ANyone out there had a NORMAL life after this?
ANyone out there had a NORMAL life after this? I am 16 months post DX and 9 months snice the end of my treatment.
Still feel truly depressed and cheated. Is there anyone out there that is years down the line who can HONESTLY say they were ever truly happy again?
I suppose these people would probably not be on this site but if they are could they let me know?
Alise x
Hi Alise,
I truly hope with what you have written here and in your profile that your doctor is aware that you are not coping. Many women at this stage post dx do suffer depression and it is very important to ask for help and to accept it!
I have lived with breast cancer now for 17 years - my prognosis wasnt particularly good at the outset - and yes i have had recurrences, and I now have quite extensive bone mets. I want to say to you that YES it is possible to be truly happy again - many wont have to live with it recurring with the frequency I have had to - and yet I still say it is possible.
I hope now I wont have a lot of people jumping on me and saying that isnt so for everyone. I realise that - and I suspect it has a lot to do with life circumstances, personality etc. I am only saying yes it is possible.
Dawnhc
Yes Hi Alise
I had my first bc diagnoses 21 years ago when I was 38, after my treatment which was lumpectomy and rads I had no trouble getting on with life as before.
November 2005 I had a recurrence and had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction although I must admit it has taken me longer to get over it this time, maybe because I am much older, I do feel that life is almost back to normal and I am not too worried about the future.
If you are really feeling depressed have you considered seeing your GP maybe he could help.
Hope you feel happier soon.
Best wishes.
Jan
Dear Alise
My heart goes out to you. I know quite a few people with BC. My mother in law 35 years a suriver, friends who range from 13 years, 10 years and 8 years. All are doing fine. A friend who was diagnosised three years ago(who is also fine) knows 11 people with BC AND GUESS WHAT THEY ARE ALL FINE.
This web site is fab, but don’t forget most of the people who use it are early on in treatment, once they feel stronger and live gets back to some degree of normal and maybe they return to work. They will use this web site less and less. Also lets be frank we tend to post because we are feeling rough or have had another fright about something so therefore at times it can feel negative.
Do go and see your GP and get some help, don’t suffer in silence. Also in answer to your other post about periods yet another friend who was diagnosis in Oct 2005 and had FEC chemo has just started her periods P.S she is fine to!!!
Geraldine
Thank you Thank you all for your kindness.
I feel like I really need antidepressants but wont take SSRI’s because onc said they can reduce effectiveness of tamoxifen.
The only one he recommended - venlafaxine made me really sick and there is enough cr*p without that as well.
Has anyone found venlafaxine has helped with deperssion and not been sick on it?
Alise
Anti-Depressants Alise,
I’ve been on anti-depressants for a long time. Was diagnosed only 8 weeks ago, had mastectomy and now am on Tamoxifen.
I take Citalopram, which I’m sure my consultant must know about. I would certainly check with your GP about not being able to take anything, or recheck with your onc. It sounds like your quality of life is awful at the moment and you need something to help you.
Best of luck,
Jacki xx
Antidepressants Hello Alise,
Sorry you are feeling so low. I had an episode of depression last September for which I was prescribed Citalopram. By November I was feeling pretty good again and was able to cope very well with my diagnosis and treatment over Christmas and New Year. My Onc knows that I am on SSRI and was quite happy for me to commence Tamoxifen and having checked at work (psychiatric ward) there does not seem to be any interaction between the two drugs.
Hope this helps, good luck,
Lollypop
I’m really sorry to hear that you are feeling so bad. Have you thought about counselling rather than drugs. I first had cancer 14 years ago and in the end had counselling and relaxation therapy through my GP. Since then I’ve gone on to do many fun things that I may not have had I not re-prioritised my life.
Last year I found I had cancer again but rather than it be a total nightmare, I feel even more determined not to let it take over my life but then again I feel better equiped this time having been here before!!
If you don’t get any help from your GP, could you talk to someone at Breast CancerCare?
There is plenty of fun out there for you but it doesn’t just happen. Don’t set your goals too high or put too much pressure on yourself. Each month treat yourself to someone fun just for you. It needn’t cost much. It could be having a facial, going for a walk in the park with your best friend, a trip to the cinema, whatever just something that you enjoy.
Take things one step at a time and before you know it you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. But maybe you need to talk through your fears and concerns first, with someone objective.
I hope that helps a bit.
Kelly
alise doubt if anyone feels fulltime normal post br ca but yes it’s poss part time- even most of the time.
If you’re not getting part time I find Diazapam, prescribed for muscle spasms due to neuropathy drug, is VERY good for removing angst and producing calm - no nasty side effects. Don’t know if GP would give it - you can but ask.
End of March till early summer is everyone’s yearly low so you could find yourself lightening up soon and meanwhile console yourself that living with feelings of total security is a fool’s paradise. No one is ever secure- just a bit more or less.
And if you’re not getting any moments of joy and happiness counselling is your best bet.
Best wishes for getting out of your Slough of Despond pronto- we all know what a wretched place it is, dilly
Hi Alise Dear Alise,
I was diagnosed four years ago. I’m now 45.
Yes I’m happy again. In fact I almost forgot my last six monthly check-up so clearly I’m not worrying about BC all the time.
BC taught me in the most unsympathetic way that life in uncertain and it caused the loss of a breast and maybe the loss of fertilitiy but I don’t intend that it will cheat me of having lots and lots of fun.
Please be aware that there is a characteristic ‘down time’ after treatment has finished and that it takes different people different lengths of time to recover from it.
It’s clear that you feel that you’ve slid into depression. You must get help so you need to contact your GP and your breast care nurse. If you haven’t already done this you must do it as soon as possible, preferably today.
With very best wishes,
Sue