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Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health
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?
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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.
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3 ReactionsNo I am not aware it is an fda quality regulated substance
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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2 ReactionsTrazadone 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.
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 ReactionI am sorry but are you a psychiatrist or a pharmacist. I would be happy to review the peer-reviewed data
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.
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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2 ReactionsThank you
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1 ReactionYeah, that can happen. One way to combat that is to take 20 or 40 mg of Ritalin in the morning.