fits of rage

So sorry that you are going through this.  I don't have any answers for you, however I would like to tell you about the Melanoma Care-Givers Support Group on facebook.  It is a closed page.  I have received so much support and good advice there. 

So sorry that you are going through this.  I don't have any answers for you, however I would like to tell you about the Melanoma Care-Givers Support Group on facebook.  It is a closed page.  I have received so much support and good advice there. 

So sorry that you are going through this.  I don't have any answers for you, however I would like to tell you about the Melanoma Care-Givers Support Group on facebook.  It is a closed page.  I have received so much support and good advice there. 

Haven't posted in quite awhile, still reeling from my husbands passing, but I regularly follow all on this board since you all mean a lot to me.  This question was one I just had to answer.  You said your husband has been on steroids for a month now, and the meaness has become worse during that time. My husband had that same reaction while taking steroids, and his drs. said that some people have that side effect. Unfortunately, steroids are necessary when there are brain mets.  Don't know if this is your husbands problem, but I would bring it to the attention of his drs.

Haven't posted in quite awhile, still reeling from my husbands passing, but I regularly follow all on this board since you all mean a lot to me.  This question was one I just had to answer.  You said your husband has been on steroids for a month now, and the meaness has become worse during that time. My husband had that same reaction while taking steroids, and his drs. said that some people have that side effect. Unfortunately, steroids are necessary when there are brain mets.  Don't know if this is your husbands problem, but I would bring it to the attention of his drs.

Haven't posted in quite awhile, still reeling from my husbands passing, but I regularly follow all on this board since you all mean a lot to me.  This question was one I just had to answer.  You said your husband has been on steroids for a month now, and the meaness has become worse during that time. My husband had that same reaction while taking steroids, and his drs. said that some people have that side effect. Unfortunately, steroids are necessary when there are brain mets.  Don't know if this is your husbands problem, but I would bring it to the attention of his drs.

I have heard of other patients going into fits of rage. It does't seem to happen often, but it does happen. It could be caused by brain damage (from the tumors or the radiation), it can be a side effect of certain drugs (especially steroids), and it could be emotional issues. But regardless of the cause, you should not tolerate his rage. If you are frightened for your physical safety, leave the house and go to a friend, family member, or to a hotel. Let him know that you will not tolerate such behavior. Does he go into rage attacks and physically threaten store clerks, doctors, friends or clergy?  If he doesnt' pull rage attacks on other people, then he can control himself with you, too. 

Meanwhile, definitely discuss this with his oncologist immediately. If the rage (or shall we say, lack of impulse control) is a side effect of medication, his doctor should be able to fix it. If the rage is emotionally-based, taking an anti-depressant will help. And if your husband is Stage IV with brain mets, he might qualify for at-home hospice care. They have a lot of experience dealing with all aspects of Stage IV disease and can be very helpful to both you and your husband. Ask the social worker at your husband's melanoma clinic for a list of local hospice organizations. 

Basically, I suggest that you: 1) understand that these rage attacks are most likely due to the disease and/or its treatments, 2) be sympathetic but do not tolerate such behavior, 3) get help from his doctor, and 4) get help from hospice or other cancer support groups. I am glad you had the courage to post about this. It probably happens more often than we realize. Let us know how things progress.

I have heard of other patients going into fits of rage. It does't seem to happen often, but it does happen. It could be caused by brain damage (from the tumors or the radiation), it can be a side effect of certain drugs (especially steroids), and it could be emotional issues. But regardless of the cause, you should not tolerate his rage. If you are frightened for your physical safety, leave the house and go to a friend, family member, or to a hotel. Let him know that you will not tolerate such behavior. Does he go into rage attacks and physically threaten store clerks, doctors, friends or clergy?  If he doesnt' pull rage attacks on other people, then he can control himself with you, too. 

Meanwhile, definitely discuss this with his oncologist immediately. If the rage (or shall we say, lack of impulse control) is a side effect of medication, his doctor should be able to fix it. If the rage is emotionally-based, taking an anti-depressant will help. And if your husband is Stage IV with brain mets, he might qualify for at-home hospice care. They have a lot of experience dealing with all aspects of Stage IV disease and can be very helpful to both you and your husband. Ask the social worker at your husband's melanoma clinic for a list of local hospice organizations. 

Basically, I suggest that you: 1) understand that these rage attacks are most likely due to the disease and/or its treatments, 2) be sympathetic but do not tolerate such behavior, 3) get help from his doctor, and 4) get help from hospice or other cancer support groups. I am glad you had the courage to post about this. It probably happens more often than we realize. Let us know how things progress.

I have heard of other patients going into fits of rage. It does't seem to happen often, but it does happen. It could be caused by brain damage (from the tumors or the radiation), it can be a side effect of certain drugs (especially steroids), and it could be emotional issues. But regardless of the cause, you should not tolerate his rage. If you are frightened for your physical safety, leave the house and go to a friend, family member, or to a hotel. Let him know that you will not tolerate such behavior. Does he go into rage attacks and physically threaten store clerks, doctors, friends or clergy?  If he doesnt' pull rage attacks on other people, then he can control himself with you, too. 

Meanwhile, definitely discuss this with his oncologist immediately. If the rage (or shall we say, lack of impulse control) is a side effect of medication, his doctor should be able to fix it. If the rage is emotionally-based, taking an anti-depressant will help. And if your husband is Stage IV with brain mets, he might qualify for at-home hospice care. They have a lot of experience dealing with all aspects of Stage IV disease and can be very helpful to both you and your husband. Ask the social worker at your husband's melanoma clinic for a list of local hospice organizations. 

Basically, I suggest that you: 1) understand that these rage attacks are most likely due to the disease and/or its treatments, 2) be sympathetic but do not tolerate such behavior, 3) get help from his doctor, and 4) get help from hospice or other cancer support groups. I am glad you had the courage to post about this. It probably happens more often than we realize. Let us know how things progress.