depression a year after chemo

jsm1861

A year after finishing chemo and surguries and the like, I have come to the realization that I must be depressed. I have looked around on the internet and found it is quite common even well after the cancer has gone. I blame myself for being the cause of all my family's misfortune. (we lost everything had to move back home etc) I cry at some of the stangest things, and at other times I have that thousand yard stare. Mostly I just feel numb. I think things I shouldn't, or at least before were totally abhorent. I found this site by researching my symptoms. Is anyone else out there like this?

Beardragon

Depression and delayed emotional effects
Yes, JSM, I experienced something similar. After the arduous medical journey just when I thought I was going to be OK, I had a major depressive episode set in. It's real and not a sign of weakness. The contributions of physical changes and psychological issues are hard to discriminate, but it doesn't really matter. It hurts. I'm a clinical psychologist and I'm not immune to it either.
I went into therapy and also for the first time in my life went on antidepressants. They help and keep me from spiraling even further down. I think depression is an expected reaction for so many people; after all look what we've been through. Healing emotionally takes time and often the fear lurks in the background. It's important not to add to it by self-recrimination; we all did the best we could. Please be good to yourself and allow yourself to heal emotionally.
All my best,
Beardragon

trugrit

depression a year after chemo
JMS,

As someone that has been depressed before being diagnosed with breast cancer, don't hesistate to seek help for depression. It is a common ailment for anyone but especially during the healing process. Don't be afraid to seek help, ask your primary md or oncology md for antidepressent meds and/or a referral to a psycologist or social worker, they work wonders. I was on them before Cancer Treatment and am still on them now. They don't have the stigma that they once had and THEY DO WORK. Both my Mother and Daughter are or were on them at one time or another. I have been on and off of them for the last 20 years. There is nothing worse that being in the pit of dispare. I could not have survived my cancer diagnosis or treatments without them. SEEK MEDICAL INTERVENTION. You will be glad that you did. Been there done that and survived!!!! trugrit

trugrit

depression a year after chemo
JMS,

As someone that has been depressed before being diagnosed with breast cancer, don't hesistate to seek help for depression. It is a common ailment for anyone but especially during the healing process. Don't be afraid to seek help, ask your primary md or oncology md for antidepressent meds and/or a referral to a psycologist or social worker, they work wonders. I was on them before Cancer Treatment and am still on them now. They don't have the stigma that they once had and THEY DO WORK. Both my Mother and Daughter are/or were on them at one time or another. I have been on and off of them for the last 20 years. There is nothing worse that being in the pit of dispare. I could not have survived my cancer diagnosis or treatments without them. SEEK MEDICAL INTERVENTION. You will be glad that you did. Been there done that and survived!!!! trugrit

Trew

Anniversary Date: March 23, 2009
That is when I had my prostate removed- I can not remember a worse day. Found out I had positive margins and would need radiaiton a week later and 3 weeks later I was infected with a hormone shot with no warning of side effects. That is absolutely wicked to do to a man.

Now, one year later, I can honestly say I hate this side of cancer. Maybe life will be better when I get past the hormone shots and their ill effects, but for now, I have all the side effects I can stand, don't want any more and, like I said, really really miss the before side of cancer.

But life goes on.....

There is a religious side to all this that brighten the darkness and gives me hope.