PTSD - anyone had this diagnosis during or after cancer?

Brutersmom - yes! After trying every AI and even Tamoxifen, I had horrible side effects on everything. I went home from work every day and covered my legs in heating pads for the rest of the night. I woke every morning at around 4 a.m. in so much pain, and crying, that my boyfriend had to massage my legs until I was able to get up and walk. My boyfriend was essentially raising my 2 kids. I talked with my oncologist in January and officially stopped taking the meds the first week in January. She said "let's call it a 6-month vacation" from the drugs. But within 2 weeks, I felt, physically, like my old self. Of course, the thought of not taking ANYTHING to counter the estrogen in my body still haunts me, so I'm approaching it a different way. I joined a gym and have started weight training to convert fat to muscle (fat produces estrogen, while muscle attacks cancer cells). I've also lost about 20 pounds. I've cut refined sugar out of my diet, and cut back on anything with processed white flour, although I can't turn down an occasional plate of spaghetti! I'm taking supplements like Turmeric, Vitamin D and others. I'm taking my son on a mother-son vacation to Kauai, where I want to teach him to surf and scuba dive (things I love), just in case my bc returns and I'm not here someday. My next oncology appointment is in July, and I'm hoping to convince her to let me stay off the drugs (my decision, but I want her support).

I have to say that not taking the meds has not relieved me of anxiety. I still take Xanax twice a day for anxiety attacks. It's been three years and I thought my mind would be in a more positive place by now, but it's just not. I'm trying my best not to let myself be haunted by it, but it's hard. And it just sucks.

suems - I'm so sorry you are in this situation and my prayers are with you. Just so you know, a lot of psychologists/psychiatrists will diagnose people with an "adjustment disorder" because it's a "milder" diagnosis that could apply to adjusting to any type of change in your life. They do this, I think, to keep your mental health records as "clean" as possible. PTSD is a major disorder that will follow you in a database for the rest of your life. Even though you weren't officially diagnosed with it, your counselor may still be treating you for it. You should ask at your next appointment for more clarification. Again, I'm so sorry.

Hugs and love to all of you.