Long Term Side Effects

kimlk · Regular Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 11

I am hoping that someone here may have some helpful advice for me. I am a 31 year old female who finished 8 cycles of ABVD treatment for stage IIIB hodgkin's lymphoma a little over a year ago. Before my diagnosis I was a very active and fitness oriented individual. Treatment was hard on me psychologically & physically because I could no longer keep up my previous lifestyle. I suffered from massive fatigue, to the point where carrying a couple bags of groceries from my car into the house would leave my heart pounding & me needing to sit down to rest. I was confident that I could beat the cancer, and was so happy when the doctors gave me the all clear. I gave myself time to rest before going back to work, and slowly tried to incorporate some of my previous activities into my life, like swimming, or rollerblading, or visiting the gym. However, I find that now more than a year later, I am still struggling with fatigue. I know that exercise and activity can help with that, but I still feel so tired that it is hard to motivate myself. I've gotten to a point where after work I just want to go home & rest, and even after a full nights sleep I still sometimes find myself so tired. My doctor suggested maybe finding someone to exercise with, but I've just moved to a new town & know very few people & none who might be willing to do that. I also have concentration & memory issues. I don't mean to complain & I have to say that I'm very grateful for having been given the chance to continue the adventure that is my life. I just want to know if anyone else who has been through treatment has found themselves struggling with similar issues, and if so, have you found any solutions that might help make things more manageable?
Thanks,
Kim

jfkbluecircle · Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject: Re: Long Term Side Effects

Hi, Kim,
Let me just open by congratulating you on finishing your course of treatment. I was a bit younger when I finished 12 doses of the chemo you had (this was ten years ago) but like you, it took me a while to feel %100.

My lifestyle was healthy prior to treatment and is today (exercise, diet, all things in moderation and no smoking, etc.). I did discontinue the psychological treatment provided by my hematologist/oncologist shortly after I got the all clear. However, I eventually went to a therapist after resuming my education four years ago; I found that I had some hard times with illness and symptoms that resembled my pre-diagnosis laundry list of fatigue, etc.

There have been studies according to a D.O. who is a former acquaintance that depressive tendencies (and not even full blown depression in some cases) can be exacerbated by chemotherapy. I cannot give you the names of these studies nor their authors, but I am sure a quick search might provide some information. As always, I think it is best to consult a certified professional.

I know it sounds corny, but you have survived and are past some very difficult aspects of your physical recovery. I still cry sometimes thinking about that time in my own life. The disease may be gone, but I think it may take time for the dis-ease to subside.

I wish you all the very best; good luck finding a gym buddy Smile

and finding the peace of mind to sustain you.
Jessica

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

kimlk,
You're not alone. A lot of patients after chemo complain of not feeling 100% even months to years after. Continue working with your medical team to get your body and mind into optimal condition. Good luck.
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

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