Anxiety

[Pam34]

Hello

I’m currently going through a very stressful time with treatment for breast cancer. At present I’m waiting for an MRI scan on my brain to check for possible secondaries. It’s been a rollercoaster ride and my anxiety levels are through the roof. I’ve managed so far with counselling but feel I may now need some medical intervention to help me cope.

I’m currently on 150mg of Pregabalin and that is keeping my RLS nicely under control. What medication can I take that won’t aggravate my RLS? I’m not depressed, I just need something to take the edge off my anxiety. Any ideas please? I’ve never taken anything like this before and having looked at the list of medications to avoid I’m not sure which cover depression and which are prescribed for anxiety.

Many thanks

Pam

[Joolsg]

Pregabalin is given for anxiety but clearly you may need something else to cover the stress related anxiety. Benzos are good for anxiety and RLS. Ask your GP for diazepam or clonazepam.I really hope the results are good and there's no spread. Sending positive thoughts your way.

[Pam34 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Jools. I knew you’d have the answer. And please, any positive thoughts welcome.

Hope you are keeping ok too.

Pamx

[Joolsg in reply to Pam34]

I'll send a DM Pam x

[Hidden]

Hi Pam,

I'm sorry to hear what you're going through and can appreciate how it must be having gone through similar myself.

I would continue with the counselling. I'm not sure who's providing this. Some places I know have a "level 4" psychology service specifically for cancer sufferers.

You can also contact Macmillan Cancer Support who can tell you what services they provide or of any local cancer charities there are where you live. They may have a local breast cancer support group. Macmillan also have online support communities, there will be one for breast cancer.

Hopefully your oncology department will have given you some information.

I recognise that it's probably all too much to take in at the moment.

It will be a good idea, I think to get some medical aid.

From my knowledge of the most effective mecications used for anxiety these days, plus from personal experience,in my opinion, I think you will find the benzodiazepines of little or no value,

I would stop short of saying rubbish or they don"'t work, but I'd say pretty well on in that direction.

SSRIs are now generally used for anxiety although they are called antidepressants.

They do make RLS worse, no doubt of that. However

a) they don't neccessarily make it worse immediately

b) your anxiety needs precedence at the moment over your RLS.

c) hopefully it will be a temporary measure. Once you get all investigations done and are clearer about your future, whatever that is, you may find the anxiety improves to the point of being more manageable.

The RLS foundation recommend either sertraline or citalopram for RLS sufferers when an antidepressant is a necessity.

i believe it is a necessity for you at the moment.

I hope you get your MRI results soon and it's good news.

[Pam34 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Manerva.

The counselling team at Weston Park (my cancer hospital) and Cavendish Cancer Care (our local charity) have been brilliant and have given me lots of coping techniques. But having coped with 18 months of cancer and Covid and now this next threat I feel I need something more. And like you say it may only be a temporary measure. I really hope so.

I hope you are ok now.

Pam

[Hidden in reply to Pam34]

Great to hear that you're getting the support you need.

When I needed it I used citalopram and found it helpful. IT did make my RLS worse, but it took a while to do that. When the RLS was beginning to get more troublesome than the anxiety I weaned off it.

My GP gave me some valium at my request as it takes a few weeks for the citalopram to start working. It had no effect whatsoever.

You may find this link helpful.

rlsfoundation.blogspot.com/...

[Pam34]

Thanks. I’ll have a read. You and Jools are always so helpful. I think my GP will be sympathetic - it’s amazing what a cancer diagnosis can do! Shame that doesn’t extend to RLS……..

[Hidden in reply to Pam34]

Theres a great deal of "secondary gain" to be had from a cancer diagnosis. You do get a lot of attention.

I agree it is a shame that RLS doesn't get the same attention, nor are the same services provided and yet both create similar needs.

Macmillan Cancer Support for example, do provide a virtual library of information for cancer patients on practically all aspects of life affected by cancer from sleep problems to sex!

I've never even seen a single leaflet for RLS sufferers.

With cancer you get to see a variety of health professionals who together give more holistic care. With RLS you get to see a primary care doctor and if you're lucky, a neurologist.

After that you're left to work it out for yourself.

[Midnight-Blue]

Hi, Pam, You definitely have a lot “on your plate” and from what I have read just now, about yourself, others would have “folded” & given in to Depression & other mental health issues. As far as medication for anxiety there are several out there. I have MS, suffer with RLS, Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety to name a few. (I won’t bore you with the rest & have you fall asleep on me!). I could list various medications out there but how they would interact with your both your medication for your Cancer treatment as well as your RLS the best people that would knowwould be your own physicians. If you Google Medications for Anxiety and go from there would give you an idea of what is out there. Your therapist is also a good source. I take Buspar (Also called Busperone & probably a few other names.) Keep me in the loop. Byeee!

[Pam34 in reply to Midnight-Blue]

Thanks and yes, I think the best thing is to speak to my oncologist. I’ve been trying to cope without medication but I don’t think I’m helping myself.

You take care, it sounds like you also have a lot to cope with.

Pam

[Jumpey]

Dear Pam, I empathise with you.I underwent treatment for breast cancer earlier this year. I used to take diazepam for my RLS when it was milder so this won't exacerbate your symptoms and will work well for your anxiety .Sending love and wishes for a positive outcome. Hang on in there!x

[Pam34 in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you. That’s really useful to know. I think that will be a starting point with my GP. If I can get through on the phone!!

Best wishes to you too. It’s hard isn’t it?

Pamx

[Jumpey in reply to Pam34]

Yes it is Pam.And you have the additional worry of possible secondaries which I didn't have. I hope you have loving support around you.This definitely helped me to bolster my own internal strength to cope with the myriad of emotions and grief that cancer treatment brings up. And take heart ,my sister in law has secondary cancer and her tumour has disappeared with targeted chemo. Sending love.x

[ziggypiggy]

Sorry to hear. As far as a medication for anxiety, I have had luck with clonidine. Haven't noticed any increase in my RLS with that. It can make you a little drowsy but benzos can do the same thing. Antidepressants are so difficult with RLS but you may be able to tolerate a low dose to see how it effects you. The Pregabalin might work well enough to offset any increase in symptoms an antidepressant might give you.

Fingers crossed.

[Eryl]

Keep your blood sugar down. Cancer feeds on blood sugar and high blood sugar will cause inflammation in the nerves which will contribute to anxiety. youtu.be/rewf0MMhGg8(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden in reply to Eryl]

Hi Eryl. I'm not sure whether or not to thank you for this.

What you say is misleading, I think. I would never suggest that cutting out carbohydrates could cure cancer as you seem to imply.

It's also misleading in that the video you post says more than this.

It also doesn't support the idea of relieving anxiety by cutting out carbohydrates at all.

However, what the video does present points to what appears to be quite an important possible development in cancer treatment.

That is the role of glutamine.

I checked and found that actually there's been some promising research into this.

That's what I might thank you for.

BUT, it's a two edged sword, because by the time that this is fully explored, a therapy developed which is then tested and tried and approved, I'll be long gone.

[Eryl in reply to Hidden]

I'm not claiming that it will cure cancer, but as cancer feeds on sugar, reducing blood sugar will slow down its growth. Here's a link to the connection between carbs and anxiety. youtu.be/TXlVfwJ6RQU(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden in reply to Eryl]

Thanks for clarifying.

From the previous video it seems starving the cancer of glutamine is more significant thzn starving it of sugar.

[Pam34]

All good information and advice from everyone. Thank you so much. It means a lot.

I’m doing everything I can to beat this but sometimes a little extra help is needed.

Pamx

[Pippins3]

So sorry to read this Pam .You could try Beta blockers ,I have taken them in the past to help with anxiety related to Graves disease and they didn't worsen my RLS x

[Blu34]

Hi Pam, I'm sorry to hear what you are going through. I have been taking Clonazepam along with RLS medications and it helps with my anxiety. Hope you find comfort.

[jilk]

pam have you looked at the connection of G.A.B.A and glutamate references to restless legs and cancer