New here - depression question

Hi Shelly

I too was given Prozac for depression. I took it for about two months and then I weened myself off. I did not like the way it may me feel. I can't explain it, don't get me wrong it does help. My doctor wrote be out another prescription the last time I was there but I never got it filled. It has been a couple of years since you had your chemo? I guess I was wondering if maybe you were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or I also think all the chemo we have to take changes our chemestry for awhile. It sounds like the Prozac is working. Just give it more time.

My cancer has come back. I am in stage 4 and was taken off of tomoxifin and now on femera. I won't know until May when I have my next scan, if the Femera is working. Hopefully I get a remission. So I sure do know about anxiety and depression. This last time was really rough. A part of me wanted to give up. I was angry and dissappointed. I fought hard and did so well the first go around. I was not even a year out and was told it is now in the pelvic. It was very hard in the beginning. It was on Oct 27/04 when we got the news. It has gotten easier and now I am getting my affairs in order. I think once I do that I can go and enjoy my life. They gave me Two to five years. At least it was not two to five months.... So many decisions to be made and I am greatful I have time to do it. I have a wonderful family and friends.
I depend more and more on God and less on myself these days. It works for me and keeps my head above water so to speak. Don't get me wrong, I have my days when I cry, feel sorry for myself. I don't like staying in that place very long so I make myself do something.

This is all such a process. Life it not always simple is it. You will be ok, just hang in there and know your not always going to feel the way you feel and it will get better one day at a time.
You are not ever alone, we all have those feelings and that is why we are here for one another.

I get up in the morning and thank God for letting me get up one more day.
The days I don't have pain, I am so greatful also and I let him know it.
I ask him to give my husband strength also. I lean into him more now. It has really brought us closer together. It was not always that way and now it is. I know now why I could never leave. My husband and I are here for one another today. It sure makes a difference.

I will put you in my prayers tonight

Ellison

I was diagnosed in 12/04. I had bilateral mastecomies and TRAMs 1 1/2 weeks ago (2/24). Personally, I have been more anxious than depressed...but I am still in the throws of dealing with the initial diagnosis and treatment, etc.

In my other life (i.e., before I had surgery and went on short-term disability) I was (am?) a psychiatrist. Antidepressants take 4-8 weeks to take effect. If you are anxious, medications like prozac can make the anxiety worse at first. It often helps to take it slowly: start on a low dose and raise it slowly (over weeks to months) if needed. Some people who don't like one medication find they do well on a different one. But you have to give the medication enough time on a high enough dose to say whether it works or not. It's not a quick fix. Given the stress of cancer, it might also be helpful to meet with a therapist...especially if it takes time to find the right medication and/or dose. Sometimes therapy alone can treat depression--especially if it's one of the depression-specific therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find therapists with those skills in many cities.

Hang in there. Depression and anxiety are very treatable illness. Some individuals have greater/lesser biological predispositions to them..but they are illnesses not unlike cancer (not your fault; need to be treated). It helps to have a good doctor to work with you on fine tuning treatment (it's a bit like chemo in that respect...combining the science of treatment with the art of medication management). good luck. don't be afraid to switch doctors if needed.

Hi Shelly:

I was diagnosed with bc in May 2001. I had a 1 year old, a 4 year old and a 6 year old. To me, fighting the actual cancer was easier than afterward.

I feel that I should be grateful for my life. I've had almost 3 more years of raising my kids than I would have had, had not my doc been so keen during a routine exam.

Still, because of the loneliness and helplessness, and lack of understanding that the body still has to heal after treatment, I am in a similar place. I've had to stop taking tamoxifen, and I still remain so far removed from the person I used to be, that I don't recognize the real me anymore.

So what keeps me chugging? Firstly, my kids and keeping involved in their schools. Also, I give happiness to others that I cannot, right now, give to myself. I've made gifts for friends, handmade items for preemies, and useful but pretty things for kids in foster homes. Most importantly, I pray that God will give me grace to live through tomorrow to give me one more day to find my happiness and myself once again.

Oft times we are so willing to be uplifting to others and to pray for their needs. Sometimes we forget to pray for ourselves.

Hope you find that happy place again. In the meantime, know that you are not alone. We all fight in one fashion or another.

With much aloha,
Kei