Connect
← Return to On Lupron experiencing major depression and anxiety
Discussion
On Lupron experiencing major depression and anxiety
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 24 7:22am | Replies (57)Comment receiving replies
I have a question, is anyone besides myself that is angry. I mean downright angry that the medical community once they treat you and you have suffered through the barbaric biopsies and the placement of markers and the space or and then being chemically castrated for a year or longer, that none of them care about the mental grief you go through ? I've been off Lupron for 14 months and I have no libido no nothing in the tank at all and my urologist just thinks I should get over the loss of everything and move on. No matter that I'm dealing with extra breast tissue that I don't want, leaking urine that I don't want, trouble with bowel movements that I don't want, anger in the fact that I will never be normal again, I miss the intimacy I had with my wife of 48 years that seems to have evaporated over the last 2+ years because I never know when I'm going to leak urine and believe me that's a real turn off, I'm angry that I have to wear pee pads and carry an emergency pee bottle in my car because I never know when I'm going to get struck with a sudden urge, or a gas bubble is going to press against my bladder hard enough to make not going impossible. Out of the 10s of thousands of the men that get prostate cancer every year am I the only one that thinks it's insane that there isn't really any aftercare given for us?
The depression is overwhelming.
Replies to "I have a question, is anyone besides myself that is angry. I mean downright angry that..."
Ptjeep, I hear ya. I live in New Hampshire & there is not even a support group up here that I can find. However this site does help.
You should consider an anti depressant. It may help. I know what you are experiencing is normal for us. Somehow this journey makes me feel flawed. However you may have heard this before that we can’t let this define us. Hopefully your side effects will improve over time. Hang in & be well.
Bob
First of all, you MUST deal with the depression; it is a real thing that colors your every perception of the world. You cannot address any of the anger because it’s all from your chemically unbalanced state brought about by Lupron.
Some people can have their brain chemistry altered permanently due to medication and you just might be that guy.
When people hear “depression” they think of a catatonic state, an immobility of sorts. But schools have been shot up, entire families killed by their loving fathers and other acts of violence perpetrated by people who were depressed; and that turned to intense anger.
I suggest you reach out and find a psychiatrist who can prescribe something to reverse - or at least counteract - the effects of the Lupron, which is KNOWN for causing depression.
Yes, all the shitty things about this disease make me angry as well - let’s face it, our lives were ruined by it. But I have come to terms with it, turned the anger into “whatta ya gonna do?” and I have moved past it.
But I was not on ADT as long as you were so I was not so affected.
Oddly, I was happy and of light spirit while on Orgovyx. Now, coming down from it I find myself crabbier, bitching all the time and screaming at the TV again. Even my wife commented that I was a different person on ADT and I really WAS!
Just the opposite of what we were told - that I would have mood swings, depression, etc….Nope, just the opposite. So who can say that you SHOULD be all better now since nobody really knows what effects - short and long - ADT has on all people….we’re both different, that’s for sure.
So please get professional help - this is not something anyone can do alone…Best,
Phil
Wow you hit the nail
On the head , I’m feeling everything you mentioned and I do get angry that I ever went through all this and my oncologist said the same thing forget about sex, I could have stuck him with a triple dose of Lupron . It’s frustrating to hear how treatable prostate cancer is but they fail to say most of us life will never be the same
I agree with you totally. I was so focused on the physical healing after RP in Jan. About 5 weeks out I hit a wall of emotional distress and anxiety over what had actually happened with my body. I didn’t see that coming until it was real. I knew all the risks and possibilities before but having it all in real time, especially the ED and consequences of all the sensations, etc. of prostate gone, overwhelmed me. It’s a grieving process and a difficult one at that. It’s especially challenging with a younger partner who knew the possible outcomes yet encouraged me to go with it. We both where unaware of how different and challenging reality is from what we expected to work through. The real impact on relationship has been far more distressful than I imagined. There seems to be very little attention paid to emotional and mental health attention and preparation provided from the urology and other medical resources both pre and post- op. I’ll have to say I wasn’t prepared for the depression I’ve been experiencing. Trying ways, like this support blog and seeking out professional therapist, to address it.
I can relate 100% I had my prostrate removed in 21 leaked normal amounts for a bit did great until early 24 cancer was detected in lymph nodes started radiation and lupron 1 YT ago 46 radiation treatments now I leak constantly mental state is definitely not right mood swings no sleep no sex life so I go to onocologist last week I tell him I can handle it but I need help from a sleep aid or something lol I guess they expect you to handle it I was told to ask my primary care for any type meds for anxiety etc
Connect
I take out my anger on the weight machines at the gym. I lift a lot for a guy my age (65) with cancer. It helps me mentally and physically.
That's all I got. Cancer sucks.