Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Nas]

As the title says.
Feeling “ meh”

My hair is falling out due to chemo. My head hurts. Not working at present and I’ve still got 5 treatments ahead! Great!

Oh and I’m craving oestrogen!

[CrispyChick]

You absolutely wallow away Nas. You deserve it.

Is that 5 chemo treatments to come???  that must be very hard.

Did you decide to try and anti depressant???

Much love. Xx

[bombsh3ll]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

I have no advice to offer but hope the side effects of your treatment pass as quickly as possible and that it is effective.

I have so much admiration for those living with secondary breast cancer and was a huge fan of the late Kris Hallenga.

Stay strong and be kind to yourself.

Personally I don't think antidepressants are particularly helpful when the psychological distress results from having a physical illness which has done a number on your quality of life - feeling sadness, grief, fear, anger etc isn't a mental illness in that situation, it's a normal human response to suffering.

However they may have some mileage in relieving hot flushes, and I don't know if nausea and vomiting is an issue for you with chemo, but I had this in the first weeks and months after my brain injury and found mirtazapine extremely helpful where all human licenced antiemetics had failed.

[Nas]

You absolutely wallow away Nas. You deserve it.

Is that 5 chemo treatments to come???  that must be very hard.

Did you decide to try and anti depressant???

Much love. Xx

Yes, 5 chemo treatments to come..
I decided against any anti depressants Crispy, I just feel that there is enough toxic crap entering my body right now.
x

[Nas]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

I have no advice to offer but hope the side effects of your treatment pass as quickly as possible and that it is effective.

I have so much admiration for those living with secondary breast cancer and was a huge fan of the late Kris Hallenga.

Stay strong and be kind to yourself.

Personally I don't think antidepressants are particularly helpful when the psychological distress results from having a physical illness which has done a number on your quality of life - feeling sadness, grief, fear, anger etc isn't a mental illness in that situation, it's a normal human response to suffering.

However they may have some mileage in relieving hot flushes, and I don't know if nausea and vomiting is an issue for you with chemo, but I had this in the first weeks and months after my brain injury and found mirtazapine extremely helpful where all human licenced antiemetics had failed.

Thanks bomb
This chemo is for a brand new cancer, not the secondary breast (which is stable).
I am craving oestrogen, probably in the same way that a drug addict craves drugs.
Nausea is a side effect for the first few days; not such a problem right now.

The unfairness is unreal.

[Wrensong]

Oh Nas, no, not again & after all you've been through already.  I'm so sorry. 
Not on here much these days but I often think of you, always with admiration for your resilience.

I hear you on wanting to avoid more drug treatments, but also second Bombsh3ll's suggestion of Mirtazapine if Oncology think this might help.  It has antihistamine effects at low dose (7.5mg) so could be helpful as an antiemetic & it's a good sedative if sleep is difficult.
Sending all good wishes.
W x

[Kathleen]

Hello Nas

I am so sorry that you are suffering.

A few years ago a friend had oesophageal cancer and faced six weekly sessions of chemotherapy. She found it hard to cope and wanted to stop however her team explained that continuous treatment was necessary and she would be faced with a further six sessions whenever she restarted. This convinced her to push on through and she completed the  course.  She is alive and well now and her rough time is a distant memory.

I hope you manage to complete the treatment and please keep us posted so that we can support you. I know from my friend's experience that it is a hard row to hoe.

Wishing you well and sending hugs.

K.

[CrispyChick]

Awww Nas, I'm so sorry. I had no idea it was a different cancer you were referring too.

So so utterly unfair. 

But. You're a very strong woman! You've done this before. You've got this. You'll have your therapy then move back to a place of stability. Then...and probably only then, you'll be able to look at options to improve your quality of life moving forward 

So, I am going to try the mirtazapine shortly. I highly doubt I'll get on with it - story of my life.  . I know you did a month before. So, if I miraculously get past that point and find things get better - I'll let you know.

Hugs xxx

[suzysunday]

Hi nas.  It must be such a bloody challenge for you to keep going through all this.  It must feel like it's never ending.  It's hard to offer advice as it's you who has to get up and face each round of chemo and that must be so hard.  Just try and stay strong and that you WILL get some quality of life back. Sending you love and hugs xxxx and thinking of you.

[VioletAquarius]

So sorry to hear this nas, hope all goes well  x

[Nas]

Thanks all.
Just feeling sorry for myself right now. Not working has really been the last straw because it was the one thing which kept me going. Now all i see is a long road ahead, full of stupid appointments, needles, canulas, poison and bad news!  No sooner have I got rid of one problem, another surfaces!!

[suzysunday]

You have every right to feel sorry for yourself!  It must seem so daunting to face all these interventions, even though you know it's all to help you.   You just want your normal life back and to feel well and good in yourself.  All you can do is plod on.  Also,  giving up work gives you more time to worry as you say.  Keep us posted as you go on. Sending love and all good things.  X. Maybe doughnuts might help! X

[bombsh3ll]

I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with a separate cancer diagnosis, that is beyond cruel. I wish you peace and comfort as you go through your treatment.

And I know work is another loss, another little piece of your identity - I grieved the loss of my career bitterly and still do, and I hope you manage to either go back one day or find something else meaningful.

[Nas]

Thanks bomb, you have hit the nail on the head. You are right
it’s a grieving process. Bit by bit, my identity is diminishing. At some point, one needs to take back control. How and when, I’ve  no idea.

Suzy, doughnuts certainly do help!  😊

[Northerngirl]

Hi Nas, I know that I can't possibly understand what you are going through. But just to say I'm thinking of you and fingers all crossed that all goes well for you and sending big hugs to you. You've always been a very calming help for me when needed....much appreciated as I've said before  Take care of yourself xx