Feeling down post chemo

[tccancercop]

I have finished up chemo at the end of February. Since then I have felt really down mentally. .to the point i think of suicide alot lately. Its a feeling of being hopeless. I don't feel like doing anything or talking to anyone and feel agitated, etc. Is this another side effect of chemo or what????

[Kev332]

I'm not sure if chemo would or would not have that effect, but I think that some sort of depression is very normal when going through any treatment. Have you talked to your doctor about this? Does your hospital have some sort of counseling service? That might be helpful for you. I know its hard to talk about, but you'll probably feel better if you talk to someone,,, even a friend or family member?

I think almost everyone has those feelings of being down and angry etc, but you should think about the possitive side of things,, like the fact that you are through with chemo and that you are a survivor!!

[dadmo]

tccancercop:
I would get my testosterone levels checked.

[tccancercop]

kev332: I don't talk to others (including family/friends) as either I'm not close to them or they have their own lives. I think i'll just wait it out and see what happens over time.

dadmo: I'm confused as to why I would want to check my testosterone and how it has anything to do with this?

[dadmo]

The hormonal mood swings caused by low testosterone can be an awful thing. If you do a search on this site you will see that a lot of people have had emotional issues, which ended up being related to low testosterone. For the majority of people one testicle will provide all of the testosterone you need but for many it won’t.

[Mom]

Dadmo is right. Get the testosterone checked. Also, please see someone. It is mandatory for your health care provider to include counseling as part of your health plan. Everyone needs a little help now and then. Dianne

[Chris'Mom]

Please also keep in touch with us here...my son has had down days too....you are not alone...Mary Ellen

[Don]

Low testosterone can make you have feelings of depression,anger,hopelessness etc... On top of feeling like crap mentally it can also tap your physical strength making you feel even worse.. I have been taking medication for low T-level --It has taken about 6 weeks but I'm finally starting to feel better... It,s worth a try.. Any feeling is going to better than the ones your having right now!!!!!!!

[Eric]

I am back to work since about a month and it's really hard for me to concentrate on my job. I am not really affraid of recurrence, i am affraid of second cancer and leukemia. I have some bad dream about it and have problems to sleep well so i am not in good shape at work. I don't think about suicide because i love life and i want to be with my daughters as long as i can.
I have read something about TC survivors (espacailly the ones who got chemo or radiation or both) that they need a lot of psychologic support.
Today was my wife's birthday but i am so busy thinking about cancer that i forgot to wish her a happy birthday. This is the first time i forget it.
I have admit that my recurrence have changed me a lot. When i got my first diagnosis in 2001 my scan revealed no spread and i had only adjuvant radiation. For me TC was an easy cancer and i forgot it very fast. But this year it slapped me in the face. I really hope for the day i will be back to positive thinking like before my recurrence.

[BeachTech]

I have finished up chemo at the end of February. Since then I have felt really down mentally. .to the point i think of suicide alot lately. Its a feeling of being hopeless. I don't feel like doing anything or talking to anyone and feel agitated, etc. Is this another side effect of chemo or what????

tccancercop,
About one month after chemo, I went back to work. I was an emotional WRECK! I was crying 4-12 times a DAY! My wife sent me to the doctor. He checked my Testosterone Level. It was at the low side of normal, which is one fourth what it was before the surgery.

I would bet that your testoterone is low. I haven't had mine checked lately, but about 4 months post-chemo I started feeling better.

Everything you are describing is normal, except for the suicide part. If you are feeling suicidal, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you GET HELP IMMEDIATELY! I can't stress this enough. See a psychologist or psyciatrist ASAP. A psychiatrist might suggest medication. If so, TAKE IT! It can be a temporary bridge until you start feeling better (despite what that nutcase Tom Cruise thinks.)

If you need someone to talk to, PM me with your phone number.
________
California Medical Marijuana Dispensary

[dadmo]

BeachTech:
Welcome aboard. From your profile you had a tough time of it yourself. Are you taking anything to supplement your testosterone?

[Karen]

tccancercop,
BeachTech is absolutely right about getting help IMMEDIATELY (and about Tom Cruise being a nutcase ). The depression may be transient based upong all these emotions catching up with you and may be due to low testosterone, but bottom line is a good talk with a psychiatrist will get you back on track emotionally while you heal physically, and mentally. Agitation and hopelessness are signs of depression and it it treatable. I know first hand. Recognizing you need help is a big step, so don't delay. I'd bet your friends and family are not too busy with their own lives to lend an ear, as I'm sure you would do for them. Keep letting us know how you're feeling because we really do care and can be a support system for you. You are not alone.

[Karen]

tccanercop,
How are you doing? Have you looked into checking your testosterone yet? Keep us posted please, we are concerned about you.

[tccancercop]

well today i went back to the docs and my BHCG <2 and my AFP is 22. My cat scan is clear. This is about 1.5 months after chemo. My doctor says he doesn't understand and hopes that a new blood test will show it is an error. If not, I will have another cat scan done.

No i haven't bothered with the testosterone. At this point, it doesn't matter how I feel.