← Return to What the heck? I don't like my situation. Mood swings during chemo

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@colleenyoung

@denisestlouie, I added your post to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group as well. I believe the changing of moods throughout the chemo cycle is familiar to patients, even if their pattern may differ from yours. For my dad's chemo, he was energetic and restless for the first few days (3-5) thanks to the steroids, next came the "nadir" or low point when many of his blood counts were low and energy was zapped. In the third week, mood and physical well being both started to equalize and normalize with the unfortunate tinge of regret that the cycle would soon be starting all over again.

It was helpful for the whole family to recognize the pattern. I'm glad that you've informed your sister. When she reminds me that the drugs are affecting your mood, are you able to believe her and take a break from the black cloud hanging (temporarily) over you? Do you mark your calendar to not make big decisions during that time?

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Replies to "@denisestlouie, I added your post to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group as well. I believe..."

I don't but that's a to good idea

I wrote this post after my second cycle. It did help to have the reminder. It was Mel who gave me the first reminder after my fourth cycle. We were traveling to visited his kids and grandkids. It's a 5 hour drive and I was an emotional mess., crying mostly and just feeling defeated. Mel says give yourself a break your supposed to feel bad you just had a treatment.

That acknowledgement did it. I still felt all the angst but I felt less pressure to fight it and by not fighting the fear and sorrow it subsided.

That's a strange concept for me, not to fight.

I finished my 5 treatment on November 18 and my last one is scheduled for Dec 9. I reached out to my primary and asked for medication to help with anxiety and I rested more last week. Both those strategies have helped. This cycle my emotions were smoother, less volatile.
Denise