← Return to Fatigue worse after radiation: And still have fatigue, what helps?

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I’m right there with you. Finished treatment December 2023 (surgery, chemo and radiation) and put on Anastrazole. Because of problems with bloodwork, further diagnostics (and stress) up till brain MRI and Petscan in July 2024 (both negative). Because of side effects (muscle and bone pain), switched to exemestane in November of last year. At that point, while tired, I was holding my own. Now, I am constantly tired to the point of nodding off mid day and for the last month or so now I can’t sleep - lucky to get 4 hours a night. I do high protein/fiber, low fat diet. Do 5000+ steps daily with strength training and cardio (not overdoing it, 30-45 minutes a day, 6 days a week). Oncologist did tests for possible causes and of course I’m “completely healthy” except for mild low white count and low lymph count that’s been persistent since the chemo. So of course, there is no treatment and I’m told I’m just depressed. I feel it’s from the exemestane just exacerbating the effects still present from treatment but that’s not really recognized and I am a bit afraid to come off the meds. I’ve avoided antidepressants because the side effects run pretty close to those from exemestane and I’m concerned it may worsen the problem instead of correcting it. (And I will admit a personal psychological feeling that taking these is a sign of my own weakness and inability to manage life) But may not have a choice as this particular sleep pattern is not sustainable.

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Replies to "I’m right there with you. Finished treatment December 2023 (surgery, chemo and radiation) and put on..."

Hi
Sorry you're struggling so bad. It definitely is from your exemestane .I did not take the hormone therapy drugs they give you. I just did not feel it was necessary for me because I was stage zero and I had dcis and I already have osteoporosis I did not want to make things 100% worse because what I researched on those medications they do a lot of bad things as far as I'm concerned everyone has to make their own decision of course. I did go on Zoloft 3 months ago 25 mg and I can tell you it's really helping me a lot. I too did not want to take something but I belong to a zoom breast cancer group and most of the women are on an antidepressant because when they take away your estrogen it's very normal to have severe depression and anxiety. I had tried four other antidepressants and they were horrible this one so far has been very good. I did have a rough three weeks when I first started it just increases your anxiety but then it leveled out and it's been good. So don't let yourself suffer. I was on HRT for 14 years so the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer my GP made me stop it. And within 3 months the anxiety and crying was just horrible.