Scared and incapitated but been here before......

[cindee56]

Hi Everyone,

Last year as recent as October I had 2 biopsies for concerns regarding breast cancer. In 1995 at age 38 I was diagnosed with breast cancer so this of course was very stressful going through biopsies after almost 18 years of thinking I was "ok'. Thankfully both biopsies were benign but I have not felt normal ever since.
Most recently I am unable to take a deep breath have back pain off and on and just have this real doom and gloom feeling I can't shake. Ativan which my dr gave me during these biopsies helps a bit but I am trying not to take it. I am on Wellbutrin 300xl but the overwhelming scared feeling is starting to freak me out. During the past few days I am even avoiding going out of my house. When I was in my 20's I had an episode with panic attacks and was actually off work for a year......I am now 57 but those feelings are all too real. The breathing issue feeling like I have to yawn to get a breath is causing me a great deal of anxiety because I keep thinking it's lung cancer, it's bone cancer.......

Any advice comments would be appreciated..feeling very alone.

cindee

[jessed03]

Hey Cindee

It's good news your biopsies came back ok. I totally get why that fear of cancer would be THERE, just standing out in your mind, causing you to worry about your symptoms.

They're classic anxiety aren't they. Shortness of breath, pain, the doom and gloom feeling. I think 99% of us can check off those symptoms on our list of Had's.

Have you have any psychotherapy to help? At one point you had a very scary period in your life, of course that's gonna stay in your head, causing you to be a little scared of something like that happening again. It would only be natural right. Once bitten, twice shy and all that...

The symptoms you have are nasty, but usually ones people do get better from. Classic anxiety like you have, does have very good treatment rates.

Anyway, nice to meet you :)

[cindee56]

Thanks jessed03 really appreciate you taking the time to respond. As I mentioned had a bad episode 30 years ago and made it through and you are soooooo right when you say classic anxiety....as always when we are anxious always think the worst. Thanks again for your words of encouragement it made me smile

[GeneAllen]

Glad your test was benign.

You are correct the anxious worrisome negative thoughts come in when anxiety hits. Now I have just named these symptoms "labeled them" for conversation sake, but what are they without names? They are not you, they are indeed a part of your experience right now, but not you in essence. Just my thoughts but I think the "old fears" thoughts have triggered memories of the past battle with cancer. The truth is you are a survivor, you're here posting, you are alive and well except for some residual painful memories and when you let those rest, and flow on by, and stay away from placing your focus on what might have been, and what if's you will once again find your center. This is my hope for you. I hope this helped. I am new here so keep in mind I am learning too. Peace

[Dahila]

I am so glad you result came benign.
I know exactly how you feel , I got benign skin cancer. I was scared to death too. :) welcome to the forum;)