I think I am in danger of becoming permanently attached to the couch

sbmly53
sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
in Breast Cancer #1
Seriously, I have absolutely no drive or ambition. Just totally drained. My onc appt is Thursday and I requested labs prior to, so that we would have results then. I'm not worried about bc returning (right now), just wonder about thyroid (rads), electolyes, depression. I have Effexor, but never started it. I just want to rule out other stuff.

And what if I am depressed? Will Effexor get me moving?, Put some desire back in my life? And I mean desire as in if I'm hungry, have the desire to check out the fridge, make a meal...

I'm almost 1 year out from clean mammo. I started work 2 days after rads (3.7.10), burned so raw, I wore telfa pads under my hubby's muscle undershirt, under my clothes for 2 weeks. Started Arimidex 6/1 and started caring for my parents weekends in mid August til 3 weeks ago. Maybe it just caught up with me. Now that I don't have to get up on weekends, I don't or can't.

Anyone else???

Sue

Comments

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #2
    sorry Sue
    I am not a doctor but it is sounds like side effects of treatments and Arimidex. Arimidex blocks your estrogen, a lack of estrogen could cause fatigue and depression. Please Talk to your doctor.

    Good luck with on Thursday.
    Hugs
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #3
    You sound like you are doing the right thing
    in that you are doing your lab so you can have the results and then discuss all of this with your doctor. Be sure to discuss the depression issues too. It can steal your drive so that you just don't really care if you eat or not. If the Efflexor doesn't work there are many more to try. Besides Breast Cancer diagnoses, there is alot of depression and/or anxiety in my family also so I have had to learn a lot--more than I wanted to know really but you can pm me if you want. Until my bc diagnosis I was traveling to care for my mother monthly (flying over 1200 miles) so that my sister (who has depression) could have some time for herself. It did wear me out although I wanted to do it --but life was strange during that year plus.
    Hope the appt goes well on Thursday and this begins to be reso
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #4
    Sorry double post
    00ps computer blips
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    We are heading out of winter
    We are heading out of winter - get little sunshine - so ask about having your Vit. D levels checked. I've had big problems with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) for many years, long before my IBC, and have had to use my light box and take Vit. D pills. I now take double D pills daily when it's so nasty that my grass doesn't grow and I can't mow my yard.

    Ask your Drs. about it.

    Susan
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    #6
    tired
    I also stay tired, and I am a teacher. I give all that I have at school, and then come home and recuperate so I can do it again tomorrow. Most of the weekend I rest,and occasionally go shopping or out to eat. I think, for me, it is the Arimidex and depression.
    Hugs to you, I know it is so difficult.
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #7
    Sue,
    I'm sorry you feel drained.

    I just have to share with you that for me, the Arimidex made me feel like that. It was wierd, I would wake up with a feeling of impending doom is the best way to describe it. Like I was anxious but I didn't know why. Also bouts of sadness. Maybe that was the way MY body reacted to it. I also had major joint pain and I even had problems swallowing. Once the Onc switched me back, those symptoms went away so I think that medication didn't agree with my system.

    You also were taking care of your parents so you had a lot on your plate. Plus just coming out of all treatments...it's alot!

    Do talk to your doctor and report how you feel. I hope and pray you begin to feel better soon!


    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #8
    Sue, I know the feeling
    Sue, I know the feeling well. I think the Arimidex can really do a number on us. Be sure you mention how you are feeling to your oncologist. Best wishes for a good onc visit on Thursday. xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #9
    Sue, you sound like a very
    Sue, you sound like a very rationale, thoughtful lady. It is perfectly reasonable to get a thorough check up before starting effexor. But also know that rates of depression are higher in breast cancer patients--probably in part due to stress and disease but also in part due to our very necessary treatments. And, if you do need the effexor, I would just think of it as part of my overall treatment. We need to be active and mentally strong to fight this!



    Major depression after breast cancer: a review of epidemiology and treatment

    Komen on Depression
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #10
    CypressCynthia said:

    Sue, you sound like a very
    Sue, you sound like a very rationale, thoughtful lady. It is perfectly reasonable to get a thorough check up before starting effexor. But also know that rates of depression are higher in breast cancer patients--probably in part due to stress and disease but also in part due to our very necessary treatments. And, if you do need the effexor, I would just think of it as part of my overall treatment. We need to be active and mentally strong to fight this!



    Major depression after breast cancer: a review of epidemiology and treatment

    Komen on Depression

    Hi Sweet Sue
    I'm glad you're getting things checked out first. And I know those upstate NY winters can get mightly gray and dreary about this time. Not seeing the sun for days at a time can really affect your mood.

    I've been on an antidepressant since I was diagnosed--back in Dec. of '09 (Zoloft). I've thought about letting the doc begin to wean me off it, but we've both agreed to have me on it a little longer. I've done really well on it--most days I feel pretty darn good. I don't know if that would change if I go off it or not. I've also been on the Arimidex since July of 2010. I feel I've had a few minor side effects with that--a little joint pain especially in my feet/ankles/knees once in a while, and not much of a sex drive. But, I also know it's imperative (to me and my onc.) that I'm on it.

    Sue--I really hope you get to feeling better soon. Good luck with that doctor's appointment and the lab tests. If you need a nice long weekend in the sun, consider yourself invited to see me in Phoenix! I'd love to have you.

    Hugs, Renee
  • jphilpo
    jphilpo Member Posts: 177
    #11
    Me Too
    I am also a teacher and I can barely make it until Friday. I rest all weekend to try and start over on Monday. I have severe anemia also which doesn't help. Thank goodness for an understanding husband and old movies!
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #12
    missrenee said:

    Hi Sweet Sue
    I'm glad you're getting things checked out first. And I know those upstate NY winters can get mightly gray and dreary about this time. Not seeing the sun for days at a time can really affect your mood.

    I've been on an antidepressant since I was diagnosed--back in Dec. of '09 (Zoloft). I've thought about letting the doc begin to wean me off it, but we've both agreed to have me on it a little longer. I've done really well on it--most days I feel pretty darn good. I don't know if that would change if I go off it or not. I've also been on the Arimidex since July of 2010. I feel I've had a few minor side effects with that--a little joint pain especially in my feet/ankles/knees once in a while, and not much of a sex drive. But, I also know it's imperative (to me and my onc.) that I'm on it.

    Sue--I really hope you get to feeling better soon. Good luck with that doctor's appointment and the lab tests. If you need a nice long weekend in the sun, consider yourself invited to see me in Phoenix! I'd love to have you.

    Hugs, Renee

    Why, thank you, Missrenee!
    I have so seriously been considering running away from it all! All that sunshine, how glorious!!

    Someday....

    Hugs right back atcha!

    Sue
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    jphilpo said:

    Me Too
    I am also a teacher and I can barely make it until Friday. I rest all weekend to try and start over on Monday. I have severe anemia also which doesn't help. Thank goodness for an understanding husband and old movies!

    thank you for posting this.
    thank you for posting this. I have not wanted to post, because I felt like I was complaining. (i see now through your post it really doesnt sound that way) and it is a common problem. I returned very limited to work in Oct and have just felt drained. I hurt all over from being on my feet. I also have neuropathy which makes the effort more. But I think if I wasnt so drained that I could overcome the other things. (hopefully) . Which then leads to depression. I know for me being tired and NO ENERGY really affects my mood. and after going through treatment, and being ill, it gets real old. I talked to the NP and she said, it hasnt been long enough, she said it is a year after treatment is done, and that radiation has delayed effects.
    I think its a vicious cycle, and another new normal. But I too feel that I work and then recover from working. I am setting a short term goal of the one year mark to re evaluate.
    You also did not have adequate time to rest, with the weekend care of your parents. What I tell myself in my good days is to be patient and give it time. Then everything will come together. But my computer, my bed, and my couch are really my best friends. LOL plus I dont think this winter has been to good for us, as far a getting out, getting exersize etc.. Hugs I am sorry that you all are going through this, but am glad its not just me!!!

    also then NP said the tamoxifen didnt help either!

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