Is feeling crazy my new life now?

CidneyI

So, I will reach my 5 year post cancer anniversary later this year. I had to do the Tamo therapy which of course sped up the process of being menopausal. I stopped taking the Tamo last year because it caused issues for me when at work. Even though I haven't been on Tamo for a year, I am naturally in menopause. SO, my question is: since my cancer was estrogen related, I can not do ANYTHING to get my hormones leveled out. I guess this means I get to live the rest of my life feeling crazy? I feel like my mental state is pretty low and I wont even bore you with the physical aspects of living my low estrogen life. Is this it? Has anyone found something to take to feel like a normal human being again?

edwards750

First that’s a precious dog. I am a big time dog lover.

I think you need to ask your doctor that question. Obviously you can’t take hormones after BC. For some women it’s what caused BC to begin with. I know it did for my mother.

Menopause is a difficult time for most women withthose dang hot flashes and lack of concentration. I had a tough time with the hot flashes. I didn’t take anything. I’m sure there is some kind of relief out there. Your doctor should know.

Diane

Georgia1

Hi Cidneyl. I'm not sure I have an answer for you but you have my sympathy. Menopause can be wretched even without a breast cancer diagnosis, but most of us find symptoms decrease over time. At the margins I find it helpful to take magnesium and melatonin for insomnia and omega3 for dryness. Your OB/GYN may be your best resource.

vlnrph

Since you describe 'low mental state' as part of your situation, a trial of anti-depressant therapy might help.

If anxiety about not feeling better is also a problem, many women find that a tiny bit of alprazolam/Xanax or lorazepam can do the trick. Certainly, talk to your doctor(s) regarding this. Don't suffer in silence.

I agree with Georgia above in terms of the non-prescription options and also the expected decrease in symptoms over time. Meanwhile, get ready to celebrate the 5 year landmark you have coming up!

Pippy33

I just told my husband last night I don't know me anymore. I am in the perimenopause stage with super mild periods, night sweats, and hot flashes. Because I was PR/ER- I am at least able to use hormonal birth control to keep me out of full on menopause. I had it during chemo. I was so bad I ended up in the hospital and almost in jail many times from my anger.

I still have all emotional menopause fun and numb from the waist down. I used to be a sexy, energized beast now I am sloth that constantly want to eat and obsess about my fupa with no will to diet or exercise. Happy to be alive but I miss old me and need new me to step the heck up

Moderators

Dear Pippy33,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for your diagnosis and the side effects of your treatment but so glad that you reached out to our members. We are sure that others here can related to your situation. Take a look at this page on links to articles and other's stories about treatment induced menopause. We hope that you will stay active here and find ways to connect with others and their shared experiences. Let us know if we can be of help in your navigation of the various topics and forums.

The Mods

leftduetostupidmods

I guess I'm really lucky. I got thrown in chemopause in May 2010 by the first chemo. Besides having in the 3 months of chemo all the hotflashes other women have during the nor mal menopause onset, that was pretty much it. I am grouchy and grumpy only when I'm in pain.

dtad

Hi everyone..I'm sure this will sound crazy to most but its my hope that in the future balancing hormones will actually be a treatment. They are doing it in Europe with promising results. We are not even close to even studying this but my hope is the next generation might benefit from it. Good luck to all navigating this complicated disease.