Doctor referral - chemo brain and PTSD

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SKRinVA
SKRinVA Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Hi All:  I am writing to ask if anyone knows a good doctor/psychiatrist in the Richmond, VA area - or in Northern Virginia or the District of Columbia - who is experienced with "chemo brain" and PTSD treatment? Or anywhere, really, I would travel to get to the right help.    Thanks!

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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited April 2010
    I can't give you a name but you might look for a neuropsychologist experienced in this area to get proper evaluation of chemo brain.   Your oncologist may be able to give you some names? and at the least may be able to give you a physical evaluation to rule out other causes of any symptoms you're having. .  There's some good discussion about chemo brain in this web site, a long Q&A section that I found helpful.  Good luck!
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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited April 2010

    SKR - Does your insurance company pay for mental issues?  If so, I would start with them first and get a list of doctors in your area and actually call them.  My therapist is a survivor, she had a double masectomy but no chemo, however, she knows all about chemo brain.  Most psychiatrists have a full understanding of PTSD - something of which I have myself, along with chemo brain, along with sensory overload issues which is what it took to actually get me to a therapist. 

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited April 2010

    american Cancer society keeps a list of docs for cancer folks.  If you go to their website, they have a form, you fill it out and they will get back to you within 48 hours or sooner.  They only refer to docs that have experience with cancer.  it makes all the difference in the world

    good luck

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited April 2010

    SKR ~ If you haven't already, you might check with the NCI-designated facility in your area:

    http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/map-cancer-centers.html

    Comprehensive cancer centers with this prestigious designation usually have a full complement of cancer-related programs and services, including docs who are knowledgeable about chemo brain and experienced in treating PTSD.  They may also have support groups that include these topics in their dialogues.  

    Good luck ~   Deanna    

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited April 2010

    A neuropsycholgoist is a good idea.  I'll do some checking in the Richmond area and let you know what I come up with.

    Hugs,

    Bren

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  • SKRinVA
    SKRinVA Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2010

    Thank you all for the ideas. I was tested by a neuropsychologist about a year ago, and that is where I finally got my diagnosis.  Before that, I simply thought I was losing my mind, and I think most doctors wrote me off as just menopausal (chemo-induced menopause at age 49). Trying to find follow up treatment has been difficult, which is why I was asking for suggestions.  I am looking at all the sources you all wrote about and will let you know when/if I find someone.

        BTW, I had not heard the term "sensory overload" before, and that does describe what happens to me sometimes.  I often get confused when too much is going on, or if anything stressful happens.  That is not like the previous me - I was known to be calm and steady, and the go-to person in any crisis.  I may not get back to that place again, but would like to be able to function somewhat normally again.

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited April 2010

    I hear you, SKR!  I only have LCIS, but it was after that diagnosis that I was afraid I was losing my mind too!  I have never had chemo, so your needs are probably different than mine, but I see a family therapist.  In the past I have seen a cognitive psychologist to help learn biofeedback. 

    My advice: no matter what their credentials, if you don't 'click' with a person, then try another person.  If you end up 'fighting' with your therapist, consider switching. What may be the perfect therapist for me may be the worst therapist for you.  Unfortunately, I did not follow this advice for several decades, and went to a therapist who did not deal with my trauma.   I would not recommend that path.  There are different treatment choices, and different paths to take.  I would advise to choose the one that fits you.

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  • SKRinVA
    SKRinVA Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2010

    Thanks, Leaf, that is excellent advice.  I was going to a counselor last year that my psychiatrist liked to use, and she was of no help to me at all.  That was depressing in itself, and made me tired and frustrated when I never felt better after talking to her.  I liked the psychiatrist, but felt it was time to try another approach, so that is why I was looking for referrals. 

      I got on the American Psychosocial Oncology Association website (thank heavens for Google!), emailed them, and they referred me to a doctor here in Richmond, at Virginia Commonwealth University, who specializes in medically related psychiatric conditions.  Besides the lingering "chemo brain" issues, I am hypothyroid (take thyroid hormone for that) and I think the thyroid part exacerbates everything else.  I told my endocrinologist for years that I thought my treatment for low thyroid function was not very effective, and he blew that off all the time.  I finally found a doctor who would listen and she tested me for iodine absorption, and found that I was iodine deficient. 

       I have noted everyone's advice above, and will keep looking if this one lead doesn't pan out.  I'll let you know how it goes, and again thank you to everyone who responded.

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited April 2010

    SKR - The term "sensory overload" - I think I just made that one up being that I have chemo fog myself and can't always find the words I want to use but it is a good term and that one just seems to work.  I do fine until I have 5 people or whatever come to me, someone wanting something from me when I am really focused on something else.  I used to be able to multi-task like crazy and actually enjoyed it.  That is why my career path was a commercial construction project manager.  I would be on job sites with 30 plus males and just stand there and have to give answers one after another to all of the different trades and I kept my cool the entire time.  Now I can't even handle more than two things coming at me at the same time.  I get nervous and start obsessing over stupid things like where in the heck did I put my glasses.  I wouldn't have lost my glasses if someone hadn't interrupted me to begin with and on and on and on and I get very frustrated.

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