Sarah Cawood struggled to fight back tears as she broke down while discussing the health issues she's experiencing after coming off hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and antidepressants. The presenter shared how badly she is being affected by coming off the medication due to her breast cancer battle in a post to her Instagram followers.
In the video, Sarah addresses her fans, asking them for advice, while filming herself sitting in a car. She wipes tears away as she opens up on having to stop the pills she was taking that have been helping with her menopause symptoms. She said she has now been taking different medication for her hot flushes, but they have caused her to experience depression as a side-effect.
The 50-year-old reached out to her followers in the heart-breaking update on Monday (Nov 7). It comes after she went public with her stage one breast cancer diagnosis back in September.
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Text on top of her video reads: "I solve one problem. Then another pops up in its place. Breast cancer is a f****** ****." Talking to the camera, she said: 'I'm asking you lot for a favour today. I'm sorry I look so tired and washed out and s***.
"In a nutshell… I went on the Clonidine for my hot flushes. Because of my breast cancer I've had to come off my HRT, so then my hot flushes were awful, so I went on the Clonidine for that. And also when I start my Tamoxifen (breast cancer drug), I will have to come off my SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, an anti-depressant).
"I was on a very low dose of citalopram. That and the HRT completely wiped to my menopause symptoms. I was golden. I was coasting. Nothing bothered me, I was really calm, I never lost my temper. Now, I'm on the Clonidine one of the side effects is depression, which I have noticed almost immediately I started taking the pills. But I only found out today that was a side effect
"Plus now I'm coming off the citalopram so I'm cutting the little pills in half. And so I don't know what to do. Every time I solve a problem, another one pops up in its place. So I don't know if any of you breast cancer ladies have the solution because apparently Tamoxifen causes depression too."
She then burst into tears as she struggled to fight back her emotions. "I'm so sorry. And I didn't wanna cry because everyone will send me nice messages and I won't have time to answer them and I'll feel guilty." She told her followers.
"But it was like this all weekend and it's just not like me, so I don't know what the solution is. I've got to get an appointment with a doctor tomorrow but I'm not a priority. And I hate feeling like this because I don't want like to pass me by, it's so precious So, if any of the pink army out there can help what do I do?
"I need to get rid of the hot flushes but I also need to protect my mental health… so I don't know what to do. I didn't know if anybody had any advice? I just wanna feel like myself again… It must be this Clonidine stuff because I was absolutely fine until I started taking that a week ago.
"And the hot flushes are much better but I feel like everyone's p****** me off. And all my kind and friendliness has gone and I'm hating on my family and I just want to be on my own all the time."
Many fans rushed to comment messages of support and words of advice as she captioned the post: "I need advice from my #pinkarmy ladies…. #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #breastcancersupport." @The_don_carolis added: "Oh Sarah, I do hope one of the many kind messages gives you some help, I’m just sending love."
@Donzibelle wrote: "Bless you my lovely. I don’t know what to suggest but sincerely hope your GP can help you out. It’s early days & with the right help you will get through this. You have an army of ladies who are behind you willing you to get through this. Make sure you find time for yourself, go for a massage or any other pampering that makes you feel relaxed. All I can send you is lots of love & hugs and always here for you my lovely. It’s ok to not be ok so don’t beat yourself up about it. Take care my lovely."
@Lizijacksonbarrett commented: "Oh darling. I'm so so sorry. I have no answers... just love. And a reminder that this too shall pass." @josimcock typed: "Sarah my lovely, I still swear by magnesium supplements, every day, but I don't know if you can take it. Can you be referred to a specialist?"
@Yeomansfiona's said: "Darling Sarah, that made me cry. I hope mine is one of the comments you read, but please please try Acupuncture. I can’t tell you how much of a difference it has made for me. If you find the right person they will help you with a number of things including your mental well being. It has to be worth a try. My lovely lady is here in Surrey but would happily talk to you if you are sceptical or would like to find out more."
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