How many of us have PTSD??

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited September 2011

    ANYONE who goes through what we go through with BC has PTSD -------anyone that says we don't has there head up their ass------------Get counseling -------asap  whatever your choice ----individual or group

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited September 2011

    PTSD before cancer dx and PTSD has reared it's ugly head again.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited September 2011

    I asked Windlass if I could repost this in several areas. It so nails a lot of what we feel.

    Sep 15, 2011 03:25 am windlass wrote:

    Elizabeth: I've heard men say the same thing about war. There's something about sharing a miserable, gut-wrenching, life-threatening experience with other people that seems to bond us in that nostalgic way.

    Are you completely done with all of your treatment, surgery, etc? That could be part of the reason too - it's hard to feel like you did all that, and now Kablammo, it's just suddenly over. It feels like cancer kidnaps you, holds you at gunpoint for a hellacious couple of months (or years), then just dumps you out by the side of the road and says "thanks for the ride."

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited December 2011

    Bump

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited December 2011

    Hi everyone, Please look at the thread "Let's draft a letter to Washington", we need your input!

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  • agada
    agada Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2011

    I also have PTSD and am in treatment for it, along with depression.  The depression was so bad I started to give my things away and make plans to check out.  I am dismayed that many people who know you and are supposed to be your support/friends don't understand how much PTSD and depression can affect you after cancer.  I am trying to become my own support system.

    Agada

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited December 2011

    Agada- I am sorry to hear this but I can certainly relate. I am glad you found your way here. This is a good place to come and get things out of your head. Looks like you are nearing your 2 year mark. That is fabuous. Do you want to share how you pulled yourself back? You may be able to help a newbie reading this.

    Hugs

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited February 2012

    I feel like I'm doing okay, both physically and mentally when BAM something as insignificant as going to the oncologist for my 3 month check-up sends me spiraling back into a depression. I don't want to leave the house, don't want to get out of my p.j.'s and don't want to talk to anyone on the phone. I just want to be left alone. If I didn't have 2 sons and a precious grandbaby I would seriously consider pulling my car into the garage and stay in it with the engine running. The only thing besides my family that keeps me from doing it is knowing that no matter how bad I feel today "this too shall pass" (at least for a short time.)

    I hear about all these celebrities who have had breast cancer and "are doing fine, blah, blah, blah". We will never be doing fine, we will never be back to normal. Some of us will come out stronger, others not.

    I realize I am only stage lla and I should be thankful for that but it's hard right now. And I only had a DMX, no chemo, rads or hormone treatments (refused all three).

    I was prone to chronic depression anyway and I have had to deal with my husbands death 8/10 and my own diagnosis last April. I was doing well and even my psychiatrist said he was impressed. I'm already on an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication but obviously the depression is still there.

    I want to be normal. I want to live my life without the depression, without having to explain to anyone I might get involved with in the future that I may have a shelf life and "oh, btw, I have fake boobs and no nipples or areolas".

    I put on the brave face in front of my family and friends (as you can see in my photo) but inside I am dying.

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2012

    chiluvr1228, First of all, please accept my condolences on the death of your husband.  No one should have to go through BC so soon after such a devastating loss.  I wish I had the answers to help you, but all I can say is that all of us here care about you very much.  When it comes to depression or PTSD, I do not think the stage of your cancer is important.  Just the fact that you have cancer is serious enuogh.  And most people do not understand that once you are diagnosed with cancer, you never reach a point of knowing for sure that you are cancer free.

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2012

    I saw a new RO today for a follow-up appointment and he was absolutely amazing.  He asked me how I was doing in a way that showed he really cared about my answers.  I told him I felt fine physically.  Then, he said that he sensed something else was wrong and asked about my emotional health.  I suddenly felt a tremendous weight lifting off of me as I described my mental state.  He said I was suffering from PTSD and recommended attending a support group, among other things.  He made sure I was set up with a group before I even left his office.  He said I was like a soldier who had recently returned from war in that I may look fine, but there was still a lot inside of me that needed attention.  What a wonderful doctor!

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited February 2012

    You don't happen to live in Florida do you?

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2012

    No, chiluvr, I live in Massachusetts.  I wish with all my heart that we could all meet each other. There are so many wonderful women on this forum.  

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  • flowers56
    flowers56 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2012

    So glad to find this thread.  I feel like a crazy woman.  One minute I'm fine, the next I'm literally screaming at my husband and son.  I'm on anit-depressants, because I've had chronic depression for years.  I just started going to a support group last Friday, had chemo 2 days ago so won't be going this week.  I'm trying to understand why I feel this way.  I just hole myself up in my room and avoid everyone.  My husband has MS and is totally disabled.   I have a 16 yr old son who's trying his best to help out.   PTSD, yeah I think I'm experiencing it.  I could go on and on, but I won't bore everyone with this.

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  • mostlymom
    mostlymom Member Posts: 466
    edited February 2012

    I'm having problems with coming up on my 1st year since dx.  I have an "event" on FB - "Thursday, February 23, 2012" - I'm throwing cancer a party. I'm going to release some pretty pink balloons full of DEMANDS FOR CANCER CURES from my heart! We are all AWARE OF CANCER - NOW WE WANT A CURE! You are welcome contact me for directions or join me in spirit by thinking CURE CANCER at 4:00 pm, PST.  I'm not a huge fan of the "pink" for BC, but it seems appropriate to me.  The 1st thing I asked for after dx was a double dose of tranks which my PP filled immediately.  I am overly emotional & so close to tears lately.  My daughter is a 13 yr BC survivor & says it lessens as time goes by.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited February 2012

    1)  PTSD is difficult to diagnose.  I would imagine even more have it than those actually getting the diagnosis and treatment, or have it to some sub-clinical degree.

    2)  Strongly disagree with sas-schatzi on the points that anyone with B/C gets PTSD, has their head up their a$$, or needs counseling.  Yes, some do and will.  Just don't feel you can pull that blanket statement over everyone.

    3)  The OP hasn't been back, but nobleanna007, if you are reading...Get the shark lawyer anyway.

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  • SMG1954
    SMG1954 Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2012

    I too live in MA and I wish to find a way to meet other women like me, have a breast cancer survivor club, meet periodically, go out to lunch or dinner, have fun. Also people from RI which is not too far. If you live in MA and RI or even farther and would like to meet, I would be happy to make your acquaintance.

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