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JessicaV · 08-30-2015, 04:34 PM

Actually, you have just reminded me to look into Cortisol, which disrupts sleep, appetite and circadian rhythms etc. I have just reread The Cortisol Connection, and think a lot of what they say is really relevent to me, maybe to you too. The point is to get your levels tested, and then to fight both your stress levels, and this chemical's effects so that you can reset it:

"Studies show an alteration in the normal secretory
pattern of cortisol. This fluctuating pattern, when normal, should
show the highest levels of cortisol in the morning, with a slow and gradual drop toward the lowest levels between midnight and 2:00A.M. (refer back to Figure 3.2 on page 45).
Stressed-out subjects with an altered pattern of cortisol secretion
are characterized by a low concentration of cortisol in the morning,the absence of a circadian rhythm, and a huge meal-related surge incortisol levels (see Figure 6.1)—all of which are consistently associatedwith obesity and related measurements. People with disrupted cortisol-secretion patterns have higher body fat (particularly in the abdomen), lower muscle mass (particularly in the arms and legs), and reduced basal metabolic rate (BMR, the number of calories burned at rest).
Elevated cortisol levels resulting from chronic stress have
been associated with the following conditions:
• Increased appetite and food cravings
• Increased body fat
• Decreased muscle mass
• Decreased bone density
• Increased anxiety
• Increased depression
• Mood swings (anger and irritability)
• Reduced libido (sex drive)
• An impaired immune response
• Memory and learning impairment
• Increased symptoms of PMS—premenstrual syndrome
(cramps, increased appetite)
• Increased menopausal side effects (hot flashes, night
sweats)

Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry
at King’s College, in London, have determined that stressrelated
depression actually progresses in two distinct phases. The
first phase is characterized by an overexposure to cortisol, creating a
“toxic” effect whereby too much cortisol actually destroys crucial
brain cells responsible for good mood. The second phase is a compensatory
mechanism where the brain becomes resistant to the effects
of cortisol as a way to “protect” itself from cortisol’s damaging
effects. So the brain cells (neurons) are deprived of cortisol, creating
a dramatic underexposure that leads to a host of memory and
psychological problems. Unfortunately, this syndrome of cortisol resistance leads to a deepening of depression and symptoms of fatigue and confusion, a combination that is very much like the symptoms seen in people with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).

08-30-2015, 04:34 PM	#15
JessicaV Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 206	Re: Is Fatigue a Sign of Mets? Actually, you have just reminded me to look into Cortisol, which disrupts sleep, appetite and circadian rhythms etc. I have just reread The Cortisol Connection, and think a lot of what they say is really relevent to me, maybe to you too. The point is to get your levels tested, and then to fight both your stress levels, and this chemical's effects so that you can reset it: "Studies show an alteration in the normal secretory pattern of cortisol. This fluctuating pattern, when normal, should show the highest levels of cortisol in the morning, with a slow and gradual drop toward the lowest levels between midnight and 2:00A.M. (refer back to Figure 3.2 on page 45). Stressed-out subjects with an altered pattern of cortisol secretion are characterized by a low concentration of cortisol in the morning,the absence of a circadian rhythm, and a huge meal-related surge incortisol levels (see Figure 6.1)—all of which are consistently associatedwith obesity and related measurements. People with disrupted cortisol-secretion patterns have higher body fat (particularly in the abdomen), lower muscle mass (particularly in the arms and legs), and reduced basal metabolic rate (BMR, the number of calories burned at rest). Elevated cortisol levels resulting from chronic stress have been associated with the following conditions: • Increased appetite and food cravings • Increased body fat • Decreased muscle mass • Decreased bone density • Increased anxiety • Increased depression • Mood swings (anger and irritability) • Reduced libido (sex drive) • An impaired immune response • Memory and learning impairment • Increased symptoms of PMS—premenstrual syndrome (cramps, increased appetite) • Increased menopausal side effects (hot flashes, night sweats) Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, in London, have determined that stressrelated depression actually progresses in two distinct phases. The first phase is characterized by an overexposure to cortisol, creating a “toxic” effect whereby too much cortisol actually destroys crucial brain cells responsible for good mood. The second phase is a compensatory mechanism where the brain becomes resistant to the effects of cortisol as a way to “protect” itself from cortisol’s damaging effects. So the brain cells (neurons) are deprived of cortisol, creating a dramatic underexposure that leads to a host of memory and psychological problems. Unfortunately, this syndrome of cortisol resistance leads to a deepening of depression and symptoms of fatigue and confusion, a combination that is very much like the symptoms seen in people with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). __________________ 1997-2004 many cysts, many MG & U/S: polycystic breasts. Sept 2013 found lump,Cyst?? forgot lump. Dec 2013 GP check, Referred for U/S, MG,FNA. 7 Jan 2014 Radiology: Radiologist turned screen away from me. When asked she said "Not a cyst, very suspicious.See your GP asa results avail." Cancelled my psych clients for the week. 8 Jan 14 GP: 2.2cm IDC in 6cm DCIS field. FNA=malignant cells. Referred to Surgeon. Cancelled my psych clients for the month. 13 Jan 14 Surgeon said L mastectomy not lumpectomy, offered neoadjunctive trial, agreed adjunctive chemo after surgery a good choice for me. Booked Body scan and bone scan for staging (both fine) Surgery for16 Jan, 16 Jan 14 Surgeon also agreed in preop meeting to also remove 6cm fatty cyst in job lot. Good job done. 19 Jan 14 discharged home with 1 drain. 22 Jan 14 drain partly pulled out overnight, serious seroma (600 ml reducing removed every 2 days for a month) Serious staph infection because nurse said wait 3 days for yr surgeon appointment. 26Jan 14 pathology: 2.2cm Grade 3(3,3,2)ER-, PgR-, HER2+2 so to be confirmed by Sish test. Node negative. No vascular or lymphatic involvement. No metastases in scans. 30 Jan 14 HER2+ high amplification, 13 gene copies per cell. 21st Feb 14 Began 3wkly TCH adjuvant treatment at The Mount Hospital Perth, with 3monthly MUGA heart tests +Oncologist or Surgeon full physical check-up. Cancelled my psych clients for 6 months. Feb 14 First MUGA test: 71%, First C15.3 test: 20 7th March 14 began Neulasta self-applied injections 24hrs after each TCH treatment. Bonepain helped by spa, heatpacks and Claritin, reflux/indigestion helped by Somac. July 14 completed docetaxol and carboplatin, ongoing herceptin to 12 months. Severe cognitive deficit/fatigue after 1pm daily. Sept 14 Second MUGA test: 69% Cancelled my psych clients for 2014 Dec 14 Third MUGA test: 70% Second C15.3 test : 20 Cognitive fatigue delays return to work. March 2015 Tachycardia pulse 168, night in hospital. Cardiologist says no heart disease, ALIVE ECG attachment for my mobile phone now regular monitoring. July 2015 Worktrial, up to 8hrs per wk. Fatigue ongoing Aug 2015 Heart good, no evidence of cancer, just Fatigue. May 2019 Melanoma 1.5cm Stage 1 by right collarbone(was present as large freckle in 2014 and cut through by breast surgeon to remove fatty cyst at same time as mastectomy.) Melanoma removed leaving scar from shoulder to breastbone. In hospital twice for IV antibiotics. Told catagorically this could not be BC mets. Dec 2019 Still NED, still fatigue in late afternoon, but have my brain back in the early mornings. So most days I watch the sunrise and hear the birds morning chorus in my bush backyard and am glad to be alive and to be me still.