Dear JL,
I think the issue of a "napping" libido is fairly common for cancer patients. 14 years ago, at age 49, I had stage 3b breast cancer, a double mastectomy and 8 months of chemotherapy. I lived alone, was new to the area so had no close friends and I had no family that lived closer than 3 hours away. I was devastated and fell into a deep depression on top of everything. I was on an anti-depressant for a long time. Eventually I began to notice that I had no libido...no interest in men. At least someone had lent me their kitty, so I got to snuggle when I was in the mood. MDA offered me a very simple test to determine whether or not I was depressed and what level I was. Based on that, they decided what type of anti-depressant to give me. I think I was on the first prescription about 3 or 4 years before I noticed my lack of "sex drive". They changed the prescription and voila...my desires returned!
I don't know if your lack of libido could be related to Tamoxifin or femura. I couldn't take Tamoxifin until I had survived for 5 years; afterwhich I took it for five years. My libido issues were not connected with Tamoxifin.
I am a firm believer in talking things out...I create a counseling session with whomever I seem to relate well with regarding the issue at hand. I've belonged to a number of cancer support groups and they are the best. No one can relate to a cancer survivor quite like another cancer survivor. No, caregivers don't count...they are care givers, not cancer survivors. I don't know where you live, but someone at MDAnderson or your local American Cancer Society (check out their website, too: www.cancer.org) can hook you up with support groups in your community. Each group has its own personality; so if you don't like the first one you visit...try another.
Want a hug? Give one! Want to be touched? Touch someone!
I hope I've been helpful.
sem7707!
