Can Sertraline help with anxiety over parent's cancer? How do I show them I love them?

[TheAlwaysWonkyDonkey]

My parent has stage 4 cancer and I'm utterly terrified. I lost my other parent 10 years ago to cancer, when I was 25.

It's not about me, it's not me going through cancer, but I feel like my life is going to be destroyed again. I need to be not a mess, to be strong and alert to best support my loved one. But I keep having severe anxiety attacks when alone or after visiting. Sleeping and eating are very difficult.

I get everything wrong and don't know what to do. I want them to know how much I love them, how I love them just as much as my other parent and am devastated this is happening...but don't want them to see me crying or losing my shit because it will make them feel worse. They want to feel I'll be ok, but I hope they know how much I love them We have a complex relationship, and I was very hurt for years as I felt they kept me at arm's length in a way, but I love them so much.

We are both being vocal about how much we love each other and thank god but I want to scream.

My Dr has prescribed Sertraline thinking it might help. How did you find it? Has anyone any experience taking it for circumstantial anxiety and depression?

My daughter takes it and it helps with anxiety it does take awhile to work

The thing is most drugs like this are not going to change the basic reality which is the situation.

Sertraline may or may not take the edge off, but I would be looking at some other approach, be it talk therapy, some kind of meditation, talking to a religious advisor, or whatever. Processing illness and death is a big, huge thing but it's something that has to be done if we want to find some kind of peace with mortality. Finding ways to do that isn't always easy.

And I'll add, I wouldn't think much of a GP who offered that as the only solution to your situation.

I had just finished processing oceans of grief from last time, and dealt with a lot of different complicated painful situations, including caring for another terminally ill family member (which was awful of course, but not the parent and child bond, so different) and finally built a life of my own. I don’t know how to manage this now.

I take it and it transformed my MH right away. However, I know I was extraordinarily fortunate that the dose for me was right first time, for others there might have to be a bit trying things out and changing doses etc. Resisted for years even when others said I needed help. Taking sertraline has been transforming.

What about side effects?

Anyone any thoughts? I'm so torn between taking the pills but worried they will make it all worse. If side effects are a headache or diarrhoea, that's similar to early covid symptoms so then I'll need to isolate surely? How will I know if it's the tablets or an illness I could transfer to someone vulnerable?

Yes it truly can.
It is worrying how much.
My DM died in April horrible coronavirus my Dsis can't even think about it they're sobbing.
I was the closest and done so much for her I'm okay it is so weird.
Back to you. They are my lifesaver I've been on them years.
Please don't worry your parent will know your love for them.
Brush their hair, sing, read, hug, make the most of the time.
I'm sorry you're going through this.

Expect the headache and stomach disruption you'll be really hungry too.
You'll know you're not unwell just feel ick.
Take a nurofen in the morning.
The starvation, stomach upset, head aches will be over in 3 weeks.