1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Heart pounding since diagnosed with cancer: What can I do?

Posted by gbnana @gbnana, Nov 3, 2021

Too often throughout the day I am feeling my heart pounding. It makes me feel shaky and very uncomfortable. It must be a kind of anxiety that is bringing me an adrenaline overload. I do try to manage it with deep breathing but that is not helping enough.
Any ideas please

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callalloo | @callalloo | Mar 30, 2022
In reply to @auntieoakley "You may need some better living through chemistry if it doesn’t slow down. Here are a..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

You may need some better living through chemistry if it doesn’t slow down. Here are a few things I have learned about mindfulness to get me through the worst times.
When I take that deep breath, I blow it out forcefully and imagine all that stress leaving with the breath, now on to the next thing.
I also allow myself to overthink and worry for 30 minutes in the morning or at night when I am alone, I can do all of the what if’s if I want. But when my time is up the timer goes off and intentionally have something else I have to do. I find that knitting or cooking is good knitting where 8 have to count, or cooking a new thing where I have to follow a recipe.
I also believe in looking for the things I am grateful for in this minute and this hour. This reminds me that I am still here and have much to be grateful for outside of this thing.
Amit Sood has a mindfulness exercise I get every day in my email that is wonderful, I am going to go find that link for you.

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A friend suggested the 'worry for 30 minutes' thing to me once during a very stressful time of a lot of changes. It amazed me that it worked. There's magic in intentionally worrying as hard as one can for a limited time. For one thing, worrying gets boring. And, for me, almost ludicrous. It was a great strategy for an inveterate overthinker.

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gina5009 | @gina5009 | Mar 27, 2023

Has your doctor tested you for Artrial Fibrilation? This could be why you are having this problem?

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ringmastr1 | @ringmastr1 | Mar 28, 2023

First, check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a heart problem. Then ask them to prescribe an anti anxiety med that you can take as needed. I know that I was super stressed when I was first diagnosed and I would take alprazolam to calm down. I would take 1 pill every week week or two, I wasn't on a daily pill but that might be appropriate for you.

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1 reply
cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Mar 28, 2023
In reply to @ringmastr1 "First, check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a heart problem. Then ask..." + (show)
@ringmastr1

First, check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a heart problem. Then ask them to prescribe an anti anxiety med that you can take as needed. I know that I was super stressed when I was first diagnosed and I would take alprazolam to calm down. I would take 1 pill every week week or two, I wasn't on a daily pill but that might be appropriate for you.

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When first diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, I cried easily. My doctor prescribed Xanax because it can be taken as needed, not necessarily everyday. I told my husband, “if I cry, I’m taking one”. This got me through the initial fear and sadness.

My integrative doctor also recommends L-theanine, an amino acid that you can purchase at your health food store. It helps with anxiety and mood.

Best wishes to all on this thread, Cindy

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rod54 | @rod54 | Mar 29, 2023

Hi Gina
A cancer diagnosis is a hard burden I think we all know someone who’s been there but until it’s first hand experienced it’s hard to digest. I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and the thoughts of what my future is going to be caused a lot of anxiety and fear.
For me I have to trust in God and all His promises for us.
God’s word each morning me gives me hope. Here is a scripture for meditation
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed; for His compassions never fail. They are new each morning. Great is your faithfulness in the Lord.”

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erthart65 | @erthart65 | Mar 30, 2023

Have you tried counting during inhale/exhale; 4 counts inhale and 4 counts exhale? I also experience heart pounding and high BP, when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last year. Maybe it was due to stress and I had sleepless nights due to overthinking my situation. My cardiologist also prescribed medicines after ECG, 2Decho, and sestamibi stress test.

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1 reply
erthart65 | @erthart65 | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @erthart65 "Have you tried counting during inhale/exhale; 4 counts inhale and 4 counts exhale? I also experience..." + (show)
@erthart65

Have you tried counting during inhale/exhale; 4 counts inhale and 4 counts exhale? I also experience heart pounding and high BP, when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last year. Maybe it was due to stress and I had sleepless nights due to overthinking my situation. My cardiologist also prescribed medicines after ECG, 2Decho, and sestamibi stress test.

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Sorry I intend to reply to gbnana @gbnana

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daughterofaqueen | @daughterofaqueen | May 12, 2023

Have you spoken to your MD about this? I can understand why you would have anxiety with everything that is happening, but just as a precaution and maybe you already have done this I would have a cardiac check just to be sure your not having arrhythmias such as A-fib or anything like that. It's most likely anxiety, but I am a nurse and I always air on the side of caution!

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1 reply
jerry987 | @jerry987 | May 13, 2023
In reply to @daughterofaqueen "Have you spoken to your MD about this? I can understand why you would have anxiety..." + (show)
@daughterofaqueen

Have you spoken to your MD about this? I can understand why you would have anxiety with everything that is happening, but just as a precaution and maybe you already have done this I would have a cardiac check just to be sure your not having arrhythmias such as A-fib or anything like that. It's most likely anxiety, but I am a nurse and I always air on the side of caution!

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Thanks for your reply this was colon rectum and no Problem with the heart so far she seems to have an awful amount of scar tissue that is effecting her mussels

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