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Thanks, I think I do need some mental health help and will try to find it. My concern about taking a depression med is that I've heard they make sexual side effects even worse and I'm at least hoping *something* will come back in that area in the future.
Replies to "Thanks, I think I do need some mental health help and will try to find it...."
First and foremost, love your email username! One of my favorite flippant responses when someone is gaslighting me is "Beam me up, Scottie!"
Importantly, I would not assume that seeking help for depression automatically means you'll be taking antidepressant medication. First, you call the shots as to what meds you put in your body and which you don't. Secondly, merely getting into psychotherapy with a therapist who you can work with can work wonders.
Amidst several bad decisions, I made three brilliant decisions when I knew what I was facing: (1) leaned on family and friends; (2) once I knew I'd be going on ADT for 2 years I hired a personal trainer and have trained with her for 2.5 years, losing 40 lbs, gaining strength and, get this, having a blast; and (3) started seeing a psychologist every two weeks the moment my post-RP PSA came back at 0.091.
Ignore the various bits of excellent advice she's given me along the way; the mere fact that I've been able to meet with her every 2 weeks and dump every emotion I'd been experiencing out in her office. Dealing with this disease and side effects of treatments is a heavy burden for all of us. You can't deal with all of that on your own.
Hang in there!
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@scottbeammeup
It is why you need to discuss with medical professionals not only physical but psychological issues you have. It is extremely important to be truthful. They have heard it all. They can advise you on medical and pscycological facts and and research for any concerns and you not having guess what is right or wrong information.
My anxiety and depression medication has no side affects on ED. It does change some heart electrical signals and my psychiatrict specialist worked with my Heart Failure and EP.. They all agreed the anxiety/depression medicaion would be a greater benefit to me than the low risk of side affects.
There are many ED medicinces out there that can help. Months ago on MCC I asked about dry orgasms after proton radiation. I was embarrassed about this and sure helped to read that it is a common side affect after radiation treatments and what others expressed on the long term affects. I used this MCC information to asked my doctors who all concurred what I was being told. MCC is such a great source of others experiences and knowledge.
Please do seek assistance. There should be NO shame in seeking mental health assistance. Doing so shows you are taking care of your mental health as well as physical health. There is NO shame in not seeking assistance. The shame is not doing it.