Depression after Treatment

Thanks for your reply Julia....you're absolutely right - we have been through a life threatening battle...I forget that at times. And I hadn't considered good old Tamoxifen being a contributing factor ... but it makes sense.

I have recently purchased some nice candles and relaxation CD's so hopefully that will also help as I begin to feel better.

Hoping you are well and looking after yourself too.

take care

regards

Helen

Thank you ladies for all of you advice and care. I'm a tad overwhelmed by the response to be honest! You're all very special ladies for caring.

I think all of you have given me lots of ideas as to why I felt so down and I could really relate to some of them such as 'not enough me time', 'pressure at work' and accepting that I don't have the stamina I used to - very frustrating for a person like me (I'm usually tearing around with 5 projects on the go at the same time!).

I don't think not sleeping well and having terrible hot flushes is helping either - totally sick of that! :) I'm already on Effexor SR so that doesn't seem to be helping much.

I also have my parents getting older and sicker (dad had an op 2 days before Christmas) and it is difficult to see them deteriorate before you eyes...especially as they supported me so much during my battle. It seems all I can do is be there, act as the driver and take them to appts and try to keep abreast pardon the pun!) of all their speciailists. They have both aged considerably since last Christmas and I think that was worrying and upsetting me too.

But I'm happy to say that I'm much better! It's taken time - hence why I haven't responded - sorry about that! I needed to relax and regroup.

I've decided to take up painting - hopefully water colours, I'm better organised at work and I've had a good rest (3 wks off) including a nice weekend away with hubby.

It's funny how you can pull yourself out of the depths of depression isn't it....just takes time. But I am eternally grateful for your luv and support and your responses.

Look out world - I'm BACK!!

Cheers and much luv to all of you

Thank you again

Helen xxxx

Sorry to hear you are down cos you seemed such a bubbly person when I met you in Melbourne. I think we put on a brave face to get through all the treatment. We convince ourselves to stay positve.However,when we are a safe distance from the trauma we relook at it and realize we can now cry. Some of the anti hormone drugs like Tamoxifen can really mess with your head. I was having a few dark thoughts and my oncologist put me on Endep(very low dose of 10mgs) but it really helped with hot flushes and low mood. I didn't need any further help.I think this network is a great place to express your feelings and "talk" to others.See your doctor and get checked out.The girls above me give great advice and at the very least,you know you are not alone with these feelings. I found it took me about 2 years after each breast cancer bout(2 bc rides) to feel more confident about my health and feel like my old self. I do art therapy each week and I find that helps. Are you working too hard and not having enough"me "time?Take care darl,let us know how you are. love and hugs,Tonya xx

Sorry to hear you are down cos you seemed such a bubbly person when I met you in Melbourne. I think we put on a brave face to get through all the treatment. We convince ourselves to stay positve.However,when we are a safe distance from the trauma we relook at it and realize we can now cry. Some of the anti hormone drugs like Tamoxifen can really mess with your head. I was having a few dark thoughts and my oncologist put me on Endep(very low dose of 10mgs) but it really helped with hot flushes and low mood. I didn't need any further help.I think this network is a great place to express your feelings and "talk" to others.See your doctor and get checked out.The girls above me give great advice and at the very least,you know you are not alone with these feelings. I found it took me about 2 years after each breast cancer bout(2 bc rides) to feel more confident about my health and feel like my old self. I do art therapy each week and I find that helps. Are you working too hard and not having enough"me "time?Take care darl,let us know how you are. love and hugs,Tonya xx

I was saddened to read your blog.  Yes you have been so cheery and helpful and have got through so much.... and that's just it.  BC is such a challenging battle with so many wonderful people to help you on the way....then...nothing.  Once I returned to work after my first diagnosis I just couldn't cope.   I had changed but others hadn't.  I found it difficult to "mould back to normal".  I saw a Psychologist for weeks.  I don't like taking pills either but when they are needed to get us back to some normality after such a challenge then so be it.  At the recent Strength 2 Strength conference, it was noted that a Psychologist is now included in the treatment team for bc patients.  You are just fitting into the "normal" range.  As Moira stated don't feel hesitant to discuss it with your GP. XLeonie

I was saddened to read your blog.  Yes you have been so cheery and helpful and have got through so much.... and that's just it.  BC is such a challenging battle with so many wonderful people to help you on the way....then...nothing.  Once I returned to work after my first diagnosis I just couldn't cope.   I had changed but others hadn't.  I found it difficult to "mould back to normal".  I saw a Psychologist for weeks.  I don't like taking pills either but when they are needed to get us back to some normality after such a challenge then so be it.  At the recent Strength 2 Strength conference, it was noted that a Psychologist is now included in the treatment team for bc patients.  You are just fitting into the "normal" range.  As Moira stated don't feel hesitant to discuss it with your GP. XLeonie

Sorry to hear you are feeling depressed, the same thing happened to me a few months after i finished treatment, i would cry at the drop of a hat, my local doctor prescrdibed anti depressant, and leaving his office in tears i told him i didnt need them i was a strong person, and what did i have to feel depressed about, i had coped with the treatment of breast cancer. A couple of weeks later with the prescription still in my drawer i had an appointment with my specialist and the minute i sat in his chair and he asked how i was, i started bawling.. he explained that a high percentage of women who have gone through breast cancer suffer from depression, and that i should take the anti depressants for a year,, i still insisted i was strong and didnt need them, we discussed it a bit more and he suggested if i didnt take these i could go further down and treatment would be harder.. So i gave in and took the pills, i must say it was the best thing i done, i took them for a year and i then knew i was back to normal and he suggested i cut the dose down for a couple of weeks then stop them, which i done and have felt great since, that was 3 year ago, so i think what we done realise is, that we have been too busy concetrating on getting through the treatment and when things start to return to normal it hits us.

i hope this helps, as i say i am not a person who takes medication lightly, but in this instance best thing i done. so maybe discuss this with your doctor.

Sorry to hear you are feeling depressed, the same thing happened to me a few months after i finished treatment, i would cry at the drop of a hat, my local doctor prescrdibed anti depressant, and leaving his office in tears i told him i didnt need them i was a strong person, and what did i have to feel depressed about, i had coped with the treatment of breast cancer. A couple of weeks later with the prescription still in my drawer i had an appointment with my specialist and the minute i sat in his chair and he asked how i was, i started bawling.. he explained that a high percentage of women who have gone through breast cancer suffer from depression, and that i should take the anti depressants for a year,, i still insisted i was strong and didnt need them, we discussed it a bit more and he suggested if i didnt take these i could go further down and treatment would be harder.. So i gave in and took the pills, i must say it was the best thing i done, i took them for a year and i then knew i was back to normal and he suggested i cut the dose down for a couple of weeks then stop them, which i done and have felt great since, that was 3 year ago, so i think what we done realise is, that we have been too busy concetrating on getting through the treatment and when things start to return to normal it hits us.

i hope this helps, as i say i am not a person who takes medication lightly, but in this instance best thing i done. so maybe discuss this with your doctor.