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Sadness: Due to Anastrozole or Just Dealing With Breast Cancer?
I was a 24 year breast cancer survivor in September 2021 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer again. I had a bilateral mastectomy in October 2021 and did not need chemo or radiation this time around. I started anastrozole at the end of November 2021. So far, my side effects have been minimal. My only "complaint" is more sadness. I will cry quite easily at things I never used to cry over. Sad movie? tears... Cool down after a workout? tears... Can't figure out a work issue? tears... Anyway, does anyone know how I can tell if I'm just more emotional because of another cancer diagnosis or due to low estrogen from the anstrozole? Thank you.
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I do miss yoga. I'm hoping I'm close to being able to do a plank again. So far, it has been too much for my chest muscles. Thank you for sharing!
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2 ReactionsSo sorry for your loss. I say this because I had read that it is perfectly normal to mourn the loss of your breasts. I didn’t think I was doing that when I felt like you but I did go to talk therapy and it helped a lot. It’s a lot to go through even if everything went smoothly and it’s not minimally invasive yet it’s not visible to others. I did take Wellbutrin to perk me up and started yoga. It’s a journey especially if you are on an AI. Still doing the yoga!
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4 ReactionsI do wonder if I am bottling something up and don’t realize it. Great advice, thank you.
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5 ReactionsHi, Chris. I do see my oncologist again in March and I’ll probably bring it up. It’s so strange for me to do this. I don’t feel particularly sad about the cancer, but then I wonder if maybe I really am and just don’t realize it.
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5 ReactionsTalk to your doctor. I take an antidepressant that helps me. Please know that your emotions are perfectly normal in your situation. Hopefully with time you can move through these difficulties. Some counseling with a professional therapist might help also. Allowing a therapist to guide you through these feelings might be a good release of bottled up emotions that you might be unaware of. Good Luck and keep us informed as to how you are doing. We are all in this together!
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4 ReactionsIt almost brought me to tears reading your story. I am so glad you had 24 years in between. I also went through this when I started endocrine therapy. My radiation doctor started me on some sertraline at that time and I am on it still today. Just like pregnancy or menopause, when you mess with the hormones it can turn on the faucets. A possible answer is both, anastrozole and breast cancer. Are you comfortable talking to your doctor about this?
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