The aftermath of chemo and radio therapies breast cancer

Dear Kay, your mother has been through a life changing experience and often during treatment you cope by living on adrenaline, so when the dusts settles it’s not uncommon to have depressive feelings and a degree of anxiety. The first step to recovery is getting your mum to recognise that it’s ok to ask for help and her general practitioner is one way of finding out what services are available locally, whether it be a support group, counselling or short term medication. Your mums emotional well being is just as important as her physical recovery so never be afraid to reach out for support, I know that for me it’s been the reason I cope as well as I do with my own circumstances.

Hi Kay

my mom was on hormone therapy and she had episodes of lows like your mom. She would breakout in tears for no reason and would be very temperamental. We were told that the hormone treatment did this. I have not done lots of research on this but maybe it is that that causes her loss. I would research more on it and let you know.

anac-c

Thanks for your response Jane it's very much appreciated.

I do know of a local place where I will pop and see them on Monday.im worried about the doctors starting my mom on antidepressants as I'm not a fan just by seeing other people on them and this can sometime be a battle in itself.

My mom doesn't seem to know her own mind at the minute and I know she's looking for guidance which I am trying my best to give.im just struggling a bit as I'm nor sure on best way to go.

My mom is the strong one in the family and to see her so low with these feelings she can't switch of is heart breaking..

She's been so strong through all of it.its no wonder it's hit her like a sledge hammer  but she doesn't seem to understand this as doesn't seem to be in her right state of mind

Thanks again kay

Hi Kay  / 

Sorry to read about your mum, sounds like you have had a tough year between you :-/

Poor lady seems to have reached a point where everything has eventually got on top if her.

Are the hormone blockers something like Letrozole or Anastrozole ? as these can cause joint aches which on top of the lack of oestrogen can make you feel quite down ? everyone dislikes the side effects of these tablets. My wife was taking letrozole for 5 years and was glad to see the back of them...

Also Is there a chance her frame of mind may be down to a UTI ?

If the main cause of her feeling down can be found it's halfway to getting her back to being reassured and happier in herself.

Take care, G n' J

Hi thanks for your reply.

Yes they are the anastrozle ones.she said she doesn't feel any pain and her infection markers were clear on her last blood test which was last Saturday. 

Yes it's  even a tough year it's truly testing our strength at the moment.

Thought it might be good to speak to other people to try and find out how they got through this and maybe get some advice.

She is the strength of our family and has no background of depression so it's hard to see her so low.

She is just crying begging for help and I don't know how to help her.

All she says is its a feeling that she can't get rid off.its so bad sometimes that she shakes.

We have stopped the tablets for now just to see if is these that are causing her these feelings.

I thank you for replying 

Dear dreamthief, you raised a very important point about lack of oestrogen, as a post menopausal woman myself I’m aware that you only produce small amounts of natural oestrogen after menopause  and if you are taking medication that reduces that production even more it might contribute to low mood and anxiety.

Do you know if there is anything to help with this please.did you experience something simular to this x

Hi Kay  / 

During her 5 years on Letrozole (very similar to anstrozole) J was taking Meloxicam and non-steroidal anti inflammatory, Amitriptyline and Adcal+D3 which is to help counter any bone thinning which can be a side effect of these type of tablets. Vitamin B12 is supposed to help as well.

BUT.... These were to counter the side effects of the letrozole - unfortunately all her issues were down to lack of oestrogen but because of her high recurrence risks she had little choice but to take them.

Oestrogen is a 'feelgood' hormone like the human version of WD40 and keeps everything running smoothly and you certainly miss it when when you have none :-/

Could the shakes be caused by another medication like steroids ?

G n' J

Hi thanks again for replying.

Did your wife manage okay with the extra medication?

My mom's not on any steroids I do think that's down to the anxiousness.

Thank again for your replies and I hope you and your partner are all healed now xx

Morning Kay /

J was still classed as NED (no evidence of disease) at her last check in May, that's the best as you can hope for 7 years on without worrying about recurrence.

The extra meds she was taking helped but didn't rid her of the side effects totally, at least she had no side effect issues from taking those. Having said that she was mid 50's - Whether this would be the same for someone in their 70's I couldn't guess. The amitrypline at night certainly helped her sleep well.

As she is not taking any steroids, If her 'shakes' continue or becomes more noticeable do get those looked into to rule out Parkinsons or MS etc.

Hope you get to enjoy what is left of the weekend, G n' J