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What Causes Extreme Fatigue When Diagnosed With Uterine Cancer?

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2015

Question: I was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer (stage 1), waiting for surgery date, total hysterectomy. I had a biopsy and d&c 2+ weeks ago with general anesthesia. I am on 90 mg. of
Cymbalta, Metoprol, 2x/ da., Losartan, 50 mg. simvastatin, 10 mg. and 5 mg. Zolpidem.

I know the cancer and anesthesia can also cause fatigue and I KNOW the Cymbalta can. Right now, I can only work part days as a PT. I commute 30 min. One way and I am 65. I am totally exhausted by the time I get home and have to nap. Is this something you would expect with the info I have given you or are the doctors missing something because they are concentrating on the cancer?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This is something that I would expect!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this fatigue that you have reported. Giving the information provided, this is not totally unexpected. Your medications and the effects of cancer especially the interleukins and probably low hemoglobin can cause fatigue. I don't think the team is missing out on something at this time and I will recommend that you stay calm. Also, I will like to know what the last hemoglobin value was.

I hope this addresses your query fully. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (19 hours later)

Dr. Ivo Ditah, thank you so much for your reply. I am trying to walk at least 3 times a week and I do think I feel better afterwards, but to walk a mile, I have to rest intermittently. I also am having increased urinary frequency. I thought I had my lab reports from my physical in mid August, but I can't find them for hemoglobin values. I do not remember them being out of range in the report. I started spotting about two weeks later. That is what led to pelvic CT, pelvic ultrasound, biopsy and d&c and my diagnosis. Any ideas about urinary frequency related to above. My triglycerides were a little high but not in diabetic range. I will probably try to get into my PCP, but would still like your feedback. Am supposed to hear about surgery date tomorrow. I will really be glad to have that done.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cancer of teh uterus can cause urinary frequency!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Urinary frequency can be explained by cancer of the uterus. This is because as the cancer increases in size, it compresses the adjacent structure structure of which the bladder is one of them. This causes the bladder to fill up quickly and explains the urinary frequency.

I will say, stay calm and let's concentrate on getting the surgery out of the way. I believe this will provide real solutions to your problems.

I hope this helps. Let me know how you are feeling and how the period leading up to the surgery is.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar