Drug reactions

taleena

Donna...
I am so sorry that
Donna...

I am so sorry that you are facing the challanges that you are. I am new to all of this myself, and I totally understand stress. The week before my diagnosis was the one year anniversary of my brothers death from cancer. He passed away in my living room, and his 10 year old daughter lives with me. Her mom was on drugs and walked out. Now I am in a court battle with a trial date of July 26th, she's trying to get her back... My father passed away that week too. You could say it was the week from H**l.

I too have ageing parents. My siblings all live too far away to be very helpful, mine are not in their 80's but 70's and their health is really poor, my mother is extremely heavy over 300 lbs. Add to that and their attitudes are quite negative. Nothing possitive can come out of my mothers mouth unless it's to a stranger. She is a sympathy seeker, to give you an idea of how bad, when one of the woomen here recommended that I only have a couple of people to call to update the family and that they could pass the information on to the rest, when I told her I was going to call my eldest nephew (who has a medical background) and one of my sisters (who always finds the silver lining to focus on) she became upset with me and told me how I always control eveything and never think of other peoples feelings... if I had picked her "at least that would give her something to do.." Yesterday they came over and while I was outside, proceeded to lift her shirt to show my niece and daughter (her granddaughters) the scars from her masectomies. She had them over 30 years ago, and never has delt with it well. I'm not sure her reason for doing so, but personally I was appaled.. I wouldn't have a problem showing my daughter... but I would never show my grandchildren... especially an 11 year old who is just hitting puberty.

I am rambling here... and I'm sorry.

I have children too, 2 boys 15 and 22 and a daughter 21 (who just had a baby)... these ages can be rough. Converstations with my son for quit a while were extremely strained and it is just recently that I have noticed things changing with him...slowly... but they do become more human I promise.... we all made it didn't we.

Please use us at any and all opportunities. To vent, share, whatever you need. Talk to your doctor... don't stop meds without consulting with him... and if you need to, there is nothing wrong with going to a counselor.... some people won't do it.. but there have been many times in my life, that just having someone to "DUMP" on has been very theriputic.

Hang in there.. we are here for you! I'm glad you have a new puppy... I love puppies.

~Sending you hugs..

~T

dmc_emmy

Kat11 said:

Hi dmc_emmy, I am very new
Hi dmc_emmy, I am very new to this site. I was just diagonis in April and I am pending surgery this June. However, before I was told I had cancer I also had a lot of stress/anxiety in my life and still do. Like you, it got to a point were I felt out of control. No one wanted to be around me. My son who was 27 at the time told me he did not like me anymore. My husband was on the same page with my son. I thought what do they know, until my best friend told me that I was the problem not them. I then found myself in my doctors office crying and telling her that I think I have lost my mind and no one likes me anymore. I don't think I even liked myself. She put me on some medication and after a few weeks on the medication everything changed. I felt much better, my family and friends saw the difference. I was sleeping better. Understand I did not do this for them, I did it for me.It does not have to be forever,just for now. I am still on antianxiety medication. Go to your doctor and ask for help, maybe it is a side affect of the drugs you are on, but maybe your on overload and just need a little more help and there is nothing wrong with that.Talk to your doctor. Talking about your problems with people who are willing to listen also helps, so keep on writing. Good Luck, take care of yourself.

Wishing you well
Dear Kat11,

I wish you well. Cancer is something that I thought I would never have, since I was a health food vegetarian nut (take note, I said "was".) Now, I balance my healthy diet with an ocassional ice cream or candy bar...it's so much easier to have fun sometimes .

Looking back, I suppose in many ways, my journey with cancer is a test of my personal inner strength and, it is a test that I am expected to pass. I'm not what one would call a religious zealant, but I do think that God had a hand to play in this part of my life. I believe He gave me this test for the sheer purpose of testing my personal resolve, as many before my time have been tested and, in retrospect, I suppose I have become a stronger person.

At times, like when I wrote my first post, I was far from being a woman of strength. What I have found, however, during my 3-year journery with cancer, is that my inner strength becomes stronger every time I take a step backwards and force myself to move on. Each time, I come back a stronger person and with a sense of renewal. Humbly, I must say that I have not done this alone. I have had many on my side who are much stronger than I and who have carried me when I did not have the strength, or the desire, to fight any more.

We all deal with our battle with cancer in different ways. For some, like myself, it took awhile for me to realize what and how I should deal with it. I may not always make the most desired decisions according to my doctors and other wise counsel, but I hope I make the decisions that are right for my loved ones and myself.

I, as well as thousands of others, are behind you in your fight with cancer. As for me, my escape (my sweet German Shepherd, Emmy) is waiting patiently for me to take her out on the North trail so she can chase those ground hogs (or are they muskrats?) I don't know, they are brown and furry and she thinks they were placed on the trail for her personal delight and that's good enough for me, too .

The best to you, Kat11!

Donna

dmc_emmy

DrSusanHardwicke said:

Hope This Helps - I'm a Survivor Who Had Side Effects
Dear dmc_emmy:

It is absolutely heart-rending to read your post. It brings back memories for me, too, as a 6-year survivor.

First, some of the symptoms you're experiencing could be side effects of chemotherapy. Not knowing which ones you had, I can't comment. You can find more information on one of my blogs at www.healthafterchemo.com. If not, email me at susan.hardwicke@vabion.com and I will send you information on chemotherapies and cognitive side effects that have been examined through research.

If you feel that you need antidepressant medication, please consult a mental health professional for monitoring your benefits and/or side effects

You should definitely tell your oncologist about the mood swings because they are likely related to your medication, as well as the hormonal changes resulting from chemotherapy. None of the medications youhave tried worked for me, and I had 2 years of Lupron shots that worked wonders.

Warmest wishes!

Thanks Susan
Susan,

Believe it or not, I had a reaction to Lupron, too. I think it's in the genes, my father and his entire side of his family react to drugs as severely as I. As I mentioned in another post, my oncologist and GP know that I stopped the Femara. For now, my oncologist seems okay with it, but he wants to talk with me at my next scheduled visit. In the meantime, I am drug-free and will now hopefully lose some of the weight I gained by being on this drug while I wait for his input. My mood swings have come to a screeching halt and so has the depression, too. The other symptoms that I was experienceing have also ended. It took nearly a month, but it seems that the drug is completely out of my system now.

I hope to enjoy the summer and spend some much needed time with my family and dog. For now, she (Emmy) is a great anti-depressant for me and the nice thing about it, I have no side effects except for unbounding love from my best friend. Not too bad, if you ask me.

Thanks for your input. I'll keep you all posted as to what my oncologist tells me.

Donna
By the way, congrats on 6 years out!

dmc_emmy

taleena said:

Donna...
I am so sorry that
Donna...

I am so sorry that you are facing the challanges that you are. I am new to all of this myself, and I totally understand stress. The week before my diagnosis was the one year anniversary of my brothers death from cancer. He passed away in my living room, and his 10 year old daughter lives with me. Her mom was on drugs and walked out. Now I am in a court battle with a trial date of July 26th, she's trying to get her back... My father passed away that week too. You could say it was the week from H**l.

I too have ageing parents. My siblings all live too far away to be very helpful, mine are not in their 80's but 70's and their health is really poor, my mother is extremely heavy over 300 lbs. Add to that and their attitudes are quite negative. Nothing possitive can come out of my mothers mouth unless it's to a stranger. She is a sympathy seeker, to give you an idea of how bad, when one of the woomen here recommended that I only have a couple of people to call to update the family and that they could pass the information on to the rest, when I told her I was going to call my eldest nephew (who has a medical background) and one of my sisters (who always finds the silver lining to focus on) she became upset with me and told me how I always control eveything and never think of other peoples feelings... if I had picked her "at least that would give her something to do.." Yesterday they came over and while I was outside, proceeded to lift her shirt to show my niece and daughter (her granddaughters) the scars from her masectomies. She had them over 30 years ago, and never has delt with it well. I'm not sure her reason for doing so, but personally I was appaled.. I wouldn't have a problem showing my daughter... but I would never show my grandchildren... especially an 11 year old who is just hitting puberty.

I am rambling here... and I'm sorry.

I have children too, 2 boys 15 and 22 and a daughter 21 (who just had a baby)... these ages can be rough. Converstations with my son for quit a while were extremely strained and it is just recently that I have noticed things changing with him...slowly... but they do become more human I promise.... we all made it didn't we.

Please use us at any and all opportunities. To vent, share, whatever you need. Talk to your doctor... don't stop meds without consulting with him... and if you need to, there is nothing wrong with going to a counselor.... some people won't do it.. but there have been many times in my life, that just having someone to "DUMP" on has been very theriputic.

Hang in there.. we are here for you! I'm glad you have a new puppy... I love puppies.

~Sending you hugs..

~T

Wow T!
Dear Taleena,

It seems as though I should send you some hugs! Consider it done.

Now, that I stopped the meds, I feel much better. I'm not as depressed and much more stable without all the mood swings.

This will be short because, as I mentioned in my last post, I need to get out with my pup and let her enjoy this beautiful day. It's probably in the upper 60s now and slowly getting warmer. I'll take whatever the good Lord wants to send me in this God-forsaken state!

I think as far as "dumping" onto someone, this site seems to be the place (though my dog, Emmy, is a good listener, too).

Speaking of which, I told her I would be taking her out and that was while ago. I best close for now.

Thanks for sharing and I hope your niece is able to stay with you--it seems that you have a heart big enough for at least one more.

How about another hug? Consider it done

Donna