue difficult.Breezed through surgery and radiotherapy and have been taking Tamoxifen for about 5 months . I have just started taking antidepressants thinking I might be depressed. I usually am pretty active but I feel like I have a flat battery.Interesting that many women seem to feel the same way.Im sure having an oophorectomy has also been a shock to your system. Hope things improve for you but know your not alone King Regards Greengirl x

@Greengirl thankyou for your thoughts I hope all goes well for you with the tamoxifen x

Down and depressed | Online Network

14 Replies

iserbrown
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5 years ago
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https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/fatigue/

It's hard yards when you are feeling like you are. I've done the rounds on AIs and at present down to one side effect.

There are some that sail through with no side effects.

I hope you find the link helpful and in time the body does adjust.

Try and roll with it and recognise the fatigue and the best way to manage it.

Take care and best wishes
Dreaming2019
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5 years ago
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Iserbrown thankyou and I will definitely have a look at these booklets... I wish you all the best as well.
iserbrown
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5 years ago
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http://beacon.bcna.org.au/2017/11/what-is-fatigue-ask-the-expert/

Another article for you to read. The body has been through a lot and needs time to adjust
JennyD78
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5 years ago
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Hi @Dreaming2019 I had a rough time on Tamoxifen too due to already having joint issues thanks to Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had an oophrectomy and am about to start Exemestane and see how I go on that. If it exacerbates the joint pain, I'll stop taking it and try something else, or just stop all together.

I'm all for doing everything I can to prevent a recurrence but, if it severely impacts my quality of life now, I'll definitely be choosing quality over quantity. If you haven't already, have a chat to your oncologist about how much benefit it will really have and that might help you make a decision. My onc suggested it would add about 2-3% benefit to recurrence prevention so I rest easier knowing that if I have to stop in order to be a functional human being, it isn't a huge risk I'm taking.
Dreaming2019
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5 years ago
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Hello @iserbrown thankyou for the links I really appreciate this. Hello @JennyD78 thankyou for your help I will ask my oncologist I have always been an active person to keep fit but find it very hard to keep active when I am fatigued like that. I am monitoring myself and my side affects and will give it a good go see what happens...
iserbrown
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5 years ago
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@Dreaming2019

Keeping fit is certainly important however your energy and muscles are depleted, hence the fatigue after surgery and treatment.

Not sure where you are from but there's an excellent program devised for cancer patients here in Victoria.

https://www.exmedcancer.org.au/
Dreaming2019
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5 years ago
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@iserbrown I am in NSW and I do plan on seeing a exercise physiologist and dietician to help with getting into a exercise program and help with my diet I am in discussion with my doctor regarding my chronic management plan.
iserbrown
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5 years ago
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Excellent!
I participated in the Exmed Cancer program and since then I am having sessions with the Exercise Physiologist through my GP

I coped well with surgery and ongoing treatment picking up extra Specialists but the one thing that has taken the longest is the fatigue

Take care and roll with it and it will get better in time
Dreaming2019
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5 years ago
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@iserbrown I was the same went through the surgeries and the radiation treatment really well I have found the hormone blocking medication and fatigue has been the hardest part of it all. You take care as well .
Romla
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5 years ago
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I too have been having trouble with hormone therapy which I have been on over 3 years.Several soft tissue injuries and now on an oncologist determined drug holiday for 6 weeks .

Something I did learn whilst on Letrozole was that fillers and coatings were different in different brands one of which found me getting very low. Have you considered a change of brand ?