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Calming the gut brain
This may seem like a humorous question, but I'm asking in all seriousness, since I have long-standing chronic stressors in my life over and above my current health problems. Given my current situation, those chronic stressors are not susceptible to easy fixes. Hence my interest in the possibility of other strategies.
My major medical situation is that I was diagnosed (then age 73) last year about the end of summer with inoperable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; probably already with lung mets.
At my most recent medical evaluation 2 days ago, my oncologist was not satisfied with the response of my tumor to gemcitabine - abraxane, so has decided to switch me to a different 2-drug therapy, the details of which I am fuzzy on at this point, other than it involves one oral med and one to be administered via an infusion pump over 46 hours. This new therapy is scheduled to start around 10 days from now.
In the meantime I am feeling abandoned to my own devices - "abandoned" being the key word. Rationally I realize that is not so. But I'm finding that my emotions (anxiety leads the crowd) are not so easily ratcheted down. Hence the question that heads this post.
Additional recent observations leading to my question are:
Learning to switch off negative thought trains, even temporarily, has helped some, particularly when I am preparing to go to sleep for the night.
Unexpectedly, I have discovered that I am much more comfortable physically when I have congenial visitors or can experience some rare tranquility in my life.
This has somehow led me to remember the evidence that we have a larger "brain" in our gut than the one in our heads.
Does anyone have any experience to share that indicates what approaches have worked or not worked?
I'm prejudiced against pharmaceutical approaches since my professional experience in health care indicates that one drug prescription frequently leads to the necessity of prescribing another drug to treat the side effects of the first, which then may need another prescription drug to prevent the new side effects.
On the other hand is there even such a "thing" as talk therapy for the gut-brain? Or anything else that has proven effective?
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Yes, I completely understand the nausea as I had nine chemo (FOLFIRINOX) treatments prior to the whipple. Even though I was barely maintaining weight, I would fast the day before chemo and the day of chemo only drinking fluids and that helped with nausea and emergency bathroom visits. The steroids were brutal. Three more chemo cures being scheduled this week.
CBD. I am not an expert by any means. I have been using an organic producer in Maryland and they ship it to me. Oil and gummies (even though I am eliminating sugar). They are Backbone Hemp in Garrett County, Maryland.
( https://backbonehemp.com/ )
I find that it has taken the edge off of my anxiety and helped me sleep. It took about a week before I felt any of the benefits. The only downside has been what feels like a minor hangover in the morning.
Good luck.
Steve
Thank you for your encouraging words. I absolutely love your comments on choosing joy!
We all want to hold onto this life desparately but often fail to contemplate that in snap of the finger we will all pass into unfathomable joy when are are embraced by God's physical glory - for those who have chosen Jesus as Lord.
Contemplating this gives me much peace.
I have suffered from severe anxiety twice in my life. I have found that CBD capsules and Ashwaganda help me when I feel anxious today. I also take 400 mg of gabapentin and this medication was a true life-saver for me with no side effects.
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3 ReactionsIt's a weird mix for me (age 60, Stage-IV after recurrence), because I tend to overthink things but am also still working full-time and have one young adult kid at home. The idle mind is indeed a dangerous thing; keeping it busy does help keep it out of dark places.
One of my relatives had some long-term negative thought loops that required professional help, but it was pretty well addressed over a few months with some mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques that worked better than the pharmaceutical approach. It was almost all done via Zoom during the worst of the Covid pandemic.
There is a "4-7-8 breathing technique" ( https://www.healthline.com/health/4-7-8-breathing ) that I've found helpful for getting to sleep. It may also help with general reduction of stress and anxiety.
Someone in another thread on here mentioned a supplement called "kali phosphoricum" as a treatment for chemo-induced neuropathy, but it seems more commonly used for stress / anxiety (e.g., https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_kali_phosphoricum_used_for/article.htm ). With both being problems for cancer patients receiving chemo, it might be useful in some way. No experience here.
For sleep, I took Benadryl + melatonin for way too long while my kids were young. After I developed abnormal heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter), I learned those are often associated with obstructive sleep apnea, which can be exacerbated by Benadryl (it slows breathing and relaxes throat muscles which might block your airway). I can get by without Benadryl & melatonin when I give up caffeine, which is not sustainable for me, so I've reverted to a 2-mile jog/walk + cool shower + 4-7-8 breathing and a long prayer before bed.
I've read that a supplement called 5-HTP ( https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/5-htp-benefits ) might also be helpful in addressing sleep / stress / anxiety / fatigue issues, but have no experience with it either; I'm still investigating it regarding side effects & interaction with other meds (including my chemo). I did see one note about an interaction with beta blockers (heart & BP meds), so investigate carefully if you're considering that route.
For me, having long-term goals can also help. Although I still want to learn to play guitar, time hasn't yet allowed it. But I am diving a lot more into music listening, noticing that good headphones or speakers really enhance the appreciation. And I'm buying a lot of concert tickets for far-off events, looking forward to seeing some of my favorite artists before they're too old to perform.
Being stage-IV but still pretty healthy, I spend a lot of time assuming we'll find a cure or a treatment that keeps me alive long enough to die of something else first, so I do still spend a good bit of time searching for clinical trials that might be the right answer at the right time. Most are dead ends, but I enjoy learning, making notes about promising alternatives, and sometimes getting myself connected with those trial centers so I can jump right in w/o delay if something pops up.
I sometimes wish I had the time to be bored, but am really thankful that so many distractions, while occasionally leading to physical fatigue, keep my mind of the darker places. Blissful ignorance maybe, but as long as I'm getting quality time w/ my family and have most of my estate plan in place, I'm getting by. I hope this might trigger some new ideas and answers for you as well! 🙂
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