Depression, Joint Pain and tired.

[yhwh]

I have completed my chemo treatment for stage 3 OVC.  During that time my white count went low and the doctor prescribed Nulasta to build the white count.  Since all of this I have times where there is a restless felling inside.  I manage to work and work through these feels, yet was wondering if this was after effects of the treatments or from the Nulasta.  I was told that the Nulasta could cause my joints to be soar.  However it was not until the last couple months that my hands swell when sleeping and if I lay or sit for any length of time it is hard to get up and get moving again.  My jonts are painful.  I am not told that I have a slow or inactive thyroid.  I have recently discovered that this concern with the thyroid can be very much from the chemo treatment I took.  

An anyone out there explain 1) the feelsings of depression and will they subside in time? 2) Is the joint pain from the chemo (carboplatimum and toxal or Nulasta taken to build the white count)?3) How long before you began to regain your strength and not feel so tired?

[Kimchi]

I have had 11 cyles of carbo/taxo so far and was not given Nulasta for white cells.  I, too , have depression but it lasts about 4 days with me.  In the begining, I found myself on the net all the time, looking for information, miracle cures, reading this forum and others and found that it would sometimes make me depressed.  So have learned to recognize the signs and turn off the computer.  Try to to let surrounding sources depress me as well.
Energy level usually goes up 1 week after chemo with me and by the time I am back full force, it's time for another cycle.  I take 4-6000 mg of vitamin C, multi, 1000mg Vitamin E, acidophelus, fish oil, cQ10, cranberry, Reishi mushroom, calcium daily and some of these are natural interferon which builts up the white cells. Also give mysefl coffee enemas to keep my liver/kidneys clean/healthy and have noticed that my energy bounces back faster and I sleep so much better and deeply.  Hang in there
Read your reply about Johanna Budwig ...Are you doing her diet?

[yhwh]

Have stopped just for a short time as now I am dealing with the inactive thyroid.  I read this is all part of the treatment side affects.  Will start this again tonight.  I take 1/2 cup of low fat organic cottage; 1/2 cup of skim organic mile, with 2 Tbsp of Flax oil and 2 Tbsp of Flax Seed gound in a coffer grinder.  I blend this in a blender, than flavor with any fruit, banana, pinapple, strawberries and flavoring with a touch of honey if I want it a bit sweeter.  The onc Dr that did my bipopsy said he tells all his patients to take 1/4 cup of flax see a day and he also does the same.  My husband took it for his prostrate cancer and it kept his PSA count down.  While he has had to have the prostrate removed recently, it did not spread in surgery, they believe they got it all!  The Onc that I use was amazed at how well my CA count came down.  He said I don't know wht you are doing but keep it up.  Flax Seed is good for other things aside from cancer.  Thanks for your input, I will try these as well.  

[rmarie]

Joint pain does occur with Taxol, is should according to what they say subside 3 to 4 days after the treatment also Neulasta causes joint pain.  So you have had 2 drugs that could be causing the joint pain.  Did you talk to your Dr. or the nurse about the pains?  Thyroid problems can cause swelling however it is all over the body, not just your hands.  You could ask the Dr. to check your Thyroid function, it is just giving more blood.  

If the depression your talking about is a mental feeling, than it could be just from having a bad cancer.  I am not sure that here isn't anyone of us that doesn't get depressed about having this terrible cancer.  When I was told I had it, I started crying and had trouble stoping.  I take an anti anxiety drug when I need it to help me handle the feelings.  I refer to it a shuting my brain up so I can sleep.  I too am a stage 3 C and this is a scary disease, to feel upset about it all, and the changes our body goes through is normal.  think positive and keep on going.  Ask your Dr or cancer nurse questions about the joint pain.  good luck to you.  

[yhwh]

Thanks!  Joint pain has been for awhile, the doctore is not sure as to why.  The depression I can handle yet it can be a challange...it is more of an anixous feeling than a sad feeling, therefore I thought it was drug related that may have left my body with a chemical imbalance.  Your are right about being a terrible scare hearing that you have cancer.  I heard it as DEATH not cancer.  Someone said "God gives you no more than you an handle" Sounded pretty good until I heard my primary doctor say God gives you no more than he can handle.  That means I should be letting him handle this concern.  Thanks again for confirming about the Taxol.  

[dian07]

Hello....don't be afraid to ask for some help...this is a tough road to walk.....I am not embarrassed to say I remain on an antidepressant and it helps tremendously.  I am nearly two years out from chemo and I still stress at times and know full well I would be worse without it.  Yes, the carbo/taxol was tough....so were the steroids taken prior to chemo.....those things put one on a pendulum swinging both ways.  I was in extreme pain while getting Neulasta.....man that was terrible!  Some are bothered more than others......it was really hard on my bones.....I took pain pills or I was unable to sleep.  These doctors need to educate themselves about side effects.....if he is not certain if Neulasta can cause pain somebody should inject him!  Don't beat yourself up....you have been through pure hell and deserve credit and support.  Take care kid....stay in touch.
Peace.
dian

[Surf Beat]

I read your reply, focusing on the vit's, herbs, etc. you are taking.  Where did you get the info, and does it help?

Kalbi