Still trying to get to the bottom of why I am so tired a year after chemo. I sleep 11 to 14 hours in every 24. My psychiatrist though it might be depression and put me on anti-depressants.A few months ago my GP did a gamut of blood tests and couldn't find anything there amiss either.For months the lymph nodes under my jaw have been huge yet there is no dental problems. I thought perhaps it was a side affect being on Tamoxifen or something? Lately there is another node behind my jaw under my ear and another on one side of my throat and recently one in my good arm in the arm pit. I told my oncologist about it this week and he sent me off for another blood test to try and tell what the problem is, including testing for Ross River Virus. He also ordered an ultrasound of my good breast and the lump under the arm pit and I will be having that Friday next week.Just drives me crazy that I always seem to have the quirky things wrong with me lately. Just want to get on with my life but no energy to do it. <sigh>

Oh I hope its sorted soon. Tiredness though can be due to depression and it can take quite some time before medication can help that. I had nodes that stayed enlarged years ago related to having lots of viral infections close together. You might need to see a physician if no improvement and all tests don't give an answer. Kath x

@Brenda5 goodness me you are doing it a bit tough lately. Hope you're feeling a little bit like your old self soon! You've been through a lot, not just physically but also emotionally. I'd be wanting to know why those lymph glands are swollen to give me a better understanding of where the body is at!Take care xx

Keep them on their toes and don't stop until you have the answers ! Some anti-depressants stop Tamoxifen from working so check up that this was taken into consideration.

hey Brenda I'm nearly 7 months post and still get fatigued sometimes too, but I hope you are feeling your old self too soon, Ive had some post chemo depression too and find that I get less tired the more active I am and when I feel the cloud coming over I make myself get up and do something and find that helps a lot as I feel worse doing nothing does that make sense?? good luck with all the investigations, keep us posted, do you have any hobbies you love doing that could help you with your depression??? I find getting in the kitchen is my anti depressant. And believe me there's times when I just can not be shagged but feel better if I make myself do something, Feel better lovey. Margie x

You certainly are having a crappy time, Brenda. All this stuff just adds more stress which is something all of us want to avoid. I hate feeling out of control and it is maddening when one thing after another goes wrong. I hope you get some reassuring answers and that whatever is wrong is either fixable or buggers off under its own steam. Xx Marg

Tired with swollen lymph nodes | BCNA Online Network

sandramj
Member
8 years ago
Sending you hugs @Brenda5 and hoping angels of healing and health find you feeling better. Depression and tiredness go hand in hand but the down spiral seems to be the more you rest (or withdraw from life) the worse the depression is. Its hard but do something for yourself - a minute at a time or an hour - whatever it takes. Slowly onward and upward. :) xx
primek
Member
8 years ago
Oh just to have them agree would make you feel more confident. I hope you feel much more spritely soon and this torrid time will be behind you soon. X
Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
Saw the surgeon today who wasn't happy that the ultrasound read 2mm nodes and 5mm cyst. He said since there is nothing showing in the breast, we'll leave the next check for 6 months but if there's anything amiss at all, see my gp who will order tests again. He wasn't real impressed that my gp said its low immunity and don't come back unless its something making me really sick. We'll just put it down to a reaction to the escitalopram meds which I don't take any more and see what happens.
primek
Member
8 years ago
Oh...ok got it. Thought it was only used for appetite / nausea and pain in oil form. Having worked in detox units ...its "not oil" version actually causes depression and in some cases psychosis in many people ...so needs use with caution.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Sounds like Brenda is using the same sort of product I was using during chemo for nausea, Kath. That which shall not be named. It certainly wouldn't work as an antidepressant or a recreational product for me as it makes me quite anxious now. The penalty for a misspent youth perhaps, but I'll hopefully not need it again.
brightspace
Member
8 years ago
Hi Brenda it sure has been a merrygo round ..glad that body has a become calmer!
Now dont over do that joyful oil .Enjoy the better times ahead Maybe try afemale GP. i found a younger one who was up on all the best tests and could carry the conversation.All best Bright
primek
Member
8 years ago
What's the oil Brenda? Glad all good with the appt. What about the neck nodes?
Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
Saw my oncologist who ordered the blood tests and the ultrasound today. He is such a lovely man and praised me up saying my blood tests were absolutely perfect! LOL
The ultrasound which I have a copy of says nothing in the breast part but in the axilla some benign appearing simple lymph nodes and a 5mm cyst. No abnormality apart from that. We'll review in 6mths.
I am loads better since I am off the Escitalopram pills which at the time were an anxiety necessity but it played havoc with my body so back to just the Tamoxifen from now on. :)
Ps-
Ok now I take 2mls a day of some lovely medicinal oil for depression too which isn't on prescription. Shhhhhhh ;)
Hulos
Member
8 years ago
Hi, dont understand how a gp can know anything when he hasn't examined you.
Especially in our case when we all need that little extra care.
Seeing as you are seeing other drs, they will have the answer for you, make sure you write your questions before going.
And I agree with zoffitels comment above.
Take care and goodluck...xxx
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Give the GP the flick. He can hang out with your husband all he likes, in their time not yours.