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Oh boy, we are in the exact same boat. I’m newly diagnosed, have dense breasts, and my anxiety level is through the roof. I had a stereotactic biopsy too and had the hardest time keeping still. The radiologist suggested I get a prescription for Xanax (or something like that) for the next one I have to have. So I’m hoping that’ll help.
It’s the unknowns and not knowing what to expect that’s been so hard on me. I wish I didn’t have such a vivid imagination, because I’m imagining that everything is going to be horrible. I will say, that so far, the doctors and nurses have been so great, and that has been comforting. Unfortunately they’re not available to talk me down from the 2:00 am panic attacks. Anyone know how to get through those?
Replies to "Oh boy, we are in the exact same boat. I’m newly diagnosed, have dense breasts, and..."
I cried frequently in the beginning after my triple negative BC diagnosis. I did get the prescription for Xanax even though I’ve never needed anti anxiety medication in the past. If I cried, I took one (low dosage). I was still easily able to manage my day and it did work for me. The benefit is you only take when needed-there’s not a loading period.
I’m also on board with other methods, but you mentioned Xanax so I thought I’d weigh in.
Best wishes,
Cindy
You have gotten some good response here. I'm sorry you are suffering from these. What I do is prepare for sleep in a positive way. I usually do some light stretching or very gentle dance movement for a few minutes. I write in my journal, just getting all my fears and worries down on paper (rather than in my head). I do some meditation, or focus on good things about the day, and maybe think ahead to what I can enjoy the next day. This isn't 100% but it has helped a lot over the years. When I first got my cancer diagnosis I did well by daylight--had activities, support, good habits. But night can be quite another matter! Maybe try a thing or two and get back to us? I take a beta-blocker if anxiety gets really bad, and it works well. I do think the start of breast cancer can absolutely be the hardest, as much is unknown. I'm guessing you'll start to do better as you get further along.
I think the waiting is the worse. I, too, am newly diagnosed. I had to wait about three weeks to see the team. Those three weeks were bad and this is my 5th cancer! I finally figured out the other 4 times I was working so I had something to occupy my mind. Now I’m waiting on surgery. If you meditate it can really help as well as deep breathing. Thinking of you
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I am quite prone to those, I don’t know if my tricks will work for you but here goes.
Firstly, I get out of bed and make a warm cup of sleepy time tea. Then I remind myself that I have a 30 minute time slot reserved for worry, this allows to trick my brain into setting it aside until that time slot.
Also because I also worry that if I don’t get back to sleep, I will be exhausted all day, I remind myself that I can take a nap if I need to and that usually allows me to relax and get back to sleep.
If I lay in bed, and fight it, I will still be awake when my alarm goes off.
Have you had ways to deal with these late night panics in the past?