No Vitality, No Get-Up-And-Go!

Hi, all you fellow travellers. If you are on tarceva and scans show
some improvement, do you still suffer from total apathy and no enthusiasm for any of the things you did before the cancer? I feel that everything about my personality has gone and I mourn it. I no longer look forward to anything, my appetite is non-existent and I just feel generally "tired of life". Is this usual? I look forward to going to bed at night where I can "turn off", sleep and relax. I AM thankful to still be alive when I was only given 3 months early last year, but this lack of interest in anything is driving me to depression! Does anyone else have these feelings?
I feel so guilty for making my husband (who is marvellous) "down" too! Man,! this feeling is contagious!!!!!!

I have been taking Tarceva for Stg 4 nsclc for at least a year - I did the usual chemo prior to that ( dx 4/05 ). I take the Tarceva ( 150 mg ) for 30 days, then give myself 5 days off.  After I resume taking it, I have 3-4 days when I have no energy, but then it goes away.  Is it possible that taking an antidepressant might help??

my partner has a brain tumour and is on a vaiety of medications.  Since coming home frm hospital she no longer has an interest in anything she did prior to finding out she had a tumor - i dont know why this is but as soon as i find out ill be sure to post something

good luck 

Hi Primmy,

I've been on Tarceva for about a year but I can't say I've had problems with apathy and a lack of interest.  I do get tired easily - I'm often snoring on the couch before 9 pm!  Could your problem be depression?  Maybe an antidepressant would help?  I had a problem with depression before I was diagnosed with cancer so was already on medication - they've kept me on it so maybe that is why I don't have those symptoms.  Does your treatment facility have a palliative care team?  If so, I'd suggest that you try to see them.  I know most people - including myself - think of them as end of life care - just before Hospice.  But they are not - I've found them very helpful in dealing with the side effects of treatment as well as the emotional roller coaster that dealing with cancer takes you on.

 

 

Dear Primmy,

 My husband has been on Tarceva for over 3 years.   He has gone thru some different stages.  He still has the skin problems and occasional diarrhea.  He had about a year and a half where he was dog tired, he literally slept his days away.   He took Ritalin in a very small dose and it did help to fight the fatigue.  You could ask the doc about that.   In adults, Ritalin acts as a caffeine boost.   He isn't experiencing the fatigue anymore.    He was 42 and never smoked and diagnosed with stage IV in both lungs.   That was Jan of 2005.    His right lung is clear and he has only a few small spots in his left.   Life is pretty much normal for him right now.   Good luck and sleep if you have to sleep.   :)

On 6/18/2008 dutchgirl wrote:

Dear Primmy,

 My husband has been on Tarceva for over 3 years.   He has gone thru some different stages.  He still has the skin problems and occasional diarrhea.  He had about a year and a half where he was dog tired, he literally slept his days away.   He took Ritalin in a very small dose and it did help to fight the fatigue.  You could ask the doc about that.   In adults, Ritalin acts as a caffeine boost.   He isn't experiencing the fatigue anymore.    He was 42 and never smoked and diagnosed with stage IV in both lungs.   That was Jan of 2005.    His right lung is clear and he has only a few small spots in his left.   Life is pretty much normal for him right now.   Good luck and sleep if you have to sleep.   :)