Superfatigued and depression

Prissy777
Prissy777 Member Posts: 41 Member
edited November 2015 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I was wondering if anyone has dealt with super fatigue and dark depression after finishing their radiation and chemotherapy?  Right now I feel so weak all the time and have very dark thoughts.  I am about three weeks out from finishing my treatments.  I am not exercising much except for climbing the stairs several times a day and doing household chores.  I have not returned to work yet but am working from home half a day.  The dark depression really frightens me.  Anyone?  I should add that I am single with no friends in the area and limited family.

Comments

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #2
    Prissy, you are not alone!

    When I first learned that I had an advanced stage of an aggressive cancer, I began to think about what I must do to end my life- because what appeared to me then- was that I was facing the beginning of a slow and painful death. I could not even begin to imagine my life ending on that note.

    Fortunately, I am no longer that terrified or that depressed as I have tried to

    move on. It gets easier to cope with time, I can assure you. Seek professional help if need be.

     

    Hugs,

    Cathy

     

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #3
    Abbycat2 said:

    Prissy, you are not alone!

    When I first learned that I had an advanced stage of an aggressive cancer, I began to think about what I must do to end my life- because what appeared to me then- was that I was facing the beginning of a slow and painful death. I could not even begin to imagine my life ending on that note.

    Fortunately, I am no longer that terrified or that depressed as I have tried to

    move on. It gets easier to cope with time, I can assure you. Seek professional help if need be.

     

    Hugs,

    Cathy

     

    Prissy, I forgot to mention

    that I also experienced a resurgence of fear and depression when treatment ended. I remember feeling as though I was now adrift on a rickety raft barely afloat on a turbulent sea with no life preserver.  I felt almost as despondent as I did when I was first diagnosed. I've read that this is a common reaction to the ending of treatment. Hang in there as it will get better, I promise. Be as kind and gentle with yourself as you can be. Exercise will improve your mood so try to include this in your daily plans. It's good that you are working part-time as work has a way of distracting us. I maintained full-time employment during chemo and I am glad that I did. I wanted to keep my life as "normal" as possible. Come here to this board with your concerns and questions. The members are wonderfully kind and supportive.

    Hugs,

    Cathy

  • AWK
    AWK Member Posts: 364 Member
    #4
    Get help

    I did.  i spoke with my oncologist who put  on a light dose of celexa and also saw a therapist who specializes in working with those facing life threatening diseases.  This was all way out of character for me but the depths of darkness I felt really scared me.  Much better now and am so glad I did it.

    hugs and prayers for you - Anne

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    #5
    I am so sorry you have to go

    I am so sorry you have to go through this alone.  No wonder you're depressed!  Are you on any anti-depressants?  Is there a support group in your area??  We're here!!  

    Take care,

    Eldri

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #6
    My thoughts and prayers are with you

    I wish I had the right words to bring you comfort and peace.  When I finished radiation and my first 6 chemo treatments, I thought I was home free and so excited,  it didn't take along before the thought of having to wait 3 months to see my doctor gave me lots of worry time. I do know that i felt better and had a lot less anxiety when i was working.  I am now retired and find that I have a lot more time to worry and feel sorry for my self,

    Find help and dont let these dark toughts rule your life.  There are many avenues of help out ther.  I am sure your doctor can recomend a someone to help you.  A pastor is also a place to seek help.  You have freinds here.  Others have had similar problems and can give advise and comfort  We are with you, you are not alone.

    Hugs and prayer, Lou Ann  Remember  Jesus loves you for free.

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,360 Member
    #7
    Prissy, since you are still

    Prissy, since you are still working please contact your EAP and find someone to talk to over the depression.  Someone can help you get a prescription for some medication to help with your depression.  This board is great but you need someone who can help you through this patch.

  • Prissy777
    Prissy777 Member Posts: 41 Member
    #8
    NoTimeForCancer said:

    Prissy, since you are still

    Prissy, since you are still working please contact your EAP and find someone to talk to over the depression.  Someone can help you get a prescription for some medication to help with your depression.  This board is great but you need someone who can help you through this patch.

    Thank you Everyone for your uplifting advice

    Thank you everyone for your advice.  I am going to get a counselor and see someone about the depression.   It is hard being single and going through things like this alone, no husband or partner.  I appreciate the kind words or support everyone has given, especially those who have shared stories of their own struggles.  Thank you.

  • survivingsu
    survivingsu Member Posts: 134 Member
    #9
    The tiredness

    Hi there,

    Just wanted to add that it couldn't hurt to get your thyroid levels checked.  Mine really tanked after chemo/radiation, I couldn't figure out why I was so tired and down after getting through all my treatment, and it turned out to be my thyroid. 

    Wishing you the very best,

    Susan

  • pinky104
    pinky104 Member Posts: 574 Member
    #10
    survivingsu said:

    The tiredness

    Hi there,

    Just wanted to add that it couldn't hurt to get your thyroid levels checked.  Mine really tanked after chemo/radiation, I couldn't figure out why I was so tired and down after getting through all my treatment, and it turned out to be my thyroid. 

    Wishing you the very best,

    Susan

    Fatigue

    That's good advice.  Whenever anyone feels extra tired, the thyroid is probably the first thing that should be checked.  Another possibility is chemo induced anemia, but hopefully, your oncologist has been keeping an eye on your blood levels all along so that seems less likely.  When I worked in a hospital, we had at least a 6 or 7 page list of symptoms that Medicare found acceptable for a thyroid test to be done.  I couldn't believe the oddball things that a thyroid problem could cause.  My hypothyroidism was diagnosed from my having leg pain and itching.  I wouldn't be surprised if depression also makes that list, but I no longer have access to it to check it out as I'm retired now.  I actually started out with Grave's disease (a hyperactive thyroid with a goiter) and took radioactive iodine to slow they thyroid down.  The dose was too high, and I ended up becoming hypothyroid.   

    Thyroid tests aren't normally done unless there's a problem.  If the thyroid is underactive, the body produces more TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to try to make it run at a higher rate.  If it's overactive, the body produces less TSH to try to slow it down.  The tests done usually include the TSH, T3, and T4.  They're not always 100% accurate, so some doctors make a judgement call based upon a person's symptoms.  Being tired all the time can be depressing in itself. It's worth getting checked out.   

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