What treatment are you getting from psychiatrist. Does it work?

Anonymous

What treatment are you getting from psychiatrist. Does it work?

LoveLau

there must be survivors out there like me. Who were very down and turned it around. So far I have not been able to do so. I believe I can but can't figure out how. If any of you have been successful please share with me. I am almost 70, one therapist said to me " at you age, you should have figured this all out by now". One year.later I have not. Taking Effexor for hot flashes, mirtazapine for sleep (wake up at 3am) taking ativan at that time. I want to do this on my own, not need drugs except the ai which I think Is causing it. Is there any group or something that can help. I tried university classes, support groups, travel exercise prayer, meditation. I can't figure out a way to get over it. The psyc said if I stay on the drugs for 1 year I can get off them, but the drugs I am on are not helping me. I have the constant fear and worry.

I know it will be in the back of our minds but this is in the front of mine.

Please help if you were able to get over it.

Thank You

TizzyLish

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is very hard. I had trouble managing the fear for quite a while after treatment and, to be honest, still do from time to time. What helped me was seeing a therapist who deals specifically with anxiety disorders, and particularly health anxiety. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder that was brought on by the trauma of my diagnosis. I saw my therapist every two weeks for four or five months. He specializes in CBT - cognitive behavior therapy. It's basically teaching your brain to react differently to the circumstances and scenarios that trigger the heightened fear response. I was honestly in complete despair when I first went to see him. The fear was overwhelming my entire life. I am still afraid from time to time, but the fear doesn't rule me any more. It helped so much. I feel like a different person. That's my advice for you - find someone who specializes in CBT.

Good luck to you. HUGS.

mustlovepoodles

At your age you should have figured this all out? Seriously? Who says that to a cancer patient?!

Lots of us here have struggled with depression and anxiety. I have bipolar disorder, so I've been taking meds a long time. Cancer made everything worse. Thankfully, my psychiatrist recognized PTSD when she saw it in me. She added Lexapro to my usual drug combo for 7 months and it helped a whole lot.

I used to worry about taking meds. Like it marked me as being weak. A big weenie. So, every now and then I'd try to stop the meds. Every time it ended with me feeling even more anxious and depressed. At this point in my life, age 61, I am realizing that I will always take meds for my mental health. Oddly, i don't feel depressed by that. I feel weirdly comforted.

My suggestion is that you see a new psychiatrist to re-address your depression, anxiety, and insomnia. And be kind to yourself

Snickersmom

LoveLau - I agree - nobody should tell you that you should have this all figured out! People can say the most insensitive things at times! In the past week, I've had 2 people (one a "good" friend who is not a survivor, and one who is a survivor) tell me that I am really lucky because I didn't have to go through chemo and radiation. When I pointed out that no, I didn't have to deal with them but I did have a double amputation of two very important parts of a woman's body. I don't think either of them really got it. I guess I just need to let it go, but it sure irks me. It's one thing if I say I think I was lucky, but I don't like others telling me how I should feel. Especially when they have no clue at all.

So back to your feelings. My BMX was last May (2017) and sometimes i don't feel like I am making headway. I thought by now I would have been able to move forward and get over it. I tried two different support groups but that didn't work for me. I have a very good friend from church that I dump on, but I really hate to do that too often. My husband has been very supportive, but there's really only just so much he can say to try to make me feel better. He has often said he wishes there was something he could say.

As it turns out, we had a great cruise to Alaska all planned in May to celebrate my 70th birthday. But then I was diagnosed and had surgery instead. I kept saying that I got breast cancer for my birthday but have recently realized that I've been wrong. Instead, I got life for my birthday. It hasn't made me feel much better but I'm trying.

BCO has really helped me. It has made me feel so much better to know that there are so many thousands of others who feel the same way I do and can identify with pretty much everything I say. They have all been a tremendous support. My primary doctor has offered to give me a referral for counseling, and I have decided that's what I need to do. I've been able to get a handle on the insomnia by taking 3mg of Melatonin at night. I never have problems falling asleep but then I would wake up a couple of times during the night and lay awake for hours. The Melatonin has helped that. Thankfully, I don't get very many hot flashes and night sweats from the Arimidex, but I have this awful big stomach that I never had before. And I still weigh the same so I can't figure out how I got it. I'm trying to exercise and walk but it's really hard to get disciplined and just do it. I also take Sertraline (Zoloft) for anxiety and that has helped a lot. At first, I was on Xanax but then my primary switched me to Zoloft because it's not as addictive.

I am having scar revision surgery in February and am scared to death of that. I keep thinking maybe they will find more cancer. Or maybe opening me up again will somehow introduce more cancer cells into my body. Or maybe i won't wake up.

So the bottom line is - no, you are definitely NOT alone! Please keep trying to find someone who can help you. I know we both can do this. And keep us posted

wrenn

I will be 71 in a month and sure haven't figured things out. I have tried medications in the past but except for the occasional ativan if I am having an unusually anxious time or needing a scan I avoid medications because of side effects.

I did find Mindfulness helpful. I took an 8 week course at the cancer agency but you can find podcasts or videos to help get into the practice. I also belong to a group of cancer people and we have meditation once a week (I find it hard to do it on my own but love it in the group).

If I keep up with listening to mindfulness podcasts (Tara Brach or Jon Kabat Zinn are favourites) I do ok. I still have fears of recurrence but am not as bad these days or I get over it faster.

You can also find books or youtube videos about CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) as mentioned above.

Be compassionate with yourself.

Jackster51

Oh I just wrote a long reply and my cat walked across key board and deleted it! UGH.. Hang in there LoveLau.... You are where you are and don't beat yourself up for that. I'm 6 years out and still struggle on many fronts. One day at a time my sister!

LoveLau

Thank You, prayers to you and all of us.