Anxiety/Depression

alexcc

This site is a Godsend!  Since the end of my surgery and treatment I have been depressed and anxious. I was very strong and "sailed" thru my tx.  I thought afterwards I would be happy.  It has been 5 months and many med changes and I still cant seem to shake it.  I usually bounce back quickly.  I am seeing a therapist that tells me I have been thru alot and give it time.  Having others who "get it" I hope will help. I have very supportive friends (and am house cleaning on the few that aren't) and try to stay positive.  I have no conscious fear of recurrance.  I cant really pinpoint what is making me depressed. My life is really good. I have been very blessed.  Hope I can shake this soon!

cmbear

alex--so are you done with active TX? Quite often there is a post depression after TX. You know you should be ok, but you feel like you're waiting for another shoe to drop. Without the daily or weekly hospital visits, you kind of feel unsure or alone for awhile. That feeling does pass, as time goes by and you realize--hey, its pretty good to not have to see those darn onc docs every other day!! Time to rediscover you, time to heal you, the inner you. Go back to an old hobby, start a new one. Make a lunch date with an old friend. Get moving, exercise--its the best! And if you are on any hormonals it will take more than a few months to get past how that affects your body. hang in there, it will get better! There are other threads on this site that have women who feel just like you, so don't ever feel alone!

alexcc

Thanks!  I have been walking everyday.  It was a struggle at first but now I look forward to it.  I have always been so strong and not being able to shake this is scary to me.  Pushing my self everyday though.  I have reached the stage where I am glad I only see my Onc every 3 months!  I am on anastrozole but currently taking a minth drug holiday to see if my mood improves and possibly change meds if so. 

mybee333

cmbear - do you think it might take months of using an AI before our moods settle?  I can tolerate the aches and pains but the depression and mood issues are really impacting my functioning.  I have been taking Aromatase for about 3 months, Arimidex for some months on and off before that (severe headache issue). Thanks for your help!

my3sunz42

OMG ... I can relate to everything you guys are saying! I've been on Tamox for almost a month now and am now experiencing severe depression. I had an anxiety attack for the 1st time in my life & it was terrifying. I too was strong during my treatments and surgery and received an extremely optimistic prognosis, but I just can shake this depression. I cry every hour, can't work, can't find the energy to do the things that used to bring me happiness ... heck, just taking a shower is a chore. 

Physically I'm doing great & recovering like a champ ... emotionally I'm a wreck. I guess I won a battle, but I haven't won the war.  As I type, I'm waiting for my oncologist to call ... something has GOT to change ... I feel like I'm a crazy manic depressive.