Herceptin,work or just how things are going to be?
Herceptin,work or just how things are going to be? My hair has grown back grey, I’ve got fat and flab I never had before, my skin is as dry as a crisp and I feel like an old woman in the mornings with my stiff joints, but hey I have accepted this and just trying to get on with things…what I can’t accept is this continual tiredness and the concentration of a gnat since I started back at work 6 weeks ago. I am still only managing 3 days a week, and even this is an effort (Prior to returning to work, I felt that I was getting better every day)
This is the one thing that I thought I would have control over, but feel as if I am being carried by other people at work. I just can’t believe that it is work alone that is making me feel like this. I started Herceptin the same week that I returned to work and have raised this issue at the hospital, as I was thinking that maybe it was the herceptin that was causing it, but they have just dismissed it, saying that they have no evidence of this.
Has anyone else noticed more tiredness since starting herceptin or is this something else that I am just going to have to learn to live with.
I honestly do feel at the moment that I am never going to feel normal again
Hi Pollyansa,
I wonder how long it is since you finished your other treatments including rads? Over the years I have had a number of chemos, surgeries and rads. They all take time to get over - it happens and is gradual. By 12 months you notice it is even better than it was at 6, or at least that is how I have found it. I have been on herceptin now for 2.5 years and would be inclined to agree with your hospital - I do not think it causes tiredness. I think it is much more likely to be the tamoxifen - but it will be interesting to hear what others say about this. I do not take tamoxifen as I am ER-.
Dawnhc
diagnosed same time as you Hi
I was also diagnosed with Grade 3, her pos, in April 05. I get extremely tired and only work 4 short (4 hr) days as I’m too tired to do much more. I’ve been on herceptin since Oct and wasn’t tired on just that so I think it is probably just early days to be going back to work or maybe as Dawn suggested the tamoxifen.
Is your work very physical or mentally draining?
I’m exhausted at present but had to have more chemo between dec - march so think I’m just getting over this as well.
Most threads I read about tiredness say it is a long haul back to not being so tired and I’ve been told it will take about a year ffrom now to get back to full strength. You must look after yourself and don’t feel guilty. You are back to work. Hopefully, mentally that is good for you and don’t worry about feeling you are being carried.
Sorry this seems so brief but got to get kids now. I do use the other site if you want a longer chat.
All the best
Kate
herceptin Hi Pollyansa
I started a thread about a month ago on here about herceptin and tiredness. I was getting extremely tired on it but after my last one (I think my 5th) I was much better. There were quite a few replies from other people who also got tired. The hospital say that as herceptin is so new they dont know all the side effects yet, but agree that it is a possibility.
I think you are very brave to be back at work at all, and wish you well soon.
Love Rosamaria x