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Survivor's Anxiety

crcsurvivor
crcsurvivor CSN Member Posts: 3 Member
in Emotional Support #1

I am "cancer-free" now, but mentally I feel worse than during all the treatments! Has anyone else experienced this? I have tremendous anxiety over any possible situation and I wake up every morning in a panic attack. I am looking into therapy but does anyone else have any ideas for me? Thank you.

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Comments

  • Arx001
    Arx001 CSN Member Posts: 57 Member
    #2

    Hi, I wasn’t having these symptoms but they are somehow relatable with everyone I guess. Fear of death, incapacitation and suffering is quite normal, no?

    Is there a cancer patient who has never experienced panic? I guess not. Even after the treatment one can experience stress and panic over any possible recurrence symptoms - even the remote ones!

    A good psychiatrist or a combo of a psychologist-psychiatrist may help you faster and better. I’d say better do this soon. Also (to a much lesser degree) writing here or discussing it with the people around you may.

    We’ll die anyway so I don’t get worried much.

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  • crcsurvivor
    crcsurvivor CSN Member Posts: 3 Member
    #3
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720895#Comment_1720895

    Thanks for your comment. I think my next step is a support group, and I will go on from there. The mental part of all this is worse than the treatments in some ways.

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  • JackWest
    JackWest CSN Member Posts: 106 Member
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/328976/survivors-anxiety

    "Cancer free" here also. Want to chat? Let me know by a message. Thanks,

    Jack

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  • crcsurvivor
    crcsurvivor CSN Member Posts: 3 Member
    #5

    Hi J

    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720921#Comment_1720921

    Hi Jack, it's Bill. Yes, how are YOU handling your situation? Is there anything that is helping you get through this?

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  • JackWest
    JackWest CSN Member Posts: 106 Member
    #6
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720924#Comment_1720924

    Bill, most important is that I chose the best cancer treatment for my type of prostate cancer. Yes, there are changes in my body and its functions afterwards. However, I clearly chose the best and for life! Everything else is up to us to live with. And I do mean live with.

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  • Annie4606
    Annie4606 CSN Member Posts: 1 Member
    #7
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/328976/survivors-anxiety

    Hey I just was diagnosed back in January and beat the cancer by March it has been a fast whirlwind of everything I'm new here and 59 it was not until I was clear that now fatigue and emotional waves have hit me like a tidalwave and yes now always wondering if it will come back and that I would have gone in March had the treatments not worked on top of being with a not so great person to have around yes its hard and like a roller coaster

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  • JackWest
    JackWest CSN Member Posts: 106 Member
    #8
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724264#Comment_1724264

    Cancer free here also, as the journey was not good for me. Now parts are not working as before, the good news is however that I am still here. All other functions do not count. Life is here and I appreciate that. We all need to see that as a beginning, that have the this lucky result. I am on your team. We can and should share it in the most positive way. Yes, there are roller coasters to be ridden, but lets still get off and live life how we can best.

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  • Linde78634
    Linde78634 CSN Member Posts: 1 *
    #9
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724264#Comment_1724264

    oh my gosh, THIS! I am feeling the same way. I was diagnosed the day after Christmas in 2024 and had my cancer removed Jan 27th, 2025. Then there was about 8 months of back to back bacterial infections that led to me having to have a fecal transplant at MD Anderson. Now that things physically are starting to settle, it’s like my nervous system is in FULL breakout mode. Anxiety is through the roof which has been just super awesome (said no one ever…lol).

    I’d love to chat with anyone that this may resonate with! The survivor’s guilt has also been pretty rough too.

    Hope this finds everyone having a peaceful day.

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  • BattleStar
    BattleStar CSN Member Posts: 21 Member
    edited January 26 #10
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/328976/survivor-039-s-anxiety

    Hello crcsurvivor, I m sorry to hear about your problem. it does sometimes happen with people even after their cancer is gone. I myself have cancer but not dealing with the problems you are. keep in mind all of the treatment could have altered your brain chemistry causing the situation. cancer itself brings a lot of stress to people in different ways. physical stress, mental stress, or a combination. of course not everyone is the same and some do not experience these issues.. sounds like you are waiting for the other shoe to drop everyday because what you have went through before. thats understandable. try to remember.. no one is promised tomorrow and it does not help anyone to get to far ahead of their self. sounds like you maybe need some counseling as well as possible meds to help you get the situation under control.. [content removed by CSN Support Team] I pray things get better for you soon. God bless you. amen…

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