Fatigue or Depression?

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Comments

  • HobbsDoggy
    HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
    #22
    Still Beat Up

    Just a bit over two months out from my last rad and chemo I seem to have a bit of a set back as far as fatigue goes. The lack of progress and lack of taste, etc. does have me depressed some and trying to figure out what is just physical tiredness and what is depression is not too easy. Also I am in the Midwest and the cold season is upon us so may have that adding to the mix. The doc I saw yesterday said I am still early in recovery so don't panic yet, easy for him. Blood tests all came back normal. Again cannot tell you how much your messages mean to help me make it though all of this.

  • jlslee
    jlslee Member Posts: 1
    #23
    Depression after BC

    Hello to all,

    I know we are all in this together and that helps more than I ever thought it would.

    I was diagnosed last July 2012. Had lumpectomy in August. Four rounds of chemo and neulasta from October through December 2013. 31 sessions of radiation in January and February 2013.  I know I should feel good that things are behind me, but I am so depressed every day.  I have not slept more than a couple of hours a night ever since diagnosis.  I am so scared all of the time.  I feel so alone even though my family has been wonderful.  I miss my children so much and my grandchildren even more.  My children are grown as are my grandchildren and do not live very close.  I miss the days when they were all little and needed mommy and nanny.  I cry most of the time without control.  I never said "why me" and I don't really feel sorry for myself, just so depressed I cannot handle it.  My husband has been wonderful also, but he works all day and I am alone except for occassional lunches with friends.

    I don't have to tell any of you that chemo and radiation are very hard.  Even when you make it through, you feel like your head is in outer space not being able to concentrate.  I thought after treatment I would be good again.  I have had problems with my legs after treatment.  My upper thigh ached so badly day and night.  My legs don't seem to work like they used to.  My shoulders ache at night and I end up having to put ice on them, all hindering sleep that I might get.

    Don't know what to do.  Want to be "normal" again.  Want to stop being afraid it will come back.  I used to be lively now I feel old and feeble.  My hair is only 1/2 inch long even though I finished my chemo in December, four months ago.  Maybe I was expecting too much.

    I love all of you and want also to help others in our situation but I cannot even help myself.  Does anyone have the answer??

    Jan

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #24
    jlslee said:

    Depression after BC

    Hello to all,

    I know we are all in this together and that helps more than I ever thought it would.

    I was diagnosed last July 2012. Had lumpectomy in August. Four rounds of chemo and neulasta from October through December 2013. 31 sessions of radiation in January and February 2013.  I know I should feel good that things are behind me, but I am so depressed every day.  I have not slept more than a couple of hours a night ever since diagnosis.  I am so scared all of the time.  I feel so alone even though my family has been wonderful.  I miss my children so much and my grandchildren even more.  My children are grown as are my grandchildren and do not live very close.  I miss the days when they were all little and needed mommy and nanny.  I cry most of the time without control.  I never said "why me" and I don't really feel sorry for myself, just so depressed I cannot handle it.  My husband has been wonderful also, but he works all day and I am alone except for occassional lunches with friends.

    I don't have to tell any of you that chemo and radiation are very hard.  Even when you make it through, you feel like your head is in outer space not being able to concentrate.  I thought after treatment I would be good again.  I have had problems with my legs after treatment.  My upper thigh ached so badly day and night.  My legs don't seem to work like they used to.  My shoulders ache at night and I end up having to put ice on them, all hindering sleep that I might get.

    Don't know what to do.  Want to be "normal" again.  Want to stop being afraid it will come back.  I used to be lively now I feel old and feeble.  My hair is only 1/2 inch long even though I finished my chemo in December, four months ago.  Maybe I was expecting too much.

    I love all of you and want also to help others in our situation but I cannot even help myself.  Does anyone have the answer??

    Jan

    jan, i'm so sorry you're so

    jan, i'm so sorry you're so depressed.  i too suffer with depression.  i think that is the worst side effect of cancer.  you need to force yourself not to worry so much about it coming back.  i know that's easier said than done but you must make yourself stop.  instead, make yourself busy or go out with friends.  pray pray and pray.  prayer always helps.  i will be praying for you as well.

    God bless,

    debbiejeanne

  • peggylulu
    peggylulu Member Posts: 375
    #25
    jlslee said:

    Depression after BC

    Hello to all,

    I know we are all in this together and that helps more than I ever thought it would.

    I was diagnosed last July 2012. Had lumpectomy in August. Four rounds of chemo and neulasta from October through December 2013. 31 sessions of radiation in January and February 2013.  I know I should feel good that things are behind me, but I am so depressed every day.  I have not slept more than a couple of hours a night ever since diagnosis.  I am so scared all of the time.  I feel so alone even though my family has been wonderful.  I miss my children so much and my grandchildren even more.  My children are grown as are my grandchildren and do not live very close.  I miss the days when they were all little and needed mommy and nanny.  I cry most of the time without control.  I never said "why me" and I don't really feel sorry for myself, just so depressed I cannot handle it.  My husband has been wonderful also, but he works all day and I am alone except for occassional lunches with friends.

    I don't have to tell any of you that chemo and radiation are very hard.  Even when you make it through, you feel like your head is in outer space not being able to concentrate.  I thought after treatment I would be good again.  I have had problems with my legs after treatment.  My upper thigh ached so badly day and night.  My legs don't seem to work like they used to.  My shoulders ache at night and I end up having to put ice on them, all hindering sleep that I might get.

    Don't know what to do.  Want to be "normal" again.  Want to stop being afraid it will come back.  I used to be lively now I feel old and feeble.  My hair is only 1/2 inch long even though I finished my chemo in December, four months ago.  Maybe I was expecting too much.

    I love all of you and want also to help others in our situation but I cannot even help myself.  Does anyone have the answer??

    Jan

    Jan

    Jan , welcome to this board ! You've found the right place to be to get answers to any questions you might have . There are so many great people here that have a ton of good information ! I have taken zoloft for several years for depression and during treatments my Primary Family Doctor told me to double my Zoloft. I didn't even ask or mention depression and he thought I needed it so if you're not taking some thing for depression definatly ask one of your doctors for some medicine.

    Best wishes for feeling better . Peggy

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #26
    jlslee said:

    Depression after BC

    Hello to all,

    I know we are all in this together and that helps more than I ever thought it would.

    I was diagnosed last July 2012. Had lumpectomy in August. Four rounds of chemo and neulasta from October through December 2013. 31 sessions of radiation in January and February 2013.  I know I should feel good that things are behind me, but I am so depressed every day.  I have not slept more than a couple of hours a night ever since diagnosis.  I am so scared all of the time.  I feel so alone even though my family has been wonderful.  I miss my children so much and my grandchildren even more.  My children are grown as are my grandchildren and do not live very close.  I miss the days when they were all little and needed mommy and nanny.  I cry most of the time without control.  I never said "why me" and I don't really feel sorry for myself, just so depressed I cannot handle it.  My husband has been wonderful also, but he works all day and I am alone except for occassional lunches with friends.

    I don't have to tell any of you that chemo and radiation are very hard.  Even when you make it through, you feel like your head is in outer space not being able to concentrate.  I thought after treatment I would be good again.  I have had problems with my legs after treatment.  My upper thigh ached so badly day and night.  My legs don't seem to work like they used to.  My shoulders ache at night and I end up having to put ice on them, all hindering sleep that I might get.

    Don't know what to do.  Want to be "normal" again.  Want to stop being afraid it will come back.  I used to be lively now I feel old and feeble.  My hair is only 1/2 inch long even though I finished my chemo in December, four months ago.  Maybe I was expecting too much.

    I love all of you and want also to help others in our situation but I cannot even help myself.  Does anyone have the answer??

    Jan

    we hear you

    Jan,

     

    Welcome to the H&N forum, I see you are a very qualified participant, sorry about that.

     

    To get more response you may want to start a new thread, that way more members will chime in. 

     

    From my perspective and I can sleep “right now” you do not sound like someone enjoying being “cancer free” or at least having some positive perspective on what has happened to you.  Not to diminish the life changing event which happened, it is just one chapter in your life’s story.

     

    Matt

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #27
    jlslee said:

    Depression after BC

    Hello to all,

    I know we are all in this together and that helps more than I ever thought it would.

    I was diagnosed last July 2012. Had lumpectomy in August. Four rounds of chemo and neulasta from October through December 2013. 31 sessions of radiation in January and February 2013.  I know I should feel good that things are behind me, but I am so depressed every day.  I have not slept more than a couple of hours a night ever since diagnosis.  I am so scared all of the time.  I feel so alone even though my family has been wonderful.  I miss my children so much and my grandchildren even more.  My children are grown as are my grandchildren and do not live very close.  I miss the days when they were all little and needed mommy and nanny.  I cry most of the time without control.  I never said "why me" and I don't really feel sorry for myself, just so depressed I cannot handle it.  My husband has been wonderful also, but he works all day and I am alone except for occassional lunches with friends.

    I don't have to tell any of you that chemo and radiation are very hard.  Even when you make it through, you feel like your head is in outer space not being able to concentrate.  I thought after treatment I would be good again.  I have had problems with my legs after treatment.  My upper thigh ached so badly day and night.  My legs don't seem to work like they used to.  My shoulders ache at night and I end up having to put ice on them, all hindering sleep that I might get.

    Don't know what to do.  Want to be "normal" again.  Want to stop being afraid it will come back.  I used to be lively now I feel old and feeble.  My hair is only 1/2 inch long even though I finished my chemo in December, four months ago.  Maybe I was expecting too much.

    I love all of you and want also to help others in our situation but I cannot even help myself.  Does anyone have the answer??

    Jan

    answer = seek professional help

    From what you describe, the cancer associated events likely triggered more than a depression "side effect" of the cancer treatments. Given the amount of time and the symptoms you are experiencing you need to see a psychiatrist, not some therapist. Even though MO, RO and others may be able to prescribe, you need to understand you likely have a new disorder and needed to be treated by specialists in this disorder. All your previous providers have no idea how to treat major depression, just as they have no idea how to treat cancer.  good luck and god speed to wellness. don

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #28
    Fellow unknown primary

    I finally found someone with the same diagnosis as me- unknown primary - my last treatment was early December - I still get fatigued - I worked through my entire treatment - it was ugly for the last 3 weeks- it was my goal to be able to eat a nice Christmas dinner with my familly- needles to say I didn't eat very well at our Christmas dinner- but I was there and plan on being there many times over. I can't go 100% at work every day or I burn out- so I go 75% sometimes less. When my body tells me to rest I rest. It seems I had a lot more bad days right after treatment than I have now- maybe 1 bad day a week- and on a bad day I don't want to do anything. I am 55 and I have always been active- a gym rat. I have not worked out at e gym since my surgery. I tried a few weeks ago and asked myself if I was crazy. S I will give it more time. I think there are times I have to fight off the depression as it is easy to feel sorry for yourself as it seems the gift that keeps giving is radiation and chemo. Just keep fighting - drag yourself out of the house and go for a walk- do anything except vegetate on the couch. Although once in a while you need that too. I was taking a lot of naps right after treatment- once I stopped the pain meds the napping gradually stopped. Ad believe it or not my problem was trying to go to sleep at night. It took a long time to get back on schedule- I still can't get up as early as I use to. So just hang in there and keep fighting . 

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #29
    jlslee said:

    Depression after BC

    Hello to all,

    I know we are all in this together and that helps more than I ever thought it would.

    I was diagnosed last July 2012. Had lumpectomy in August. Four rounds of chemo and neulasta from October through December 2013. 31 sessions of radiation in January and February 2013.  I know I should feel good that things are behind me, but I am so depressed every day.  I have not slept more than a couple of hours a night ever since diagnosis.  I am so scared all of the time.  I feel so alone even though my family has been wonderful.  I miss my children so much and my grandchildren even more.  My children are grown as are my grandchildren and do not live very close.  I miss the days when they were all little and needed mommy and nanny.  I cry most of the time without control.  I never said "why me" and I don't really feel sorry for myself, just so depressed I cannot handle it.  My husband has been wonderful also, but he works all day and I am alone except for occassional lunches with friends.

    I don't have to tell any of you that chemo and radiation are very hard.  Even when you make it through, you feel like your head is in outer space not being able to concentrate.  I thought after treatment I would be good again.  I have had problems with my legs after treatment.  My upper thigh ached so badly day and night.  My legs don't seem to work like they used to.  My shoulders ache at night and I end up having to put ice on them, all hindering sleep that I might get.

    Don't know what to do.  Want to be "normal" again.  Want to stop being afraid it will come back.  I used to be lively now I feel old and feeble.  My hair is only 1/2 inch long even though I finished my chemo in December, four months ago.  Maybe I was expecting too much.

    I love all of you and want also to help others in our situation but I cannot even help myself.  Does anyone have the answer??

    Jan

    Things will get better

    My motto was let's get it done so I can get it behind me- problem is that it's not behind me. Yet- my doctor told me today there's no guarantees in this business. Stay positive- seek a professional to talk to if you think that will help.i always feel alone- I use to be a tough guy now I am a humble cancer survivor and every once in a while I find myself in the midst of a good cry. Be strong- you are loved - but life goes on-  YOU ARE NOT ALONE

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