Successful treatment for Anxiety from ai's,

Hi Kathy. Just a little confused about your stats. Are you estrogen negative?

Look into Neuro Star TMS therapy. Non invasive, it's a month and a half of therapy with a cap placed over your head. I first heard about it several years ago at the VA hospitals. My insurance started to cover it January of 2017 and got a referral for February of last year but was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and had to put it on hold. I now see commercials on TV for it. You would have to dedicate four to six weeks for treatment. You go every day Monday-Friday and it takes about 45 minutes total. I have heard nothing but good things about it. It uses Trancranial magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of your brain. It is not electric shock treatment. You can drive yourself to and from appointments. The biggest side effect is headaches. As soon as my breast cancer treatments are over I am going to get another referral and do it myself. It looks very promising for depression. I know the government insurances cover it like medicare, tricare etc. Here is the link. Good Luck!

https://neurostar.com

It’s interesting that they haven’t tried switching the Effexor out for either a different SSRI, an SNRI or an SDRI. I’d ask to try that. And if your docs are telling you that none of their other patients with BC take anything for anxiety or depression they’re either lying, clueless or guilty of not treating the anxiety/depression their patients are suffering from and setting themselves up for a lawsuit. It might be time to find a new doc.

Hi LoveLau,

A dx of breast cancer itself can trigger depression and anxiety. I am also a Kaiser patient and when I was first dx'ed I received a referral to a psychiatrist who specialized in cancer patients. I was put on Effexor and it has been effective for me, but of course, it won't work for everyone. I love Kaiser and have been pleased to remain NEAD after almost 7 years at stage IV, however, I think their mental health care is a bit of a weak spot for them (I had a family member who really struggled with depression, anxiety and bulimia). She finally had to go outside of Kaiser and self pay for more intensive tx. As a result, she has done very well for more than 5 years. EMDR was very helpful to her as were twice weekly psych appointments. She didn't do well with group therapy.

See what else Kaiser can offer, but if it's more of the same, consider going outside their system. It may be expensive, but your life is worth it!

Lovelau, if you are feeling worse this weekend, as you are a Kaiser member, look up the number for your local 24/7 Kaiser suicide prevention hotline services and call them now to help tide you over until Monday. If you cannot find it, just look up any suicide hotline in your area, or go to the emergency room at Kaiser, call a cab if you cannot drive, and just go. Your posts about wanting to die and thinkng that would make you happy are disturbing. Maybe if you were hospitalized on inpatient psychiatry it would expedite docs figuring something out for you.

Are you alone? If so, get with people ASAP.

Here is one hotline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

LoveLau,

Mental health is nothing to be embarrassed about, though I know there are still many who find it that way. None of us can know if being admitted to hospital will help, but suicidal ideation is serious. Please seek help and don't worry about what others will think, put yourself first. Thinking of you.

Hi LoveLau - I, too, have experienced similar feelings you are describing. It's very frightening. It's so damn hard to escape those feelings. You want relief from this. For the moment try taking 10 long slow deep breaths. Slowly breathe in as hard as you can, then hold that breath for 5 seconds, then slowly let the air out until it's gone. Do this 10 times. It's OK to sit, lay down, or stand while doing this. If you feel a bit better when you're finished with the breaths, try to find a way to get to your nearest Kaiser facility. Some of the facilities have an urgent care section. If not, they will take it from there. They have successfully helped me through tough emotional times. I'm with Kaiser too. It's good to let them know how you're feeling emotionally and that you are frightened. Let them know you are feeling so overwhelmed that death seems like the only way to escape the fear. I wish I could give you a hug and hold your hand through this because I know how afraid you are. If nothing else, stay with us here. Meg

LoveLau, I'm so sorry that you are going through such an awful time. I went through major depression and horrible anxiety last year. It took me months to find a psychiatrist and the right medication. It was much harder than my bc diagnosis and bilateral mastectomy Please reach out for professional help. Finding the antidepressant that will work best for you takes time but it will be worth it. Don't give up. Sending you hugs. Joyce

lovelau, I have heard of women taking a break for like 6 weeks for joint pain. What you are going through seems at least as bad if not worse. Maybe check with MDs and see if maybe they would be okay with you taking a break from the drug just to see if you start to feel better. It can be really hard to motivate exercise. Maybe just try some gentle restorative yoga right from home you don't even have to go anywhere. Get on YouTube and see if you can find some restorative gentle yoga videos to try. Or see if a friend or family member around you would go to the library and maybe check some out for you. Maybe just starting slow.

LoveLau,

I'm sorry about the depression and don't have many answers. But, I can validate what you are going through. I'm struggling as well with depression. The people telling you to just exercise, or minimizing your pain don't understand how debilitating depression can feel. If you are uncomfortable going to a hospital, I suggest talking with a therapist or a psychiatrist and attending group Breast Cancer support therapy for BC survivors. Ask around for resources. Did I read correctly your Dr said no other BC patients had depression? Seriously?!

Depression hits many of us. Your hormones, body, hair, skin, strength and life is changing. It’s loss. You've realized you are mortal. It isn't wrong or bad to be depressed. It's how you feel. I'm achy, bitchy and fatigued. I want you to know you are not alone. Your statement saying you want to live, are asking for help show you are doing the right things. You don't want to live in pain. Be kind to yourself and keep looking for help. It may take time

I held up fairly well through surgery followed by chemo, then radiation. Shortly after completing radiation last fall I began spiraling downhill rapidly. Sever depression and anxiety. Couldn’t eat and became hydrated. I ended up being hospitalized in February for an infection resulting in my implant having to be removed and then spent several days in psychiatric care. I was on Anastrazole at the time and now believe this contributed greatly to the problem. Was put on Mirtazapine which has helped. After the joint pain from Anastrazole became unbearable two months ago, I took a short break and switched to exemestane. Lasted a month and I’m now taking a break due to anxiety and pain. I’ve read on this site that some have been successfully prescribed Cymbalta for pain and anxiety from these drugs. I’m going to talk with my oncologist about it. I feel for you! It’s not easy

I'm glad people are open about their severe anxiety & depression that breast cancer patients undergo. I was diagnosed June of this year, surgery in July, radiation in September & thought that I was done with the worst part. But soon discovered after taking that Anastrozole for the past 6 weeks Im in a constant stage of PMS! Depressed, anxiety, mood swings, crying & extremely sad, aches & pains & bad dental problems since I've been on it. I do have some periodontal pockets at my age of 63, but my teeth haven't ever got infections in them until now. I can't imagine staying on this medication for 5-7 years! My oncologist also wants me to have that injection every 6 months for osteoporosis that can cause osteostenosis if i get any teeth extracted! Anyone know if those cancer hormones cause dental problems

Badluck...so sorry you are going through this. Yes anti hormone therapy has been known to cause dental problems. Good luck and keep us posted.