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Anxiety
Hi everyone
I’m asking for help and advice, or even other’s experiences of the anxiety that goes with this territory. I had T2/G3 with CIS dx’d in June 2006, neobladder July 2006. Have had my one year clear CT scan and am approaching the 18 month mark. Just blood tests now until an ultrasound in February.
My major problem is continual anxiety. Every ache and pain, every twinge and flutter has me worried again. I am doing my best to move on from here, I know this isn’t doing me any good, but my sources of reassurance seem fairly light. I see a different doctor every hosptital appointment and whenever I raise the question of what to expect next they seem just to offer facts.
I feel quite isolated and worried most of the time, I just would like to feel more positive – I take myself and my dogs off for a long walk every day and am redecorating the house, but even keeping busy doesn’t stop the niggles and hobgoblins!
Anyone else feel like this or am I certifiable??
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22 Replies
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That is SO right. I called Doran’s psychiatrist a couple of weeks ago when he was having problems, and he upped him to 60 if he needed it.
Celexa is pretty good stuff. You do need to slowly build up, but once you’re on it, you keep getting better, even after a few years.
Gotta go change a bandage.
Stephany in Iowa (whiter than white…have a funny joke about that, later)
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Melodie,
No problem, I take 20 miligram, and this summer I called my psychiatrist about my situation with Gene, it scared me that I may have a problem although I hadn’t yet, he moved me up to 40 a day if needed, I see him once a year and he trusts me to do what I say I will do. I called just after his diagnosis. I stuck at the 20 and had the 40 if I felt necessary. Never feel bad about talking about it. It certainly brought me back to being me!!!!!
Ginger Beane -
Celexa, .20 is just what my new family doctor prescribed for me…although I was told to cut the pill in half for the first two weeks…was reluctant to take it but sounds like it is effective…my anxiety mostly is about wanting to return to my job and not knowing when I will be ready and how I will adapt…maybe it is just what I need to get me over that hump. Thanks Ginger & Stephany for sharing. Melodie
Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. WrightWow Stephany,,are you white,,just kidding, actually there were 2 when I WAS BORN BUT MY PARENTS SAID THE ONE DIDN’T DEVELOP, YES THERE WERE TWINS, I have 2 older brothers who are identical twins. and we have been brought together by celexa,, we are long lost relatives, yes Celexa is what worked for me, and I see Pat had Xanex in the mix as well. Yes, for one who hates to take medication I didn’t listen to anyone but my psychiatrist, and he was right, and I was better for it…isn’t it amazing, I had a thorough medical check up before my internist sent me on, and he sent me to the right place, seems we are closer on this form then we knew….Ginger
Okay, Ginger. Now this is getting spooky…..guess what medication I have been on for the past several years, and think is great? Celexa!!!.
Maybe we are long-lost twins or something. Celexa has changed my life, and I cope with the things like cancer much better than I would have before.
Wow. The things you learn.
Stephany in Iowa
Stepany, I still fly, I refuse to let the disorder get the best of me. I tAKE THE SAME DOSE YOU HAVE .05,, its just enough to calm you down, 4 hours to Arizona or Vegas can be petrifying if you have a turbulent flight, and I seem to get them on a regular basis…, got the call my dad wouldn’t make it through the nite, as if that wasn’t enough I had to fly, I prayed and prayed I would have a smooth ride, but I had to be there. It was bumpy, of course.!!
GingerWell he’re it goes, I had all those body symptoms, I was sure I had a dreadful disease, why else would I feel so miserable, I was at a high school basketball game, my daughter was a cheerleader, I would get a feeling of panic and run out of the building, this happened many times a DAY..people didn’t talk about this stuff then, that made me even worse. but I prevailed, accepted the help, my own mother said I was being ridiculous and it seems she had it as well, I found out after she died. Its important to know that I was never a intravert, thus making this strange for my personality to take a dive. I had to explore every nook and cranny of my past and my marriage in order to go on to med”s , which did the trick and I will never go off them. I had not one panic attack during this bladder cancer ordeal with Gene, or thru the death of my dad. There is help for anxiety, it could be an easy fix and not so extreme as you read here. Ginger Beane
There’s a great book..and an old book..by David Sheehan called “The Anxiety Disease”…it pretty much distinquishes physiological from phychological symptoms..I actually had panic attacks which were quite disabling about l5 yrs ago..true panic attacks never happen when you’re under stress…they happen driving in the car..in the grocery….its overwhelming to feel like your body has taken over you. My husbands cardiologist at the time was quite reknown for his research and also head of cardiology at University Hospital…he checked me out and found i had mitral valve prolapse…he said 85% of the people that have that also get panic attacts…people with mitral valve prolapse seem to have more adrenalin in their bodies and causes the neuro-transmitters to mis-fire creating panic. He also said the number is probably l00% because the men generally won’t admit to it. And also that its pretty much inherited so someone in your family has it and liklihood that some of your children will have it. Anyway…there’s a very simple solution that Sheehan describes in the book and it works. I underwent the therapy under the supervision of my internist. A psychiatrist banks on your coming back and will try to find skeletons in your closet that are not there..honestly that was a nightmare in itself for me. I found the book and actually talked to Dr. Sheehan who was at Harvard at the time who was so very helpful. Long story short i’ve never had another one…….one thing that i definately had to cut out was caffeine.
So as Stephany says there is a difference between anxiety over something and anxiety that pops up for no apparent reason at all and takes over your body with all sorts of strange symptoms. Its a good book to read if you’re really suffering. PatSarah,
Stephany and I are on the same page with the anxiety, mine started with worry, then it went on to the extreme, my mind was full of worry, which then triggered the depression, crying,etc. I talked to my own md,,,he said I should be having more sex, and actually offered to help out, then I went to my gyn, he was not helpful either,,but he did examine me. Then I found my present Internist, he nailed it and sent to a very good pshche Dr.,, 6 weeks later on Celexa I was better. I had two children in grade school, it wasn’t me, it was my brain, it was out of kilter, always always remember to see someone is not an embarrassment to anyone,,they are Doctors of the brain, but like bladder cancer you need a good urologist and oncologist, same for the brain. The one thing that made me know I needed help was when I wouldn’t leave the house,, I would panic. This is important, I also had counceling along with the medication, for about 6 months, that helps deal with the
underlying problem. I have been depression free since. But I keep a close watch.
This is just my story on depression, it doesn’t mean it will happen to you, it means reach out if you need to. And this was 25 years ago when doctors weren’t to fond of the Doctors in the brain field…..Ginger Beane
I also want to stress the point that anxiety and depression can be two separate diagnosis, and two separate treatments. You can have anxiety, and be treated, without having depression. And if there is a physical reaction from the anxiety, you may not be able to “talk yourself out of it.” There is NO stigma from having anxiety, or from being treated for it. Think of it as a chronic disease, like arthritis. You can treat it, or endure it, but the right treatment would make a difference.
A psychiatrist who is experienced in medication management would be of help, I think.
Let us know how you are doing.
Stephany in Iowa
Hi, Ginger! I really enjoyed your post about your anxiety. My anxiety is the reason I won’t fly, too! I also take Xanax….carry it with me everywhere, just in case. I take a low dose…one half of a .5mg tab for the small stuff, and a whole one for the dentist.
And wine doesn’t hurt at all!
Stephany in Iowa
Sarah,
Anxiety is real, and panic attacks as well. I had a bout with both several years ago, mine came from some childhood memories I hadn’t dealt with, but I did have to go on med’s, anti-depressants, for a long time, if they help and you find the right one they are very beneficial. I had a tendency to worry all the time and it did become physical as well. Only a good psychiatrist can tell you if you need to be on them..otherwise alot of guessing goes on, so if you can’t deal with it go to a good one. I too panic on planes, I have to take XANEX, a low dose, just enough to get me to Vegas…but I found a glass of wine before boarding does the same. I am not promoting drinking at all, as I am not a drinker so if I have a morning flight its hard to drink wine, it doesn’t make sense to me to drink in the morning, how funny is that. But I did down one glass on my last flight and it worked, at 9 am……so my advice is to see someone if it doesn’t get better!!!!!Ginger
Hello Ginger Beane,
Thanks for your message, I collect my medication pack this Monday for the injection kit. I will update the mens issue section once I have tried it out…
Glad to hear your husband is doing well…take great care of each other.
Chat soon.
Kind Regards
Leigh
Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum
Sarah,
I come from a family of worriers, and have spent far too many hours over the years engaed in worry. I had a panic attack once after boarding a plane to fly across the U.S.to attend my father’s funeral…I begged the airline attendant to open the door and let me off the plane…I was so worried the plane would crash and my young children would be without a mother…I had even taken the time to record all the bed time songs that I sang to them.
Strangly enough I never really worried that I would have cancer. After being diagnosed, I did have periods of anxiety while trying to navigate my way through this experence…and just last week went to my family doctor for an anti-depressant
but haven’t started it yet…altho. I have the meds I may hold back. I took Prozac years ago and then Wellbutrin…but there are usually some side effects…but I won’t know until I try and then I have to weigh the pros and cons. Since you mention prayer, I will tell you that several years ago I learned to pray on this subject and my fears have always been calmed. My surgery was late July…had my first CT scan early November…I didn’t have any anxiety about the results as I feel my life was spared or a reason. Live for today. Really, it is all that any of us has. Hope you can realx. Take care, Melodie
Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright
Sarah,
I wonder if talking to a counselor will help, a psychologist or a social worker. It really depends on finding the right counselor, but they could be great for ongoing discussions, re-enforcing positive thoughts and work through the worries. You don’t sound depressed so, going on anti-depressants is maybe not a good idea. Anti-depressants also have side effects. I am worrier as well and it can be really debilitating.
Take care,
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