I am a little perplexed during the last few days. Fatigue seems to hit me every once in awhile and especially during the last couple of weeks. Would like to hear others experience with fatigue - one year after chemoradiation, stage IV A, neck dissection. Several PETs since treatment, no cancer apparent on last one 6/19/07. Any thoughts would be welcome

best Michael J.

Have you had your thyroid checked??? Deb

Hi Michael

Same deal here. About 4:30 PM or so every day I simply "run out of gas". I'm due for a thyroid check next week.

Kevin

Have blood test coming back today. Don't know if that addresses Thyroid. It may be anemia as well - the radiation affected hemaglobin levels and white blood cell levels as well. Which I know has some prognosis impact but it is what it is when it comes to OCF. Anyway I'll see.

thans for the responses.

Stage IVa neck dissection, chemoradiation finished treatment 9/22/06.

I had fatigue and after finding my thyroid was shot from the radiation feel well with the thyoid medication. My white blood has never recovered and remains low after 3.5 years, however I remain very healthy and get sick less than before the cancer. I may be getting older but I noticed I get a little fatigued easier dispite my thyroid being at the proper level but nothing that is pooping me out each day.

just got the blood test and white blood cell count is 3.5 but the rest is good. Have Thyroid test next week schedule and the rest of the metabolic pannels. It wierd because this is a new development but unlikely recurrence because recent CT (10/15/07) CT/PET (6/15/07) tests, onset quick, aches in muscles as well as joints. Sounds like Thyroid issues after reading the information. I also am rarely sick and still play basketball and run. I appreciate the comments. Thanks

Michael J.

Base Tongue T1 N2 MO June 2006 - chemo carboplatin, IMRT detect @ 48 years.

ive also have trouble with fatigue not all the time but some had larnyx cancer dianosed in june 2007
had 7 weeks of radition and 7 weeks of chemo so afraid it will come back
now take b 12 shoots once a month also have ms on top of that maybe a pet scan in feb everything looks good so far

Michael,
Hang in there. It sounds like you are active and look after yourself which is the best treatment for fatigue. Even if the thyroid test is an issue you may want to consider taking a daily multivitamin it may help. Evalute your fluid intake are you keeping hydrated? Fatigue can be caused by even slight dehydration so it is important to drink plenty of fluids.
When you feel tired rest, it is not uncommon even a year or more after chemo and radiation for your body to still be feeling the effects. A 20 minute rest even if you don't sleep can do wonders and recharge your batteries.

I hope this is useful.

Mike

Everyone who gets radiation in the head & neck area should be getting a TSH test every 6 months according to NCCN guidelines. You should have gotten a baseline test before the start of treatment.

Your blood chemistry may never return to the levels it was before treatment, especially WBC. Anemia is having too many white cells however.

It took me a couple of years before I settled into the new "normal". This is when some of the collateral damage from the radiation started to show up as well (mainly damage to the neck muscles on the side with the most radiation).

My SSDI claim was based on long term cancer fatigue which is a well known side effect.

Well the thyroid test came back negative. Had a PET/CT and 14 months from treatment and 18 months from diagnosis - everything is OK. The fatigue and flu like symptoms are still present. They did not take baseline thyroid and I am in process of getting test so I can see score of thyroid. I am still realitively active and would be great without issue... take B12 but not as regular as should.. - Vitamins C,D,B and other slightly above average - gaining wieght.

Michael J.
Dx 7/6/06, SCC, left base tongue(HPV?), Stage IVa, T1N2bMO Tx 9/22/06, Carboplatin, IMRT Bilateral with boost, left neck dissection,

Hey Michael,

it took me 2 yrs to have enough energy to get thru the day and have something left for exercise, which i then include on a regular basis. 2 yrs of routine got me back to a respectable level. as in i could ride metric and century bike rides. it took time, but was achievable.

so do all that other stuff, and go do something active that you enjoy.

cu,
larryb