SOOO weepy - why?

• By Favored
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 12:28 pm
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Hello Kristin, I had the exact same thing happen to me. I was so weepy, I would cry at the drop of a hat.
My doctor prescribed Xanax, also, but, it helped me a little bit, and I rarely took it. My sister told me about Melatonin and that has really helped me. I needed something for me to sleep. Half a tablet does it for me. As for the menopause, I was excited to see it, because, I had extremely heavy periods. Being weepy is an after effect of the treatments you are getting. I am taking Lexapro for the depression.

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• By abbaschild
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 12:28 pm
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Hi, Kristin!

The lack of hormones could be the culprit....we all have those "weepy" down times...I still get those moments...or it could be that your system is overloaded from the chemo invading your body and it's working overtime to recoup. Whenever I get that way, I usually end up with a good comedy movie in the dvd player or I just go to www.youtube and find some comedy routines from Lucy or Carol Burnett or anyone who makes you laugh! It's always the best medicine as they say!

Smile! It'll get better :)

Blessings and hugs!!!

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• By lifeisgrand
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 1:16 pm
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When my blood counts fell it always caused me to become extremely irritable and weepy. When they'd bounce back up I would feel better.

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• By lovemnms
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 1:32 pm
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As you see Kristin, We are not alone.

I agree with Abbaschild: "Whenever I get that way, I usually end up with a good comedy movie in the dvd player or I just go to www.youtube and find some comedy routines from Lucy or Carol Burnett or anyone who makes you laugh! It's always the best medicine as they say!"

Don't ever feel like you have no support! We are always here!

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• By momanderson920
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 1:40 pm
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I had a depression after chemo and it took me 6 months to come back around. My sister who has gone through RCHOP treatment and just finished for nonHodgkins lymphoma cries everytime I talk to her on the phone and she does not know why. She is not menopausal so it must be a chemo aftereffect. Granted she was on high dose prednisone as part of the treatment ...5 days of 80 mg each infusion cycle and perhaps that contributed, but something is causing it.

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• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 1:48 pm
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It's probably a combination of everything, and you aren't the only one. We all get affected to some extent. I probably would hold off taking pills too and chances are that this will pass and you'll be fine. If not, make sure you keep your doctor aware of how you feel.

Hopefully, it's just one of those things that happens. Try to think of something good, something that makes you happy. Keep busy and remember that there is something to be thankful for every day. You're young and pretty and you'll be fine.

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• By ohmama123
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 10:06 pm
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thank you everyone for your comments - it is reassuring to know I am not alone.

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• By katelynsmamaw
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 7:52 am
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You know Kristin, I never even got on antidepressants till AFTER I was done with chemo and in remission. It happens to us all.

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• By Debofil
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 9:32 am
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Me too Kristin! I tend to get "down" when I don't feel my best. I took Zoloft and that seem to help me get throught those weepy times.

Hope you feel better soon ! Yes laughter is the best medicine !

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• By koh847
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 9:33 am
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Hi....I had that for 2 or 3 weeks after finishing chemo...no real reason for the tears either. I remember it was terrible; I wish I had some good advise. Just know that it passes. Thinking about you...
Kim

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• By KellyRilla
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:47 am
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Kristin are you taking steroids? Also known as dexamethosone, aka decadron, aka bitter little pills? It's commonly given IV as a pre chemo med and then sometimes you take for several days afterward. They make you spazzy with energy, keep you up at night and then when you taper off you literaly crash. You become very moody and snap at people (my husband says I have 'roid rage.) And I've noticed I cry at the drop of a hat.
This could be part of the problem or just the cumulative effect of all the chemo and the mental battle that is constantly going on in our heads.
I've noticed over the last 3 yrs I've become battle weary. I've finally given in to antidepressants and now take Celexa.
Well that's my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps and know that I'm thinking of you.

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• By ohmama123
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 2:06 pm
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KellyRilla - I have had 9 treatments but still have 3 to go, and have had the bitter little pills each time. My doctor blames my weight gain on them, but I am sure they have other side effects as well. Its not all of the time and not every day, but when it hits its like nothing can shake me out of it. I hope it gets better. Thank you again everyone.

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• By ALWAYS
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 4:43 pm
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if you need zanax take it

I was on it for many years i took Zanax ER .05 mg
It is a slow release. I believe it is better than stress
I had no side effects and it made me not stress out
over things. My oncoligist says take it.

I have just stopped taking it and it was easy to stop
and I have no side effects. If i need it I will go back on
it.

Do what makes you feel better I am also on Zoloft
once a day. I will probably stay on that.

Don't be afraid of Zanax it is easy to get off it

Feel better

ANita

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• By ohmama123
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 5:24 pm
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Thank you Anita for sharing your experience with xanax - I was on Zoloft years ago and remember how much it helped, too. I need to just worry about the moment and getting through the "now" I suppose and not be concerned with trying to wean myself off a drug at some point in the future. Funny - I never even thought of that!!!

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• By wright2fight
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 6:23 pm
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Thanks for writing this! I thought I was really going off the deep end for awhile. I was an emotional roller coaster! I finally told my cancer crew to please explain my panic attacks, tears, and general moodiness- which really isn't me! A. Was it from chemo? B. Was it from instant menopause? C. One pissed off body from having two surgeries back to back? D. Me just being a %itch? Answer....all of the above! They told me that heck you have been through a lot! You're 39 and didn't sign up for cancer, so don't be afraid to sit down and cry, which I can admit scares the crap out of me. The other part of my problem was a lack of sleep! Holy hot flashes! I was given Effexor, which is an antidepressant. I wasn't extremely happy with that one because I felt like an emotional flat liner. Alprazolam helped me sleep, but didn't see anything really impressive about it!
My cure? Wii boxing and that one where I get to throw snowballs! Don't know why kicking the crap out of a cartoon character makes me feel better, but it does. Working until I'm about ready to drop is another great cure! The best one, surround yourself with super funny people!

T

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• By Ansophie
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 6:45 pm
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Kristin,
I was also very weepy. Ativan(similar to xanax) helped me to sleep,but I was also concerned about becoming addicted. I was on lexapro at one time and it did help alot. I don't think it is a bad thing to try an antidepressant especially with all you have gone through. I am also thinking of trying it again. Keep us posted on how you are feeling.
Hugs,
Anne

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• By Meadowlark
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 7:32 pm
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Yes, this happened to me too halfway through the 6 months of chemo and has lasted four months after that. This makes me feel kind of stupid so it is really nice to hear there are others going through the same thing. Thank you for that.
I do believe the sudden menopause is a factor and it is so hard to tell because so much is going on with you all at once and it is all very disturbing stuff. I use xanax for bad nights and it takes the anxiety away and lets you think of better things. I haven't become addicted to it over the past year even after using it several nights in a row. It helps a lot and can't hurt to try it once or twice. I'm also trying antidepressants and exercise. When positive thoughts and memories come your way hang on to them as long as possible.

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• By verlinda
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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Depression IS a side effect of steroids, but remember, you're going through cancer. Even the "best" cancers (thyroid, etc.) are scary. You've also been through all kinds of physical indignities, a great deal of pain and are going through menopause. Any of these can cause depression. Think of yourself as one of those little cartoon characters whose feet are driven deeper and deeper in the ground each time a new load is placed on him.

Personally, I think someone should invent "Tigger" pills for us, so we can bounce back better. Until they do, we'll just have to depend on antidepressants.

By the way, everyone, if one anti-depressant isn't effective, another type might be. I quit one years ago because it flattened me out. Zoloft worked for a while. As soon as I can get off the antiinflammatories for my bum shoulder/arm, we're going to try antidepressants again. For now, my reflux just can't handle both at the same time, even with two protonix a day!

See if you can find Carol Ann's journal from maybe two years ago about hair. She recounts an episode with a questioning stranger outside Walmart that has me in stitches every time I read it.

Blessings.

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• By verlinda
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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Depression IS a side effect of steroids, but remember, you're going through cancer. Even the "best" cancers (thyroid, etc.) are scary. You've also been through all kinds of physical indignities, a great deal of pain and are going through menopause. Any of these can cause depression. Think of yourself as one of those little cartoon characters whose feet are driven deeper and deeper in the ground each time a new load is placed on him.

Personally, I think someone should invent "Tigger" pills for us, so we can bounce back better. Until they do, we'll just have to depend on antidepressants.

By the way, everyone, if one anti-depressant isn't effective, another type might be. I quit one years ago because it flattened me out. Zoloft worked for a while. As soon as I can get off the antiinflammatories for my bum shoulder/arm, we're going to try antidepressants again. For now, my reflux just can't handle both at the same time, even with two protonix a day!

See if you can find Carol Ann's journal from maybe two years ago about hair. She recounts an episode with a questioning stranger outside Walmart that has me in stitches every time I read it.

Blessings.

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• By KSD
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 9:58 am
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The crash after the steroids made me weepy too. I couldn't sleep and take a zanax every night. If I don't I am up at three every morning. The Celexa has made all the difference in the world. We are all looking for quality of life and if taking a couple of pills makes life good again----I am taking them. Who wants to spend our days sad and anxious---I won't. I hope you feel better soon. I have a good cry every once in a while in the shower and that helps and then it is on with my day. Try it! You will feel better!

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