Mental health

[Eddymu]

I had cancer last year and have Now  finished treatment and all is ok physically. I wasn’t too bad last year but now with covid etc I’ve had 3 unsettled years. I’m now feeling really unsettled, anxious and work and life generally feel Hard work. I feel guilty because I’m well but feel very down for no reason. I’m sleeping badly and know I’m drinking wine to get through. Every day a bit of a struggle. Not sure where to turn and I really have no reason to feel like this. Any ideas?

[sch]

Hi Eddymu,

Glad to hear that you're still here with us and in good health. Great to hear.

From first hand experience, I've found that some times after traumatic experiences the psychological impact might not be felt until some time has passed. Perhaps it is triggered by other events.  I've found that other events going on can feel amplified as a result. I'd recommend seeking a counsellor to talk with.

-s

[Fraydnot]

Hi there Eddymu,

You really should reach out to a counsellor to help you through the rough times. I was stricken with pneumonia whilst in the middle of Chemo, and thought I was going to die. It was a a very scary moment for me, and it really shook me up.

I was allocated a counsellor, and poured out my heart and soul to her. My fears and worries of my mortality,  how I was going to survive on my own? How was I going to pay my rent? (as I was not on a sickness benefit at the time).

By talking to the counsellor, I started the ball rolling to my peace of mind. 

Several people dropped in to help me over this difficult period, and I was put on the Disability Support Pension (DSP) straight away, whilst still recovering in hospital . It took a load off my shoulders that I had some sort of income to pay my rent, and my other bills. 

My point is, get yourself some help!

It is there for the asking.

Don't be afraid to ask for help, and most of all don't feel guilty that you are feeling well. That feeling is a positive, and should be a proud feeling.  

If you feel that a counsellor is too much, talk to your GP about not being able to sleep. He/She will know if there is a medication or application that may help you sleep at night.

I tell my GP everything that concerns me. I too had trouble sleeping, and was put on medication to assist me sleeping at night. Tell your GP that you are having trouble sleeping, and that you are drinking to help you sleep at night. 

I would say that you really shouldn't be doing that, alcohol is a depressant, and doesn't help in the long run.

Be open and honest with your GP, as they will assist you with your mental health as well as your physical well being. 

It's not shameful nor embarrassing to ask for help! EVERYONE needs help after cancer. The main thing to remember is you are not alone. 

I hope you can make that appointment with your GP to get your life back on track and release you from your depression - you CAN beat this!

Cheers

[TonySkala]

All in your head... You just passed one hell of a hard test. Passed it like a pro. 

Start your day off thinking I am another extra day in the black. What am I going to do with it? It is a gift given to you and you are wasting it. There are hundreds of people on this blog that would take those days. Do not waste them. Talk to a doctor about your sleep patterns. That is so easy to fix. 

You look like you beat it, Now go and do something with the extra time and life you got. 

And so what if you drink wine. You beat cancer and there is no reason to feel guilty to drinking a little. Just dont go overboard. A glass a day....... No problem.

Congratulations..... Go do something epic and write back on this blog how you spent the extra time. Make the rest of us dream about what the rest of us are going to do if we are that lucky. 

[Eddymu]

Thanks guys. All great advice which I’ll take on board. Lots of things happening in my life right now. Yes I know I’m lucky to have my life and intend to make the most of it. I go out everyday with a smile and put in 100% at work. Just sometimes things feel hard and I need to express my feelings with those who understand. 😁

[JennyG1]

Hi Eddymu

I can really relate to what you're saying. About 18 months after my treatment ended, I went through a period where I was really depressed. I was really very well and I felt terrible for feeling the way that I had, when I knew that so many people either hadn't survived what I had been through or were much worse off than I was. I almost broke down on one of my appointments with my specialist and she sent me to see the in-house psychiatrist, who listened carefully and suggested a course of St John's Wort, saying that I had moderate depression. I took her advice and it did help. I'm not suggesting that you should necessarily do the same, though. Sometimes all that you need is someone to listen, sometimes you need medication. But please don't feel guilty.

After a cancer journey, it's pretty natural to feel down. It's such an upheaval to your life, you no longer feel that you can trust your body, some relationships will have changed and maybe you constantly feel as though people label you a 'sick person'. That was what I felt anyway. I'm absolutely fine now and I weaned myself off the tablets reasonably quickly. Hopefully you'll feel the same way.