HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Caroline UK · 05-06-2007, 04:12 PM

Hi Michka
Sorry to hear that you're feeling so down at the moment. In answer to your question, I've been on Arimidex for about 2 and a half months, only a little longer than you, but I have to say I'm feeling better now than I did at the start. I think it must have an effect on our moods, altering our hormone levels as it does. I feel that as time has gone on, I've become more settled on it. I do get very down times and moments, and sometimes they feel so extreme I wonder if it is hormonal, as to me it feels a lot like pre-menstrual syndrome. My oncologist told me that it can take around 2 - 6 months before the side effects of Arimidex (hopefully) begin to settle down. I also have stiff and painful joints with it, especially in the mornings.
And of course, when you add in all the other factors like the normal depression anyone would feel in our position, coming to terms with the diagnosis itself, treatments, side effects etc....
I'd imagine that it's worth trying an anti-depressant, even if only for a short while, to help you out of this pit. Also counselling, if you haven't had any so far?
Hang in there. This is a bad time but it'll pass, and we all certainly have them.

05-06-2007, 04:12 PM	#3
Caroline UK Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 96	Hi Michka Sorry to hear that you're feeling so down at the moment. In answer to your question, I've been on Arimidex for about 2 and a half months, only a little longer than you, but I have to say I'm feeling better now than I did at the start. I think it must have an effect on our moods, altering our hormone levels as it does. I feel that as time has gone on, I've become more settled on it. I do get very down times and moments, and sometimes they feel so extreme I wonder if it is hormonal, as to me it feels a lot like pre-menstrual syndrome. My oncologist told me that it can take around 2 - 6 months before the side effects of Arimidex (hopefully) begin to settle down. I also have stiff and painful joints with it, especially in the mornings. And of course, when you add in all the other factors like the normal depression anyone would feel in our position, coming to terms with the diagnosis itself, treatments, side effects etc.... I'd imagine that it's worth trying an anti-depressant, even if only for a short while, to help you out of this pit. Also counselling, if you haven't had any so far? Hang in there. This is a bad time but it'll pass, and we all certainly have them. __________________ Caroline Diag. March 10th 2006, aged 46. Invasive ductal carcinoma, 2cm + multifocal. Stage 2, Grade 3 HER2+++, ER+/PR+ Right mast. May 2006. 6 of 20 nodes positive FEC x 4, taxotere x 4; port implanted after 6 cycles Rads x 25 1 year of Herceptin ended Nov 07. Arimidex 5 years Considering reconstruction, maybe soon...