It has been three years since my last treatment and for the most part I feel very fortunate. Taste, saliva, etc, are probably back to 85% +/- of what they were. But in the last year, or two years post treatment, fatigue and cognitive issues have started cropping up. I'm only 53 so don't think age is the issue. My memory is not what it used to be, and all to frequently I really struggle finding the right words to say in a conversation. The fatigue is such that many nights after I get home from work, once I sit down, it is very difficult to get up. Only a year and a half ago I was actively involved in sports so this is a big change. I would be curious if anyone else has similar symptoms so far past treatment.

Welcome to OCF! You may want to check with your doc about your thyroid. Many people who undergo head and neck radiation have their thyroid damaged resulting in fatigue. If it is the thyroid, it is easily regulated with taking just one pill per day. Hope you get it figured out and can get it taken care of so you feel peppy again.

RD,

CRF (cancer related fatigue) and "Chemo Brain" are fairly common issues directly after treatment and some experience both for quite sometime afterwards. Many of us may never see energy levels or cognitive function like before we went through treatment, it's part of the "new" you. What you are describing sounds a little different due to the fact that you were active just over a year and a half ago.

If you did have radiation to the H&N area it could explain the issues as the rads will continue to effect you over time, it really is the gift that keeps on giving. So it could very well be your thyroid so getting your TSH levels checked is a good idea.

You don't say specifically what sex you are but I'm assuming from your post that you're a man. If that's the case it could very well be age related...andropause. Andropause is caused by the gradual decreased testosterone production in men. Men lose between 1-2% production of "T" per year after the age of 40 anyways, but in patients that have gone through rads to the head that can be excellerated due to radiation damage to the pituitary and hypothalmus, both key in the production of testosterone. Your symptoms actually speak more to that issue then the TSH levels...unless you feel very cold all of the time as well.

Cognitive function, fatigue, motivation, moods, libido, even aches and pains are all symptoms of andropause. You can ask your Dr about getting your testosterone levels checked. The "normal" range in men is between 260 nanograms/decalitre to 1200 ng/dl although 260 is really low. If you get tested and run low there are treatment options for you, testosterone replacement therapy is one option that you can talk to your Dr about.

There are natural/supplemental ways to help enhance "T" levels as well if you don't want to do the replacement therapy route. Either way though it does sound like a imbalance issue so I'd look into thyroid, adrenals or testosterone.

Good luck

Eric

My dad also had the symptoms that you had mentioned post his first radiotherapy (just wondering what will be after his second radiotherapy now?). His doctor had him TSH tested and prescribed eltroxin. Since then, he has his TSH tested now every six months and eltroxin dose is adjusted as per the requirement. Yes, but his memory is still not as good as it used to be.

First off congrats on being 3 years out!!! That's great! Secondly the advice you got was spot on... And what I was going to suggest ( except for the testosterone thing since I'm not overly versed in that area! ) good luck. And welcome!