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Extreme Exhaustion


vickif

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My husband was diagnosed with liver mets on the 13th Dec and subsequently with PC on his birthday the 15th Jan. We await a liver biopsy and decision as to what and if he will receive chemo. In the meantime my husband is severely tired and it is an effort for him to even walk to the toilet. He sleeps at night and most of the day and when awake can barely lift his head. Is this the cancer or something linked. He's been given 9 months to 2 years as a prognosis. Please help x

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PCUK Nurse Jeni

Hi Vickif,


Thank you for your post, and sorry that you have found yourself on these forums.


I am sorry to hear that your husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on his birthday - no time is a good time to get this diagnosis, but it seems particularly cruel for this to have happened on his birthday. I note that you are awaiting a liver biopsy - do you know what his current liver function blood tests are at the moment or not? And has he had a recent full blood count taken, which would tell you what his haemoglobin levels are?


Haemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body - when it is low, this can cause extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness and headaches also. It could be that this is causing his issues.


It could also be a side effect of medication - is he on any medication, in particular, opioid pain relief?


Is he jaundiced, as this can also cause fatigue?


Is he eating well or not? Energy can be derived from our food, so if the intake is low, then the energy levels can also drop.


The cancer can also cause fatigue in itself, but as you can see, there may be several causes.


Please do contact us - details below, so that we can go through these further with you.


Kind regards,


Jeni.


Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

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Thank you so much for your reply. I'm getting nowhere with the hospital or my own GP. I will telephone you on the number you have given me x

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Hi Vickif,

Do speak to the nurses they are extremely helpful. Also don't be afraid of chemo, there are lots of horror stories about it, but I went from being almost bed bound to having a new lease of life after four rounds. Yes there were side effects but the Oncologist was able to manage and advise on these. I had hoped the chemo would stop the progression, which it did, but I had no expectation that it would actually make me feel so much better. I know that it doesn't work for everyone but for some people it does so don't be put off too easily.


Good luck,


Erika

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PCUK Nurse Jeni

Hi Vickif,


I am sorry to hear that you are feeling like progress is minimal.


Has your husband had his liver biopsy yet? Or, has he had a date for this? I hope that this does take place as there seems to have been a wait for him to start his chemo. Has he seen an oncologist yet?


Please do give us a call when you are able to Vickif.


Kind regards,


Jeni.



Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

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