down in the dumps

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peggy65
peggy65 Member Posts: 100
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
my moods change on a dime. i am trying to talk myself into feeling good and then the bomb hits. like right now. i wake up and think today will be the day that i can do things and then i find myself so tired i have to go and sit down. my doc says it takes about two years for one to begin to feel like themselves again. i never realized that after treatment would be like this. does anyone else have this? i really feel useless at this point and i am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. i guess i just have to be more patient. hugs,peggy
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  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
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    down in the dumps
    Peggy, I, too, as hard as I try, struggle to feel functional, and my last radiation tx was last October. I feel like I am trying everything, and that nothing is working. I have never suffered like this before. Lynn
  • peggy65
    peggy65 Member Posts: 100
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    lynn1950 said:

    down in the dumps
    Peggy, I, too, as hard as I try, struggle to feel functional, and my last radiation tx was last October. I feel like I am trying everything, and that nothing is working. I have never suffered like this before. Lynn

    yes, same with me.i am so
    yes, same with me.i am so sick of people telling me i look great and of course i nod my head, never say that i feel like doing nothing. because people always say that to me i think that i am supposed to feel great and ready to resume my life as it was before cancer. it scares me because i don't want to be this way. am i ever going to feel better? the other thing is this chemo brain. is that really for real or am just getting older? i can only attribute my recovery to how sick i was during treatment. the doc decided that i was too sick to finish the treatment so i had only six chemos and radiation.i want to start living my life again and feel that i am not making the progress that i had hoped for. nobody told me that after treatment was going to be as challenging as it is. love, peggy
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
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    be patient
    One day at a time and do what you can and before you know it, you will find your spirit has returned. Don't think about it so much but distract your mind with other things. Do things that will keep your mind active if you can't do physical things. Just enjoy every minute.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
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    peggy65 said:

    yes, same with me.i am so
    yes, same with me.i am so sick of people telling me i look great and of course i nod my head, never say that i feel like doing nothing. because people always say that to me i think that i am supposed to feel great and ready to resume my life as it was before cancer. it scares me because i don't want to be this way. am i ever going to feel better? the other thing is this chemo brain. is that really for real or am just getting older? i can only attribute my recovery to how sick i was during treatment. the doc decided that i was too sick to finish the treatment so i had only six chemos and radiation.i want to start living my life again and feel that i am not making the progress that i had hoped for. nobody told me that after treatment was going to be as challenging as it is. love, peggy

    Wanting to start living my life again
    People also tell me I look great. I am scared about the way I feel sometimes, also and wonder if I am EVER going to feel better. For me it's not just the tiredness. It's the anxiety and depression. When I am active, or at work (I work part-time), I usually feel better. I never knew that I would feel this way after treatment, either. I am having other side effects from the medications that I am on (Arimidex and I just switched from Effexor to Lexapro), my blood pressure has gone up, joint aches, indigestion, insomnia, hot flashes day and night...these add to my bad feelings.

    I am sorry that you feel the way you do, Peggy. But listening to you makes me feel a little less alone. Love back, Lynn
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
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    Marcia527 said:

    be patient
    One day at a time and do what you can and before you know it, you will find your spirit has returned. Don't think about it so much but distract your mind with other things. Do things that will keep your mind active if you can't do physical things. Just enjoy every minute.

    Did you experience this, too?
    Marcia - Were you troubled by these feelings, as well? If you did, what turned you around? Thanks for your support. Lynn
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
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    lynn1950 said:

    Did you experience this, too?
    Marcia - Were you troubled by these feelings, as well? If you did, what turned you around? Thanks for your support. Lynn

    Lynn and Peggy, I was
    Lynn and Peggy, I was feeling the same way last year right after treatment finished. I found that I started to feel better after the reconstruction and I started exercising. I now go to the gym 5x a week. Even if I don't have too much time I try to get some exercise in. I was always an avid reader, where I would read 3 to 4 books a week. Since being diagnosed I can't concentrate as much, so now a paper back takes me a month to read, so I found that doing the crossword puzzle or sudoku, stimulates the brain cells and I don't have to concentrate that much. If you are on arimidex, tamoxifen or femara, they can also alter your moods. One of the girls on the board was on 20mg of tamoxifen and she was having a hard time and when they switched the dosage to 10mg 2x a day, she started noticing an improvement. I would also speak to your doctor, slight depression is not uncommon after everything we've been through. Please let us know how you make out. Hugs, Lili
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
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    Lynn and Peggy, I was
    Lynn and Peggy, I was feeling the same way last year right after treatment finished. I found that I started to feel better after the reconstruction and I started exercising. I now go to the gym 5x a week. Even if I don't have too much time I try to get some exercise in. I was always an avid reader, where I would read 3 to 4 books a week. Since being diagnosed I can't concentrate as much, so now a paper back takes me a month to read, so I found that doing the crossword puzzle or sudoku, stimulates the brain cells and I don't have to concentrate that much. If you are on arimidex, tamoxifen or femara, they can also alter your moods. One of the girls on the board was on 20mg of tamoxifen and she was having a hard time and when they switched the dosage to 10mg 2x a day, she started noticing an improvement. I would also speak to your doctor, slight depression is not uncommon after everything we've been through. Please let us know how you make out. Hugs, Lili

    One thing after another
    I don't know. When I was first dx, I thought "Noway am I going through chemo", My onc (Dr Charisma-Bypass) said to try it, if I didn't like it I could stop anytime. After one treatment I figured I was going to lose my hair, which upset me more than anything, so I may as well carry on. I thought well one down, 5 to go and started counting down to the light at the end of the tunnel....After I finished all the rads and whirlwind of appointments I thought life would return to normal and eventually I would have hair again.. The hair thing is happening, normalcy is not. I never know when I get up if it's going to be an ok day, a mediocre day.. or a real pain day. It's the disappointment of not being who I used to be and the uncertainty of what (if anything) I will be able to do. I too went through a stage of not being able to concentrate too well, but now I can happily sail through 4 or 5 books a week. Oh well spring is on the way and if the lymphedema holds off I should be able to get stuck in to the garden and growing plants to sell to unsuspecting victims who pass by. Blimey, Aren't I the miseable sod today, maybe I need more zoloft...LOL
    Hugs to all. J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
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    tasha_111 said:

    One thing after another
    I don't know. When I was first dx, I thought "Noway am I going through chemo", My onc (Dr Charisma-Bypass) said to try it, if I didn't like it I could stop anytime. After one treatment I figured I was going to lose my hair, which upset me more than anything, so I may as well carry on. I thought well one down, 5 to go and started counting down to the light at the end of the tunnel....After I finished all the rads and whirlwind of appointments I thought life would return to normal and eventually I would have hair again.. The hair thing is happening, normalcy is not. I never know when I get up if it's going to be an ok day, a mediocre day.. or a real pain day. It's the disappointment of not being who I used to be and the uncertainty of what (if anything) I will be able to do. I too went through a stage of not being able to concentrate too well, but now I can happily sail through 4 or 5 books a week. Oh well spring is on the way and if the lymphedema holds off I should be able to get stuck in to the garden and growing plants to sell to unsuspecting victims who pass by. Blimey, Aren't I the miseable sod today, maybe I need more zoloft...LOL
    Hugs to all. J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    miserable sod
    Tash mabe you just need a big cyber hug. Here it is (((((((((((((((HUGs)))))))))))))))))))))).
    A beer or two wouldn't hurt either. LOL

    Love ya
    Jadie
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
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    Jadie said:

    miserable sod
    Tash mabe you just need a big cyber hug. Here it is (((((((((((((((HUGs)))))))))))))))))))))).
    A beer or two wouldn't hurt either. LOL

    Love ya
    Jadie

    Awww Jadie!
    I'll take your advice..........MORE BEER! HUGS! xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
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    lynn1950 said:

    Did you experience this, too?
    Marcia - Were you troubled by these feelings, as well? If you did, what turned you around? Thanks for your support. Lynn

    Busy Busy Busy
    Hi Lynn and Peggy, I agree with Marsha, stay busy. Keep your mind occupied. Find a hobby, watch a funny movie or comedy on tv, take that good looking man out to dinner. Surround yourself with positive people and people you love. Be careful who you talk to. You will quickly find out who you can and can't talk to and confide in.

    I think most all of us feel this way after treatments end. It does take time to find your new normal. The old normal is long gone. As you are feeling better and gaining your strenght back you will find this new normal. It will come I promise.

    Hugs Jadie
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
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    tasha_111 said:

    Awww Jadie!
    I'll take your advice..........MORE BEER! HUGS! xxxxxxxxxxxxx

    hair
    Hey Tash that hair would have gone perfect with your turquois outfit!
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
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    tasha_111 said:

    One thing after another
    I don't know. When I was first dx, I thought "Noway am I going through chemo", My onc (Dr Charisma-Bypass) said to try it, if I didn't like it I could stop anytime. After one treatment I figured I was going to lose my hair, which upset me more than anything, so I may as well carry on. I thought well one down, 5 to go and started counting down to the light at the end of the tunnel....After I finished all the rads and whirlwind of appointments I thought life would return to normal and eventually I would have hair again.. The hair thing is happening, normalcy is not. I never know when I get up if it's going to be an ok day, a mediocre day.. or a real pain day. It's the disappointment of not being who I used to be and the uncertainty of what (if anything) I will be able to do. I too went through a stage of not being able to concentrate too well, but now I can happily sail through 4 or 5 books a week. Oh well spring is on the way and if the lymphedema holds off I should be able to get stuck in to the garden and growing plants to sell to unsuspecting victims who pass by. Blimey, Aren't I the miseable sod today, maybe I need more zoloft...LOL
    Hugs to all. J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Julia, that hair is
    Julia, that hair is stunning. Leave it to you to go into competition with Joe to see who has the most turquoisist. Love ya, Lili
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    Options

    Julia, that hair is
    Julia, that hair is stunning. Leave it to you to go into competition with Joe to see who has the most turquoisist. Love ya, Lili

    Lili
    Mr Joseph may be in the lead for now (as that really is him in the pic and mine is a fake) Cos he has a beard..........I am intending to grow a beard and moustache within the next 2 weeks and colour them Turquoise!!!!!!!!! ROFL!

    Big HUGS! Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
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    tasha_111 said:

    Lili
    Mr Joseph may be in the lead for now (as that really is him in the pic and mine is a fake) Cos he has a beard..........I am intending to grow a beard and moustache within the next 2 weeks and colour them Turquoise!!!!!!!!! ROFL!

    Big HUGS! Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    See, your hair might not
    See, your hair might not grown that fast but those darn chin hairs and mustache sure do come back with a vengeance. ROFL Hugs, Lili
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
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    See, your hair might not
    See, your hair might not grown that fast but those darn chin hairs and mustache sure do come back with a vengeance. ROFL Hugs, Lili

    LOL...Lili
    Hey we need a close up pic of you!...I can't see your whiskers at all LOL

    Huge HUGS Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Options

    Lynn and Peggy, I was
    Lynn and Peggy, I was feeling the same way last year right after treatment finished. I found that I started to feel better after the reconstruction and I started exercising. I now go to the gym 5x a week. Even if I don't have too much time I try to get some exercise in. I was always an avid reader, where I would read 3 to 4 books a week. Since being diagnosed I can't concentrate as much, so now a paper back takes me a month to read, so I found that doing the crossword puzzle or sudoku, stimulates the brain cells and I don't have to concentrate that much. If you are on arimidex, tamoxifen or femara, they can also alter your moods. One of the girls on the board was on 20mg of tamoxifen and she was having a hard time and when they switched the dosage to 10mg 2x a day, she started noticing an improvement. I would also speak to your doctor, slight depression is not uncommon after everything we've been through. Please let us know how you make out. Hugs, Lili

    Slight depression, not
    Lili - This is MAJOR depression. I've seen a shrink, go to a counselor (once a week), was on Effexor (doesn't work for me), just weaned off, and started Lexapro.

    I too love to read and I read everyday. I also do a Sudoku, but it is starting to irritate me, because Hards are easy, but I can't figure out the Very Hards; I always end up guessing to solve, instead of figuring out the logic of it.

    I AM on Arimidex, hot flashes and night sweats and all and I think it, or the antidepressants, are making my blood pressure rise as well. I remember that Chelle split her tamoxifen and it helped, but I don't think Arimidex can be split.

    Anyway, I broke my toe 4 weeks ago, which has made exercising difficult, although I do swim. (Now my shoulders are achey and I don't know if it's tendonitis or Arimidex talking.)

    I never know when I'm going to be OK, but mornings are the worst.

    Thanks for trying to cheer me up. I really appreciate it. I'm just in a foul,angry, hateful mood.

    Lynn
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Options
    tasha_111 said:

    One thing after another
    I don't know. When I was first dx, I thought "Noway am I going through chemo", My onc (Dr Charisma-Bypass) said to try it, if I didn't like it I could stop anytime. After one treatment I figured I was going to lose my hair, which upset me more than anything, so I may as well carry on. I thought well one down, 5 to go and started counting down to the light at the end of the tunnel....After I finished all the rads and whirlwind of appointments I thought life would return to normal and eventually I would have hair again.. The hair thing is happening, normalcy is not. I never know when I get up if it's going to be an ok day, a mediocre day.. or a real pain day. It's the disappointment of not being who I used to be and the uncertainty of what (if anything) I will be able to do. I too went through a stage of not being able to concentrate too well, but now I can happily sail through 4 or 5 books a week. Oh well spring is on the way and if the lymphedema holds off I should be able to get stuck in to the garden and growing plants to sell to unsuspecting victims who pass by. Blimey, Aren't I the miseable sod today, maybe I need more zoloft...LOL
    Hugs to all. J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Turquoise Tasha
    I'm thinking spring may help me too. Where the snow has melted, I see skinny green crocus spears, reminding me of the resilience of life. I wanna get there too!

    I HATE not being who I used to be, and I don't deal well with uncertainty either. Some parameters, PLEASE!

    Here's an abrupt change of subject: What good books have your read lately?

    Lynn
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
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    Jadie said:

    Busy Busy Busy
    Hi Lynn and Peggy, I agree with Marsha, stay busy. Keep your mind occupied. Find a hobby, watch a funny movie or comedy on tv, take that good looking man out to dinner. Surround yourself with positive people and people you love. Be careful who you talk to. You will quickly find out who you can and can't talk to and confide in.

    I think most all of us feel this way after treatments end. It does take time to find your new normal. The old normal is long gone. As you are feeling better and gaining your strenght back you will find this new normal. It will come I promise.

    Hugs Jadie

    Promise
    Jadie, Writing "It will come I promise." both gives me hope and made me cry. Hugs back. Lynn
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Options
    Jadie said:

    Busy Busy Busy
    Hi Lynn and Peggy, I agree with Marsha, stay busy. Keep your mind occupied. Find a hobby, watch a funny movie or comedy on tv, take that good looking man out to dinner. Surround yourself with positive people and people you love. Be careful who you talk to. You will quickly find out who you can and can't talk to and confide in.

    I think most all of us feel this way after treatments end. It does take time to find your new normal. The old normal is long gone. As you are feeling better and gaining your strenght back you will find this new normal. It will come I promise.

    Hugs Jadie

    Promise
    Jadie, Writing "It will come I promise." both gives me hope and made me cry. Hugs back. Lynn
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    Options
    lynn1950 said:

    Did you experience this, too?
    Marcia - Were you troubled by these feelings, as well? If you did, what turned you around? Thanks for your support. Lynn

    Lynn
    I've read your postings and you are taking medication and seeing a therapist. I saw where you said your medication was changed. I read that it could take 8 to 12 weeks for full benefit but if it isn't working, talk to the doctor. I read that exercise could help and meditation. Have you tried yoga? You said your depression was 'major'. Mine was never what I'd call major. So we can't compare it but you did say you felt better at work. Maybe you need some puzzles or hobbies to keep you busy until spring when you can garden. Keep seeing the therapist and taking the medication and be positive. Hugs....