Hi think i need a little help. I got diagnosed with breat cancer on the 12th july they say its adenocarinoma invasive grade 2 and er+ then 2 weeks later i got a call from my surgeon saying that its her2 positive and that i will need chemotherapy after my lumpectomy which is on 30th sept. But this past week ive felt so low and just cry at anything and everything im normally a happy go lucky person and just take things in my stride. When i got diagnosed i had to start taking tamoxifen which has hit me side ways also had to stop taking my hrt and also had my coil removed. So im guessing this is all linked. Do i phone my doctors or do i get in touch with my breast care nurse. Just want this feeling sorry for my to go as its not me hope this makes sense.
Hi @sawabev I’m guessing it’s a little bit of A and a little bit of B. No matter how positive your persona, something like a cancer diagnosis will impact you, particularly when at the start of the journey, as you are. Don’t underestimate the stress of this sudden situation you’ve found yourself in. But your hormones will be all over the place at the moment, what with stopping HRT so suddenly and starting Tamoxifen. It’s a double whammy. My advice would be to speak to your breast care nurse and say exactly what you’ve said here and that you need to know how to get back, as far as possible, to your normal positivity and see what she can recommend. Your GP may be able to help too but speak to your BC nurse first. They need to know as much about your response to things as possible. Adenocarcinoma are the most common kind so your treatment be well understood. HER2+ treatments are extremely
effective too so, whilst the only way out is through, you will soon be on the path to recovery.
You may also find this thread for HER2+ women useful. Just click the pink line.
HER2+ and need some buddies…_gaMTUyNjkyNzA2MC4xNzIzODk4MjQ1*_ga_QECE7X5D5X*MTcyMzg5ODI0NC4xLjAuMTcyMzg5ODI0NC4wLjAuMA…
I’m so sorry that you feel like this. It sounds as though you’ve had a tough time and dealing with a change of diagnosis is really hard. Some people find taking a mild antidepressant can help them cope - maybe you could contact your GP for some advice?
It’s totally normal to feel anxious and upset - especially during the initial stages of treatment. I’ve had chemo already but had a complete meltdown before my surgery last week as I felt I just couldn’t deal with what they might find. It’s a long and difficult journey that we are on and there are many challenges.
I’m not on tamoxifen but I have read that it can impact on your mood, so it could be heightening your sad feelings. Again, I would suggest you talk to your GP about it.
There are really useful monthly chemo threads on here - I suggest you join the one for the month you start and you can go through the chemo journey with lots of other people at the same time. I’ve found it so useful and have made genuine friends on there. Wishing you all the best, Emma x
I think we’ve all been where you are/and many of us are still there.
I had a double mastectomy last month - in the weeks after diagnosis I was a mess and had lots of panic attacks - my GP prescribed me diazepam and a sleeping tablet.
I am still taking the sleeping tablet which is also a mild antidepressant and had been doing great after op.
But I was supposed to go back on Thursday for results after op and oncotype result and lymph etc… all prepared and then called my surgeon’s secretary to see why I hadn’t heard about appointment only to be told results are not back and surgeon is on holiday for a couple of weeks. So going to be a five-week wait after op to see whether I’m going back in for lymph nodes removed, chemo, etc.
I have had a meltdown since finding out and needed to take the diazepam again and just get by however I can in the hope it will get better.
Please reach out to your GP - mine have been great - they even got their mental health person to call me… but I was in the cinema and at that time was feeling ok…as is the case in the cancer rollercoaster xx
Hi I’m sorry your going through this, although my cancer was different I had ( invasive lobular breast cancer and didn’t need chemo) it’s very difficult being diagnosed and having to deal with everything afterwards this forum is amazing with lots of people who are going through or been through what you are going through be kind to yourself and take each day as it comes I wish you well xxxx
While it could be the stress of having cancer, I would bet on stopping hrt and starting tamoxifen being a big factor for feeling down. During some weeks ( before and during period) I feel totally depressed, then a few days after period - hey presto, suddenly elated in comparison. It hits my mood hard as well as other menopausal effects. I wasn’t on hrt, so I can imagine the drop in hormones you’re suddenly experiencing is probably a lot to do with it.
It might get better if you give it time, I don’t think Ive been as bad this month as I was last month, even though I’ve been doing radiotherapy for last 4 weeks.
Sending huge hugs @sawabev. The low mood and ‘out of the blue’ crying is incredibly familiar sadly. It sounds like a very normal response (even before you factor in the significant changes in medications and hormones in your body). I felt like this and every piece of bad news since has sent me back to that place. At times I’ve wondered how I’ll ever find my way back to my true self. Whilst this is a normal response to trauma, it doesn’t mean you have to be alone so tell everyone in your medical team how you are feeling, your GP, your BCN, your consultant, etc. Your GP in particularly will be the first port of call to explore with you both talking therapies and, if you want them, anti-depressants. Personally I’ve chosen to focus on the former first and keep the latter in reserve in case I feel worse after future treatment. However everyone is different and you’ll know what’s right for you. I’ve also found that being honest about where I am emotionally has really helped the BCN and consultants to meet me where I am and either give me more time or signpost me to really useful services. Do you have a local cancer charity like Maggie’s to access specialist counsellors, physiotherapy and relaxation therapies?
A few other things I’ve found useful - take or leave whatever helps you:
- Journalling: there’s no doubt a lot of thoughts going through your head and sometimes those raw thoughts aren’t things we feel comfortable saying out loud to our friends and family. So a few minutes of uncensored scribbling down the chaos in my mind helps me figure out what’s impacting my mood today and gives me a bit of distance from it. I’m no longer entirely alone with it in my head.
- Pick the right friends to have coffee with: you’ll find you have a few people around you who really understand what you need when you might not know yourself. Personally it’s helped me to have people who can sit and hold my hand whilst I’m in distress without trying to find some silver lining or ‘fix’ it. These won’t necessarily be the people you expect. It feels uncomfortable to start with to be crying over yourself with a friend but the benefit of not feeling alone on this journey is HUGE.
- Meditation apps: this is NOT something I’ve found naturally easy however if I’m honest with myself, I do find that the short breathing exercises help me when I’m overwhelmed to feel calmer, and sleep meditations or stories have helped me to drop off after a patch of poor sleep.
And of course you can always come here to chat to people. I hope your treatment goes really well. Xx
@sawabev You poor thing. I so know the double whammy of the cancer diagnosis, instantly followed by them swiping your HRT when you need it most. I too got given some medication to help me through and some counselling. It really helped and I highly recommend both. Please feel free to come and join us on HER2+ and need some buddies. We are a really friendly bunch and there is loads of useful info on our type of breast cancer. In the meantime, I am giving you a massive virtual hug.
Salbert
x
Your feelings are 100 percent normal
I was diagnosed with Er- (not had PR or HER yet ) IDC and DCIS in my left breast two weeks ago and my consultant told me I had to be off my hrt by the time of my follow up on 27th August to get the results of a further mammogram guided biopsy … I’ve had to reduce my hrt down to almost zero overnight and I’m all over the place so I suspect it will be a combination of that and possibly the tamoxifen .
It’s a scary time … I very from feeling ok … that things are in hand and I’m going to get my treatment plan soon , to a tearful mess that this is happening to me … plus awful panic attacks when my mind wanders and I panic that it’s spread … to feeling this is a nightmare that I just can’t get out of .
I found calling my breast nurse had been helpful
and also I’ve called the breast nurses on this site while I was waiting for my results and they are fantastic x
Hi guys, i need some advice plz. As i said in my last post my bcn was calling me on Tuesday so i could have a good chat about how low im feeling and about my op, well i never got that call so i rang again the next day to be told its her day of anyway i spoke to someone about how low im feeling andcshe said to get in touch with my gp and my mood is more than likely to get lower, so i did today i spoke to the mental health doctor and said yes i need something but he needed to talk with the pharmacist as he didnt know what would be best for me as im taking tamoxifen which i get he said he would call me back within the Hr which should have been about 11.30 ish so 4 30pm im still waiting so i rang again and im still waiting for the call back. Then this morning i get a call from the team doing my pre op to say its been cancelled so got to wait for another date. I just feel every door i go to to get some help and advice just gets slammed in my face.
i just dont know what im meant to do.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m sure people will reply with helpful suggestions. In the meantime, try to distract yourself as much as you can and know that there are lots of people who are going through, or have gone through, similar experiences and know how you’re feeling. I’m not a medical professional, but just from my own circumstances, I know that Sertraline is fine to take with Tamoxifen, as I’m on both. Obviously your medical team will want to check what is best for you, but just know that there are definitely options and things that can help.
Wishing you all the very best x
@sawabev I am also in a waiting game and it’s been excruciating so I do understand how it feels. From my experience third time waiting for another set of results is somehow easier. Not sure if it’s getting used to it, accepting what I cannot change or constantly trying to find things that can help me … like meditation and spending a lot of time in nature. I think @rainbowcat gave excellent advice.
I found Menopause and cancer podcast super informative. The Menopause and Cancer Podcast Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts
Also feeling like sh## after stopping HRT.
Now waiting for my final treatment fate. But I know anti hormonal for 5 years will be part of it - so I am exploring options to manage symptoms.
There is free app Oncio from Integrative Oncology. Clinic Synthesis that I am exploring now Oncio on the App Store
Also after going round in circles for NHS psychotherapy I will start one on private as I cannot wait any longer. I will see how it goes. If I still need Cetraline I will go back to my GP.
I hope where you are the waiting list is not as long …
Hugs 
to you!