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[Penguin]

Thanks so much x

Pm me if you cant find it and I'll try to help further x

[discogirl]

I will Penguin. Thanks again take care x

[Ana21]

Thanks Penguin for the info on Gaba tea!  Really helpful.

Nas, sorry to hear your hormonal anxiety is through the roof.  That must be horrendous.  You'd mentioned that you were planning to ask your doc for sertraline.  Have you started it yet?  Is that the best drug for what you're experiencing?  You're experiencing something beyond the trauma of cancer and menopausal symptoms, as your brain is no longer able to synthesize the hormones it would normally produce.  That seems different from the type of anxiety we usually discuss here.  I've been wondering whether treatment differs as a result.  Is this part of the what-you-can-expect discussion before you start meds?

[Nas]

Hi Ana21
No, I don’t speak to the GP until next Monday. The previous GP whom I spoke to a couple of weeks ago ( to extend my fit note) seemed to think I was traumatised, rather than anxious.

I recognise this anxiety well. The fear of doing simple tasks, such as driving my car, which incidentally drove me to HRT to begin with.

In truth, the very professionals who work endlessly to prolong life, simply do not recognise how a life with NO hormones might be; and any hormones which dare lurk, get zapped quite quickly!

To me this is beyond sustainable when only 52 and having to work.

Maybe when my time is up and the drugs no longer work, I will feel differently.

[suzysunday]

Hi nas and so sorry that your anxiety is escalating. You mentioned about returning to work, which obviously you want to do at some point, but maybe that should be on the back burner a while so that your body can adjust.  You say you've had your fit note extended, so take as much time as you can.  Although I haven't had the health problems you have had, I recognise how you describe your anxiety. Sometimes finding it almost impossible to do simple tasks.  I think mine is worse since menopause and as you say, the lack of hormones is debilitating.  As you say, you are only 52 and it all seems so flaming unfair!  I wish I could offer more practical help, but you will always have the support of us on this forum.  Please take care of yourself x

[Nas]

Thanks Suzy x
Just having an “ off” evening 
Tomorrow is a new day and I am alive and well. Just so frustrating all this hormonal upheaval isn’t it?

I seem to have think about every task these days and it drives me mad.

Right, onwards and upwards 👆😊

[Ana21]

Hi Nas!

Good to hear your doctor acknowledges the trauma.  You've had breast cancer.  This must trigger cancer-related post-traumatic stress.  How could it not?  And you're not alone, which is why I'm surprised at how hard it is to find good info about the best ways to treat the emotional and other side effects of aromatase inhibitors.

Surprised to read you were back at work.  I know you need to carry on.  I hope your doctor's appt brings some relief.

Thinking of you.

[SarahT]

Hey You,

I have only been rolling in and out the forum lately, too much Life Stuff messing me around.😠 I agree with Ana, in that with the huge and drastic health issues you have been going through, and do this to recover its no wonder you feel as you do. And no hrt to help cushion some of those feelings.

. A quick thought,  are you expecting too much of yourself right now? Given the enormous physical and mental stress you have been under your whole being has altered and surely needs time to recover more? Maybe your lessened ability to do simple tasks may be your body and mind switching to ' emergency mode ' if you like? That it is so overloaded that it can only perform the basics right now?
That's just my thought based on how I have been when at some of my lowest states, in time once I realised this and ( sort of ) accepts this,  it lessened my pressure on myself and gradually I could do more tasks without trying to be the person I was before all the madness hit.

I hope the Christie or your gp can point you to someone who can talk with you about this. And don't forget to be honest with those closest to you. That day to day stuff is hard right now and it's going to take some time to build up.

Out bluntly - be kind to yourself. Xx

[suzysunday]

Hi Nas.  I hope you get some positive outcomes from your GP appointment tomorrow as it sounds as though you are really struggling with anxiety.  You have been through major trauma physically and mentally and it will take time to heal. But you need something to help you now, so hopefully your GP will prescribe sertraline or something else.  Anxiety is terrible to cope with and although my circumstances are different to yours, I have struggled with it like many others on here.  It's unbelievable how debilitating it is.  At times in the past, trying to cope with various life events, it  has totally floored me, unable to do simple tasks.
I was on antidepressants for a long time but came off them nearly 10 years ago as I didn't want to rely on them for the rest of my life.
Withdrawal was horrendous.

Since then I've tried all sorts, St John's wort, 5htp, acupuncture, CBT, for example.  I'm too agitated to meditate!  Walking seems to help. I haven't really found anything that's satisfactory and menopause hasn't helped.
Are there any talking therapies/groups connected to your treatment?  I think others on here have mentioned this to you.

Of course your situation is very different and I'm not comparing.  But I know what anxiety can do you, and how getting through the days is a task in itself at times.  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow at the GP and I hope you have a positive experience with them.  Sending love x

[Nas]

Thanks Sarah and suzy
Sarah, I hope the life stuff is being kind to you?
Not really sure what is going on right now. Perhaps you are right and I am expecting too much of the body and mind.
I feel as though I NEED to get EVERYTHING done and quickly. I have made several lists and (long term, short term and daily!) Rushing around like a loon, in an effort to get through them.

Think you are totally right, in that some kind of acceptance is necessary, as I come to the realisation that life as I knew it, has gone and it is time to adjust to my new "normal".

How are things with you partner?  Are we still on the same song?? I think it is a good shout, if we are!

Suzy, I had a productive discussion with the GP today, thanks. She has prescribed my sertaline and extended my fit note for work, for another week, whcih gives me time to adjust to the sertraline and get my head sorted. I hear what you say re: the anxiety and you are right, it is nothing short of debilitating. As you say, trying to complete the simplist of tasks, can seem huge and take three times as long (very frustrating!)

Which anti D did you take suzy? (was it sertraline?) That is my only fear, being addicted and then having to come off them and fall from a great height! I think what will happen is, that I will collect them tomorrow and they will sit in my drawer for a month!

Anyway, i will drop you a message this week to catch up properly xx

[suzysunday]

Hi Nas and good to hear from you.  I took seroxat also known as paroxatine for over 10 years and stopped nearly 10 years ago.  But I am not against anti depressants as they are useful in certain circumstances.  Seroxat I think is a difficult one to come off and it all really depends how it's managed.  I shouldn't have taken them for such a long time and I went about coming off them all wrong.   It's a difficult decision and maybe do some research regarding sertraline, not sure but I think it maybe a different class of ad's than seroxat.

I can understand you wanting to get loads of things done and it must be hard to accept, as you say, the new normal.  But you are still you with the same desires, needs and loves.  Those things can't be taken away from you x

[Dazedandconfused]

Good to hear from you Nas.  What a journey!   I can't really add anything to what others have said or offer advice. All I can do is send much love and positive thoughts to you.  xx

[discogirl]

Hi Nas,

Just wanted to say I'm still thinking of you.

I'm pleased you got your sertraline.  Will you taper off your amitrypline?

Keep standing sweetheart, you've had a rough ride but your a tough lady xxx

[sheila99]

I am still thinking of you too and hope the serialise works for you.

[SarahT]

Hi Nas,

A productive appt with the gp. I was on Sertraline for about 2 years just before I went into hrt and it did have a positive effect for me- no jumping for not of course but helped with the anxiety. I think the main advise when it comes to stopping any AD is to wean off slowly. I came off far too quickly and it through me right out of sync. I definitely see an AD as an extra support, I try to think of them as not for entire life but definitely needed at some times in our health. I think once that helps to settle the anxiety Other things may fall into place a little easier.

I'm fancying a change of tune in the literal sense. Something not to loud or energetic but encouraging.... What says you? I can't quite reach the perfect song yet. I welcome your suggestions for our new theme!

Thanks, life keeps chucking the crap at me, but am working with the fibro\ chronic fatigue it's one of those things that changes day by day ( or hour by hour! 😠)  so I am learning how much I can do physically before my body gets in too much pain or exhaustion. But have discovered chair yoga ( thanks Penguin!) and a YouTube of yoga for those with chronic fatigue so am feeling happier I can do something at my pace and is beneficial. Thankfully my home life means I can work with this.

Am cutting cra p out of my diet.... Would have saved you the last bar of chocolate but I ate it before I cleaned my diet up. Sorry. Sort of. Xx