In remission but depressed ?!

Hello, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer on the 1st of October, during this period I was fine, I think I cried once after the doctors for a bit then just got on with it, everyone around me seemed to be more sad than I was ! But now the tide has changed, I seem more sad now than I ever did.  

It seemed like it started after I found out on my birthday ( of all days !) that my ct scan was clear. As I had left my swollen testical for a few months, due to the first doctor saying it's nothing , then being told it's an infection. I feared it had spread. 

I know I am depressed but yet to talk to anyone about it apart from my girlfriend. I feel like I am numb and do not care about anything, ie my job my health or my girlfriend . I try telling myself that ,Toby it has a 98% survival rate and people would love to have that high of a percentage but nothing helps with how I feel. 

How is it I feel so sad after getting such good news ?!!

 

 

  • Hi Emery

    You've had a rough ride with your health. Odd as it is its very normal to get this depression AFTER all the treatment and initial shock is over. Sophie gives good advice, go see your GP and discuss this. I have suffered depression on and off for most of my life, so I have some insight into where you are right now. There are other ways to treat depression other than pills. Behaviour Cognitive Therapy  being one of them. Your GP may refer you for this, don't turn it down if offered. Like Sophie says excercise is really important even if its just a half hour walk in the fresh air. Give alcohol a miss it is a depressant and just adds to depression. Likewise any other substances which affect mood. It doesn't help that there has been no sunshine for 6 weeks the Swedish deal with this by taking vitamin D supplements. But most of all go with what the GP recommends it may well be that you are offered a short course of anti depressants. But to give you some hope you will get through this and you will have a good life again. Kim

  •  

     

    Thank you for the information and making me feel normal ! I have an appointment on Monday. At first I told my girlfriend and my mum I was just going to ask about my bad toe, but I'm going to talk to him about being depressed.

    I get outside a bit with my work, so on that front I'm ok. I'm just struggling with exercise atm. I get so bored running and going to the gym. But in the new year I'm carrying on with golf and kite surfing. 

    That's not good news about the sunshine! I'm off to tromso , Norway  for 4 days. 24 hour darkness!