I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I am very scared and anxious about my treatment. I am having panic attacks. I have started anti depression medication mirtazapine but now anxious of taking them as well. Not in a good state. Please help
It might help to phone the GP and explain that you're concerned they may be able to answer the worry, or find something less worrying, worth a shot! Or phone the help line, they can help you find someone who can talk about medications I think. Remember it'd be very wierd if you wern't anxious right now so they will be glad to help - hugs
Hello to you. We are sorry you find yourself here but hope you will find the support you need while you are.
On these threads no one minds if you want to just express your feelings and fears. There is always someone who has had similar experiences who will listen. Unfortunately, if we are honest, there are very few of us who haven't felt like you are now. It's very normal. Everything happens so quickly ( even though waiting for results seems like eternity)we never get time to adjust to the shock that we have breast cancer. And once we know it is BC, we have the treatment plan of unknowns before us. Lumpectomy/ Mastectomy, chemo, radiotherapy. The questions will be endless and we have no idea if when someone says it's not painful, we might find it so. As everybody reacts differently to various aspects of the treatment..the unknown doesn't go until you've experienced it yourself.
So your fears are totally valid. I suggest you start by writing down exactly what is frightening you. Post it in any of the threads or even on the Awake chatline. I think it will help you focus on what is worrying you most. Then I suggest you read the chemo and radiotherapy threads in the treatment section. The people posting there are all experiencing treatment at the moment. Some like yourself are just beginning. You will see there will be some very unpleasant days but there are also days when the posters enjoy themselves. They will give you practical advice too about how to cope with different problems. Introduce yourself.....they are very friendly and will welcome you.
Finally, if you are afraid cancer will be a death sentence remember that BC is often treated successfully these days. You will hear the sad stories of the person who for more complicated reasons loses their battle but thousands of people each year do recover. I, myself, had my lumpectomy 5 years ago. All my mammograms have been clear since. When I was first diagnosed I was inspired by two acquaintances who I didn't know had had cancer but they had....27 and 21 years previously.
Keep in touch. Do chat to someone about the worries you have about your medication but don't feel it is unusual to have the panic attacks.
