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tired after cancer

By September 10, 2010 - 2:04am
 
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I had thyroid cancer in 2000 and had my thyroid removed, three ops, radiotherapy, RAI. I am on 125 mcg ofT4 and some T3. However, i feel incredibly tired all the time. i am in remission with a tg of 1.9. I thought thyroxine would replace my old thyroid.

lilyfire

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Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

P.S. Here's an article a friend sent me on coping with cancer fatigue which may also help you:
http://www.oncolink.org/coping/article.cfm?c=5&s=21&ss=28&id=964

January 30, 2011 - 3:20pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

PS also check all your vitamin levels, etc. the Bs help when you are depressed. Yoga and stretching will help. get interested in a hobby and that will take your mind off things, ie painting, reading, good films, French ones are wonderful, photography. But I know exactly how you feel and I have several friends who have general thyroid probs and that get tired easily too! Even a famous film director had the same problem and tried accupunture etc and Chinese medicine and he said that helped. fire lily.

January 26, 2011 - 4:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thank you for all your info I try to walk all the time and have been going to a nature path as well. They have checked all my vitamins and I am on es and bs. I am still so tired I can't function and I get terrible head aches. They can't seem to find out what is wrong. HELP

January 26, 2011 - 5:09pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Well, I had thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed in 2001 since then I have put on loads of weight despite taking thyroxine. I am also very tired most of the time. I have added Slow release T3 to my medication mixture and this helps. I find that if I can go out and exercise and walk alot that is a key thing to improving the general slump feeling. I also try and keep away from alcohol because that knocks me out completely. Make sure your TSH is suppressed to 0.1 because that should stop any tumour kick starting again. And take calcium several hours apart from your thyroid meds. Also watch out for Atrial fillibration which is irregular heart beat because I get that. They don't know what is causing it but one medical person suggested the thyroxine was doing it or it may be genetic, who knows. fire lily.

January 26, 2011 - 4:04am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am a thyroid cancer survivor from March of 2007 and every since then I have been to several doctors cause I am so exhausted I can't function and they all say there is nothing they can do. They can't seem to find out why I am so tired. They say that my Thyroid levels are just fine. I sleep lots and can't seem to do much of anything. If I do I just want to go to bed. Any suggestions?

January 25, 2011 - 10:19pm

The other activity I have been doing is take a course in art and design which covered print making, painting, sculpture, embroidery, jewellery making, frame making, stained glass, drawing and textiles. This was a wonderful way to express myself and I got a real buzz from it and general happiness within. I also got a place to do a Fine Art BA at university but have put this on hold at the moment. I think having cancer can destroy your confidence a little so doing something like this was very helpful. I may do the university later.

lilyfire

September 27, 2010 - 11:40pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

lilyfire - I'm so glad you've found a way to relax and have some fun! Salsa and brazilian dancing sounds like a very interesting way to spend some time, and I bet you'll find some other ways too.

The healthcare system puts a lot of focus on the clinical aspects of surviving cancer, and sometimes it feels like the rest of our lives doesn't get as much attention. This is changing - slowly - and the need for a higher quality of life as a survivor is being recognized. I think you will like this article and find it helpful. You're on the right path! Pat
https://www.empowher.com/memory-loss/content/quality-life-could-predict-your-survival

September 27, 2010 - 6:55pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi lilyfire - As a fellow cancer survivor I've often found that the very best information about learning how to live well after treatment has come from other patients, including many in other countries. Are you currently in any support groups? There are many resources available online now, and you may find it helpful to talk to others. You sometimes need to try a few to find one that's right for your needs, but it's worth the time and effort.

Here's some to look into:
Thyroid Cancer Survivor's Association:
http://www.thyca.org/
http://www.thyca.org/support.htm

Daily Strength Thyroid Cancer Support Group: http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Thyroid-Cancer/support-group

Thyroid Cancer Canada: http://www.thyroidcancercanada.org/

Thyroid Cancer Support UK: http://www.thyroidcancersupportuk.org/

Hope this helps!
Pat

September 13, 2010 - 6:35pm
(reply to Pat Elliott)

Thank you to those that have sent information for me.

I am finding that salsa and brazilian dancing is helping me! I took it up two weeks ago. both my vocal cords are down due to the ops and treatment but I am managing and this does help very low moods.

Lilyfire.

September 27, 2010 - 2:40am
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