panic attacks during radiation?

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simmyy
simmyy Member Posts: 1
edited May 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi , has anyone had what I assume are panic attacks during radiotherapy ? My first weird feeling was on day one which really shocked me as I didn't feel nervous but an overwhelming warm sensation started from my lower back up to my neck feeling like I was going to pass out and a bit of motion sickness. I have been doing ok counting in my head since then on day 16 of treatment i had a huge attack where it felt like my chest was being sat on my heart was racing and i couldn't swallow. I have never had anything like this in my life before and I have 12 more treatments to go and feeling very deflated and worried I am losing it.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited May 2016

    Panic attacks are awful things and it wouldn't surprise me if you had one during treatment.....any treatment in fact. That you are still shell-shocked from a cancer diagnosis, tension and fear builds up and releases itself as an panic attack. Take an ativan before you go in next time. You are NOT losing it. That's what makes panic attacks so scary. I've had them all my life.....ugh.....but still they can take me by surprise and you wonder, as all sufferers do, am I going nuts? No you are not. They are very common and if you tell the radiologist he/she might provide the ativan for you. (they use them for people who are terrified of MRIs too). Remember, you are emotionally tender these days. (((HUGS))))

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2016

    I'm sorry the breath-counting exercises failed you. Please DO talk to your RO, the nurse or your technicians. That's what you're paying them the big bucks for!

    Radiation's tough because you have to make that decision to go in, walk through the door, and subject yourself to it day after day after day. I just about lived for weekends and holidays - that God it wasn't 7 days a week.

    I hope you can get a handle on this - dealing with the fear of a panic attach would make it even harder to get through. Take care of yourself and hang in there.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited May 2016

    Bless your heart. I didn't have them but I know people who really struggled with radiation. I didn't finish my 33 treatmentsunscathed but I didn't have the burning and extreme fatigue they had.

    I agree you aren't losing it but do share what is going on with your doctor.

    Diane


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