i have been putting it off but i think its time.
thanks for listening
teresa
Comments
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{{{Hugs}}}
Oh Teresa, I am so sorry. You have sure gone through a hellacious few years. Nobody should have to endure what you've gone through alone. I am glad you are looking into alternative treatment to help get you through. You are so strong to have gotten by this long..
Love and Hugs,
Lorrie0 -
I'm sorry you're going
I'm sorry you're going through all this. Please don't be afraid to take something for it. I am on Tamoxifen, also. I use Effexor for anxiety (and it's used for hot flashes from Tamoxifen). You've been through so much, and you don't get a chance to start to recover from one thing when something else comes at you. I hope you are able to find some relief. Please let us know what you find out and how you are doing. We are always here for you.
Julie0 -
Big hug to you, dear Teresa
Teresa, one of the strongest, most courageous things a person can do is recognize that you need help and ask for it. You are absolutely doing the right thing, and I'm proud of you.
I just want to say -- I don't know your PCP at all, but some PCPs are more supportive of and knowledgeable about depression medications than others. If for whatever reason he/she isn't supportive, DON'T GIVE UP. Ask your oncologist or one of your other doctors (One of the small perks of having cancer -- we all have multiple doctors to choose from! :-).
I think the smartest thing you said in your post was, "This isn't me." You know yourself, so trust yourself, and insist on the help that will help you get back to being you. And let us support you and cheer you on along the way.
Traci0 -
...butterflylvr said:{{{Hugs}}}
Oh Teresa, I am so sorry. You have sure gone through a hellacious few years. Nobody should have to endure what you've gone through alone. I am glad you are looking into alternative treatment to help get you through. You are so strong to have gotten by this long..
Love and Hugs,
Lorrie
I'm so sorry that you've had to endure such losses.
...
sniff..sniffle.../wipes eyes...I thought we were your family!
Perhaps a call to ACS may be uplifting: 1-800-227-2346. They likely could direct you to resources to possibly alleviate your situation.
What state and county are you in?0 -
alsoTraciInLA said:Big hug to you, dear Teresa
Teresa, one of the strongest, most courageous things a person can do is recognize that you need help and ask for it. You are absolutely doing the right thing, and I'm proud of you.
I just want to say -- I don't know your PCP at all, but some PCPs are more supportive of and knowledgeable about depression medications than others. If for whatever reason he/she isn't supportive, DON'T GIVE UP. Ask your oncologist or one of your other doctors (One of the small perks of having cancer -- we all have multiple doctors to choose from! :-).
I think the smartest thing you said in your post was, "This isn't me." You know yourself, so trust yourself, and insist on the help that will help you get back to being you. And let us support you and cheer you on along the way.
Traci
I found an interesting read about it at:
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20090601/antidepressants-and-tamoxifen-may-not-mix
Also:
http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/posts/interactions-between-antidepressants-and-tamoxifen/0 -
So sorry...
I noticed you have a picture of a beautiful dog - is it yours? I sometimes get down, and sometimes I pray, and talk to God for support. But also, I have found that nature helps me as well. I can't compare my case with yours, of course. You also have lost a love one, and I am very sorry about that. But please know you are not alone. We are here for you. God is here for you. Nature is here for you. Plants, trees, oceans, flowers, your beautiful dog....You are still loved and needed.
I have pets. They help me. Nature has its own way to cure things too.
I know it is hard for everyone - and all cases are so different. But We must keep the faith no mater what. And we must support each other as best as we can.
You can talk to your doctor about medication. I sometimes take Ativan when I am anxious (about chemo) and it helps, but I also try to seek other options to try and stay strong. Well...maybe not "strong" but look for beauty and hope in things that are still here for me.
About the job you might want to seek help through agencies - people who help you find jobs. Perhaps you might want to try the ACS number one of our pink sisters provided. Good luck with this.
You are not alone. You are loved.0 -
Oh Teresa,LoveBabyJesus said:So sorry...
I noticed you have a picture of a beautiful dog - is it yours? I sometimes get down, and sometimes I pray, and talk to God for support. But also, I have found that nature helps me as well. I can't compare my case with yours, of course. You also have lost a love one, and I am very sorry about that. But please know you are not alone. We are here for you. God is here for you. Nature is here for you. Plants, trees, oceans, flowers, your beautiful dog....You are still loved and needed.
I have pets. They help me. Nature has its own way to cure things too.
I know it is hard for everyone - and all cases are so different. But We must keep the faith no mater what. And we must support each other as best as we can.
You can talk to your doctor about medication. I sometimes take Ativan when I am anxious (about chemo) and it helps, but I also try to seek other options to try and stay strong. Well...maybe not "strong" but look for beauty and hope in things that are still here for me.
About the job you might want to seek help through agencies - people who help you find jobs. Perhaps you might want to try the ACS number one of our pink sisters provided. Good luck with this.
You are not alone. You are loved.
I'm so sorry that
Oh Teresa,
I'm so sorry that you're going through this. All I can say is we are here for you always.
Big Hugs,
Wanda0 -
do you have any friends to
do you have any friends to help you i am am so sorry you feel this wayand i know it feels hopeless but its not so long as u can breathe there is hope dont give up please i too have had a lot of hardships but good support network will help and you can get through this0 -
Teresa...Lighthouse_7 said:Oh Teresa,
I'm so sorry that
Oh Teresa,
I'm so sorry that you're going through this. All I can say is we are here for you always.
Big Hugs,
Wanda
My heart goes out to you...you've had more than your fair share, on your plate....I applaud you for seeking medication...To many people think it's a sign of weakness, but they've probably never been told they have cancer, either! I was never one to take any type of meds for anxiety, etc...but when I was diagnosed with bc, I, at first thought I would lose my mind! And I didn't have the added sadness and grief of losing the one I loved....I knew I had to have medication to handle the stress...I literally lost 19 pounds in 3 weeks! I was prescribed the lowest dose of good 'ole fashioned Valium....It helped me greatly...didn't make me sleepy or groggy....it simply "took the edge off"... Within 20 minutes of taking it, I could feel my body relax....It helped so much...I know taking Tamoxifen, you maybe some what limited in what can be prescribed...I am not a candidate for that, being triple negative...but have a good friend who takes it and Xanax....
I think you're making a great decision in seeking medication to help you cope and in taking care of yourself! You deserve to feel better! We may not be" biological" family but we're "sisters" non the less!
I wish you the best...keep us posted, we care...there's always one of "us" available to share your feelings with..it does help to let it out!
Hugs,
Nancy0 -
Dear, dear Teresa in Illinois
I am in awe that you are still walking and talking. You have been through so many life changing
events in so little time. I wish I were closer to you, I would definitely hold your hand throughout
it all and keep you company. I know to well how hard it is to go it alone.
I am glad that you are reaching out and asking for help. I don't know if it would take the edge off
for you a little bit, but maybe we can talk over the phone? I will private message you my number.
I am not saying I have all the answers but I know for sure that if you share your burden it becomes
lighter.
Lotsa love,
Ayse0 -
AnyONE of those things alone
AnyONE of those things alone is enough to send someone into a major depression. Each one of them on its own is worthy of a grieving period. I would imagine one of the reasons a support group doesn't help much right now is that there is probably no one else who has been through that much in such a short period of time. I think it is very wise to see your doctor. You are doing the right thing. You are in my prayers as we speak. (((HUGS)))
Please know that we are here for you anytime you want to cry on our shoulders.
Nancy0 -
My doctorssbmly53 said:Good for you, Teresa!
Keep us posted. And try to keep a journal so you can mark your progress - maybe not daily, but weekly.
In the meantime, so many positive thoughts and prayers are headed your way.
Sue
All of my doctors wanted me to take something.All of them were very encouagind insisting to at least try it.I didn't. Now I feel i really need something.I feel so tense and need something to relax me.I take tamox so effexor was the pill I would be able to take. Was given something else but it would contradicate the tamox.
I feel it wont be long till I will join you in taking it.The ONLY reason I didnt is because I have a heart condition(beats very very fast)but a pill controls that.If I go on the effexor and then decided to go off i know I must call my doctor or go in to see her.The problem is they can tell me all they want that my heart will be fine but I don't believe it.It happened a few years ago.I went off caffeine pop overnight.Every morning I would wake up with my heart raising over 120 beats a minute.It was very very scary.I had my heart pill at my bedside to take as soon as I woke up.Jumped into my clothes and headed to the hospital.By the time I drove approx 30 minutes the heart would be OK. I just can't fathom going through that EVER again.
I did call my cardiologist. He ran tests. I have a heart murmur, mitro valve prolapse and tachyhardia.Eventually on my own the pill started working and the withdrawal was better.It took over a month of me being so afraid to get up in the morning. It took me to figure out it was going off caffeine that caused this heart racing.The doctor never mentioned that was it but self explanatory.
Don't go by my problem.You are different.We are all different.I don't think my doctors know my tachycardia is severe without meds and some things will trigger it. No one knows my body better than me!!!!!
Lynn Smith0 -
It takes a strong person toLynn Smith said:My doctors
All of my doctors wanted me to take something.All of them were very encouagind insisting to at least try it.I didn't. Now I feel i really need something.I feel so tense and need something to relax me.I take tamox so effexor was the pill I would be able to take. Was given something else but it would contradicate the tamox.
I feel it wont be long till I will join you in taking it.The ONLY reason I didnt is because I have a heart condition(beats very very fast)but a pill controls that.If I go on the effexor and then decided to go off i know I must call my doctor or go in to see her.The problem is they can tell me all they want that my heart will be fine but I don't believe it.It happened a few years ago.I went off caffeine pop overnight.Every morning I would wake up with my heart raising over 120 beats a minute.It was very very scary.I had my heart pill at my bedside to take as soon as I woke up.Jumped into my clothes and headed to the hospital.By the time I drove approx 30 minutes the heart would be OK. I just can't fathom going through that EVER again.
I did call my cardiologist. He ran tests. I have a heart murmur, mitro valve prolapse and tachyhardia.Eventually on my own the pill started working and the withdrawal was better.It took over a month of me being so afraid to get up in the morning. It took me to figure out it was going off caffeine that caused this heart racing.The doctor never mentioned that was it but self explanatory.
Don't go by my problem.You are different.We are all different.I don't think my doctors know my tachycardia is severe without meds and some things will trigger it. No one knows my body better than me!!!!!
Lynn Smith
It takes a strong person to ask for help! You have been where no one should have to go. You have experienced emotions so intense and overwhelming. I am so very sorry for all of that. Please know that you are not alone! We are all here for you. If your PC won't help you, ask to see a psychopharmacologist (a psychiatrist who writes RX's ) I take several psych meds, cymbalta for depression, ativan for anxiety and seroquel and trazodone for sleep. To some it may seem like I'm a basket case, but i don't care because I know that my body needs them. Without them, I would be either severely depressed or over-the-top manic! We all do what we need to do to survive. Bravo for you for reaching out. I hope you find something that is right for you.
Be Well,
Dianne0 -
@teresa
so sorry...I can totally understand...I wish you luck with your appt...keep us updated...
Denise0 -
Teresa, you really need toJuJuBeez said:I'm sorry you're going
I'm sorry you're going through all this. Please don't be afraid to take something for it. I am on Tamoxifen, also. I use Effexor for anxiety (and it's used for hot flashes from Tamoxifen). You've been through so much, and you don't get a chance to start to recover from one thing when something else comes at you. I hope you are able to find some relief. Please let us know what you find out and how you are doing. We are always here for you.
Julie
Teresa, you really need to talk to your oncologist about putting you on some sort of antidepression meds. It sounds like you need some help, as, many do. Let us know what you do and how you are feeling.0 -
Teresa, you really need toJuJuBeez said:I'm sorry you're going
I'm sorry you're going through all this. Please don't be afraid to take something for it. I am on Tamoxifen, also. I use Effexor for anxiety (and it's used for hot flashes from Tamoxifen). You've been through so much, and you don't get a chance to start to recover from one thing when something else comes at you. I hope you are able to find some relief. Please let us know what you find out and how you are doing. We are always here for you.
Julie
Teresa, you really need to talk to your oncologist about putting you on some sort of antidepression meds. It sounds like you need some help, as, many do. Let us know what you do and how you are feeling.0 -
Teresa, just going thru bcaysemari said:Dear, dear Teresa in Illinois
I am in awe that you are still walking and talking. You have been through so many life changing
events in so little time. I wish I were closer to you, I would definitely hold your hand throughout
it all and keep you company. I know to well how hard it is to go it alone.
I am glad that you are reaching out and asking for help. I don't know if it would take the edge off
for you a little bit, but maybe we can talk over the phone? I will private message you my number.
I am not saying I have all the answers but I know for sure that if you share your burden it becomes
lighter.
Lotsa love,
Ayse
Teresa, just going thru bc is enough to make anyone feel the way you do, but, you have so much more put on your shoulders. It is no wonder you are feeling like this. I wish I could hold you to let you know that you are going to be fine. By sharing this post with us, I hope you see how much we care about you and want the best for you. Definitely talk to your doctor about antidepressants or some sort of nerve pills. I think that would help you a lot.
And, please keep us updated.
Sue
0 -
Depression
You have been given some good advice so far. If you go on one of the medications you may feel like a veil lifted from your life. It is like walking around in a fog prior to taking and anti depressant. If one does not work well for you, then another can be tried until you find the right one for you. Each anti depressant has its own time frame by which you start feeling better. This is a brave move on your part and one that can move you forward to a life that feels more like you are living than a zombie.0 -
This book may help you?
I am so sorry that you have to go through soooo many life stressors and losses in such a short time. Each one alone is enough of a loss to make any normal person feel down and out.
I wanted to reach out to you and tell you about one book that helped me working through the loss of my fiance. It is called: A Time to Grief (author: Carol Staudacher). Maybe it will help you too---it described exactly how I felt for years after he died. You can get it at any Borders, B&N, or Amazon.com. Grieving the loss of a fiance is one of the hardest things I ever had to do, and I still sometimes grief and feel sad about it, almost 10 years later.
But please know that, with time, it will not feel so overwhelming anymore, and there again will be rays of hope and sprinkles of joy, and good days :-)! For now, hang in there and all you can do is: "doing the best you can", and that is more than good enough !!!
Love and hugs.0
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