A Battle of a Different Type

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Pure
Pure Member Posts: 1,796
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi Guys,

So last two months have been some of the hardest yet for me. Each day I have been suffering through what can only be discribed as mini panic attacks that seem to last 5 of 6 hours a day.I went into my oncologist and she said, of course it was stress & anxiety.

I started therapy and a anti anxiety medicine called Celerix... I am feeling better...The depression and anxiety has lifted. I am not crying everyday, able to leave the house, feeling pretty much the same old me..I HATE being on all the meds but it's amazing how I go DAYS now not thinking about my cancer...Therapy is really helping as well.

Anyway i am still getting this thing with my heart/breathing...Not everyday though. I can go two days and have nothing and then boom I will have a day where my heart feels like it's beating really hard, chest feels slightly tight and I take deep breathes to catch my breathe. The good thing is I am not having it everyday like before but still getting it! I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced this before. Thank you for your help. Blessings!

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited March 2013

    So excited to hear from you Pure as I think of you often...while hoping the meds and therapy were helping you!! So thankful to hear that they are and the pit of darkness is lifting!! Yes, it has been my experience that the symptoms of anxiety gradually leave and not suddenly gone. The heart/breathing thing is the most common symptoms and can appear when you least except it... in my experience. It can be very frightening when it is happening! Keep doing your meds, therapy and exercise and you will see that one day they're even more less and less frequent. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...you're doing great...keep moving forward in your healing while loving on your babies and hubby!!

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited March 2013

    Give the drugs some time to work. You will feel better with the antidepressant It takes time to kick in. And it is ok to be taking the antidepressant. Your body has been through so much and this can really help give yourself permission to work it out. Hugs

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited March 2013

    Thank you both so very much:) xoxo

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited March 2013

    Hey, Pure--this is the nurse in me speaking--have you had your pounding heart and chest tightness evaluated for an abnormal heart rhythm?  Yes, it's probably the waning anxiety, but there can be other reasons for rapid heartbeat and chest tightness.  

    And I don't mean cancer!

    I'm so glad you're beginning to feel better.  This is why God gave us pharmacies.  

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2013

    Pure, I am with Elizabeth. 99% likelihood it is just anxiety and with time and effort you will get it under control, but when I had these symptoms, they did check to make sure I did not have lung damage from the rads or heart damage from the chemo. This meant that I had a heart ultrasound and a lung CT (although a simple X-ray would have been fine, we needed to do CTs anyway).

    Also, I found that taking a small amount of magnesium solved the problem for me. Magnesium deficiency is common after chemo and it can cause symptoms very similar to anxiety (and asthma).

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited March 2013

    Pure,

    You didn't say how long you've been on the medicine, but it can take about six weeks to work. I'm so glad to hear that although you are still having panic attacks, it has gotten better. I love to see pics of you and the kids and I hope that things continue to improve for you.

    Hugs

    Bobbie

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited March 2013

    ((((((((((((((((((Pure))))))))))))))))...glad that you are doing better.....good advice from the other gals....

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited March 2013

    Hi Guys..I have been on the meds for 3 weeks and I have been on the pediatric dose. I am now on the full dose and have been on it for about 3 days.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited March 2013

    Thank you for the feedback. I am wonering too about my heart..I am going to request a heart ultrasound just to be safe.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2013

    Pure, that sounds good. Like I said, chances are your heart is totally fine, but it seems prudent to check. A heart ultrasound is quick, easy and minimally invasive.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited March 2013

    Hi There-I had a EKG today and that was normal..My blood work is normal..I am going to get a Heart ultrsound next week....I am hoping that since the EKG was goo that it is atleast a good sign.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2013

    Pure, that is good news. I am so happy you are getting it checked properly.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2013

    SOOOOO glad you are getting some relief Jenn. It's possible your body is getting used to the new meds and this could be a temporary SE. I've had a long history of palpitations and SVT's (heart rate jumps from resting rate to 130+ and can go on for hours) and just recently began taking Trazadone to help my sleep. I was having a lot of palps and was worried abouth them too but my doc reassured me ot was normal and would go away. I've not noticed many at all lately, and btw, the Trazadone has helped my sleep emmensely! There are withdraw symptoms ( which I found out the hard way by going off cold turkey after worrying about the palps), so anyone thinking about using it be sure NOT to stop abrubtly.

    Get out there Jenn and LIVE, breathe and enjoy the happiness you deserve!

    Love,

    Sharon

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited March 2013

    Just checking in with you Pure and hoping each day the darkness continues to lift and is being replaced with joy and peace!! Hope the heart tests continue to show you how healthy you are...and that you're out doing life with your sweet family!!

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