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Why fatigued when no therapy?

Page last modified on: August 19, 2008
Question from Tlh: Why am I so tired when I did not need chemo or radiation therapy, only a mastectomy? Is it from stress?
Answers —Russell Portenoy, M.D.: It's been appreciated for a long time that there can be a fatigue syndrome that follows surgery, even in minor procedures. It is also clear that stress, which can interfere with sleep or nutrition or become associated with depressed mood, can also be involved in causing or sustaining fatigue. Finally, there can sometimes be problems like anemia that can occur in the perioperative period, or an association with the underlying disease that might be a cause. Again, the need to do an evaluation based on what we now know about fatigue is very important. And patients should not be afraid to discuss this with their doctors, many of whom don't appreciate the need to do this evaluation.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Regardless of your treatment, the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis is enough to steal a lot of your energy away over a period of days to weeks, if not longer.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2001, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Ease Fatigue, Boost Energy. Lillian Nail, Ph.D., R.N., Russel Portenoy, M.D., and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about ways to manage fatigue and increase energy levels.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Lillian Nail, Ph.D., R.N.Lillian Nail, Ph.D., R.N., is the Dr. May Rawlinson Distinguished Professor and a senior scientist at the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Nursing in Portland.

Russell Portenoy, M.D.Russell Portenoy, M.D., is a neurologist and chairman of the Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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