PTSD?

Wendy - PTSD can definitely be a major, long standing SE for some people after a BC dx.  I have both the 'numb to emotion' kind and the 'super sensitive' kind of reactions from time to time. Sometimes I get really sad inside and become quite introverted - don't want to do anything or see anyone for a few days if I had the choice - and at other times I get panicky or there are tears for no good reason eg the other day I was listening to my DD rehearse her songs for her university audition and the tears just started to flow - no idea why as I had heard them many times before and not had the same reaction.  I am sorry I can't help with predicting or avoiding these sorts of situations though because like you, they just seem to happen randomly when I am least expecting them. A BC dx puts us on an emotional roller coaster - one many of us will never get off or if we do it will be a long time before we do.  You are not alone in this.

Sending you calm and caring thoughts

Rae

PTSD can be a problem for some people even BEFORE bc diagnosis. After I got diagnosed with LCIS (and a tough needle localization), I started cringing for usually unknown reasons, several times a day.  I certainly cringed whenever a doctor entered the room, and even cringed (and acted like I had trouble breathing) when a guard at work called out to me, 'Have a great shift!'  This is very embarassing as I'm a hospital pharmacist, but I usually have very limited contact with docs (since I work at night.)  It felt like a lightening bolt, out of the blue. I had no idea what the trigger was.  I usually tried to pretend I was tying my shoe when I cringed.

I felt completely crazy, since of course I knew rationally that the doctor entering the room was 'on my side', but it felt like I had no control over my reaction.

I was diagnosed with 'something like' PTSD by an MFT, probably starting at birth (I was a 6mo 10day preemie -this may explain my breathing symptom.)  People who have multiple traumas are more susceptible to PTSD. 

Similar to BarbaraA, my therapist has helped me a lot.  I saw a cognitive  therapy psychologist for a few months to learn some biofeedback.  I certainly didn't appreciate the cognitive therapy psychologist referring to my behavior as 'a bad habit', but biofeedback did help. Talk therapy also has helped. Its not totally gone after 4.5 years, but I now rarely cringe when a doc enters the room.

Hi, Wendy:

I am so sorry you're struggling...I definitely can relate.  Some days are okay, and other days are so hard and anything can set me off.  This morning I read a devotional about a little boy who was badly scarred and didn't know it until he looked in a mirror for the first time. It actually had a good point, but I cried and cried feeling like that little boy with my mutilated chest and swelled up LE arm. 

Some days are just like that.  I'm going to start seeing a oncology social worker in the next couple of weeks.

On the one hand, I feel like I've been through the ringer, and on the other hand, I think = What's your problem?  Lots of people have it way worse than you do.  Quit your whining!!!!

I probably need to see somebody about my multiple personalities. 

You hang in there, Wendy = I'm hanging in, too.

 Suzanne

I have also been diagnosed with PTSD and now depression and anxiety over my grade 0 DCIS and bilateral mast.  I am seeing someone but just am having so many problems coping with the PTSD.  It is putting my life on hold while I obsess over my cancer diagnosis.  I hope my talk therapy and meds help me some. 

Agada

My question is why does it take so long for our DRS. too notice this problem. I have ben feeling like crap for yrs. and not one DR. said anything about this syndrome. Before I had cancer I had depression/anxiety problems. HELLO??????????????  I don't get it. I am struggling to hang on and I feel not one person gives a damn!!!

Hugs,

B

hey B!! i feel very much the same as you. you can see, its the middle of the night, and here i sit (again) i just felt like WHAAAHAPPEN>> when chemo was done, they were done with me. i keep feeling like screaming..i'm still here, its' still cancer, and im still tramautized. i have a social worker, too; but the ladies here give me strength in btween the 2 wks. isee him.. hang in there . i was ok till 2nd surgery; now, ptsd big time,, again..    light and love,    3jaysmom

I am totally with you guys.  I am not one to cry, but sometimes the tears well up at the oddest moments.  Like a month ago when I purchased tickets to our annual trip to the circus.  I remember exactly how I felt last year when I first discovered the lump and didn't yet know what it was...that was the week before the circus came to town. I didn't buy tickets for the circus that year because I couldn't afford them, the first time ever we didn't go to the circus.  I just remember when I found the lump, what if it were breast cancer and I die before the circus came around next year.  That I would have given up that wonderful day with my kids and I would never have that again!  Thankfully, the cancer was not as serious as that, I am alive and doing fine.  But I tell you, when I bought those tickets, I could feel those feelings as if it were happening again!  I am going to go for counseling in the next couple of weeks.  Hopefully they will be able to help me deal with the anxiety I feel.