Tired!

[Silver Sonnet]

Hi, ya'll--just a quick question:  I'm so TIRED, and I haven't had surgery yet.  Do you suppose it's so kind of repressed stress, or is this part of the process?  Thanks!

[skipg]

I had unexplainable fatigue. I did a search for fatigue and there are some great posts that will answer your question. There is one particular post that has a link on Brain Tumors and fatigue. Check it out, it helped me understand my tiredness.
Skip

[skipg]

Here is the link posted by Allison on May 18th.

http://www.brainsciencefoundation.org/matriarch/documents/bt_and_fatigue.pdf

[Silver Sonnet]

Thank you!  I'll check it out

[skipg]

Rode the bike to a funeral service today. Middle of the service I had an incredible sinker and almost fell asleep in the pew.  First time I ever felt like falling asleep on the bike while sitting still in the parking lot. That would not have been cool, slowly falling over as everyone watched. Once we got rolling the the tinnitus decreased and everything started coming back. Home to a nap in the pool and everything felt good except for the screaming that came back.

[CHD63]

That was a link to a good article on fatigue and brain tumors, in general.  However, we with ANs have additional compounding factors not mentioned in it.  Many of us struggle daily maintaining balance or listening to screaming tinnitus or struggling to hear someone/something or dealing with facial weakness or fighting headaches.  All of these things can be pre and/or post treatment factors, which are extremely tiring.  Thankfully most of us do not have to face all of these issues on a daily basis, but no matter what we have, it causes additional tension and eventually builds up to a wall of fatigue.

The article did include several good suggestions to improving energy.  I would like to add that through trial and error, each of us can find unique ways to improve our energy level ...... walking for me is extremely helpful ..... it may seem the opposite, but reducing my caffeine intake helps, as well as reducing my sugar intake.

Best wishes to all.

Clarice

[Tod]

I think it depends on location and size of your tumor. Just prior to surgery I was also diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Much of the severity went away after surgery. Yes, I dropped some weight (about 30lbs and another 20 since), but I don't think that accounts for all of it. For a number of years prior to surgery things that just kept getting more difficult, and I couldn't understand why. Difficult enough that I had gained 70lbs, could not run even short distances (I had been running ultramarathons), and fell asleep at 70mphs and rolled my truck.

Everything is coming back together since surgery and a 90% or better removal- so yes, I think there is a correlation. Is the tumor causative? In my case I think so.

-Tod

[Silver Sonnet]

You all make good points.  I do work hard to hear people since I've lost the hearing in my right ear almost completely.  I've noticed I'm not sleeping well, either: not nervous about the surgery, but I seem to lie awake and think about everything.

And Tod, my tumor is pressing on my brain stem, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Surgery is Wed, July 6.  I'm flying to Maryland in the morning and doing all the pre-op stuff on Tuesday.  If the tumor is causing the tiredness, I'll know eventually.

Here's hoping *I* lose 50 pounds, too!

[luvzmutt]

Silver Sonnet, where are you having your surgery in Maryland and who are the doctors?  I live in Maryland, and have my second follow-up at Hopkins on the 11th.  Right now I am watch and wait. 

[Tod]

Good luck with your surgery this week. My overall experience has been good, I trust yours will be as well.  Keep us posted.

-Tod

[deheisel11]

Best wishes for a perfect surgery and speedy recovery.  I lost 30 pounds, but 50 would have been excellent.  It sure is one heck of a weight-loss program.  See you on the other side.

[leapyrtwins]

My take is that the fatigue is related to stress.  I didn't experience it prior to my surgery and I don't know many who did; although we are all different.

I had horrendous fatigue post op, but most do.  It's amazing how much anesthesia and brain sugery effect your body.

Jan

[moe]

Thinking of you today and praying for a successful surgery.
Maureen

[cin605]

Thoughts and Prayer w/ you today....Successful surgery and speedy recoup..HUGS!!!

[deboline]

Hoping your surgery went well. I also am in Maryland, I am interested in knowing whether you are at Hopkins or Univ of MD - I am in the process of choosing my treatment option. Let us know how you did!