Just finished week 7 into the year of Interferon for Stage IIIa, and anxiety is by far the biggest struggle for me right now. Melanoma is an anxiety-producing diagnosis no matter what, but I also see the benefit of having faith that it has been surgically removed, clean PETScan, and now the treatment to prevent a recurrence. There are many people who have gone through this treatment and lived long, healthy lives. Physical side effects of the Interferon are there, mainly fatigue. The oncologist said in a few years I will look back and this will be a blip in my life – that is a wonderful picture for the future, but for getting through the day to day ANXIETY it doesn't carry me! I started taking Clonopin for the anxiety a few days ago, but it is not really doing the trick. I also listen to Belleruth Naparstek, she has downloadable guided imagery and affirmations available free on kp.org/listen. I highly recommend trying them out.
Back to Mark's posting, I strongly believe that the anxiety I am currently overcome with is a side effect of the Interferon. If there is anyone who is coping with interferon treatments and would like to be email pals, please feel welcome to email me and hopefully we can support one another through this! [email protected]
