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.

odikaflog | @odikaflog | Dec 8, 2018

Merry,

Three weeks ago, I learned of a recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in my lungs. It's been 6.5 years since my initial diagnosis of ACC in my parotid gland. When meeting with my ENT to schedule my annual head & neck MRI, suggested I get a CT chest scan so I have a baseline for comparing future scans (ACC almost always metastasizes to the lungs). I was asymptomatic and expected my lungs to be clear but I was wrong.

I'm spending my free-time reviewing clinical trails for ACC and working with my medical oncologist to figure out which trials/drugs make sense for me to pursue. I'm a pragmatist and want to do what I can to improve my odds.I also want to utilize my remaining time on this planet. How to spend my time wisely?I I asked myself that question when I received my first cancer diagnosis but didn't have an answer so read ife-coach book in search of answers. The book was awful. That's when I realized that I had to figure out the answers for myself..

You ask, "How do we cope?" "How do we react?" "What do we do?"

There aren't universal answer that apply to everyone. To answer these questions, you need to replace "We" with "I" and come up with answers that work for you.

REPLY
2 replies
padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @cindylb "Have you tried Melatonin? I find it works well for me when I can't sleep. It's..." + (show)
@cindylb

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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No I am not aware it is an fda quality regulated substance

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padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @odikaflog "Merry, Three weeks ago, I learned of a recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in my..." + (show)
@odikaflog

Merry,

Three weeks ago, I learned of a recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in my lungs. It's been 6.5 years since my initial diagnosis of ACC in my parotid gland. When meeting with my ENT to schedule my annual head & neck MRI, suggested I get a CT chest scan so I have a baseline for comparing future scans (ACC almost always metastasizes to the lungs). I was asymptomatic and expected my lungs to be clear but I was wrong.

I'm spending my free-time reviewing clinical trails for ACC and working with my medical oncologist to figure out which trials/drugs make sense for me to pursue. I'm a pragmatist and want to do what I can to improve my odds.I also want to utilize my remaining time on this planet. How to spend my time wisely?I I asked myself that question when I received my first cancer diagnosis but didn't have an answer so read ife-coach book in search of answers. The book was awful. That's when I realized that I had to figure out the answers for myself..

You ask, "How do we cope?" "How do we react?" "What do we do?"

There aren't universal answer that apply to everyone. To answer these questions, you need to replace "We" with "I" and come up with answers that work for you.

Jump to this post

Exactly. Thank you. You are clearly an intelligent and discerning person facing the future with courage. I wish you the very best and send you positive thoughts and energy

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odikaflog | @odikaflog | Dec 8, 2018

Trazadone is worth a shot. For me, the most valuable combo has been Serqoquel (200 or 300 mg at bedtime) + .2 mg of clonidine. Both drugs are generic, which makes them relatively cheap.

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2 replies
padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @odikaflog "Trazadone is worth a shot. For me, the most valuable combo has been Serqoquel (200 or..." + (show)
@odikaflog

Trazadone is worth a shot. For me, the most valuable combo has been Serqoquel (200 or 300 mg at bedtime) + .2 mg of clonidine. Both drugs are generic, which makes them relatively cheap.

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Did you read my previous replies. I cannot have a fogged brain and do my scientific work. All it is know to cause blood pressure issues ani it is an anridepresantnot an anti anxiety. I know many doctors use it off label but I am not an off label type. Pharmaceutical chemistry in my bacground

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1 reply
padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @odikaflog "Trazadone is worth a shot. For me, the most valuable combo has been Serqoquel (200 or..." + (show)
@odikaflog

Trazadone is worth a shot. For me, the most valuable combo has been Serqoquel (200 or 300 mg at bedtime) + .2 mg of clonidine. Both drugs are generic, which makes them relatively cheap.

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I am sorry but are you a psychiatrist or a pharmacist. I would be happy to review the peer-reviewed data

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @padovani "No but my husband ha to give it up because there was hangover that impacted his..." + (show)
@padovani

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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I understand the "hangover" effect that you speak of, @padovani. Sometimes taking it earlier in the evening can keep that from interfering with your day time thinking, however you know what is best for your mind and your body. So do what you feel is best for you.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @padovani "Did you read my previous replies. I cannot have a fogged brain and do my scientific..." + (show)
@padovani

Did you read my previous replies. I cannot have a fogged brain and do my scientific work. All it is know to cause blood pressure issues ani it is an anridepresantnot an anti anxiety. I know many doctors use it off label but I am not an off label type. Pharmaceutical chemistry in my bacground

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In the Sleep Health group on Connect (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/), several members have shared non-medicinal strategies for better sleep. Here are some discussions I found interesting to read:

- Meditation prior to sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/meditation-prior-to-sleep/
- Insomnia. Nothing seems to help. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/josephene-i-am-having-terrible-insomnia-as-well-nothing-seems-to-help/

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padovani | @padovani | Dec 8, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I understand the "hangover" effect that you speak of, @padovani. Sometimes taking it earlier in the..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I understand the "hangover" effect that you speak of, @padovani. Sometimes taking it earlier in the evening can keep that from interfering with your day time thinking, however you know what is best for your mind and your body. So do what you feel is best for you.

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Thank you

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odikaflog | @odikaflog | 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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Yeah, that can happen. One way to combat that is to take 20 or 40 mg of Ritalin in the morning.

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