New to this site

[TamiW]

Hi - I am 7 1/2 years post diagnosis of MBC. Thru the grace of God and the miracles of modern medicine, I am doing really well. When originally diagnosed, there were tumors in my breasts, liver and spine. With immunotherapy, the cancer has all but gone away. I am beyond grateful, but have a daily struggle (which Ive had for many years before the MBC) with anxiety and depression. It’s very frustrating. Have tried different meds. Im really frustrated. I go for treatment every 3 weeks to keep the cancer at bay. The meds for the cancer must be affecting my anxiety and depression. Anyway, I am glad to have found this online support.

[Trissh]

So fortunate that the immunotherapy is keeping the cancer at bay. Do you have triple negative? What treatment are you taking? The depression and anxiety can be overwhelming but there are treatments that work and keep you on a more steady if not content path.

[Nocillo]

I suffered from anxiety for years, but managed to keep it mostly under control with occasionally taking Xanax. However, after menopause and being stripped of most of my estrogen with my cancer drugs, it came back so much worse. I’ve been on Prozac which worked well. Then after progression I had to switch to Lexapro. That worked fine too. I’ve had to change again because the Lexapro would not work with the trial drug I’m currently taking. Now I’m on Cymbalta. The transition has been tough, took a few months, but I think I’m on the proper dosage now. So, keep trying until you find something that really works for you. It’s very hard to have to transition and sometimes scary. Hopefully you can get a doctor who will work closely with you to solve it. A real trigger for me is turbulence, so I don’t fly anymore. I won’t put myself in a situation where I don’t have control of my environment. I’d sure rather not live like this, but I just can’t tolerate certain things anymore, pills or no pills. I used to fly all over the world and lived in 6 different countries. But for my own peace, it’s pretty much a home bound life for me or very local travel. My nerves just can’t take any more stress! Glad that your treatment is going well. I’m almost 10 years, for which I am extremely grateful!!!

[Artesa in reply to Nocillo]

I completely relate to what you said, I used to travel not as extensively as you did but was happy to experience different outdoor activities, visiting the National Parks, going to Italy, England years ago.. we had planned on Ireland, Scotland and maybe a bike tour but I'd never leave the area now. I'm immunocompromised and can pick up viruses very easily resulting in a hospital stay but otherwise I look and feel 'healthy'.

I discourage visitors and almost never visit relatives because of risk of exposure. Usually someone has a stomach or respiratory virus which would have more severe consequences for me if I got it. I'm not able to feed the birds in our back yard due to possible bacteria and now avian bird disease so my life has turned in quite a bit. I look for the small joys every single day. I keep a journal, hike most days on moderately challenging trails, attend a mid day meditation sit with a Sangha on line and I sign on for programs that support my spiritual intent. It is still difficult and I wish I felt freer to travel and see people. I feel very boxed in but am still grateful that I have my health and continue to be alive and well. Very thankful for this forum and support.

[Nocillo in reply to Artesa]

I understand completely! And yes, this forum is so helpful!

[Dragonfighter]

Hi and welcome. I too struggle with anxiety. I have take effexor for years and it helps. Cancer has been hard because I am a bit of a control freak and I have had to step back and give up control as I am not in charge of this stupid disease. I try to find the joy in little things and happiness wherever I can find it. Take care of yourself and rely on your family and friends for support!

[love2golfwell]

I'm glad you are doing well physically but sad for the emotional struggles you are dealing with. In addition to meds could you try some things like meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy and also essential oils. Not sure if they would help, but may be worth trying. In the meantime, I am sending you hugs and prayers that you find some relief for these symptoms. Take care.

[Artesa]

Hi TamiW, it is wonderful you have had such success with treatment. I'm post dx 1 and 1/2 years and doing well but not so well emotionally. I never dreamed living past a couple of years was possible . I go for a hike just over an hour to one hour and 40 min nearly every day and this helps center me but mostly I experience a lot of angst and mild to moderate depression that is easily hidden on a daily basis. I take lorazepam at night for sleep and one during the day, late afternoon but that does little good. It's a struggle but I often wonder why I seem more anxious than women in my support group (with terminal illness) who are symptomatic and considering hospice. Do you finally get used to having mBC? I no longer feel relaxed in my day to day living. 😑

[fancydog]

Welcome to this group of very supportive women sharing the fight for our lives. Since your anxiety and Depression has been present for many yrs even before MBC you would probably benefit from seeing a Psychiatrist for medical management as well as a good counselor. My Cancer center provides counseling for free if ordered by your Onc. I have benefitted from this service tremendously and we talk about many more things than just MBC.

[rubyc1234]

I will be 7 years into the metastatic experience in February. In the beginning I feared dying terribly but as the years have gone by I have felt more and more optimistic. I may be here a long time. But I know there are no certainties. I am on an antidepressant, the lowest dose and that may help, although it is not even a therapeutic dose. I am 72 years old so I can say that I have lived a fairly long time. My first diagnosis was in 2003. You did not mention your age. What type of cancer do you have? I was unaware that they are using immunotherapy for MBC.

[doulos21 in reply to rubyc1234]

I am 4yrs post dx MBC de novo...not a recurrence of previously treated disease, but MBC from the get go. It's been up and down with success, then the end of the med life and on to the next one for these 4 yrs. Just recently, I was put on Keytruda (immunotherapy) because it is now approved for metastatic disease where tumor burden is high (mine is). That kind of info comes from my Guardant360 test. Interestingly, the science shows standard breast cancer as a "low responder" to immuno when low tumor burden, but research the last couple of years has shown those with high tumor burdens evidently respond very well to immuno. So, we'll see what the Lord has in mind here.

[Yikes123]

To manage my increasing stress as I change treatment, they added Remeron to my occasional Xanax. Maybe you can ask your provider. The emotional stress deserves attention as much as the physical challenges.

Good luck.

[mariootsi]

You may want to talk to a therapist. I know I have found it very help as I struggle with anxiety too.