I need help.

Careninnj

ever since my diagnosis. Double max. Brca2 results. My removal of tubes and ovaries. My anxiety has been really bad. To the point i cant eat. Cant drink. Am physically getting sick. My doctors told me i must seek professional help. I have an appt on thrusday with a social worker from the hospital. But my main problem now is im supposed to start arimidex today. I read the side effects and now my pulsr is racing. My head is pounding and the room is spinning. Im scared to start the meds that could save my life. I need help.

Wised

Carreninnj, I'm so sorry you are struggling with anxiety. If I could, I'd embrace you in a warm hug. I've been where you are right now and it sucks so badly. I want to give you advice to decrease your anxiety, but I don't want to come across as a know it all.

Here's a breathing exercise I do to help me slow down those thoughts:

1. Breathe in slowly and deeply to the count of eight.

2. Hold that breath for the count of eight. (If holding it for that long makes you anxious, hold it as long as you can.)

3. Sloooowly exhale to the count of 10.

There's an app in Google play that actually counts for you when you can't count bc your mind is too busy. It's called CALM.

Spoonie77

CareInnJ --> Like Wised said, I'd gladly hug you and help you get through this tough time. Anxiety is awful.

Though I'm not a doctor, IMO, waiting 2 or 3 days to start your AI will not be a deal breaker. If you feel worried or concerned about it, I would suggest you talk to your team about it, set up an appt, or phone call to see what information would be helpful for you to find out before you start taking it.

I know for me, there were quite a few steps I had to do in order to get to a time when I could physically/medically take Tamoxifen. My team was ok with me waiting for the past 2 months to complete these. I believe this is because, from what they informed me of and what I've read, the effects of RADs continues for weeks after...still killing cancer cells even though it's ended. So, it was "safe" for me to wait for that time period.

Perhaps your team would tell you something similar?

Even though, in the end, I decided I could not and would not take Tamoxifen due to my other chronic health issues, I had to get there on my own. This took time. I had to do my own research and try my very best to transfer over my anti-depressant (to one that did not interfere with it). Having done this I have peace of mind that I did all I could to make this branch of treatment successful but it was not to be.

So, I'm facing the future without this form of treatment, a 35% chance of recurrence, and it's scary. However, I know the other option, Tamoxifen, was not a viable option for me so the fear is livable.

IMO, it's super important to feel confident in whatever treatment you are setting out on and to have the information you need to have peace of mind going forward. I am sure you will be able to get to this point with your team and treatment, in time. For now, just try to take everything one day at a time.

Good luck seeing your Social Worker. Hopefully she/he will be able to help you through this tough time and hook you up with resources and therapy that will lessen your anxiety and answer your quesitons and concerns about your AI.

Will they be able to give you something for your Anxiety? I've been on Clonazepam for a few years, as needed, and sometimes it's the only thing that gets me through a rough day.

I also have a few apps on my phone that help me when my mind races. There is one I really like called SAM https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/self-help-for-anxiety-management/id666767947?mt=8 Maybe you will find it helpful too.

Hugs and healing...

Bostoniangal25

Careninnj, you are in a right place!!! You got through a lot and you are the champion!!!!!❤️❤️❤️I know it’s hard .... but keep pushing forward!

I would hug you as well if I could!!!

Please ask docs to give you atavan it will help your anxiety. Maybe you need more psychologist rather than social worker ? She will go through your fears.?

And when you start your meds please call docs to report all s e so they can change your meds!!!

We are here for you!!

lyzzysmom

So sorry you are suffering like this. I have suffered from anxiety for years and it is incredibly debilitating but of course nobody else can see it. I once had a panic attack and ended up in the ER. For me deep breathing as Wised suggested helps, also listening to relaxation tapes on You Tube through headphones and an eye mask help in sending me to sleep - along with OTC sleep aids. When my brain just races and wont switch off or when I get that gut wrenching feeling I take a low dose lorazepam (Ativan) that my doctor prescribes - not something to take every day but for short periods or really bad days it has been a huge help. Also I often like to do card games or jigsaw puzzles on the computer which for me are a distraction and don't require a lot of effort on those occasions when normal daily tasks seem overwhelming.

I so hope that you are able to find the help you need. If the thought of starting those meds today is freaking you out, then maybe you can plan to start after you have had a chance to speak to the social worker, explain your feelings, and find out what help they have for you. - just another thought (((hugs)))

Wised

Spoonie, can you find a way to take an AI? I can still take an SSRI with my treatment. It'd be great if you could figure out a way to do that too.

Spoonie77

Wised - Thanks for the suggestion. I'm pre meno so IDK. It's on the list of ?s to ask my MO on Fri when I have my 3 month follow-up. Fingers crossed she has an idea for something to try. Otherwise, unless my 2nd opinion in a few weeks has something, I'm going to go the D.I.M. route with exercise, diet, and luck.

KBeee

A couple days will not make a difference, so wait until after you meet with the social worker. If you read the side effects for things such as Tylenol and Advil, they are scary too, but remember that most people never have those side effects. Once you take it, you'll know which side effects you have, if any, and can address them then. I am glad you are seeking help.

PebblesV

careninnj - you have a world of support here. Also I think you can wait even longer than a few days if you need it. I’m waiting about a month after radiation to start the hormone therapy (for me it’s tamoxifen). Reason is because my husband and I are going through an IVF cycle and my MO said it was OK, that it probably wouldn’t effect my treatment outcome to wait a month.

Also he’s letting me start at half dose for a month and work my way up to full dose. There’s someone else on the forums who has done really well with little side effects and she (1) waited a couple months for her body to recover and (2) started at half dose and worked her way up to fill dose, which is where I got the idea. She was kind enough to share with my what’s working.

If you are worried, you can ease your way into this! Or choose alternative methods! The power is in YOUR hands.

Michelle_in_cornland

You can still take Tamoxifen. You do not have to switch....ask your doctor. Your body has been through alot in a short amount of time. Make sure to build in a break for mental, physical and emotional recovery.

CBK

Carinninj

I too am brca2 and you can see in my bio had my ovaries removed to place me in surgical menopause. I’m now on Arimidex. This is a difficult journey that I feel the medical professionals do not adequately prepare you for, so I hear your anxiety loud and clear!! But this is something you can and will get through!! There are many of us that have done it and we are here for you!!

Did you have ovaries removed with your mastectomy or just recently? I recall the hot flashes were super intense post surgery and sleeping was very difficult. I did have a lot of success with acupuncture for hot flashes. I’m addition to the calming effects of the modality.

It’s great you are meeting with the social worker to hopefuly help ease your mind. I found once I cried things out, some of my fears would dissolve and I could move forward again.

Please reach out and let us know how you are doing and if you have any questions ... I’ve been down a similar road ,I’m here.

InnaB2018

Careninnj, I was driving myself crazy with worries about anastrozole as well. In the end, though, I just took a plunge and started taking it last week. What helped me, I feel, is Effexor I am taking for hot flashes, which is a handy dandy antidepressant and acupuncture. As CBK noted, it’s very helpful for menopause symptoms and stress. Ask for 5-day anti-stress balls in your ears, you can shower and go about your life with them while they work their magic.

BTW, I am in NJ as well. If you want, you can pm me and we can meet.

Meow13

I was given paxil with anastrozole and it helped with side effects. It is pretty natural to feel such anxiety. When I was first diagnosed I took lorazepam it helped. It seemed like one day a couple months after diagnosis I found myself not thinking about the cancer, even going a whole day without it being in the front of my mind. Eventually, that terrible anxiety goes almost completely away. I think time going by without bad news of recurrence allows your mind to relax.

Lula73

InnaB- what is a 5 day anti-stress ball you put in your ears? I googled but all that came up were the ones you squeeze with your hands...