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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 1:44:38
Friday I found out I have a grade 3 breast cancer. My lymph nodes in my neck are inflamed so I fear it's stage IV already, but I won't know til surgery. I had a couple days of panic and lots of hysterical sobbing. Then I have days of calm. I asked for an anti-anxiety med, got lorazepam because that was the last thing I took way long years ago so it was all I knew to ask for. The 1 mg knocked me out, so today I tried 0.5 mg. It was better but I'm not sure it's something I could take if I'm going to be out and driving and going to work.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a workday-friendly anti-anxiety med? I don't have a pdoc right now so I'm working with my GP.
Posted by bleauberry on June 18, 2012, at 5:34:38
In reply to Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 1:44:38
There are plant medicines that can do the job in a more tolerable friendly manner.
Try them each one at a time and then after you know how they feel they work best when you combine 2 or 3, and you use them on an as-needed basis instead of a regular plan.
They include Lemon Balm, Skullcap, Passionflower, Valerian Root. Sometimes some extra magnesium is all it takes, or a soak in an epsom salts bath to absorb the magnesium that way.
On the topic of herbs you might want to do some searching on the topic of cancer because some of them, including many of the lyme herbs I am familiar with, have significant activity at preventing, suppressing, and even reversing the growth of cancers. Any herbs you take can be combined with whatever meds you take. Your doctor may or may not support it, some do some don't, depending on their knowledge. They aren't likely to endorse something, no matter how good it is, if they don't know anything about it or if there is a sense of lawsuit vulnerability.
If you want to stick with just meds, I dunno, xanax might be a choice since it has a shorter half life, but you are going to get some sedation with any of them. It is less likely than the others to worsen any depression issues and is sometimes antidepressant for some people.
I am familiar with all the herbs I mentioned and they can indeed do the job. Maybe not the elephant knockout power of chemicals, but then, maybe that's what you don't want anyway? Just need some fast calming of panic anxiety stuff, right? Without clouding up the mind or getting too sleepY? Right? If so, then the herbs are the way to go.
Food can make a real difference in your fight with cancer. At least 3 times a week or more you are going to want to eat red beans, and watermelon. Why? Believe it or not, these foods have stuff that directly causes cancer cells to stop....according to Dr Oz. Other important foods are in the group of broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts. Other than that, switch the diet to mostly veggies and fruits, very little meat (meat is pro-cancer). The veggies and fruits are anticancer. And where ever possible, choose organic. The tiny amounts of chemicals from fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides....these are cancer friends and your enemies. With meats, you don't want the hormones, antibiotics, and unnatural diets the animals are fed. You want free roaming natural fed animals....but again, keep meats to a minimum.
For the swollen lymph nodes there is one plant in particular very specific for that and is used in lyme for that purpose....it stimulates them to help clear out the debris causing the inflammation. For that, order online Red Root tincture.
Without even studying up on cancer and herbs, off the top of my head I would immediately come up with these.....Pau D'Arco tea, Berberine Complex by Integrative Therapeutics, and any brand of Japanese Knotweed. These things by themselves will offer considerable calming without sedation, in addition to the cancer/inflammation stuff.
Posted by gadchik on June 18, 2012, at 7:20:11
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by bleauberry on June 18, 2012, at 5:34:38
So sorry to hear of this,and sending positive thoughts your way.
"Anticancer: A New Way of Life", this is a great book,and has alot of good,solid advice,as well as bleauberry's suggestions.
As for anti-anxiety,I take klonopin(brand),only .5mg at night,and for me,it lasts all day,doesnt make me tired.Some get depressed on it,but I feel happy and less worried on it.
I wish you the best.
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2012, at 9:55:14
In reply to Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 1:44:38
Tabitha so I'm so sorry. What horrible news to hear. No wonder you are anxious. I'd be more than anxious. I'm assuming your GP has referred you to an oncologist. As the oncologist would be the one really to do the staging and testing. And then confer with a chemo and radiation doc and plan a course of treatment for you. Did you find it by feeling the swollen lymph glands in neck? I's assuming you have had a mammogram and biopsies to arrive at a diagnosis of stage III. I've heard there are some good boards for those with breast cancer. If you haven't already might look for one. Since you are working you are a very strong lady. I'd try some xanax also. Please keep us posted on your journey. Phillipa
Posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 10:53:17
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety » Tabitha, posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2012, at 9:55:14
Phillipa I noticed a hard lump in my breast by accident. I just had a breast exam in Feb but had not had my annual mammo yet. I figured it was just perimenopause stuff, but every article online said to call the doctor for a lump, so I did. She sent me for diagnostic mammo and ultrasound. It didn't even show abnormal on the mammo, which is pretty amazing since it's a 3 cm lump. But the ultrasound showed abnormal, they biopsied it and surprise, it's a fast growing cancer. I don't know if it's stage III or not, it's grade 3 which is a different measure. Then the weekend after the diagnosis I found the additional swollen lymph nodes. It's possible I have a slight infection from the biopsy, but there's no fever.
I did find some breast cancer boards already and friends in town have given referrals to others as well.
For the anxiety, thanks all for those tips. I have tried valerian and passion flower in the past and didn't notice much of an effect. I will consider asking for xanax or klonipin. It is a real help to have the edge taken off the fear so I can think straight. I have never been on an anti-anxiety med long term, now the difference I notice from it makes me think I should have been! I had significant fear and anxiety every day even before this happened.
Posted by europerep on June 18, 2012, at 15:03:37
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 10:53:17
If you decide to go with a benzodiazepine, I would suggest to begin with a weak one, such as oxazepam, rather than one of the two strongest ones, i.e. clonazepam (Klonopin) and alprazolam (Xanax). Sure, oxazepam is a "weak" benzo, but it does actually sound like that's what you're looking for. Maybe it's worth a try? You can always move up the ladder to more a more potent benzo.
Posted by Dinah on June 18, 2012, at 15:44:29
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 10:53:17
((( Tabitha )))
While I prefer the action of Risperdal, I do use Klonopin on occasion. A small dose doesn't cause grogginess.
I also find it somewhat helpful to try to limit my range of vision, so to speak. To think of the things immediately in front of me and not down the road too much.
Posted by johnLA on June 18, 2012, at 16:16:27
In reply to Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 1:44:38
dear tabitha-
i am very sorry for your cancer diagnosis.
my sister is going thru chemo therapy right now for breast cancer.
i don't know your psych history, but her doc gave her xanax just to use when she really needs it. she has never been on any psych meds before and has no addiction history. she uses it usually after treatment for a few days.
i myself am on a daily, low-dose klonopin regime. it does help a lot w/anxiety. (i wish i could find something to work as well for my depression.) initially w/the klonopin i was a bit drowsy. i take it mostly at night. at this point i can feel it throughout the day ever so slightly, in a good way. i find coffee (just 1 cup) clears-out any cognitive issues.
i like the idea by europrep to maybe start w/a mild benzo first. see how you feel, and then move-up if need be.
godspeed to you beating the cancer.
john
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2012, at 20:50:40
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 10:53:17
Tabitha thankfully you felt the lump. Right now there are many regimes for cancer of the breast that are working well. Many of real life friends from high school have recently finished up with chemo, radiation. My mammo tech also just finished up with radiation. She didn't need chemo as she said hers required a lumpectomy. I saw the breasts after and she had a doc that pulls extra fat from inside the breast to fill in the hole from lumpectomy. Her breasts appear perfect with only a small scar which will disappear completly. Grade 3 will have to google. I do dread mammograms and good that the ultrasound was also done as some insurances won't pay for them. As for the lymph nodes I'd imagine they will be biopsied as well. Please keep us informed. Right now I imagine your anxiety is sky high. Let it sink in and take a benzo. Still feel xanax since short acting would work well. Phillipa
Posted by sigismund on June 18, 2012, at 21:04:17
In reply to Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 18, 2012, at 1:44:38
You might find this of interest. Around here we have had reason to read it.
Posted by Tabitha on June 19, 2012, at 21:46:42
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by sigismund on June 18, 2012, at 21:04:17
Thanks babblers. I got some xanax and citalopram for the short term from an oncologist. Gonna look at getting a pdoc again if needed. I'm somewhere between Stage II and Stage IV, have an aggressive tumor in breast and abnormal lumps in armpit and neck with biopsies ordered. It's unreal how quickly life can change.
Posted by Phillipa on June 20, 2012, at 0:17:18
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 19, 2012, at 21:46:42
Tabitha yes it is Hope you get some good news. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on June 20, 2012, at 10:50:47
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 19, 2012, at 21:46:42
I suppose it brings a clarity of what's really important in life. A clarity that, heaven knows, no one wishes to need. There are things in life that ought to be so certain that they aren't even in conscious awareness.
It might not hurt to consider options for a pdoc, as a part of a good treatment team. Is there a good support system in place in your part of the country?
Posted by Tabitha on June 20, 2012, at 13:50:12
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety » Tabitha, posted by Dinah on June 20, 2012, at 10:50:47
I will find out more today I think the cancer center will have support resources. The nurse coordinator there is on the ball with calling to check up on me. There is also a national phone support hotline that I have not tried yet. My dear fiance is my primary support so far and he has been incredible. Some say the interval between diagnosis and getting a treatment plan in place is actually the most stressful of all.
I tried a daytime xanax, now trying to evaluate whether I can drive and go pick up medical records. One more coffee may do the trick. The xanax did seem to arrest the panic and nausea.
Posted by gadchik on June 20, 2012, at 14:08:41
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by Tabitha on June 20, 2012, at 13:50:12
Im glad to hear that you have some support and are getting a little relief from xanax. Remeron at night may also help for sleep and with nausea,however,I would try a small piece first to see how it affects you.Xanax may be all you need.You are in my thoughts.
Posted by emmanuel98 on June 20, 2012, at 18:20:15
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by gadchik on June 20, 2012, at 14:08:41
I wish you well and hope your prognosis is good. Xanax worked for me when I had a terrible period of anxiety. I only needed 1/4 to 1/2 mg to knock out that crazy, sick, unreal feeling. Once it started working, I found I didn't need to keep taking it on a daily basis. My body calmed down and my mind went with my body.
Posted by Bryn B on June 29, 2012, at 13:48:05
In reply to Re: Cancer anxiety, posted by emmanuel98 on June 20, 2012, at 18:20:15
so sorry to hear & wishing you well...
just wanted to add on to what was already stated: a meatless diet (or one w/ very few animal products) is extremely healthy for fighting cancer and inflammation. Fruits and veggies are alkaline, as opposed to the acidic quality of meat & animal-based foods. Studies have shown that a non-acidic, high alkaline diet (ie tons of veggies and fruit) lends itself to a cancer free environment (basically high alkalinity fights cancer).
all the best.
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