Hi ladies, I have found this forum a lifesaver over the past 3 years or so when I received my double whammy - numerous mets throughout my bones. Now 3 years on and currently on chemotherapy - docetaxol, herceptin and perjeta I am feeling really down and depressed. I am normally a very positive person and apart from a couple of weeks around diagnosis have worked on principle of making every day count and enjoying life as much as I can. Have had odd times when felt sorry for self but on the whole always been able to shake myself out of it but not this time. I have put off going to doctors because really didnt want more pills but may be I have to. I wonder whether it is the cocktail of drugs - I have one more docetaxol to have next week so am hoping that I may feel better once this drug is out of my system but just wondered if anybody else had experienced anything similar? I have coped really well with chemo and have a good quality of life so am annoyed at myself for feeling so sad all the time.xx
Hi there, we are all, well I certainly am, like you Porkie, sad and depressed at times, sometimes for days, sometimes months. We are only human. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Wherever you are with treatment you still carry the secondary diagnosis around in your head and that can be overwhelming at times.
I hope your chemo has worked well. X
Hi,
Yes I felt the same way towards the end of the chemo. I too had Docetaxal, Herceptin and Pertuzamab. I finished Chemo in March and really really have been feelingmuch better.
Im still on3 weekly visits to have Herceptin and pertuzamab and now the added bonus of tamoxifen. (night sweats and leg cramps are not as bad as the total fatigue and washed out feeling of docetaxal)
My hair started coming back after about 3 weeks (real shocker, BRIGHT WHITE, Ive always had dark hair) and even the colour is starting to come back now.
My immune system was great, before if anyone coughed or had a sniffle I would end up at the GP getting antibiotics for a chest infection, now I am even back to swimming at the pool I feel so confident about it.
Dont get me wrong, I still have off days and days when my emotions are sooooo all over the place that I cry at the drop of a hat and get angry about “why me” but I muddle on. I have two beautiful daughters aged 6 and 2, what more can I do?
I went to a place yesterday in London called the Haven (they are on-line and in other places in the country) its a calming place that offers complimentary therapies to women with Breast Cancer and they offer councelling, I wonder if you might benefit from something like that. I came away with a new lease of life after just listening to others and what they are all going through (believe me I was not a big fan of sitting in a group and talking but it really did help.
I hope that after your next treatment that you start to feel better as I did and just to say there is an end to feeling rubbish like you are at the moment.
Keep in touch and let me know how you get on. I can let you know whats going on too (random side effects)
Big hug Rachael xx
Hi Porkie,
I finished docetaxel about 6 weeks ago and towards the end I was feeling very depressed. As Belinda says, we all get depressed at times. It’s not surprising! But I felt lethargic and miserable. Whether it was the chemo or the fact that I had less energy and was frustrated at not being able to do everything I don’t know but the last week or so my energy levels have been much better and I am feeling happier.
Have a scan next week and results the week after so will be feeling anxious then but my depression has certainly lifted at the moment. Hope yours does soon.
Take care. Love Sheila. Xx
Hi
I have also just had this combo and finished end of April. I too felt v miserable I think the weekly hospital visits and the constant feelings of yukkiness just took their toll and trying to keep going as normal takes a lot of positivity and I think sometimes it just runs out!
Now I have finished I am feeling better and so mentally I feel better. Get through your last one then I hope you will smile again! Big hugs Charlotte xx
Hi Porkie
Along with the support and ideas here I am posting a couple of links to further support from BCC which you may find helpful:
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi Porkie, I know how you feel. I had exact same combination and in the end decided to stop (I managed 7 but my family wanted me to carry on )as just couldn’t take it anymore. 8 weeks on I’m feeling much better and am back to work part time. Hang in there - do your last one and then feel a slight difference everyday as you gradually come out of the fog. We’re all here for you.
Huge hugs,
Hxxx