Chemotherapy and anxiety

SortaFairyTale
SortaFairyTale Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
i was diagnosed w/ breast cancer in Oct 2003. i'm 38 yrs old.I had a right breast mastectomy Nov.2003 . My chemo strated in Jan. My first treatment was a cocktail of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide . My most common side effects were extreme nausea and fatigue . The next protocol was Docetaxel ..i had flu like symptoms and some pain . My third treatment i experienced severe anxiety and mood swings . I also felt somewhat disorientated . i was prescribed Lorazepam .It helps to some extent . my questions are : Is this normal ? : Is it caused by the Chemotherapy ? i've not read where it is a symptom of Chemo Brain. If anyone can help ..Thank you ..Bright side is my last treatment is tomorrow ! but i'm still very concerned

Comments

  • tulip66
    tulip66 Member Posts: 32
    #2
    Hi there...I was diagnosed with BC last June (at 36) and went through the same chemo's (except add Herceptin to your Taxol). The mood swings with Taxol seem to happen a lot more than recognized.
    I had a male friend who started taking Taxol for lung cancer and all of a sudden he started getting depressed with anxiety. The Dr's don't want to say it is the Taxol but I think that it definitely can affect moods.
    You are normal in feeling this way! I think that the regiment that you are going through is so tough on your body that your mind has to be affected in some way.
    Congratulations on finishing your treatment tomorrow!
  • SortaFairyTale
    SortaFairyTale Member Posts: 2
    #3
    tulip66 said:

    Hi there...I was diagnosed with BC last June (at 36) and went through the same chemo's (except add Herceptin to your Taxol). The mood swings with Taxol seem to happen a lot more than recognized.
    I had a male friend who started taking Taxol for lung cancer and all of a sudden he started getting depressed with anxiety. The Dr's don't want to say it is the Taxol but I think that it definitely can affect moods.
    You are normal in feeling this way! I think that the regiment that you are going through is so tough on your body that your mind has to be affected in some way.
    Congratulations on finishing your treatment tomorrow!

    thank you so much! i don't feel so alone in my symptoms. and yes the Doctors do not want to talk about it in depth . thanx again for taking the time to answer my questions ..
  • Snookums
    Snookums Member Posts: 148
    #4
    It was about 4 treatments into my chemo and I had aniexity and mood swings, mostly a depressed feeling. I was already on Effexor (anti- depressant) for perimenopause symptons and it wasn't helping. I asked my OB-Gyn and my Onc if I could increase my dosage and they both said to try it and man I was better in a few days! I was just suffering from the chemo. Now I am back down to one dose because the effexor is known for helping the intensity of hot flashes and I just have warm power surges. it sound like you need to honestly talk with your onc and let them know this situation isn''t healthy so you need some help. Would an anti depressant assist you thru it. I am now on Tamoxifen that brings on menopause like my chemo started so the drug si still good for me. once I am thru meno I will get off this pill- I have no doubts. it won't hurt to ask- Godd Luck and God Bless- C
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    #5
    Hi,
    I was also diagnosed in October of 2003 and had a modified radical masectomy in November 2003. I am all done chemo myself 4 A/C 4 Taxol, but did experience mood swings. I had a hard time excepting that I couldn't do everything without help and just grocery shopping was physically and mentally exhausting. I found that no one could understand how I felt because they hadn't gone through it. I kept a journal which helped a little too. You do get better! I feel like myself again and it's amazing. Chemo brain does go away!

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