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NaturalBel's avatar
NaturalBel
Member
12 years ago

Menopause or Post Trauma?cont...

Response to my Instant Menopause Blog:          I am triple negative, (not on any tablets at all),  and only have Chemo and Radiation as my methods for Cancer treatment.  I was just guessing about the Menopause, as Im not a doctor and havent talked about it because its only just starting to happen.  I found myself in a sticky situation and panicked, I was dropping my friend off for a bus, and there was no where to park and I had a bus trying to back into where I was.   I was a little trapped.   At the same time friend removing suitcase from boot, and I felt trapped and panicked.  I didnt realise it was a matter of simply driving through a drive way, but it wasnt signed, and I yelled to myself "Now what am I going to do?"   (burst into tears) -  I then drive off and left  my friend behind, with her suitcase, I didnt look back.  I had to get out of the way of a bus backing up.   I then sent her a message when I got home, she totally understood.  The point is, I reacted totally differently and panicked.  I kinda think its like a post traumatic response,  to what has happened,  and I will ask to speak to the Councillor,  linked to the General Hospital, when I go in for Radiation on the 22nd of May.  It was out of no-where, but I also notice I get picky, think too much, and tend to get a bit caught up in it all, out here isolated most of the time.  Im sure with time, I will readjust, but the smart thing to do would be to talk to the Councillor.   I have had a great day today, enjoying the sunshine, went for a walk, done the housework, feel fine..............

Thanks for the replies everyone.  

chemotherapy
menopause
radiotherapy
  • NaturalBel's avatar
    NaturalBel
    Member
    12 years ago

    Having some of the same experiences as you mentioned above.  I also havent had the energy to do much even 5 weeks after Chemo finished.  I like the idea of having a coffee with you at the Windermere Cafe.

    They rescheduled my Radiation time to 3.35pm for tomorrow, message taken via my friend.  She said (I was asleep), they will tell me then what time I will be given for each day.  So depends on the Radiation time they give as tomorrow is day 1.  But I have been told to come home and sleep s following Rads.  Will need to get back to you once I know how I will be feeling and time.  ok lovely, I will get back to you.  x Bel

     

  • pisces_tas's avatar
    pisces_tas
    Member
    12 years ago

     I too had instant menopause and it was hard with flushes every 5 to 10 minutes, fuzzy thinking, feeling panicked and not able to make quick decision when put on the spot.  It felt like.. no adrenalin, the flight or fright hormone..still does now. I do not seem to react like I used to. I manage by " keeping things simple ", and taking things" day by day ", and accepting I now go in " second to third  gear " most of the time.

    Well you HAVE just finished chemo ! You still have radiation to go. It is such a long haul, and I commend you for all you have been through so far. I too, did not have hormone adjuvant therapy after chemo. Chemo was enough for me ..LOL. ( I am now taking zoloft.. 50 mgs daily.. and livial one daily..plus ovestin vaginal pessaries twice a week. ) Seeing someone early is prudent, I think. I perhaps think it would have been good for me also, but at the time I thought I was coping with all things like surgery, body image, family issues, and effects after chemo added to it, and it did feel like my body was not in my control anymore, physically also was hard to deal with. I had always been a strong person I thought and pushed through.. but asking for help is Ok, I learnt, and earlier is better than later.

    I really think it takes at LEAST12 months to get back to a bit normal, or perhaps even a "new " normal.. although you really do change over the time from diagnosis. Your life is on hold, while you have treatment and then the treatments can have effects on you afterwards, which can sometimes be an ongoing legacy. It depends on the type and individual response, I guess. I know some people who had treatment, when I was having mine, who seemed to bounce back so quickly. I felt I SHOULD also, but it was hard when having flushes and slow brain, plus some issues with lymph drainage and work issues. Seeing someone to discuss things with, sounds like a good idea. ... Good on you for acknowledging the effects you are experiencing. It can be a hard slog. Time can help a bit though, but for now, I hope you can find talking to a professional, may help you deal with some of your physical and emotional challenges since a BC experience. 

     TC.. Love Kathy. P.S. If you get over to Bridport.. for a coffee.. etc there is a nice cafe there, or maybe on Friday this coming week, I could pop over to see you at Windermere, say around 2.30 pm ? I am over that way at Georgetown until 2 pm. I am going to a bush tucker event in G' Town, so could drive home via Windermere. Let me know.

    I found this article on effects of aromatase inhibitors on cognitive function... and I think the jury is still out on the effects.

    http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/13/1/203

     (You are NOT taking aromatase inhibitors but you are having early menopause symptoms.)