Anxiety meds for cancer?

[biops]

Anyone taken anxiety meds to try to calm themselves during this time? It’s getting a bit overwhelming for me but wondering if I should beast it out until I have a treatment plan as I gather things feel better then, or just get the help I can now? Interested to know experiences, I am concerned about how much my body will have pumped into it this year!

No, but I am interested in this too so hoping you get some replies. Raised it as a possibility with GP, but they were not helpful!

Sorry to hear that, in what way were they not helpful?

I think some diazepam or similar could be suitable as long as you aren’t affected by it and unsafe to drive etc? Is it like panic attack feelings or more ongoing background anxiety? It’s pretty normal and understandable really for you to experience such things at this time- makes sense and whilst horrible is nothing “wrong”
with you for feeling that way. Maggie’s centre have some therapy sessions I believe…

It’s not all day, everyday. But when it hits it’s more of a mid level constant feeling of doom, feels physical in my chest, and it makes my thoughts really dark. I’m trying to wrestle myself to believe this is just a blip and not the beginning of the end. I’m still in very early days.

Let yourself have a set amount of time to wallow or fear the worst. But then limit that time and switch it off and get on again. I remember someone saying to me that I could cry and scream and lie down and weep for hours or even days about it. But then I’d still have to get up and live my life and face what I was facing anyway. It changes nothing. Which felt a bit harsh but was actually helpful. Writing helped me too. Journaling.

I had cancer 6 years ago.

The time between diagnosis and the plan and then treatment was horrific. So hard.

it gets much much easier. I promise. But in the meantime if diazepam will help you stay calm, then I would be popping them tbh. Anything to get through.

I said kind of similar to you, that I was getting hit by extreme panicky etc feelings, and asked if there was something I could take that would help immediately in the moment (kind of like downing a double gin, which I don't want to do!) They said no, and tried to push me to refer for CBT (which I have had in the past, and can be helpful if good, but isn't what I was after at all!)

I started taking Sertraline for anxiety when I was first diagnosed. My mum had passed away a month beforehand as well and for the first time in my life I was having panic attacks. I would say it has definitely worked for me although for the first couple of weeks it makes you feel worse.

It’s common in many countries for people to be offered psychiatric help/medication when told they may have cancer/whilst going through treatment. Personally my family involved our family psychiatrist the night I was told what had been found after a routine gynae check up. It was the straw that broke this camel’s back and I had a breakdown.

there is a thread for people waiting for test results and many women have commented over the years asking why people are left to suffer excruciating anxiety at this time.

Thank you, I’ve been reading and I wasn’t wanting to look at SSRIs first because a)they interact with chemo b) they take weeks to work. I’m sure I will look at counselling but that doesn’t help me now, it’s diazepam I think I need. Going to try today.

I got prescribed lorazepam when I first got diagnosed. I was in hospital for a week having tests and couldn’t rest at all. My gp has kept a small repeat prescription available to me since.
I was worried I would get addicted but it was fine. I very occasionally take it now if I’m due a scan or something. I’m usually absolutely fine at the actual scan but the few days before I’m very anxious.
The first few months were completely overwhelming I real feel for you.
I started a thread when I was diagnosed 2 years ago with not a great initial prognosis but I’ve been No evidence of disease for 18 months now 🙂
Do you have a Maggies centre near you? They have been an absolute godsend for me. I do an exercise class there and having people who understand is great. I was really worried about going thinking it was going to be full of doom and gloom but it’s the most wonderful calming place. You can get quick access to counselling, relaxation sessions etc. I think they offer online things aswell.
Also Penny Brohn has lots of of online guided relaxation videos and exercises.

I think your body is already dealing with a battle and you don’t have to make it harder on yourself by fighting to be strong through anxiety too. As others have suggested, some small doses of diazepam might really help. It’ll take the edge off the doom and also help you sleep.

@biops
Diazepam can help...but you wouldn't want to get addicted to it. (also it doesn't cure the anxiety long term, it just gives you a break from it).
Explain to your GP everything you are feeling and hopefully it will help them prescribe the best option for you.
Like you say you are still in the shock phase, early days, and worry and anxiety are high.
Make sure you get out everyday for some fresh air, walking, do some journaling (it helps to write things down) only allow yourself to worry for a few minutes, then get busy doing other things.

I was terrible at first, but with a mixture of things, I'm definitely more relaxed. At the end of the day, to keep alive we must go through our treatment plan, so we will get to the other side.
Deep breathing, hitting a pillow, scream, walk, dance, whatever works for you. CBT - is good if you need the tools to tell your mind that you don't need to worry and look at things in a different way.
Trust yourself that you will get through this.

@Wells37 so pleased you’re doing well now. I’m struggling to reach out for support atm not knowing my own treatment plan or prognosis yet if that makes sense? I’m reading people’s TNBC stories online and I don’t know if I am better or worse and I find that really overwhelming, I think when I get a clearer picture of what my journey looks to be (as much as you can in advance at least) I will be able to tackle it.

I just can’t shake this feeling this is a start of a sad cancer film where this is the beginning of my end. I want to be told this is a blip and I will instead be one of those insufferable survivors turning up everywhere reminding you to check your boobs, lol.

@Maisy7 thank you, it’s good to know I’d need to be mindful of addictions. I’ve just been so tempted to drink every night this week (I haven’t!) I’m not sure which would be worse lol.

I won’t lie, the time between tests and diagnosis and treatment plan is the most horrendous time you will ever have. It’s brutal. Dark thoughts, anxiety, stress, fear, it’s all very real and scary.
I promise you this, once you know your plan your fears will flip to fight mode. You will see light at the end of the tunnel.
You need to get through this period as best you can by being distracted by work, family, a holiday if you can, days out, friends, talking, TV.
Good luck.

@biops just a thought - how many days until your next appointment...will you then find out your treatment plan?
I would suggest avoiding all google/reading about everything until you know exactly what you have as you are probably overloading yourself with information causing anxiety.
Give yourself a break from it....my Mum always pretended it wasn't her - and just did everything the professionals advised her to do. She played a role and got through it!

x

GP has very reluctantly prescribed me some diazepam. She wanted to put me on propanol, I said I didn’t want to discuss anything long term until I’ve met with my oncologist. I’m still hopeful I will feel better after getting a treatment plan, where I will look more carefully at long term management. I just need to get through this week.

The limbo land you are in at the moment is really hard. I agree stop googling until your next appointment. My husband turned the WiFi off 😂

I am very much the sort of person who needs to feel like I’m doing something & giving myself something I can control. If you are the same here are some things which I did.
These will all help whatever your treatment plan.
Get your vitamin D levels checked and start taking it if you aren’t. There lots of evidence that good levels will help you during chemo.
Get a good variety of fibre, there’s lots of evidence on 30g of fibre and better results with immunotherapy. Don’t do it all at once though😬 build it up slowly.
Up your variety of colourful fruit and veg and add in a fermented food, there’s lots of new research on the microbiome and can treatments. You can make a big difference in only a few weeks.
Do a walk every day and some light exercises, this will help with all treatment, chemo, immunotherapy or surgery.
And definitely speak to your gp about anxiety meds.
Take care xx

Hi, been through this myself. MacMillan offers a lot of fora to speak to others and also individual counselling which I found very helpful.

I was already on citalopram before I was diagnosed and I think it has helped. I’m having surgery first so even if I have to stop it for chemo, I’m still getting the benefit of it in the meantime.

I’ve also cut out alcohol, lost a bit of weight and am trying to do some exercise every day and that has all helped a lot. I feel physically better and also feel like I’m doing something positive to help me get through treatment and reduce my chances of recurrence, which boosts my mood. I’m nearly eight weeks post-diagnosis now and feel so much better than I did in those first few weeks.