Is anyone struggling with emotional issues?

Miriam's recommendations are all good, but left out the one that helped me. After suffering as you mentioned for over two years after DMX and chemo, I got a new PCP and she prescribed the antidepressant Lexapro (generic). It started working within days, and now I'm happily and calmly getting back to my life.

I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder 30 years ago plus anxiety all due to childhood trauma followed by isolation. I’ve managed to do ok in life by all external appearances (career success) but have always suffered within. BC and menopause have been a constant struggle and my BC team shrugs me off and tells me to get with my shrink. They don’t hear me tell them that I have treatment resistant depression. I have opted not to take for obvious reasons, my suffering is due to being yanked off HRT! I can’t imagine an even greater deficit of estrogen. Each day is hard and all I can do is my best to diet , exercise when I can, try to get enough sleep and mindfulness. Creative pursuits bring me the greatest relief.

To the sisterhood of suffers, I feel your pain. Know that you are not alone. Be strong and hold hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Sorry to hear of your struggles , I am also finding the emotional fall out from Anastrozole to be difficult as well as many physical side effects. I am trying to ‘ keep calm and carry on’ but it is hard. I think not enough information is given to people about the mental effects of these therapies , as I’ve said previously on this platform , this is a field ripe for further research and increasing compliance.

My experience about the side effects of Anastrozole etc was not only lacking, it was non-existent..

Has anyone had success with magnesium glycinate? I've started to take it at night and feel like I am sleeping somewhat better but not sure if it's helping my hot flashes. I sometimes wake feeling a little foggy. I've been told by my Oncologist PA that I can take it the morning too to help with hot flashes and possibly mood but I am afraid of being drowsy. As a muscle relaxer, it also makes me poop. I don't want to overdo it.

After some soul searching and journaling, I realize I have been very depressed, especially post BC diagnosis. During that time, I had to be strong for my family, and I feel like people around me just wanted me to be "better" immediately once all the surgeries where done. We sold our house and moved ten months after my diagnosis and was in the middle of selling while I going through reconstruction surgery. Once we moved, we lived in a rental, hunted for a house, had to find a new job, new doctors, and I'm still trying to make friends as we have no friends or family here. It's been a lot. This August will be the second anniversary of my diagnosis, and so much has happened in that short time. I don't feel like I gave myself time to grieve and recover.

I was lucky I did not require chemo and decided not to do radiation after A LOT of research and consulting with multiple doctors, which in and of itself made me feel very alone. I had to fight off people telling me to "just do what the doctors says" even though in my soul I didn't agree with what they were telling me and ultimately decided to opt out of radiation. I actually had a coworker tell me that now I could "put it past" me literally 2 months post double mastectomy. Looking back, I shoved a lot of emotion and trauma down and have been wearing a mask to the outside world. I need to acknowledge that I've been through a lot, and I need time to heal.

I felt very alone until I found this group. I'm not here consistently, but appreciate the advice and kindness when I do visit. I hope the next couple of weeks, I can focus on healing - not just my body, but also my mind and soul. And I will pay your kindness forward to help others.

Hugs to all of you. I'm glad we're able to be here for each other.