How many of us have PTSD??

Nobleanna, I think reading through the threads, there are probably a lot of us who have PTSD, as their words describe classic symptoms of it, but may not realize it or be officially diagnosed with this. Many assume that the diagnosis simply means that you are stressed out after a traumatic event.

There are 3 main areas of PTSD. 1. Recurrent re-experiencing of the trauma (through flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories) 2. Avoidance to the point of phobia, of anything that reminds oneself of the trauma, including people, places and experiences, and/or numbing of emotional responsiveness 3. Physical signs of hyperarousal (i.e. disturbed sleep, tendency to be easily startled, etc) which can include hypervigilance (excessive watchfulness) to threat.

What this translates to for us can be things like cancelling follow up appointments to our doctors because this creates great levels of anxiety reliving it. Or it could be hypervigilance, with things like thinking a freckle is the beginning of melanoma, or every pain is a sign of mets.

I had a heads up on what was happening to me when I realized that every pink ribbon that I saw during BC awareness month was creating great waves of anxiety in me. I had also cancelled follow up appts. to docs, had intrusive flashbacks, as well as nightmares, with the themes that my life was being threatened.

Being able to even come on these boards has been a huge step in the right direction for me. I don't think I would be able to if my anxiety was not being medically treated.

Nobleanna, I am sorry to hear about the lack of support you feel from your husband. Dealing with cancer can bring out the best in our loved ones. Unfortunately, more often than admitted, it can sometimes bring out less than honorable behavior in our spouses. It is such a letdown, and is crushing. I hope that your marriage can survive this, and there is restoration.

Many blessings.

I just can't seem to handle anything if it isn't positive.  Or maybe I can handle one or two "downers" in life but there is this invisible line that if crossed I am crushed.  After this last time that the line was crossed I didn't want to go back home after a night at the movies.  All of a sudden I was nauseated.  I just couldn't face life.  When I got home all I wanted to do was get a bath and go to bed.  I'm really liking the bed more lately.  For months now I have been extra jumpy at any noises and now I'm imagining the phone ringing (I don't even know why as not every phone call is bad).  I wonder how much of this is because of the non-hormones.

Nobleanna,

I am so sorry! I don't know what is wrong with some men. My husband has been really horrible too. I have had horrible panic attacks with the chemo and he yells and screams and cusses at me while I'm in the middle of my attacks. He has told me that I'm crazy and that he is suffering just as much as I am. He has refused to take me to the hospital while I'm vomitting and having diarreah at the same time. He told me I would go to the hospital when HE thought I should go to the hospital. I really think he has been more upset about how this whole thing has affected him than what it means for me. I have two boys I have to take care of not to mention getting through this. He thinks if he vaccums one time he deserves a medal and he has just completely supported me through that one act! 

Oh and maybe this sounds selfish..but you are going to need all the money you can over the years for your treatments etc. At least get your fair share even if that means he has to sell his house.

PTSD - YES...and treating for it.  I never quite recovered from the breakup of my marriage in March of 1998 then ob-gyn confirmed the lump I found in November of 1998 - went through that ordeal and the divorce at the same time, my dad died in the middle of my chemo, I relocated back to my home state and got life started again then my significant other was killed in a car crash in 2006 on February 18th and most recently, just when I was thinking about dating again - dx'd with mets in 09/2009 - oh yes, most definately PTSD and doing pretty will now that I am on the proper medication and under the care of psychiatrist that specializes in bc mets patients. 

The life things, I could have handled.  The cancer things I could have handled.  But the two combined - gimme the meds and let me have control back in my life!

I have had PTSD 3 times in my life, for different reasons. The last time it happened, when I realized that we got my cancer out in the nick of time before it could jump to my nodes, I had the proverbally PTSD nervous breakdown. First 3 days, completely numb. Then, waves of panic, over and over. Couldn't leave the house---actually had to force myself to pick up the phone, call my friend Fritzi, and begged her to come to my house because I was afraid to get in the shower. Couldn't breathe, or cry. Long story short, cancer gives you PTSD for a long time. You are normal. I take 15 mg of buspar for anxiety along with lexapro, and it works for me.  For those of you who had marriages end due to cancer, you will find someone again, you will. This time, it will be easy to weed out the assholes. There ARE men out there who are willing to love you, scars and all.

I have it, bad. During my treatment I had a lot of hopes raised and then dashed, poor and un-compassionate treatment at a hospital, and unpleasant surprises. About 9 months after treatment ended, I started breaking down.

I'm on anti-anxiety meds now, and and seeing a therapist and going to try EMDR therapy soon.

I am new here, so I thought I would start here.  I have it all.  But, recently have had a terrible backup, BC, and a add dose of Femara, I feel like a trainreck getting ready to happen.   My Doc put me on prozak,  It helped a little, but I felt very flat.  Not happy, not sad, just flat.  So I stopped after one month.  I'm very anti drug.  So I started reading my Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements.   I went on SAMe,  High potency Vitamins, C, B complex, Folic Acid, Calcium +D, Inositol, selenium.   I like it.  I do have trouble sleeping so I may add some melatonin.

 I hate Femara.  I don't want to take it any more,  is there a thread for that.  I want to go as natural as possible.  I am also changing my diet.  NO SOY.  Ha Ha  go luck find stuff with out it.  

PTSD and depression suck and I have had anxiety attacks since I was about 8.  I was always told I was being stupid.    I fight it everyday. I do take Klonopin for that.  But I have been good and have not acted out on the things I could do to get back at those that have done me wrong, really wrong.  But the thoughts are still there.  SAMe plus the other stuff help,  exercise,  good diet.  Many of us have an addition problem too.   All I can say is look for alternatives instead of pharmesuiticals. <<can't spell that.   There has to be a better way. 

Did a search on PTSD this morning and lucky me! I'm not alone and not even crazy. In fact I think any other response to the shock and trauma of a breast cancer dx might be unrealistic. I just went for my first mammogram post dx last week. Going back to that same room, to the table where I had the ultrasound and the biopsy made me actually feel sick. Was hard to breathe there. I kept thinking that I'd likely not return to the scene of a plane crash, how was this any different? Since then, though thank heavens everything is ok with my remaining breast, I've been a wreck. A bundle of psychosomatic symptoms, pick one, I've got it. Back ache, neck ache, frequent urination, insomnia, nausea, irritability, can't concentrate, etc. Wake up in the middle of the night with terrible anxiety that every little thing is cancer (what else causes frequent urination? Why some horrid urinary tumor, of course!) I've been seeing a lovely therapist but I think it may be time for hardcore drugs. I hate the idea of taking more meds and worry about them making tamoxifen less effective. (I actually realize the sorry state I'm in...that even the thought of anti anxiety drugs make me anxious. Kind of funny...) people say this gets better with time and I imagine they're right, but I feel like I'm just now absorbing what really happened last summer. Til now I was dealing with the medical aspects. Now I've started to look into reconstruction options and I'm a wreck. Interesting that it's hitting now. Thanks for starting this thread. Sorry you've all been through this but I selfishly am glad to have you.

ladies.  i finished my chemo in november and had two surgeries in a month,  now i am doing radiation.  lately, i have found myself in a very bad place mentally.  i can't stop crying and everything that goes wrong, i think is my cancer returning.  since the surgery i have had trouble peeing.   i had a spinal mri and it was normal.  the bladder is slowly getting back to normal.  the urologist said it was due to the two surgeries and all the meds i have been on. i am going to see a counsillor on thursxday.  my husband yells at me, everytime i cry.  i should be happy, because the diagnosis after the surgeries was excellent, but i still get my mind around moving on!  please can anyone give me some advise?

jackie

Moving on is really difficult.  I read somewhere that it takes an average of two years before we can reach the point where we stop thinking of breast cancer every day, and move on with our  lives.  Does it just happen?  Do I need to do something?  I'm less than a year out from diagnosis and treatment.  Am I just expecting too much?  I was told my prognosis was good, so why am I obsessing about this?  Maybe it's just such a traumatic experience to hear the words "You have breast cancer" that the ability to deal with it comes in small pieces over time.  I take a Xanax once in a while for sleep.  Since I'm here at 5AM, guess it doesn't always work.

rackie, how are you doing?

Merilee, so sorry for the loss of your brother. 

It's possible I may be suffering from PTSD.  I was diagnosed in Jan. of this year.  I went the first six months of being emotional but able to hold it together.  I was very busy with work and son finishing his senior year in high school.  After his graduation party in June, I just seemed to fall apart. All of a sudden I had so much anxiety.  I'm 53 yrs old and went into menopause when chemo began in Feb.  

My 49 yr old brother had emergency heart surgery with complications.  That added to my stress.  Plus getting my son ready for college (and myself emotionally prepared for the transition as well). And dealing with the canser treatments.  I work as an aide in school, so I've been off work all summer and maybe have too much time on my hands to think.

I did start to realize my appts with the doctors heightened my anxiety.  It takes me a long time to deal with the anxiety afterwards.  I've begun the process of looking for a doctor to prescribe some meds, I've tried prozac, zoloft (both made me more anxious) and remefor (makes me lethargic) all prescribed by the onc.  I think I need a psychiatrist to help me find the right meds.   I'd just like to feel calm enough to function well throughout the day.

yes PTSD under treatment

at 48 my periods started doing weird things. pretty much everyone i know at my job is on somekind of antianxiety med. i wanted to get something because i know how it helped me when my father was dying. i asked my female obgyn if she subscribed to prescribing anti-depressants. she replied that what i do. she originally prescribed pristiq, my ins would not cover, we then went to effexor and i get the generic. i started out with 75ml, then at 6mos i went up to 150ml. six mos later i find out i have cancer and i looked at an old photo of my deceased rather and said, "either way it goes, i'll be just fine. its just the loved ones that take it really hard. im a recoverying alcohol and drug addict sober 22 years. what ever the situation i find myself in my 12 step group taught me to pray the serenity prayer. god...or higher power or buddah grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, the courage to change the things can and the wisdom to know the difference. what more can i ask for. this website is our own 12 step program and to my knowledge there really arent any rules, or at least the moderators hasnt called me on any. so we are blessed for this site. keep coming back!!!!!

I think I am too... i am consistantly sabatoging my relationship with an amazing man, who HAS stuck with me through thick and thin. I am hurting him, and myself, i am losing control of all things around me!!! I dont know how im gonna handle ALL THIS