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Severe mental health problems post-chemo

Jason1978
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I’m 9 months post radical radiotherapy and interval chemo with oxaliplatin for rectal cancer (clear now).

During the Oxaliplatin regime I started feeling extremely depressed/ mentally unwell.

9 months on, despite seeing psychiatrist and trialling a few antidepressants, and forcing myself back to various daily activities including my part time job, I am still seriously mentally unwell.

It’s like I’ve had a complete personality transplant. I’m now almost constantly extremely low in mood, cry all the time regardless of what I’m thinking about, have lost all the good and positive aspects of my personality, my mental function is relatively poor, struggle to cope with the most basic things, have sleep problems, and more..

My mental health professionals are trying to manage / help me from the perspective of post-cancer and cancer treatment anxiety and depression and trauma, but it’s not helping..

I deep down feel like the actual chemotherapy has seriously affected the inner workings (neurotransmitters, regulatory systems etc) of my brain.

I was wondering if there are any medical specialists that I could potentially see (privately if needed) who are knowledgeable and experienced with this type of issue?

Yours (very desperately), Jason

  • Hi Jason

    This is a rarely discussed topic in conjunction with cancer. While people whisper the Big C (cancer) they whisper even less the big MH (Mental Health) Im sure you are correct in your self diagnosis that it is likely your treatment that is contributing to your mental health problems. Literature on chemotherapy and immunotherapy is showing increasing reports of psychiatric and neurological problems from these treatments. I also feel that I am not the same person I was before starting treatment, and I now suffer anxiety over random things. Ive never suffered anxiety before treatment despite having cancer for the past 10 years. I dont suffer from depression though. Perhaps a referral to a Neurologist if you can get one may give you a better insight into some of your problems. I hope that other people will contribute to this thread you have started.

    Ed

  • Hello and thank you for posting. I am so sorry that you have gone through this Jason.

    Unfortunately we are a research charity so we do not have doctors, or a list of specialists that we can suggest.

    However what I can say changes to our physical health can impact on our mental health hugely, alongside side effects of medications, fear of the unknown and change in circumstance all affect people differently.

    How this is dealt with, by the person affected by cancer, is individual but importantly there is no right or wrong way. But, getting you to a point where you feel more emotionally stable and that you can slowly start moving forward, particularly now your cancer has gone, is the main thing.

    I understand that you feel that 9 months is a long time since your treatment, but it isn't. For some the physical, mental and emotional effects can last a while after. Have a read of our pages on mental health and cancer.

    Do talk to the team that know you and explain your concern that things aren't already better. If you want to see someone privately they would also be best placed to know who to suggest.

    If you want to hear from others who may feel similar do think of posting in one of the other categories like 'Moving On.'

    Cancer survivorship and life beyond cancer, is a whole other phase now of your life, do also see our pages on this if helpful.

    Take care Jason and do talk, remember there are charities like Mind and Samaritans if you feel things are all too much. I hope you have some friend and family support.

    If you want to talk things through with the nurses on our helpline then call 0808 800 4040. Lines are open mon-fri,9-5. 

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to Farmer_Ed

    Thanks very much for your response Ed. Much appreciated.

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