Best Of
Re: Bike riding after latimus dorsi flap and implant sugery
thanks, I had the implant using my own skin over 5 years ago. Sadly my implant has failed . I’m wondering once I’ve had LD flap sugery and recovered if I can still ride
Active
1
Re: Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen
Very true, wise words @Afraser. I do believe that it all has just hit me, after christmas when my radiation ceased and the new year kicked in, and I am facing the prospect of my next scans (1st scans post diagnosis). I could very well be feeling like this without the tamoxifen.
I am starting to feel like I may need something more, my GP wanted me to talk to a counsellor before starting me on any medication, which I have done (Cancer Council have been amazing), but I think I may need something more to get me through this stage of life. I've never taken antidepressants before but I've never had cancer either. I think my poor hubby and kids thought I'd be through it all, and on the other side, I feel like I am letting them down in that sense, as my journey is only really just beginning...
I am starting to feel like I may need something more, my GP wanted me to talk to a counsellor before starting me on any medication, which I have done (Cancer Council have been amazing), but I think I may need something more to get me through this stage of life. I've never taken antidepressants before but I've never had cancer either. I think my poor hubby and kids thought I'd be through it all, and on the other side, I feel like I am letting them down in that sense, as my journey is only really just beginning...
Re: Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen
Hi @Christabel03 thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate you taking the time. It is so nice to feel I am not alone...I am getting teary as I type this....some days I really do feel all alone, so it really helps tremendously and means so much to me. I too am up and down like a yoyo. I know I have anxiety that i would have had anyway, but I am sure this tamoxifen is messing with me more so. I feel I am constantly PMS, except it never goes away. I am a joy to live with some days haha!!! I hope all goes well at your Onc appointment, please let me know if she has any suggestions. I don't see mine until end of April, which will be my first follow up since T, so counting down.
Thank you again, I hope you have a good day today xxx
Thank you again, I hope you have a good day today xxx
Re: Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen
@laurie123
Just a thought but anxiety can have similar effects and it may be worth discussing this too. I am still on Letrozole (10 years done in May!) and it hasn’t caused any depression or anxiety but reaction to having cancer (diagnosis, surgery, chemo or other treatment) can take a while to kick in. The prospect of medication for years may be a trigger. It may well be a reaction to Tamoxifen, but possibly a delayed reaction to
the whole damn thing. Take care.
Just a thought but anxiety can have similar effects and it may be worth discussing this too. I am still on Letrozole (10 years done in May!) and it hasn’t caused any depression or anxiety but reaction to having cancer (diagnosis, surgery, chemo or other treatment) can take a while to kick in. The prospect of medication for years may be a trigger. It may well be a reaction to Tamoxifen, but possibly a delayed reaction to
the whole damn thing. Take care.
Afraser
2
Re: Mastectomy
Please include us lopsided members in the title @Tonya as I am sure you have a wealth of information on this subject.
Ladies end up lopsided for a number of reasons and not always at their choice. Me ? I was rushed in, I had no previous knowledge about BC and, as the surgeon did not do reconstructions, I was not given any information, let alone the opportunity to go flat at the beginning.
Ladies end up lopsided for a number of reasons and not always at their choice. Me ? I was rushed in, I had no previous knowledge about BC and, as the surgeon did not do reconstructions, I was not given any information, let alone the opportunity to go flat at the beginning.
June1952
2
Re: Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen
@laurie123 yesssss meeeee! I find it is so hard to tell whether it is Tamoxifen, or normal stress etc but I know that since I started Tamoxifen in October last year my anxiety has gone through the roof and I do feel quite depressed I guess at times. You have described it perfectly feeling flat, I find some days I am just so flat and others I can be quite ok and then some others just no good at all.
I am actually just about to start some counselling as I think dealing with the "cut free" feeling after finishing treatment has not been easy for me and then factoring in how Tamoxifen is making me feel I just felt like it was time to offload.
There was a suggestion in a previous post of taking half a tablet morning and half at night which I haven't tried but I take mine at night regardless. It could be worth talking to your Onc about as they can change brands etc if it all gets too much.
Sounds like you are doing everything you can, exercising is great I find that helps too. I will be mentioning how I am feeling to my Onc next week when I see her to see what her suggestions are. It is miserable to think that something we have to take for so long makes us feel so lousy.
I wish I had pearls of wisdom for you, but maybe it will help just to know you are not alone
I am actually just about to start some counselling as I think dealing with the "cut free" feeling after finishing treatment has not been easy for me and then factoring in how Tamoxifen is making me feel I just felt like it was time to offload.
There was a suggestion in a previous post of taking half a tablet morning and half at night which I haven't tried but I take mine at night regardless. It could be worth talking to your Onc about as they can change brands etc if it all gets too much.
Sounds like you are doing everything you can, exercising is great I find that helps too. I will be mentioning how I am feeling to my Onc next week when I see her to see what her suggestions are. It is miserable to think that something we have to take for so long makes us feel so lousy.
I wish I had pearls of wisdom for you, but maybe it will help just to know you are not alone
Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen
Hello there, has anyone else felt flat, down in the dumps after starting tamoxifen? I have been on the little white pill 20mg for 2 months now, and my anxiety levels are also quite high, but I do have upcoming scans and alot of worries still.
Any pearls of wisdom for helping to overcome my flatness? I exercise daily, trying to eat as healthy as I can. In all honesty I do miss a little bit of alcohol to help me relax!!
Thanks ladies
Any pearls of wisdom for helping to overcome my flatness? I exercise daily, trying to eat as healthy as I can. In all honesty I do miss a little bit of alcohol to help me relax!!
Thanks ladies
Re: Happy Birthday @melclarity for February 11th
Thank you so much everyone, it was actually really lovely to hear from you all, I hope you are all doing well?? xoxoxo
Re: Mastectomy
Thanks @Julez1958 and @DKJ. I’ve unfortunately not been given any information from my surgeon about my options for reconstruction. My last appointment with him (on Tues) was only 10 minutes and I left feeling confused and stunned. I spoke with the breast care nurse afterwards which was helpful but I ended up having a complete meltdown because I discovered pertinent information about the surgery which should have been explained to me 4mths ago at my fist visit. I’m now only a few weeks away from surgery and have no idea what to do and feel there isn’t enough time to process everything
I should also point out that my surgeon does not do plastics, he’s a general surgeon. This info hit me like a tonne of bricks as I thought that reconstructive surgery would require a plastic surgeon as it’s a more specialised area. Maybe this is why he didn’t explain various options as he can’t perform certain types of surgery, I don’t know. Im so confused now and contemplating asking my doc for a referral to another surgeon as I’m not filled with confidence in his abilities.
Vetty
1
Re: Logistics with children/ country girl going to the city
Another West Australian here, very remote and treated in the WA Public Hospital system.
Like yourself I always thought that I had to go to the public hospital located in the "catchment" area for my region. You do not!
My initial treatment was in a large inner city hospital in Perth. My follow-up survivorship monitoring is, I suspect at the same hospital that you have been referred to for radiation. That was at my request, as I did not "gel" with the clinic at the inner city hospital.
In June last year I needed further investigation on a suspicious area that showed up on my annual mammogram. My appointment was at the hospital located very close to Crawford Lodge, although I would have preferred an appointment at my surveillance hospital clinic.
I was offered appointments at the three major hospitals in Perth, so much for WACountry Health's "catchment" areas.
Remember, "catchment" areas are all for the benefit of bureaucracy, not yours.
At your results and treatment appointment present your case that radiation, for childcare reasons and accomodation, be undertaken at the hospital close to Crawford Lodge.
All the best.
Annie
Annie C
5