Need encouragement

Kathern
Kathern Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have two more years of after treament.I am so depressed because I've gained 95lbs.,I have never had a weight problem or ever been depressed.I have always been up, now I'm depressed more than I'm up. Is this what anyone else is going through?

Comments

  • mc2001
    mc2001 Member Posts: 343
    #2
    Hi Kathern,
    I am sorry you are feeling this way. However, it is very common for us to fall into a depression. Getting help in the form of counseling, and or medicine is crucial to help you through this time. As for the weight gain. many medicines cause us to gain weight. For many, the weight comes right off once they are finished with treatment. I do hope you feel better soon. God bless.
    -Michael (leukemia survivor)
  • jdubious
    jdubious Member Posts: 113
    #3
    Hi Kathern,
    You don't mention which medication you are taking. I had A/C and Taxol chemo followed by Femara. I gained 60 pounds, and like you, weight wasn't an issue before. The Femara made me feel so crappy (pain mostly)that I switched to Arimidex. There's been a huge improvement in the pain level, but I also feel better mentally. I think feeling so crappy was making me depressed. After switching to Arimdex, I've started (slowly) exercising. Walking as much as possible, and I've started using an indoor rower, but I try not to over-do it. The exercise has also helped my outlook because I feel like I'm doing something positive about my health.

    The drugs we take act like steriods on our systems. Athletes use them (steriods) to "bulk up" or add muscle mass. Muscle burns fat. So my thinking is that I need to take advantage of these drugs and work on building muscle. I'm making small goals to work toward, focusing on the exercise first. Then I will take a look at my diet, which I know isn't great, because lots of foods still don't taste good to me after chemo. My next goal is eating 5 fruits or veggies EVERY day - yuck!


    So my two cent recommendation is: Talk to your doc about the meds you are taking, be sure to mention your depression, see what treatment options you have - don't suffer. Get a second opinion if you don't get a good response from your MD. Get active - find something you like to do and stick with it. Get lots of sleep and drink lots of water. Make small, achievable goals toward improving health.
    I'm focusing on getting healthy again, rather than looking at only my weight (but it's really hard) My plan is to take it step by step. I tell myself that I'm doing the things I need to do to get healthy - as I get healthier, the weight will go away. (dammit!)
    jill
  • momof4
    momof4 Member Posts: 56
    #4
    I have 2 more years to go also, i am currently taking femara and I have gained ove 50lb I was never so heavy and between the medication and the weight i always feel tired and at times I feel as if my legs cant even carry my weight anymore. About being depressed sometimes i dont think the depression (since my diagnosy) is ever going to go away. I look at myself in the mirror and than I look at pictures of the person i was before the cancer and wonder if that person is still alive, and wonder if i will ever be that person again.
  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #5
    You're not alone. Encourage you to talk to your doctor. I've gained 30 pounds and even though I'm exercising it just doesn't want to budge. I talked to a professional who had experience counseling cancer patients and he told me the feelings of depression/sadness were normal and offered some strategies. Can't tell you how helpful it was to have someone say I was reacting normally. Remember you are not alone and we're here to support you.
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #6
    Future said:

    You're not alone. Encourage you to talk to your doctor. I've gained 30 pounds and even though I'm exercising it just doesn't want to budge. I talked to a professional who had experience counseling cancer patients and he told me the feelings of depression/sadness were normal and offered some strategies. Can't tell you how helpful it was to have someone say I was reacting normally. Remember you are not alone and we're here to support you.

    I'm taking Arimidex and have 2 more years to go. My joints ache to the point I feel like an old woman. I've put on 30 pounds and feel hungry much of the time but a part of me fears coming to the end of the Arimidex and being totally vulnerable all over again. I look in the morror and hate everything I see except for one thing. I'm still there to look in that mirror. When I feel my lowest, I think of the friends I've lost to breast cancer. I truely believe they'd choose to come back, even with achy joints, depression and weight gain, if given the choice. I get through it by changing my perspective. Eating healthy and regular exercise, even if it's not your favorite thing, can't hurt. You're definitely not alone! Good luck.
    terri

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