I'm just so overwhelmed

shelleym1

how do you get through all of this? Starting hormonal therapy but need anti depressants due to history of depression that I'm afraid will worsen with lack of estrogen, but afraid to start because they're pretty brutal until you adjust. Waiting for Menopause symptoms to start, wondering how this will effect my sex life and my life overall. I feel like I am just buried under this pile and I can't get out. On top of it all always having this voice in the back of my head telling me I may still die from this anyway. How do you do it? I have a therapist but sometimes feel like it will never be enough.

Marietje1956

hi Shelleym1,

What I do: I tell myself I may not have several or even any of the side effects and often,for many women, this is true!

I also tell myself I will very probably not die soon, and anyway, I am alive now at this moment, so why poison my healthy days with emotions full of fear and pain - maybe for nothing!

My life is now. What happens when I must have chemo, or hormone therapy, happens then. And I will have strength, then!

Keep up the trust in yourself!

Xx Marie

shelleym1

thanks Marie

debiann

My mental health and anxiety actually improved after menopause and starting anti-hormone therapy. I think  my hormone levels were previously way out of whack and making me crazy (and giving me cancer). 

Here's the speech I give myself when I feel doomed. 'You're not dying today, so enjoy it. Even if mets were in your future, you would likely still have many happy years after dx. The time to think about dying from BC is  when your you MO says there are no more treatment options, until then live life to its fullest."

good luck & feel better

shelleym1

I appreciate that Debi

ksusan

Take it an hour at a time. It's easy to get pulled into catastrophic thinking if you keep going over everything in the future. Antidepressant is probably a good idea if you know depression is something you're vulnerable to. If it's "brutal" to start, talk with your therapist and prescriber about whether the one(s) you've tried are the best fit for you.

Bippy625

shelleym, we all wonder exactly the same thing.

Some days it overtakes me. Some days it is okay. Some days are glorious and it barely enters my thoughts.

As to antidepressants, I feel they are important not only for the depression but to minimize hot flashes and menopausal symptoms. Maybe ypur doc can start you off with minimal dose, and work up if/as needed. That worked great for me, no awful SEs.

Sighs, recurrence fears. nothing for that. Always it will be here with us. I try not to think about it and sometimes that works. Not always.

I am focusing now on having fun, relaxing and completing tx in early July. It helps to have something to look forward to.

Peace and hugs,

candy