I have been on Zoladex and Tamoxifen since the end of September. I’m having the hot flushes and night sweats, but am also having random headaches, loss of memory (can’t even remember words at some points!!) and mood swings. Don’t even ask about libido, as I’m not sure where I’ve put it… I know it’s in a safe place somewhere…
Some days go by without me even realising it. I’ve been diagnosed with secondaries, so my thoughts about my life expectancy are still over-processed and over-thought at present…
Just having a bit of a low day (well, the past few days have been low) and wanted to share… I know I’m not alone with these feelings
Whilst you are waiting for your fellow forum users to reply you may find it helpful to contact the BCC freephone help line, where you can talk to someone in confidence about how you are feeling at the moment. Sometimes sharing your fears and concerns can really help and the team on the help line are always willing just to be a ‘listening ear’.
The number to call is 0808 800 6000 the lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
Hi Poannie - not surprised you feel low - you have had such a rubbish few months. You have also had 2 major surgeries and long ones at that and anesthetics can also contribute to feeling low. Your poor body has had so many drugs pumped into it it doesn’t know if it is coming or going. My main reaction to Zoladex/ovaries out was bad headaches - my onc said it is the body reacting to hormone levels dropping think it is quite normal - I used to get bad headaches when I used to have periods .
Don’t know what to suggest but hang in there - I think alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods are meant to make these side effects worse - great all the things I love!!
Today is bl**dy cold where I am so my suggestion is snuggle up with a BIG box of chocolates and a feel good DVD - personally I love dirty dancing/sound of music/gone with the wind - all my friends think my taste in films is rubbish but I don’t care!!
I know and understand. I am either as high as a kite or really low. I don’t get pmt anger any more though. I ask people to remind me when I am having a bad day that it will pass and it is hormonal. I know it sounds daft but it works. I am on anti depressants ( 20mg citalopram for a year since rads) but have halved the dose as I find I am permanently tired, could sleep for England and get blurred vision. V poor eyesight anyway and wear varifocals. I am 45… found lump at 43…dithered for 6 months… treated at 44 with WLE, rads and Tam and was thinking about having another baby before all this started. I know 45 is late but now that chance has been taken from me and I feel really robbed. It doesn’t help that my highly efficient sister in law who is a midwife has just had her second baby. On the face of it, I can’t help being jealous. She is slim, has a career, a lovely house and her own car. But I need to remind myself of all the positive things in my life and not compare myself to others.
Anyway, sorry I am waffling. I just wanted to say that I sympathise and send you a (((((((((((big hug))))))))))
Im on Tamoxifen since July and had horrendous flushes in the first few months. I was told I was going thru the menopause too due to the chemo (Im 42). However, I have to say the last month they have dwindled to very mild, in fact I can cope with them. I used to have to run outside at work, sometimes in the middle of conversations (very embarrassing when your talking to a client or boss!) just to get some air. I can also appreciate the memory loss, before I was diagnosed I was studying for exams for work, and now I cant even read a book and hold what Ive just read, so thats out the window now.
As for the libido, what libido, Im really hoping that comes back sooner rather than later… had a dirty weekend in Spain recently, and it wasnt dirty! HA HA!!!
dont worry about your low days, we are all having them, so at least you can talk to people who actually do know what your going thru, not just say they do, to make you feel better.
Hi Poannie, agree with Sarah, having gone down very much the same route myself, fractured hip, diagnosis and secondaries I can remember how much in shock I was at that time. I seemed to lose days and couldn’t concentrate. I remember telling my onc my brain felt like a full inbox of emails. I had to sort out all my thoughts/emails, delete some, save others but there seemed so many and even when I was tired I couldn’t sleep. So true what Sarah says about anesthetics too, I was warned about it.
I was also put onto Tamoxifen and Prostap instead of Zoladex (works the same way). All the hot flushes and symptoms improved over time.
Look after yourself…you’ve been through so much. Love Belinda…xx
Thank you for your comments ladies - they’ve helped. I’ve had another low day today - this time brought on by my fertility worries. My best friend and her beautiful 3 month old daughter came round today, and after they left I was in floods of tears. I was broody before diagnosis, now it just seems to have got worse! I have just cried for hours about how unfair it all is. Some people don’t even want children, yet get pregnant and literally drag their children up. Here I am, completely 100% *wanting* a child with my new husband and we feel we have been robbed of this wonderful life event. I know there are ways around things, surrogacy or adoption etc… but when you have the physical need for a child, it just doesn’t cut it.
Belinda -The new hip is getting there. Still on crutches but am shufling about a little quicker than I was. I feel very stiff in the mornings though, it takes me about half an hour to get enough energy together (also after I’ve had my tablets) to make it down the stairs… One thing my husband thought might help would be cod liver oil capsules - what are your thoughts on this?
Hi again, Cod liver or Glucosamine might help…(think they are okay to take with your treatment, might be best to check)
It’s all so very unfair and it’s so understandable you feel so upset.
I really hope you start to have some better days soon…Take Care Poannie…Belinda…xx