1. < Gynecologic Cancers

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

Posted by Denise @denisestlouie, Sep 22 1:14pm

I don't have to like my situation and I don't. What I've come to realize is my mood swings follow my physical well-being. Let me explain how I can to that conclusion. I receive therapy every 21 days. I do pretty good handling the treatments. So well, I don't recognize the effects while I'm experiencing them. But as I look back on what I write notice the thoughts of this cancer winning and I don't have control on what's happening is during the week following my treatments. On the 7th day After both of the treatments I've had I wake up feeling like superman. I'm full of energy and I'm happy and optimistic.

So I called my sister and asked that when I start talking gloom and doom she should remind me that when the drugs have been flushed out I'll have a change of mind

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 30 3:43pm

@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?

REPLY
2 replies
Denise | @denisestlouie | Sep 30 8:38pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@denisestlouie, I added your post to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group as well. I believe..." + (show)
@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?

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
1 reply
stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | Oct 1 4:34am

I finished 10 rounds of chemo almost a year ago. As you say it's rough. Everything slows down big time. I can say that as time goes by, it's a distant memory. I had the rough times and at times near end of treatment the week before getting next treatment seemed okay. They can't cure mine but it is enough that they can control it. Not much choice on my part. I wish you the best on your journey, just keep telling yourself that you can do this. Best to all.

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Oct 1 10:16am
In reply to @denisestlouie "I don't but that's a to good idea" + (show)
@denisestlouie

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

Jump to this post

@denisestlouie While I am not in active treatment I do have a history of experiencing down times. I don't like it when I feel sad and anxious but I've learned to accept it. I have learned to to be compassionate with myself and remind myself that my mood will pick back up. I've never charted these on a calendar but I think that's a very good idea. If you decide to do that then you'll have a visual representation as a reminder.

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Denise | @denisestlouie | Nov 27 3:58am
In reply to @colleenyoung "@denisestlouie, I added your post to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group as well. I believe..." + (show)
@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?

Jump to this post

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

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 27 1:31pm
In reply to @denisestlouie "I wrote this post after my second cycle. It did help to have the reminder. It..." + (show)
@denisestlouie

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

Jump to this post

@denisestlouie

That is great that you have learned how to acknowledge and accept the roller coaster of emotions that go with cancer treatment! It is great to hear that you even reached out to a doctor for some medication to help you.

We really don't have to go through this alone, and you provided a great example of this.

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