ANXIETY!

I’ve just recently been initially diagnosed with DCIS but this will possibly be upgraded to invasive, they are doing further testing on the biopsy. And my anxiety is through the roof, I have so many physical symptoms - heart palpitations, tight chest, pains all over, difficulty breathing, can’t eat and not sleeping well. All these symptoms are making me think that cancer has spread everywhere. What can I do? I have 2 young kids and can’t function. Does anyone have any coping strategies? 

Parents
  • So sorry to hear what you are going through, especially with young children. I also kept feeling other symptoms and thinking cancer had spread. I'm sure it was just anxiety, as all calmed down after ct scan results came back OK. Unfortunately there is a lot of waiting while tests are carried out, before treatment starts. I was diagnosed on 18th January and waiting to start chemo in the next couple of weeks. I wish you well moving forward and hope you don't have to wait too long for your results. Xx

  • Thanks Pippin24, I know logically they are most likely due to anxiety but it just all gets on top of me several times a day and I feel so panicked.
    I hope u get a start date soon, all the best x

  • I've just received a call to say my chemo starts on Monday 4th March which is good. In the first couple of weeks I had severe anxiety, but found the breast care nurses very supportive. I found anxiety did lesson as time went on and I got more information. I have also been talking to macmillan nurses I was put in touch with at oncology appointment, they have been great. I really feel for you, I know it's such a difficult time. Xx

  • That’s really great news, I imagine it must feel good to start tackling it. I have spoken to my breast care nurse and she was really lovely and helpful. Thanks so much for your kind words, they mean a lot x

  • You're welcome, hope you get on OK. Xx

  • I’m really really struggling today, worst day so far, I didn’t sleep at all last night, I cannot calm down my heart rate and breathing. I’m convinced I’m going to die, I feel so hopeless…

  • Oh bless you, I really feel for you. I found wait for biopsy results before diagnosis was so stressful. Also waiting for ct scan was a struggle. I found the breast care nurses were so supportive, so would suggest you contact them about your worries. I was told I'd have to wait 2 weeks for biopsy results, but they actually came back within a week. Hopefully yours won't take too long. I have also had sleep issues along the way, but this has improved. . I've also imagined myself dead and buried a good few times, I'm hoping once treatment starts these feelings will pass and I'll be more positive about the future. Just remember you're not alone and many people have the same feelings that you're having. Always here to chat if you need to. Xx

  • Thank u, I didn’t think my breast care nurse would be available at the weekend. My husband will be working tomorrow and I don’t know how I’m going to look after the kids x

  • Hi Em,

    I am sorry to hear that you are struggling so much today. Waiting for results is always stressful, but especially so when you have to wait for further clarification on them. I am sure that you have coped well with the children today, despite how you feel - we do it because we have to. Somehow or other, we find hidden strengths, when our backs are up against the wall. Lack of sleep is an issue - we nearly all find this and it can make it difficult for us to function from day to day.

    This wait is one of the scariest times of anyone's cancer journey. Try to keep yourself busy, whether with work or pleasure - anything to take your mind off the wait. This shouldn't be difficult with 2 little ones! We usually advise people at this stage to stay away from Google. Much of the information there is aimed at the more spectacular cases, is out of date and can be poorly researched. All of these factors don't apply to you, don't give you any answers and will only serve to scare you further. 

    Your breast care nurse can be a great support, but as far as I know, they are only available Monday - Friday.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  • Hi Em,

    I am sorry to hear that you are struggling so much today. Waiting for results is always stressful, but especially so when you have to wait for further clarification on them. I am sure that you have coped well with the children today, despite how you feel - we do it because we have to. Somehow or other, we find hidden strengths, when our backs are up against the wall. Lack of sleep is an issue - we nearly all find this and it can make it difficult for us to function from day to day.

    This wait is one of the scariest times of anyone's cancer journey. Try to keep yourself busy, whether with work or pleasure - anything to take your mind off the wait. This shouldn't be difficult with 2 little ones! We usually advise people at this stage to stay away from Google. Much of the information there is aimed at the more spectacular cases, is out of date and can be poorly researched. All of these factors don't apply to you, don't give you any answers and will only serve to scare you further. 

    Your breast care nurse can be a great support, but as far as I know, they are only available Monday - Friday.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children
  • Thank u jolamine for your kind words. Do u really think it is possible that these symptoms are all from the anxiety? I feel so unwell.. x

  • Hi Em,

    A lot of us get all sorts of symptoms, as soon as we start down this road, but amazingly, most disappear, once we know what we're dealing with. Anxiety can lead to a lot of additional problems, so here's hoping that this is the cause.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank u Lotus123 and Jolamine, it’s good to know I’m not alone. I did sleep better last night, I think because I was just so exhausted, so feel ok today xx

  • For Anxiety google search relaxation and Yoga  breathing exercise , with Anxiety  we breath very shallow our bodies release hormones which then becomes the fight or flight syndrome  the main hormone being cortisol, one exercise i can give you now when you have time and quite is sit some where comfy , cover one nostril with a finger and breath in slowly imagining the cool air is going right down you chest and into your heart , exhale and repeat the other nostril do this 3 or 4 times on each side or what ever you are comfy with , i will try to upload some use full MP4  audio tracks to a web site where you can down load , 

  • Thank u that makes so much sense, I do feel like I’m breathing very shallow, I will definitely give this a go.

  • Ok , but keep practising the breathing exercise you can do it without blocking one nostril doing both at the same time, imagine that the cols air flows right through the heart , do not strain your self keep relaxed , i will look into the audio files later , i have gone through many major anxiety /panic attacks  where it need hospitalisation and spent 6 months in rehad due to a break down , i know the feelings within that Anxiety causes , thinking is another exercise i will write up later