Fatigue?

[duga35]

Hi guys, just checking in to say hello!

I was just wondering how long the fatigue after treatment lasts? I'm about 90+ days out, I think, and for about the last month I've just been totally dead tired. I work a lot of hours, but I'm more tired and worn out now than when I was taking treatments!

Is this normal?


Oh yeah, I almost forgot.

When does your hair come back???? It started to comeback, but now it seems to be at a stand still and is only about an 1/8 inch long and very thin! I used to have very thick hair, and I hate to admit it, but I've always been stuck in the 80's with a mullet!
(Don't laugh!)

And I'm grey! I was always dark brown but right before it fell out it turned white and POOF it was gone.

Hmmmm, didn't Buck Owens and that Roy Clark dude have a song like that back in the Hee-Haw days?

"Something something something, and POOF you were gone...?"

[Mary Jo]

Hi Duga,

Nice to "see" you again and happy to hear you are doing quite well.

Fatique after treatment is a very complex thing. We all experience it to some degree or another. Thinking back, I honestly think it took me about 1 year to feel as if I was back to normal (whatever normal ishttp://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif) Now mind you, I finished chemo the end of Nov. 05 but received herceptin until mid Oct. 06. So, I had herceptin to contend with also. However, I do know that fatique was an issue and it takes quite a while to resolve itself. Some people actually say their fatique has hung on for years.

As for the your hair growth. As I said before, I finished my chemo the end of Nov. 05. My hair didn't start coming in till February 06. I was starting to think it would never come in BUT it did. My hair is different now. My hair use to be thick and wavy and now is kind of thick and straight. A very small, (VERY small) wave in the back maybe but that's about it. BUT....hey, it's hair.

God's Blessings to you Duga...

Mary Jo

[Cannon]

Oh yeah. The fatigue is tough, and does not go away that quickly. I think there is
1) a cumulative effect, where you hold on thru treatment, and then it all piles up on you
2) the let down factor of not being actively "fighting"
3) the getting used to new normal - and I still don't know what that is.

It also sounds like you are a busy bee, so it's not surprising that you're still tired. The hard part I find is that I'm absolutely fine, and then I hit the wall, hard, and have to stop everything.

Take good care, and yes, it's normal.

Oh, I finished chemo 1.5 years ago (herceptin 9 months ago) and my hair is just long enough for a tiny little pony tail. It seems curlier and rougher, but I'm not sure. Came back gray at first, then back to my usual color - the first growth was like wispy baby hairs.

[AlaskaAngel]

Good to see you, Duga! Fatigue is very normal for quite a while, and more so if your EF is stays low. Are you back to full swing working?

I was surprised how long it took for my hair to grow out at first. It was at least 2 months behind where I thought it would be. (I was figuring 1/2 inch per month.)

AlaskaAngel

[juanita]

had a hard time with the fatigue. give yourself a break now and then and accept help from anyone offering it. i think it was about 6 months before i had much hair. be patient.