Anxiety

Hi Penny

I know you sent this ages ago but just wanted to say that I get anxious a lot too. Losing myself in activities helps though I was always good at focusing and getting my mind off the bigger worries in life. Hobbies are really useful for that and I spend a lot of time gardening and getting outside. 

I hope you are feeling a bit better now and you've got yourself on the wait list for the counselling. 

Graham 

Hi Penny, 

You sound like I was. Two things helped me with this. 1 Proponalol (I think that's the name) they're Beta Blockers which sounds scary but they're not. What they do is make the physical symptoms I had ease, my anxiety was at the point that it was ruining my life. When I felt it rearing up I take 1 tablet, it eases the pounding heart, the feeling of running on pure nerves and most of the physical symptoms meaning I can deal with whatever put me in that state rationally. The second thing is an oncology psychologist, I didn't even know these existed but instead of gp counselling referral ask if your area has one of these, mine has saved my life, my sanity and helped me be in the stable place I am now. 

Much love as I have been there, it sucks and its exhausting x

I am sorry to hear how you feel. I was so stressed out that l ended up in hospital.l am now on a non addictive antidepressant called sertraline.l have been on it for 3 months and l feel much calmer and l sleep like a baby.l know it's not ideal but if it helps l really don't care.My GP has really helped me and he listens to all of my concerns so l am very lucky

Just wanted to share what I have just read:

the first thing to know is:   Thoughts are not facts.

a worried thought is just your interpretation:  It is NOT a fact.

it is good to hang onto this saying when one is experiencing a ‘hiccup ‘ time.

Hi everyone.  I am new on this website and am so happy to have found it.  A little about why I am here.  In March I was diagnosed with the early stages of colon cancer, fast track to May when it was removed.  It was very small, undetectable on a scan and  I am now in the clear.  I have suffered my whole adult life with anxiety and panic and have tried almost everything.  The time between my diagnosis and the resulting all clear was very emotional as the fatigued triggered my anxiety because I didn't know why it was happening and noone was able to tell me.  I am sharing this information because I eventually found something that has helped me above all else.  I found a programme called DARE (Defuse, Allow, Run Toward, Engage) written by Barry McDonagh.  It is an American publication and can be purchased from Amazon in paperback and kindle edition.  It comes with a free App that I found very useful, it is also supported by a workbook which is purchased separately.  It works for me because I find it so simple yet very powerful, and works on a psychological level that is so easy to understand.  Should you decide to buy it I would recommend you read it from the beginning and not jump to the section you think applies to you.  It may not be the answer for everyone, but it is worth trying and is not expensive.  I hope this helps. 

Just purchased this kindle edition - I am grateful for the recommendation, hopefully it works for me. Also I have now made an appointment with a Relaxation/Meditation person, so hopefully the combination will help me. Grateful for the suggestion and love to you. xx

Hi Hypergirl   I hope it works for you.  Good idea with the relaxation/meditation appointment.  Not a bad idea, I find meditating really hard because my head won't shut up!

My anxiety levels seem to be going through the roof.  I've tried yoga, cognitive behaviour therapy, counselling, regular massage, but still I cannot calm down.  Just thought I'd get that off my chest!

Hi Foxglove, join the club, my anxiety started soon after RT finished March 2017 and its never really gone away, what started your anxiety and how long have u had it?

Hi everyone, it's great to read your experiences and tips.

I'm a 31 year old male, over 2 years into remission and suffer a lot with anxiety. It got a lot worse after having cancer.

I was working at Google and found my anxiety went through roof particularly in meetings and public speaking. I constantly felt like I wanted to cry in these situations (and I still do) so I took steps to try and help.

I've been taking pills called Escitalopram and also CBT which has helped a lot and my anxiety is much more manageable but I still find my day to day working life quite difficult. I've been asked to be a best man 4 times now and keep grudgingly declining as I get so stressed at the thought of doing the speech.

Just thought I'd get this off my chest and if anyone has any words of advice, I'm all ears :).

Hi Mike

Sorry to hear about your anxiety, you have probably read my post in August and nothing much has changed. I did have some counselling which did help at the time but in the end I felt that I should try and sort it out myself. I also had some CBT but didn't get on with it at all.

I presume that u had Radiotherapy which is what I had and I feel sure that this has something to do with it. RT must affect the mind although probably no one will admit to it.

So we must plod on, anxiety and low mood is what I have to endure.

All I would say is to try and concentrate on doing the things that make u happy, I do find that helps, I'm waiting for some spring sunshine, that will help my mood to some extent.

best wishes Mike and Happy New Year, perhaps 2019 will be the turning point.

Steve

Hi I’m new to the group. Been clear if cancer for 9 months now, ampillar cancer, whipple surgery (ouch) and 6 months of chemo.  The problem im having is depression, anxiety and very silly thoughts in my head.  Will it ever end? Caz

Mine is metastatic melanoma, with the primary over 36 years ago and 2 recurrences over last 3 years.

I  too feel anxious and unable to focus a lot of the time. Worse around scan time natch, but pretty much always there. I garden, and am having counselling and I’m learning to enjoy reading again. All these distractions are useful and I’m trying to find more which will help to keep the fears at bay.

Mine is metastatic melanoma, with the primary over 36 years ago and 2 recurrences over last 3 years.

I  too feel anxious and unable to focus a lot of the time. Worse around scan time natch, but pretty much always there. I garden, and am having counselling and I’m learning to enjoy reading again. All these distractions are useful and I’m trying to find more which will help to keep the fears at bay.