1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Dec 6, 2018

It's extremely difficult to face the fact of recurring cancers. After treatments we try and get away from it all and live our life. Then along comes another CT scan or PET scan and POW, you have to face another cancer. My reaction was developing PTSD.

You can read what I wrote in my blog: https://my20yearscancer.com/blog/
How do we cope? How do we react? What do we do?
How have you all reacted to another cancer? Or the possibility of another one? Has your "already compromised" mental health been able to deal with it? How? Or not?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @merpreb "@padovani- Unfortunately many sleep meds are very addictive. Have you considered taking a long term anti-depressant..." + (show)
@merpreb

@padovani- Unfortunately many sleep meds are very addictive. Have you considered taking a long term anti-depressant during the day? I will last all day into the next when you take your next one. Xanax might be wearing off after 4 hours. Sleep habits are difficult to break. I know when I don't get very steady sleep I'm a mess. Without sleep any other problems are exaggerated.

Good sleep habits are very important: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-tools-tips/healthy-sleep-tips

Has anything happened to set this off? Do you have any other problems that can be causing this? Have you spoken to your doctor about it?

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My biggest problem is probably that I am older and alone. My family and now friends are gone
I am married and my husband is a nice man but very passive and incapable of even the appearance of confrontation or even disagreement. He is unfortunately for me my power of attorney. Anti depressants have never worked except to put me at risk for stroke.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 8, 2018

padovani- I am sorry that you feel so all alone. Have you contacted the American Cancer Society? https://www.cancer.org/
They have a lot of services. Does your state have a legal aid? Perhaps you can get some further assistance to help you feel more secure.
Has your doctor advised you to take more meds at all?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @merpreb "@padovani- Welcome to Mayo Connect! I'm sure that you feel all of these things and I..." + (show)
@merpreb

@padovani- Welcome to Mayo Connect! I'm sure that you feel all of these things and I wish that you didn't have to! My advice for you right now is to take just one day at a time. Do you know what your treatment will be for your liver cancer? Is it a primary or have they biopsied it?
Here is a link that you might find helpful: https://www.verywellhealth.com/lung-cancer-spread-to-the-liver-2249263

I also never thought that a recurrence would happen. I had changed my life around and was "doing all the right things". Someone needs to redefine that saying.
For the time being, until this is under control do you feel like you would want to ask for medicine to help you get your feelings under control? It might help you see thing more clearly I think. Your denial will come and go but your other feelings will take a bit of time. I love the quote, "The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer." I had to look at this on my refrigerator every day so I might slow down.

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@merpreb Hi Merry: Thanks for that quote, "The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer."

I'm going to put that on my refrigerator also!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @padovani "My biggest problem is probably that I am older and alone. My family and now friends..." + (show)
@padovani

My biggest problem is probably that I am older and alone. My family and now friends are gone
I am married and my husband is a nice man but very passive and incapable of even the appearance of confrontation or even disagreement. He is unfortunately for me my power of attorney. Anti depressants have never worked except to put me at risk for stroke.

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I am sorry to hear of your sleep problems, @padovani. Not sleeping well can make everything seem worse, can't it?
I see that you have tried antidepressants without much help and you feel that they have increased your stroke risk. Many members on Connect have discussed Trazodone for sleep. Just a small dose (50 mg or less) can make a difference in sleep. You might ask your doctor about Trazodone.
Have you ever tried Trazodone before for sleep?

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@merpreb Hi Merry: Thanks for that quote, "The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@merpreb Hi Merry: Thanks for that quote, "The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer."

I'm going to put that on my refrigerator also!

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Woohoo.

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padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018

No but my husband ha to give it up because there was hangover that impacted his ability to think clearly and solve technical problems. I am retired but solving mathematical problems is my major pastime. Loss of mental sharpness would be ashiw stopping side effect

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padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018

Plus I.thought trazadone was an antidepressant not an anti-anxiety. I think it bus used for the latterbonly off- label

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odikaflog | @odikaflog | Dec 8, 2018

Trazadone is an atypical anti-depressant that is great for people suffering insomnia but not from depression. 50mg at bedtime should do the trick.

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padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @odikaflog "Trazadone is an atypical anti-depressant that is great for people suffering insomnia but not from depression...." + (show)
@odikaflog

Trazadone is an atypical anti-depressant that is great for people suffering insomnia but not from depression. 50mg at bedtime should do the trick.

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As I said our experience ga been that it results in an all-day brain fog that results in a compromised ability to do intellectual work. Groggy all day

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cindylb | @cindylb | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @padovani "As I said our experience ga been that it results in an all-day brain fog that..." + (show)
@padovani

As I said our experience ga been that it results in an all-day brain fog that results in a compromised ability to do intellectual work. Groggy all day

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Have you tried Melatonin? I find it works well for me when I can't sleep. It's 'simple' and natural and doesn't give any side effects the next day. It might not be strong enough for you to use if the sleep problem is really serious for you but might be worth a try if you haven't already. Available over the counter.

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