Anxiety
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the anxiety is debilitating. Day time is ok as I have things to take my mind off of bc. But nighttime? A totally different story. My mind goes to dark places! I've talked to a therapist, honestly to no avail. The support group that ive joined Is helpful; but I've only been twice. They only offer it the first Thursday of the month.
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I find outdoor exercise does help me. Especially now in the summer time, I feel much better after a short run and some fresh air. I agree with Rrobin, night time is hard ...
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Okay Rrobin and ewu, if you know that nighttime is the hardest, then that allows you to plan accordingly. What types of things are distracting for you? Movies/tv? then binge watching Netflix. Specific hobbies? Make sure you have plenty of supplies (knitting, beading, painting, etc). Puzzles? Books? What about deep cleaning something? or a baking/cooking project that requires concentration. Scrap book? (organize all of those old photos laying around) Find something to occupy yourself based on your preferences.
Your plan should also include relaxation prior to bedtime. Things like (relaxing, not energizing) yoga or breathing, meditation, guided imagery, listening to soothing music, a warm bath, candles (like lavender), drinking chamomile tea (or other "sleepy" time teas). Make sure to dim lights and avoid things that are wakefulness inducing (turn off the tv, laptop or cell phone) for the last 30-45 minutes. Try to keep your bedroom cool and dark. If you need white noise (always a plus for me) then use a fan or humidifier to drown out ambient noise.
If your mind starts to wander down dark paths, tell it "not now" and perhaps think about scheduling some time to think about "what ifs". If you can't avoid having "what if" thoughts, then don't. Plan for them. Give yourself 15 or 20 minutes at a time of day that will let you move on afterwards, and then let your mind "go there". Just make sure to answer the "what if" questions. Like "what if x y or z happens?", you tell yourself "well, if x happens, I'll do this. and if y happens I'll do that". Either when you've completely exhausted (and answered) your "what if" list OR when your allotted 15-20 minutes is over, move on. Don't allow your mind to dwell there. It takes practice, but you can train your mind just like you can train your body. Our minds are very powerful, so we need to make sure we're directing them in a helpful way.
Hope that helps!
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MTWoman, thank you so much, this is very helpful. I always had some significant health anxiety, and now, going through all the tests for a lump I found at the end of July, my anxiety is at all time high. I'm trying to use the techniques you presented in this thread, and it is helping!
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I am so glad! Keep practicing what works for you, as our response to what we practice seems to improve over time. And please do let me know if you have a specific issue or are looking for a specific type of anxiety management strategy. There are so many women here who understand what it's like to go through the process and can share their experiences as well. Keep up the good work and good luck for b9 findings!
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Thank you so much for the information and links in this thread.
I am waiting for biopsy results and have been holding on through waves of anxiety since my concerning ultrasound a couple of weeks ago.
Guided meditations at bedtime have really been helping me. I repeat them in the middle of the night if I wake up feeling anxious.
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Oh good, Agatha! I am so glad that you have found one of the techniques helpful. In my experience, the more you practice, the better you'll get at using that technique. Sending you positive thoughts and warm ((hugs))
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Bum
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oops....here is the "p".
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Yes Loveroflife - WHY DOES THAT HAPPEN? I am continuously going back to correct!
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It happens to keep you on your toes!
thanks for the bump ladies!
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Type a space after the last letter or punctuation mark you type, and then it will not get cut off.
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Has anyone tried using GABA for anxiety?
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Hi gb2115, I've used GABA, but for sleep. For me, the effects were a (subtle, but definite) slowing of my mind, so that I could more easily shut off my mind, which has a tendency to be active when I'm worried. I'm sure that taken in smaller doses, it could be very effective. The body has two opposing systems for many of it's functions (like on and off switches). The Glutamate system is an excitatory system, it activates the body (and mind). The Gabanergic system regulates GABA which is a neurotransmitter inhibitor that balances the brain by inhibiting over-excitation. I'd think it's worth a try! Please do let us know how it goes gb2115.
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I am really sorry to know that you had to go through anxiety. I myself had been anxious at one point of time in my life. After 4 months of anxiety and fear of the future, I found myself in hospital not for the reason I was anxious about but for the anxiety itself.
I was worried that I am suffering from Breast cancer because for 2 weeks, my right breast was awfully paining when touched. In my mind, I was sure that I have breast cancer and I am going to die very soon. I did not have the courage to get tested. My anxiety kept on building and my fears started to reflect in my body. I use to sweat in a cold winter night. One day, I woke up shivering although no one around me was shivering. Finally my sister took me to the hospital and I was tested negative. My anxiety started to reduce and now I am back to normal
Irrational fears can cause huge psychological damage to an individual and its important to know and read the symptoms of anxiety beforehand. In case you have fear of cancer, you can consider consulting doctors online at websites such as JustDoc.com . Many people like me, lack the courage to get tested and it is natural for a human to be afraid. I believe consulting a specialist online can help in subsiding the fears to a great extent.
I will advice please rely only on correct sources of information and avoid relying on information from non authentic sources.
Hope the answer helps. Thanks
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Hi shreyapandey, welcome to BCO! While I am happy that you found out that you don't have bc, I would NOT recommend that women consult doctors online. Any new or concerning breast symptoms should be reported in person, for their doctor to examine and potentially order imaging for further exploration. BC can only be positively diagnosed (or ruled out) using tissue samples that are seen by pathology. No one online has the ability to examine and palpate any finding; this should be done in person. If you are anxious about having bc, the best thing to do is to go and talk to your doctor. Depending on your age, and personal risk factors, your doctor will discuss what kind of regular follow up is right for you. The best way to overcome a health based fear, is to focus on the facts and what you know to be true, not what you fear. If you have a lump, or other health symptom, see your doctor, get specific and personal information about your symptoms, your ongoing risk and what you can do to reduce that risk. Good luck!
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Hi, You have made a very valid and important point, to which I agree. Relying only on online doctor is not the conclusive approach. You are absolutely correct that medical conditions such as breast cancer need a physical examination for accurate diagnosis. And the decision should be final only if conclusive tests are conducted in a pathology lab. Actually initially I lacked the courage to visit the doctor, but after reading an article in New York times I built some courage to get myself tested. The cancer doctor online, suggested some generic tests at a nearby clinic. The consulting just helped me to subside my fear and guide me.
But as you rightly said, at the end of the day, its important to bite the bullet and visit a clinic nearby and get tested. BTW thanks for the information, it was very helpful.
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Thanks Shreyapandey! I am glad that you were able to overcome your fear and be seen. Now you know that you don't have bc and can let go of that fear.
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I am using a herbal product prepared from basil leaves. I had lowered index of anxiety.
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How do you deal with the "probably" conflict? I had a mammogram today and it had a BIRAD III, "Probably benign." I can go in depth but basically I've had swelling, discharge, pain... and all that showed was "focal asymmetry" and the ultrasound couldn't find anything despite there being a palpable tiny lump. My aunt had DCIS, my grandmother had BC when she passed away, my mom had an abnormal mammogram but isn't following up... we've also had ovarian cancer and thyroid precancer in our family. When my family went through a genetic whole exome study for my little girl who is disabled- we were told to get into a cancer geneticist due to "variances of unknown significance" that they couldn't disclose because it was part of the study and found incidentally. For these reasons, the "probably" of the "probably benign" isn't comforting. I see my PCP next week, I guess we'll see what he says and if he send me to a specialist.
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MayDay, forgive me if this information is 'old news' to you, but findings classified in the BIRADS 3 category, equating to "probably benign" has a positive predictive value of less than 1% (meaning that less than 1% of those findings classified BIRADS 3 will be malignant). You can read more about that classification system here: http://breast-cancer.ca/bi-rads/
Your PCP (unless he has unusual extra experience/education) may not be the best one to help advise you in this. Also, unfortunately "variances of unknown significance" are just that, unknown. So that doesn't mean that your BIRADS 3 finding is any more nefarious than any other. Still, I do understand your concern and there is no harm in getting a consult with a Breast Specialist.
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With my insurance and the rural area I am in, I have to go back to my PCP for the results (even tho I got the report on my own from records day of) and it is up to him to refer me out. I had planned on seeing a breast specialist at some point to discuss prophylactic mastectomy if genetics came back positive. They told me at that time that it was a VUS because they hadn't determined if it was a negative change or what so I don't know if they'd have any more info on it now. I appreciate your help and information! I think something that drives my anxiety is that my youngest has a disorder that they said she only had a 1 in a million chance of having, as well as 3 other genetic changes that supposedly cannot exist together. We actually go in Feb to start testing through the NIH and Mayo clinic which will be a year long process probably.
I guess more than anything I was hoping my oophorectomy and hysterectomy would have bought me more time before I was panicked at abnormal findings again.
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Most major medical centers have an oncology social worker. The oncology social worker can assist you with financial issues, support groups, counseling, Etc. The first week I was diagnosed with breast cancer I connected with the oncology social worker at Mount Sinai Medical Center. The social worker was compassionate, kind and professional. . Susan Komen have support groups and mentoring programs. The mentoring programs can be done via email, text, phone and sometimes, even in person. Good Luck
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My genetic testing also showed a variance of unknown significance. Both my MO and SO doctors said that it had no correlation to my BC. Later on down the road my sisters are going to be tested. Because my surgeon said he would be interested in seeing whether they all had this genetic abnormality.
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Jo thanks for the reply. We are going back for a Whole Genome Sequence test for my child since she is significantly disabled so they're going to see if they can put out feeling among the NIH for cases with BC that may have this fluke gene change. I met the surgeon last Wednesday and he ended up doing a biopsy on Thursday because he wasn't comfortable with my presentation and family history. Now we just wait. Story of my life lol
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