Why am I so tired?

[emmasmom]

Hi. I have so many questions today .... I finished chemo (taxol/herceptin) on April 27. For the last three weeks I have been so incredibly tired. I have had my blood counts check and they are great. I am pretty sure I am going to start my period soon (I have cramps and just feel bloated). Is there any other reason I am so tired? This, in addition to the fact that I have been having constant headaches, makes me scared about the brain mets. Anyone have problem when you finished chemo of being tired?

Does anyone know how long before I get my brain MRI back? I took it on Friday. Thanks!

Lisa

[lexigirl]

Hi Lisa,

I finished my chemo in January, rads in March and continue on herceptin. I will tell you that I am pooped out all of the time. I feel as though I just can't get e nough sleep. I am trying to be patient with getting my energy back. I get frustrated though. I do have an underactive thyroid. I should probably get it checked again. I kind of feel like I did prior to being diagnosed with a low thyroid.

I hope you will be feeling better really soon!

Hugs,
Lexi

[Susan2]

Hi Lisa,

When I had my MRI, they said that the results would go to the dr. in 24 hours and the dr would call me within 48 hrs. You should have your answer soon. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good report.

Take care,
Susan

[SherryS]

Aside from all the drugs/chemicals that we put in our bodies with treatment, there is also stress that makes us tired. And no matter how much we try to relax, we do carry some stress with this. Having and MRI and waiting for the results was stressful for you and that would add to your fatigue. Overcoming most of the fatigue takes time and I've found that exercise, even walking around the block every day helps to combat that and makes me feel a little more "with it".

[MJo]

Bless you for this post, Lisa. I finished Taxol on May 4 and am getting weekly Herceptins. I felt pretty good with the Taxol, but for the past two days I've been very, very tired. I was going to post today and ask if anyone has experienced this. My blood counts were fine, too. Possibly the Herceptin has something to do with it. I also started working almost full time last week. I had accupuncture yesterday and the accupuncturist (an RN) told me to rest more.

[SherryS]

I feel fatigued most days, some more than others. I've read that one of the side effects of herceptin is fatigue so I'm putting the way I feel down to what's going in my body, and what has already gone in my body. I also find that if a few days have passed and I haven't gone for a good, invigorating walk (20 minutes approx.), then my energy level is low -- the exercise produces more energy in the body -- through the blood, etc. Don't forget, if you've returned to work and are back to full time, your body is going to need to readjust to that as well -- both physically and emotionally. Your accupunturist is right -- resting more is still necessary. The body takes a long time to heal and the fatigue is the body's way of saying "be good to me". Glad you felt good with the taxol...that's one heavy duty drug!