Noticing New Addictions

 Are you on Cymbalta for depression?  Or anxiety?   I would hope that you are also seeing a therapist, as IMHO, medications are good short-term help, but most everything I have read indicates that they should be used in concert with therapy for good long term solutions to stress.

When you say, "drink like a fish" do you mean you’re thirsty all the time, or you are drinking alcohol?  Is alcohol contraindicated on Cymbalta – on most SSRI type drugs alcohol is discouraged, but I am not sure if Cymbalta is an SSRI.  I do know dry mouth is often a medication side effect, so that may account for general thirstiness.

As to new addictions, again I would think this is something to talk to a counselor about.  Perhaps it is your way of coping with the melanoma diagnoses, but hopefully he/she can help you find a better way to live with that.

Yes,

Not that I didn’t have a little bit of an addictive personality before MM got tough with me. But, in 2003 when I advanced to stage 3, my life was pretty tidy. I did a party (I AM  a musician) but I was also in great shape. I was extremely careful about my diet, and had a stringent work out routine.

In 2003 when I went on interferon, I quit drinking entirely, and..didn’t really eat much either. I lost a lot of weight on interferon but I also quit lifting, quit all of my exercise routines, because I was just too exhausted all of the time.

After interferon it was like I went on a ‘celebration diet’ I began eating and drinking like crazy. The Champagne and Brie diet I called it. I gained 50nev lbs, and I have not lost it. I’m at my highest weight ever, and still don’t exercise.

When I advanced to stage 4, I got even worse.

I still function well in my life. I nursed my stepmom thru the end of her battle with Pancreatic cancer, never missed a gig, and  I’ve worked very hard with the band gettng our CD finished and produced and printed this year. But I drink every day. AND..I eat whatever I feel like eating with no concern about the consequences.

It’s like I don’t even care about heart disease or diabetes anymore..sure that melanoma will get me first.

I don’t think it’s that uncommon either. It’s true that SOME people face cancer by getting extra healthy their routines. They become vegetarians, go on macrobiotic diets, will only eat organic and become exercise fanatics. I’ve done the opposite..and I imagine plenty of others do the same.

Maybe part of it has to do with the fact that I WAS so healthy when I advanced. I WAS eating right and being moderate and exercising, and it SO did not work fo me..that I have no faith in that path, so it doesn’t call to me anymore.

Instead..I guess I am in that ‘grab each moment’ camp. I go to festivals every weekend and play music for 8 hours..and for 3 or 4 of those hours, I’m drinking whisky and howling at the moon.

After my diagnosis I was depressed and frightened all throughout spring and summer. I was terrified of the sun and hid in my house during the day, just sitting and reading everything I could find about mel on the internet. I gained about 7 maybe 8 pounds in the following 6 months and smoked more than usual. I developed a wheeze and terrible cough.

After 6 months I became disgusted with myself and did an about face. Right after Labor Day I started dancing with weights for exercise and started to eat healthy. I quit my 50+ year smoking addiction and still I managed to lose a few pounds in spite of quitting smoking. Several months later I ruined my right knee while dancing and high kicking, but still managed to keep the weight down over the winter months. I substitued the eating and smoking addiction with chewing gum addiction. Not good when you have lost most of your lower teeth and a partial torques against the remaining anchor teeth when chewing gum. I quit that addiction too this spring, I credit an expensive (to me) new wardrobe and strong resolve to look good.

This summer I planted trees, shrubs and flowers and just a few weeks ago adopted a small dog from the SPCA whom I walk 2-3 times a day.

I refuse to cower indoors and deprive myself of the things I have always loved and enjoyed.

I refuse to let fear rule me. If I get hit by a car, die in a plane crash, get a different cancer or the mel spreads, well so be it. In the meantime I will live my life to the fullest and enjoy whatever is left to me. There is no do-over and I don’t want any regrets.

I'm hoping to hear back from the original poster.  He/she was stage I, so I don't think that steroids or other heavy duty MM drugs are part of their picture.  

I guess the original poster may be having some tough times psychologically with the MM diagnosis, and that col cause the depression or whatever.  Still hoping to hear whether alcohol is the problem or just frequent thirst instead.

I don't think any of your "new addictions" could be attributed to melanoma directly.  Attributed to stress/anxiety, sure.  Talk to a professional before you spiral out of control.  Having dealt with depression for 15 years, I know how easy it can be to ignore mental problems and let them build until you are controlled by them. 

Mary

Stage 3