Emotional Issues
Emotional swings can be quite challenging and can be triggered by the upheaval already caused by such a serious diagnosis as lung cancer and also possibly brought on by the cancer treatments themselves. It is completely understandable to need assistance, either through a therapist giving guidance or chemical assistance through psychotropic drugs. Any extended feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety should be discussed with your physician. These are real conditions and such emotional reactions strike many of us trying to juggle so many major and life-altering decisions.
Depression and Anxiety
A serious condition like this should not be taken lightly. Talk with your physician for prescriptions and oversight. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the more common treatments (ie Prozac and many others), but some of them can be too stimulating. There are other anxiety/depression agents that can be used and might be effective as well (ie buspirone hydrochloride; Buspar). Trazadone hydrochloride (Deseryl) may help with sleep issues as well as depression as it is suggested to be taken at night. You may have to try a number of agents as their side effects affect people differently. Be patient as it can take up to and over 60 days before you notice a mood difference and improvement. Caregivers and/or spouses may notice an improvement before you as the patient feels an improvement.
Recommendations
Discuss with your General Practitioner who might recommend a therapist, Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
Take it a day at a time.
Don’t let the “What If” (3 am) heebie jeebies get you down. They’re at their worst in the middle of the night.
A good night's sleep is important. I distract myself with a podcast called “Nothing Much Happens” , a slow paced, sleep inducing series of short stories that help calm, quiet the mind and help me fall back to sleep.
Focus on what you do have control over.
Remind yourself of one thing you are thankful for every day, especially on the worst days.
Situational Anxiety (i.e. before IV infusions)
Shorter acting agents such as the benzodiazepine class of drugs (ie Xanax, Ativan etc.) can be used to help with situational anxiety as well as other, more anxiety-related issues. I have very small veins that collapse and hide. Understandably, I became a bit anxious after a number of needlestick mishaps. I took a short-acting benzodiazepine 30 minutes before arriving at the infusion center.
Recommendations
Drink LOTS of fluids prior to your infusion to pump up your veins and help clear the toxins from your system.
Keep warm (wear a sweater, hat, cover extremities, sockies etc.) prior to IV placement.
Take an Ativan (prescription) approximately 15 minutes prior to the nurse placing the IV.
Have nurse wrap your arms with warm, moist towels to relax. This also helps to dilate, raise the veins to the skin surface prior to IV insertion.
Situational Depression (ie post-infusion “blues”)
After certain infusion treatment regimens, especially when immune dampening agents are used (ie steroids et al) to minimize short term side effects, there may be a rebound-like emotional swing resulting in a very blue day or two. Plan on having friends visit or having some low-key distractions to get you through that day. Just remember that this will pass.
Recommendations
Try to find ways to distract yourself from worrying.
Play low-key games with friends...or not. Card games, Mexican train / dominoes, Wii games (ie bowling), Wordle etc.
Go for a walk, even if it’s only around the block. Believe it or not, you’ll feel better.
Watch uplifting, warm and fuzzy movies: Amalie, Groundhog Day, Cinema Paradiso, Bug’s Life (love the “lady” bug), As Good As It Gets (the dog), A Good Year (the music).
Indulge yourself (ie chocolate etc.); no chores, no heavy subjects.
Allow yourself to nap if you need to.