high anxiety advice please
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high anxiety advice please

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › high anxiety advice please

  • Post
    • November 30, 2015 at 1:17 pm
    gregor913
    Participant
    I’m taking this dx really hard. I’m thinking of going to the doctor for some anxiety medication to level me out. I feel if I don’t get help this anxiety will hurt me emotional long term and my immune system. Is there anyone else that takes anti anxiety or anti depression pills. I tried meditation and breathing but that had not helped.

    Anon

Viewing 23 reply threads
  • Replies
      • November 30, 2015 at 3:55 pm
      JenSam
      Participant
      I was extremely anxious after my diagnosis, I waited months before I decided to seek out anti anxiety meds. I took setraline daily for a few months and it was helpful. I still would have worries and anxiety but I was much more level and could handle the stress better.
      • November 30, 2015 at 3:55 pm
      JenSam
      Participant
      I was extremely anxious after my diagnosis, I waited months before I decided to seek out anti anxiety meds. I took setraline daily for a few months and it was helpful. I still would have worries and anxiety but I was much more level and could handle the stress better.
      • November 30, 2015 at 3:55 pm
      JenSam
      Participant
      I was extremely anxious after my diagnosis, I waited months before I decided to seek out anti anxiety meds. I took setraline daily for a few months and it was helpful. I still would have worries and anxiety but I was much more level and could handle the stress better.
      • November 30, 2015 at 4:04 pm
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Anxiety is as damaging to the body as any other chronic condition.  I would certainly ask my provider for something I could take to lessen those feelings.  Some anti-depressants (taken daily) have been shown to reduce anxiety levels, and of course there are medications like Xanax and Ativan (but the concern with those is dependency).  Maybe a combination would work for you; an anti-depressant and then the anti-anxiety meds for breakthrough panic.  Definitely talk to your doctor!

      • November 30, 2015 at 4:04 pm
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Anxiety is as damaging to the body as any other chronic condition.  I would certainly ask my provider for something I could take to lessen those feelings.  Some anti-depressants (taken daily) have been shown to reduce anxiety levels, and of course there are medications like Xanax and Ativan (but the concern with those is dependency).  Maybe a combination would work for you; an anti-depressant and then the anti-anxiety meds for breakthrough panic.  Definitely talk to your doctor!

      • November 30, 2015 at 4:04 pm
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Anxiety is as damaging to the body as any other chronic condition.  I would certainly ask my provider for something I could take to lessen those feelings.  Some anti-depressants (taken daily) have been shown to reduce anxiety levels, and of course there are medications like Xanax and Ativan (but the concern with those is dependency).  Maybe a combination would work for you; an anti-depressant and then the anti-anxiety meds for breakthrough panic.  Definitely talk to your doctor!

      • November 30, 2015 at 7:45 pm
      DZnDef
      Participant

      Another non-drug technique that can help with anxiety is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).  Google it and you will find free explanations and videos on how to to it.

      • November 30, 2015 at 7:45 pm
      DZnDef
      Participant

      Another non-drug technique that can help with anxiety is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).  Google it and you will find free explanations and videos on how to to it.

      • November 30, 2015 at 7:45 pm
      DZnDef
      Participant

      Another non-drug technique that can help with anxiety is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).  Google it and you will find free explanations and videos on how to to it.

      • November 30, 2015 at 7:47 pm
      geriakt
      Participant

      I am on geniric prosac.  20 mg daily.  It only cost $4 a month at walmart.  Try the low cost approch before all the high cost designer anti depresents out there. For me it is the best $4 a month I spend.

      Tom

      • November 30, 2015 at 7:47 pm
      geriakt
      Participant

      I am on geniric prosac.  20 mg daily.  It only cost $4 a month at walmart.  Try the low cost approch before all the high cost designer anti depresents out there. For me it is the best $4 a month I spend.

      Tom

      • November 30, 2015 at 7:47 pm
      geriakt
      Participant

      I am on geniric prosac.  20 mg daily.  It only cost $4 a month at walmart.  Try the low cost approch before all the high cost designer anti depresents out there. For me it is the best $4 a month I spend.

      Tom

        • November 30, 2015 at 8:24 pm
        gregor913
        Participant
        I was given clonazepam for anxiety.
        • November 30, 2015 at 8:24 pm
        gregor913
        Participant
        I was given clonazepam for anxiety.
        • November 30, 2015 at 8:24 pm
        gregor913
        Participant
        I was given clonazepam for anxiety.
      • November 30, 2015 at 11:22 pm
      CHD
      Participant

      I have not taken them but I absolutely agree that you should ask your doctor about possibly getting on a medication like Prozac, Effexor or Wellbutrin and/or possibly an anti-anxiety medication like BuSpar (buspirone) which is non-habit forming and therefore can be taken over a longer time period if needed.

      • November 30, 2015 at 11:22 pm
      CHD
      Participant

      I have not taken them but I absolutely agree that you should ask your doctor about possibly getting on a medication like Prozac, Effexor or Wellbutrin and/or possibly an anti-anxiety medication like BuSpar (buspirone) which is non-habit forming and therefore can be taken over a longer time period if needed.

      • November 30, 2015 at 11:22 pm
      CHD
      Participant

      I have not taken them but I absolutely agree that you should ask your doctor about possibly getting on a medication like Prozac, Effexor or Wellbutrin and/or possibly an anti-anxiety medication like BuSpar (buspirone) which is non-habit forming and therefore can be taken over a longer time period if needed.

        • December 1, 2015 at 6:12 pm
        Lil0909
        Participant

        Celexa is another good option.

        • December 1, 2015 at 6:12 pm
        Lil0909
        Participant

        Celexa is another good option.

        • December 1, 2015 at 6:12 pm
        Lil0909
        Participant

        Celexa is another good option.

      • December 1, 2015 at 2:33 pm
      kylez
      Participant

      Have you looked for an in-person support group, either for melanoma or cancer more generally? I found them very helpful. 

      Depending on where you are seen, another possibility is, if there is a psycho-oncology department (counseling support specifically for cancer patients), seeing somebody there for a few sessions might be helpful. 

      • December 1, 2015 at 2:33 pm
      kylez
      Participant

      Have you looked for an in-person support group, either for melanoma or cancer more generally? I found them very helpful. 

      Depending on where you are seen, another possibility is, if there is a psycho-oncology department (counseling support specifically for cancer patients), seeing somebody there for a few sessions might be helpful. 

      • December 1, 2015 at 2:33 pm
      kylez
      Participant

      Have you looked for an in-person support group, either for melanoma or cancer more generally? I found them very helpful. 

      Depending on where you are seen, another possibility is, if there is a psycho-oncology department (counseling support specifically for cancer patients), seeing somebody there for a few sessions might be helpful. 

      • December 1, 2015 at 7:14 pm
      Brandon
      Participant

      I am currently taking Xanax. As far as anti-anxiety meds go, it's the best bang for your buck. But as others have mentioned, it is very addicting. It's not something you'd be able to just stop taking when you don't need it anymore. You will have to be weaned off of it. 

      • December 1, 2015 at 7:14 pm
      Brandon
      Participant

      I am currently taking Xanax. As far as anti-anxiety meds go, it's the best bang for your buck. But as others have mentioned, it is very addicting. It's not something you'd be able to just stop taking when you don't need it anymore. You will have to be weaned off of it. 

      • December 1, 2015 at 7:14 pm
      Brandon
      Participant

      I am currently taking Xanax. As far as anti-anxiety meds go, it's the best bang for your buck. But as others have mentioned, it is very addicting. It's not something you'd be able to just stop taking when you don't need it anymore. You will have to be weaned off of it. 

      • December 2, 2015 at 12:10 am
      Squash
      Participant

      I take valium from time to time and find it invaluable to treat high anxiety. I only need half a 5m tab every now and again. I wouldnt take it every day as it makes you very forgetful and lethargic

      If pot was legal where i am i would take that over anything else as it is not as addictive and not so bad on the body and could possibly have anti cancer properties so a double whammy i guess.

      • December 2, 2015 at 12:10 am
      Squash
      Participant

      I take valium from time to time and find it invaluable to treat high anxiety. I only need half a 5m tab every now and again. I wouldnt take it every day as it makes you very forgetful and lethargic

      If pot was legal where i am i would take that over anything else as it is not as addictive and not so bad on the body and could possibly have anti cancer properties so a double whammy i guess.

      • December 2, 2015 at 12:10 am
      Squash
      Participant

      I take valium from time to time and find it invaluable to treat high anxiety. I only need half a 5m tab every now and again. I wouldnt take it every day as it makes you very forgetful and lethargic

      If pot was legal where i am i would take that over anything else as it is not as addictive and not so bad on the body and could possibly have anti cancer properties so a double whammy i guess.

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