Lung cancer support

[kkxz]

I need support for me lung cancer

[Jenniferroseolson]

What do you need? We have a lot of knowledge and experience between us (those who read these). Are you living with lung cancer? I am too. Every day is a gift---and a roller coaster! Hang in there!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Hi, KKXZ. Welcome to the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer Boards. Lung cancer no longer has to be the automatic death sentence it used to be. I've survived well for 6 years with stage 4 adenocarcinoma lung cancer.

How can we help you? Please know you are not alone. Each survivor here has heard those dreadful- you have cancer- words.

Since my mom had died of the same lung cancer I had a scant 4 years before my diagnosis I thought I knew everything. Boy was I wrong, turns out I didn't even know what I needed to ask.

Answers you get here will be based on the experiences of people who want to help you. Some like me are long term survivors and many have been recently diagnosed.

Welcome.

[kkxz in reply to Denzie]

I can't think of anything else my

Anxiety level is so high I can't eat or sleep what should I do

[Faith17 in reply to kkxz]

Hi kkxz i pray your feeling less anxious after reading all these lovely and caring responses. Five months ago i was feeling just like you. When i was first diagnose with lung cancer i told my primary physician to prescribed anything to numb me and he prescribed Ativan....as you can see Denise also agrees. Also and most importantly is to pray. I will say prayers for you as well. God is awesome. Please keep us informed how you are doing...stay strong my friend you are not alone. Blessings

[Enjoyabull in reply to kkxz]

Ask your Dr. for anti anxiety meds and my Dr. gave me sleeping pills.

[Enjoyabull in reply to Denzie]

What treatment did you get? Have you been on carboplatin? Have you had any pain?

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Enjoyabull]

I had cisplatin with etopicide. Cisplatin is carboplatin's predecessor. Cisplatin is a bit harsher, harsher side effects and only extends progression free survival about 2-3 more weeks than carboplatin. Most if my pain results from long term side effects of treatment. I have osteoporosis and the steroids leech calcium from the body. I have had 4 compression fractures on vertebrae T6-9 and 8 ribs, two of which will never heal. I use pain patches and then Norco for breakthrough pain.

[Enjoyabull in reply to Denzie]

Do the pain patches make you feel foggy at all? Is Norco a narcotic drug? This is the second time I have heard about it and I want to take something that doesnt fog my brain.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Enjoyabull]

The patches are fentanyl 12mcg. I am on the lowest dose I can tolerate painwise. I used to be on 50mcg but tapered as low as I can. No I do not feel doped up. I am able to do more things than I can when I am in pain. It took a couple weeks to get used to it but now I am fine.

Pain relief allows me to do household chores, shopping, cooking, etc, plus I work 2 three hour shifts a week at my old job. I also volunteer at my hospitals oncology center.

Exercise helped strengthen my back post surgery and made it possible to reduce my pain meds to their current level.

The Norco is the same thing my dr gave me for a broken arm and my dentist when I had an infection. They are both narcotics but different classes of narcotics.

[FtB_Peggy in reply to Denzie]

Denzie, Thank you for once more shedding light on an important subject. Pain relief is necessary for quality of life for anyone living with pain...it is my understanding that pain slows healing, and interferes with mobility and sleep. All negatives. God bless palliative care!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to FtB_Peggy]

So very true!

[kkxz]

Are there any thing out there for

Anxiety and depression

[mycancerchronical in reply to kkxz]

Hi kkxz, I was diagnosed with Stage IV this past July, I have been documenting my experience with cancer since at: mycancershronical.com. I've had my bouts of depression also, but having a great support group of friends and family is the best way I have found to turn my depression into a drive to get well and beat this thing.

Good luck and I wish you well, boards like this can work well as your support group as also.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to kkxz]

Yes. Talk to your dr about Ativan for anxiety. Start a very low dose. Also ask about an antidepressant, they take a few weeks to work so you will need the Ativan for the times when it is the worst. This is not a medication you can take all the time so use Ativan judiciously.

You need to be able to relax and focus as anxiety will feed the cancer. You don't have to use them for life either. Just till you're ready to drop them under a dr supervision.

In the meanwhile you might look into yoga or meditation. They are extremely helpful. Ask the oncology social worker at your hospital for help finding these services. They should be free. Also your hospital may have a patient support group so you can meet others who e walked and are walkin this path with you.

[Steph60]

Am sorry you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Can you tell us a little more of what is going on? With a little bit more info we can provide you with a better support system. Remember we are all here for you!

[scifiknitter Blogger]

Kkxz,

Lung cancer is one name for a bunch of different diseases, each of which has different treatment paths. Early stage lung cancer is treated very differently from advanced stages as well. We can help you a lot better if we know more about what you are facing.

With best hopes,

Anita

[FtB_Peggy]

Kkxz, welcome and thank you for reaching out - as you can see, everyone is anxious to ease your path and support you. You do no have to face this alone!!!

Please let us know what your diagnosis is, and what your treatment path looks like - you will get fantastic help here.

Meanwhile, make sure to let your medical team know how you are feeling, and please talk to someone about what you are experiencing. If you would like some information on support groups, just email me at [e-mail] and don't hesitate to call if you need to talk, you can reach me toll free at 844.835.4325 or my direct line is 608.828.8847.

Please keep talking with us, we want to help you.

[Hidden]

We'll all be here for youwe will find outside support too. So don't get scared well help you .Jo

[gibdonnalee Community Superhero]

Everyone on this site is here to help you. I recently joined myself because of stage 3/4 lung cancer. Let people know your diagnosis so they can help you . I know your scared and anxious but knowledge is power, so it goes. There is a lot of people who can give you advice and ease your fears. Prayers being said for you.

[Hidden]

@kkxz We are here to help you. What ever you have it someone on here m ay have the same thing. Or few of us may have it. I had adnoecarcinoma Had upper lung on left side removed. wouldn't go thru radiation. went thru six months of chemo i'm now starting my fourth year of being cancer free.I told my oncologist that he did it and he said god did it. Others will have different things to say.I'll think of you and i'm sending lots of love and hugs. Jo