Might be going insane 😬

Menopause is indeed hard! I'm quite certain that men couldn't deal with it, and even surer that if they had to, there'd be better treatment.

Kudos for recognizing that you're on edge and seeking help.

Ask your psychiatrist about Effexor. It's an antidepressant, but lower doses can also help with hot flashes. I was taking 37.5 mg, but that wasn't cutting it so I just bumped up to 75mg. If it also improves my moods, so much the better!

I believe that tamoxifen menopause can be even worse than natural menopause, since tamoxifen attacks the liver, and a blocked liver causes anger. Maybe you could try a vegetarian diet to detox your liver for a while and see if it improvement your emotions. Just an idea. Good luck!

Spright:

Have you discussed this with your MO? If you are having such severe reactions to the AI then they might outweigh the benefits for you.

I was prescribed paxil along with anastrozole (generic ARIMIDEX). Paxil seemed to help with side effects particularly hot flashes. I never had the aggression or hostility but I was always taking the Paxil too.

Good for you for talking to your psychiatrist. I have mental illness too and sometimes feel I'm not myself. I agree with the person that said they may have to weigh the pros as nd cons of this hormone therapy. Hugs

I applaud you for being open and honest. I am struggling too with Letrozole. Only been on it two months but I am so fatigued and my anxiety has escalated. I can't sleep because my mind won't turn off. I am having trouble focusing at work. I reached out to my MO for suggestions. Nurse responded stop for two weeks and see how you feel. I didn't like the response so I reached out to my PCP. I love her and she is more helpful with suggestions and adjusting my meds. I am currently on Lexapro and Buspirone but I feel my dosage needs to be higher.

I had to switch back to Tamoxifen in my last few months on HT. AIs were just too tough on me, and since Tamoxifen acts by blocking not eliminating estrogen I feel like it was easier for me. Now I feeling the lack of estrogen although I did stop HT several years ago. I did read lately in a study from Harvard that fish oil can act like an antidepressant so I doubled up on that. I keep up with exercise and I'm on Prozac, but dammit, most days are a struggle.

Farmer Lucy, thank you for sharing this a few months back, I just came across it, the free E Book by Lillie Shockney of Johns Hopkins on Breast Cancer Recurrence:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/nbcf-production-assets/at...

I found it very informative. I will have my last HP infusion in November. I shared it with two girls I work with who have been through this in the past year too, thank you. I've only been on anastrazole since May, but just hearing her say she hated it made me smile, I hate it too! And just reading your posts here, and Musogirl, I was going to say it is a nice thing, but that does not sound quite right, thank you for understanding the trouble with hormone therapy! I read this book and got up and went for a walk, I have recently started trying to walk 30 minutes a day. I have to work on quitting alcohol completely, I've cut back, but still enjoy it on the weekends. Maybe with the weather turning colder and no more patio it will make it easier. Leg cramps is my torture. I've tried everything. I sleep with Irish Spring. I am finally blessed with some nights being better than others, and I will take that. Hugs to you ladies, thank you for understanding. I hope you are feeling good today, Lisa in Missouri

MissouriCatLady, I just read this morning in the People’s Pharmacy about rubbing liquid soap on your legs for cramping. It sounds a little wonky, but when my legs ache and cramp, I’ll try anything. My husband and I also find relief from drinking dill pickle juice. They both sound so stupid, but at least you know if they don’t work, at least they won’t harm.

I was leaving flowers on Find a Grave, reading a bio by my friend, Robert Duran, who quoted Boris Pasternak, author of Dr. Zhivago, and when I went to look up Boris Pasternak, somehow I came upon this article. I wanted to share this, hope you do not mind. I have never looked in the mirror much, and if it is possible, do so even less now, I have aged and my life has changed. Perhaps you will find something supportive, as I did, in this article. It doesn't mention cancer, but sees our struggle, not every day is easy. Hugs, Lisa

6 Reflections Confident Women See When Looking in the Mirror

By David Schroeder for YourTango.com

Link:https://psychcentral.com/blog/6-reflections-confident-women-see-when-looking-in-the-mirror/

There's more to life than just being pretty.

Self-confidence strongly impacts women's happiness and sense of fulfillment in life. And our sense of confidence derives mostly from our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and our life experiences.

When you look in the mirror, your inner beliefs color how you view your outer appearance.

So, do they only see perfection when they look at their reflection?

Actually. no. Their view of themselves is surprisingly realistic. But the difference is, they see more than their physical features reflecting back at them. Truly confident women also see the following six things when they look in the mirror:

1. They See Beauty in Their Imperfections

Confident women see their physical flaws (and acknowledge their inner emotional ones). Not only are they not afraid to admit their imperfections, more importantly, they don't define themselves by them. Nor do they presume that a few imperfections here or there diminish other attributes they possess that are unquestionably beautiful. In other words, a scar on your stomach does not diminish the beauty of your eyes.

Dr. Deepak Chopra states, in the co-authored book The Shadow Effect, "To have a shadow is not to be flawed, but complete." Confident women look at themselves honestly and embrace what they see. They live the principle: When we accept our imperfections, we discover our perfection, strengths and gifts within us.

2. They See Their Strength and Their Vulnerability

They look in the mirror, honoring the things they've faced and overcome, their resilience. Yes, they may have a need to please others. They may crave love, acceptance, or approval. Yet, they've learned how to balance this, so they don't loose too much of themselves pleasing others.

3. They See That Confidence Is Always Framed in Fear and Doubt

When they look in the mirror, they see self-love and confidence. They know what they're good at and they admire themselves for those strengths.

But, they also see their fears and self-doubt. By acknowledging those, by expecting them to exist on some level, their fears and doubts feel less intimidating.

Confident women trust their intuition and their ability to push through hard things (even if they feel fear while doing so). As the motivational speaker and life coach Tony Robbins says, "The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty that you can comfortably live with."

How to Be Happy With Yourself as You Improve Your Life

4. They See the Results of Their Own Choices

Confident women openly and honestly own their choices and behaviors, without blaming or shaming themselves or others. Whether it's a choice that impacts their financial bottom line or their waistline, they feel it's important to take responsibility for their own health and happiness. They've overcome the false idea that it's other people's "job" to make them happy.

They know not every choice they make is ultimately the best one, but celebrate the smart choices and learn from their missteps.

5. They See the Heart of Their Values

Confident women live with clear purpose. They carefully choose the values that drive their lives and then infuse those values into their every day with enthusiasm.

As they stand before the mirror, they see their purpose reflected back to them — they live this reflection with an "I can" attitude.

6. They See Their Light-Hearted Spirit Shining (Despite Their Struggles)

Do you know why angels can fly? Because they take themselves lightly.

Confident women don't diminish their struggles, but they also don't take them too seriously. They know strife visits us all from time to time. They admit their mistakes and embarrassing moments, and smile looking in the mirror knowing they've learned and grown from hard times.

Despite that, they let their silly, fun, light-hearted childlike qualities move them through stress and challenge with more grace and ease.