#34071 04-24-2005 09:47 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Hi
Has anyone else suffered depression 8 months after treatment ended? I know I still have to have at least 2 more ops but they are relatively minor (LOL, God! I hope you are listening to me) I
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#34072 04-24-2005 11:35 AM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 72 | Hi Helen: Since depression has a biological component it could appear at a time when your biochemistry is depleted (by treatment, other medicines, alcohol or by your body's response to treatment). There are plenty of new antidepressants that have come on the market since Prozac became popular. Some target depression, some anxiety, etc. You may want to talk to your doctor about trying one of the newer ones. Even though things are going well for you (Hurrah!) you body could be experiencing chemical imbalances. Depression is not just emotional, but it is also a biochemical condition. Prozac deals well with certain types of depression, but other medications deal with other types of chemical imbalances (serotonin vs. dopamine, etc). Get thee to a doctor & talk to her about your options! Good luck! - Candace
Sister of guy w/base of tongue cancer, Stage IV, Dx 4/03, finished Tx 9/03
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#34073 04-24-2005 03:35 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 541 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 541 | Hi Helen,
Your situation brings my memory back to 3 years ago when I experienced severe depression 4 months post treatment. I was already declared cancer free at that point and I should have felt overjoyed. That was not the fact. I didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel and the side effects of dry mouth, tingling feelings of limbs, feeling very tired all made me think that I could never go back to my previous job.I didn't know whether it was the treatment that made me depressed or not but my doctor said it was my perception that had gone wrong. I couldn't sleep even after taking sleeping pills. My mind was full of nothing but negative thoughts.I didn't phone Samaratins for help but I did ring up a cancer support centre expressing my contemplation of suicide. They couldn't help me unfortunately. I had to seek help from clinical psychologist and psychiatrist. The sleeping problem could not be improved and I nearly went mad. To cut the long story short, I was finally cured by staying in the psychiatric ward for about a month. During my stay, I had a series of tests to see if the treatment has affected my brain or not. The result was no.The anti-depressants were very useful in my case and I had taken it for over a year. Today, I don't need any medicine to help me sleep but I still have to see my psychiatrist once every 3 months. He helps me a lot to overcome depression.So I will suggest you seek medical profession for assistance asap. I always tell my friends that depression is more frightening than cancer. Take care,
Karen.
Karen stage 4B (T3N3M0)tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/2001.Concurrent chemo-radiation treatment ( XRT x 48 /Cisplatin x 4) ended in 12/01. Have been in remission ever since.
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#34074 04-24-2005 06:34 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Dear Helen
You are having a tough time at present. I take an antidepressant that targets dopamine and find it suits me well. It wasn't until after treatment ended that I started to feel down, even though I was pleased that everything had gone well. Until then I hadn't realised what 'living with cancer' really meant or how it would affect me.
I am glad you are able to ask for help. I agree with Candace that another drug may be more effective for you now.
Thinking of you and hoping you'll be feeling stronger soon.
Lots of love and light from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#34075 04-25-2005 02:36 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Dear Helen,
I think alot of us go through bouts of depression after treatment ends. I am over one year out and still experience depression. Not working contributes to it I think. Spring has just arrived and I'm hoping that will help me.
I have to go for a chemo treatment today (boo!)
and I really don't want to go. I do have next week off. Your not alone in what you are experiencing. Talk to you doctor and he may be able to help.
Love Ya, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#34076 04-25-2005 03:37 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Hi Helen, just wanted to add that I will be going along fine and then someone will say "what happened to your neck"? This was asked of me Saturday nite by an Aunt of my daughter's friend who came to our home to take pics for the prom. On the one hand, it is a downer and on the other, I am grateful to be alive, I truly am. Just wish the scar was somewhere else on my body! I have had my bouts of depression since all of this and my doctor has helped me out with it. Take Care, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#34077 04-25-2005 04:24 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Hi Helen-
It has been 3 years since I started treatment and I just recently started being treated for depression. I also just ordered a book from the OCF product page, "Dancing in Limbo." Just reading the blurbs on Amazon made me decide to give it a try. The book is due any day. I'll let you know if it helped! In the meantime just wanted you to know you are not alone! You might be cancer free, but it is hard to let go of the thought of cancer.The nightmare tends to linger in your mind. A toast to better days ahead! - Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#34078 04-25-2005 10:04 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Thanks everyone,
At least now I know I
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#34079 04-25-2005 05:36 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Gosh, Helen, and I was just sitting here thinking if I could be a bit thinner my life would be much better!! Pass the Prozac please.
Even if you don't hear from me as often, you are always the sunshine of my thoughts!!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#34080 04-27-2005 08:50 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Well
The depression has taken a real hold again, I
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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