Ok girls I need help its day day 5 after 2nd Chemo session and my emotions are causing chaos. I am 46 and am wondering is this the delightful start of menopause?.I have always been an emotional woman but usually find i can bounce back up without too much trouble......but these feelings are causing me such distress I'm blubbering to neighbours and am so unmotivated which is not helping!! I was warned that chemo can cause menopause but i was hoping for a more gentle approach not this brick wall any advice or hints to help cope with it would be appreciated. although i found a cool shower helped with a hot flush this morning:) thanks xxxSharl

There are so many reasons for you to feel emotional right now that it would be amazing if you didn't have a meltdown or two. The chemo drugs really mess things up and I almost always had a blue day around day 4 or 5. I found certain things helped me to feel stronger again. My daughter would get me watching comedies on TV. A good laugh makes you feel better. Also if you can manage to do some exercise, just a gentle walk or some stretches even, it does help. Sometimes you just need to feel sad for a while and that's ok, you're going through a very tough time. Nobody should expect you to be positive all the time. Unfortunately chemo kind of slams you into menopause rather than the gradual approach, so your hormones will be a factor in how you are feeling. Just know that we all have down days but then you bounce back and have the most amazing up days too. Hope you have a few of those for Christmas! Rest up and give yourself some time to feel better. Take care. Deanne xxxxoooo

For me,the chemo itself causes my emotions to fluctuate from one moment to the next.Sometimes for a reason,and sometimes not!My saviour through the whole chemo process(I had my last one on Monday)has been my walking.Just getting out in the fresh air.And even if you are not motivated,just try to walk to the end of the street,or sit outside for a bit.But having said all that,I agree with Deanne when she says,it is OK to feel sad and down.Its normal on chemo.There is an end in sight,and every day is one step closer:)This network also is good to help you feel better.Take care. xoxo. Robyn.

When I was first diagnosed with BC they declared me post-menopausal, I'm 53. I was having constant hot flushes, I have had 2 chemo treatments and the hot flushes I have now are more intense, like my head is on fire. I still go through emotional times, i think it's a mixture of chemo and hormone trouble. There is nothing wrong with blubbering, we all do at times. Hope it eases for you, and you are able to have a great Xmas. Take care, Hazel xx

Cry away Sharl. We all need to release :) Love Janey xxx

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12 Replies

Sharl
Member
12 years ago
Hello again I'm now up to day 10 after chemo and I'm almost back to normal and have just checked this site and found more responses......it's nice to know I'm not alone! after speaking with my McGrath breast care nurse.....who is a wonderful person and I'm so lucky to have access to one :) she said that we'll look at some different options for next chemo. I guess the thing to keep telling myself is "don't just try and deal with it ask for help" something that I'm sure many of us women are all guilty of doing lol...... I hope everyone has a lovely lovely Christmas and roll on 2014 cause I know it's going to be a lot better than 2013!! XxxSharl
jenpen
Member
12 years ago
Hi Sharl

Same as you, emotional and moody 4 plus days after chemo! I really felt like I was going crazy!

I asked my oncologist about it and she said it is caused by the dexo drugs we take just before & a few days after chemo....once we stop it apparently causes a big drop, which affects our mood!

My 3rd chemo next Monday and I feel better prepared for what to expect!

Good luck x
jenpen
Member
12 years ago
Hi Sharl

Same as you, emotional and moody 4 plus days after chemo! I really felt like I was going crazy!

I asked my oncologist about it and she said it is caused by the dexo drugs we take just before & a few days after chemo....once we stop it apparently causes a big drop, which affects our mood!

My 3rd chemo next Monday and I feel better prepared for what to expect!

Good luck x
jenpen
Member
12 years ago
Hi Sharl

Same as you, emotional and moody 4 plus days after chemo! I really felt like I was going crazy!

I asked my oncologist about it and she said it is caused by the dexo drugs we take just before & a few days after chemo....once we stop it apparently causes a big drop, which affects our mood!

My 3rd chemo next Monday and I feel better prepared for what to expect!

Good luck x
Lana
Member
12 years ago
I am basically where you are at with Chemo and I find I am feeling the same. I am sadder a lot more and I can't shake it off as easily. I am 37 and didn't even think about it being menopause. I am getting out and about and my kids and friends are keeping me busy. I just hope these feelings don't get worse as i go along. The fact that the bit of hair I do have left after shaving it off is coming out doesn't help either. My hats from Headcovers arrived today so that perked me up too. I have ordered a real hair wig ( an xmas present for myself )

I am thinking of talking to the psycologist on offer in the public system as I am also finding that my heightened sense to smells is getting to me. I have chucked out products that I wore when I had my first chemo. Can't stand the smell or the association to chemo. It the same with songs I hear now as well. I feel like a crazy person sometimes. I do have a good cry at night to try and let these emotions out.

I constantly worry about the breast I didn't have removed and can't wait to get it off. I could go on and on! I just pray this chemo journey doesn't break me. I have been so strong up until this point. Like you, day 5, it hit me hard. Four to go I can do it! You can do it too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Take Care! XO
hb
Member
12 years ago
Hey Sharl,

I was 46 when I was diagnosed, and chemopause hit me immediately. It's difficult. Even without all the treatments you might be feeling a bit up and down -- add what you're going through and I think you're entitled to be feeling a bit unstable. My advice is to feel what you're feeling at the moment. When your treatments finish, keep track of how you're going and keep talking about it with your GP. There are strategies and medicines that can help. Chemopause is different from normal menopause; it's much more sudden, and might not be complete. I didn't have a period for 23 months after chemo, then started again for 2 months, then stopped for another 10 months... my GP did a blood test for hormones and declared that I am not yet in menopause. It's exhausting to think that I might have to go 'through' it over and over. I guess it's the price we pay for bundling cancer on its way.

Anyway: let yourself experience everything you're feeling, talk to your medical team about it, and try not to judge yourself. Later on, when you're out of chemo and out of crisis mode, you can get yourself back on track.

Go well,

Heather
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Cry away Sharl. We all need to release :) Love Janey xxx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Cry away Sharl. We all need to release :) Love Janey xxx
Hazel_M
Member
12 years ago
When I was first diagnosed with BC they declared me post-menopausal, I'm 53. I was having constant hot flushes, I have had 2 chemo treatments and the hot flushes I have now are more intense, like my head is on fire. I still go through emotional times, i think it's a mixture of chemo and hormone trouble. There is nothing wrong with blubbering, we all do at times. Hope it eases for you, and you are able to have a great Xmas. Take care,

Hazel xx