When Will This Exhausting Worry Fade?

I strongly suggest some anti anxiety meds. I resisted because I did not want to take anything, but I got to the point of not sleeping and just crippling depression and anxiety Doesn't mean you have to be on them forever It made it possible for me to start start chemo and cope so much easier

I feel the same way. It’s the waiting, I was diagnosed in feb and they still want another MRI guided biopsy on both breast again. Now we are coming up on May and still no answers or treatment plan.

@Marlene R, I was diagnosed on March 13th and we’re finally moving forward, this Friday we’re doing the port and on Monday I start chemotherapy 😅 I’m ready!

I thought I was the only one who felt physically drained. I would feel so fatigue my mid afternoon, I was suffering from insomnia and depression and anxiety. My doctor prescribed me sleeping medication, that doesn’t really work for me. I was dealing with my diagnosis and caring for my mom on hospice, she passed and we laid her to rest February 28, I had surgery for double mastectomy on Monday March 03. I still have moments where I just cry , days where I don’t want to get out of bed, but I have my kids and husband and they keep me going. I know my mom would want me to be strong . I see a therapist once a week , they my doctor referred and it helps. This platform helps too. You are not alone

Oh my gosh. I thought I was the only one feeling like this. I thought I was overthinking and making myself sick. I’m in tears. I feel the same way. Was just diagnosed in March and waiting for my surgery which is four weeks away. It’s this waiting. It’s the hurry up but wait. It’s the answered to my question but now there’s two more questions. I’m here for you!

@Liza I meet with oncologist on Friday April 25, to determine if I need further treatment. This anxiety is driving me crazy. I feel like I can plan for next part of surgery until I know if I have to do chemo. I just want to feel how I felt before, I don’t even feel like the same person.

I can so relate. The wait is torture. The not knowing is horrible. I’ve had one major panic attack. I am super claustrophobic and scared to death to have a MRI . I pray there is another way. I know they can sedate but fear that’s not enough 😢

@ Carol, the MRI-I asked my primary for help. I was given lorazepam. Boy did it help. Are you having a breast MRI or a “regular”? I say breast because I have to say that being face down was easier than face up. It wasn’t easy, heck no but the medicine really took the edge off. Had a second MRI biopsy and took it again. I felt much better knowing I would ok second time around. It’s tough, super tough!!!

I see the oncologist next week. Every doctor, nurse etc I talk to, I tell them no MRI. I had a CT scan awhile ago and they gave me something to relax me but didn’t work. Thank goodness I was only in there for 5 minutes. I’m not sure I could be face down cause I would feel being smothered. It’s so bad for me. But thank you for your suggestion. 🙏

I was diagnosed back March 6th with left breast cancer and lymph node concerns. Currently my CT scans came back showing it didn't spread and no hereditary traits. I thank God for that, but how I made it to today since I got the diagnosis. after the initial shock I try not to think about it. I go day by day first by thanking God I woke up this morning, and just staying in the day. I try to make the best of the day I get. One day at a time.🙏🏾🙏🏾

I feel the same. I feel like I have more symptoms now than I did before diagnosis and I start crying several times a day. Every time I read how others move through the testing process I fall apart. I have never wanted to take anxiety pills but I’d ask for a sleeping pill and it has helped immensely. The MRI guided biopsies yesterday were extremely painful. I fell apart and found it difficult to explain to anyone why I was so upset. I know I have to get to diagnosis but it’s really hard not to break down.

Thank you all for sharing. There is always “one more test” “one more ultrasound”……. I told them that they had best take them both because if they think I am coming back for a “screening” they are wrong. I won’t put my self through that every March. I am over these b**bs. 😂

I think I’ve been in a constant state of worry and panic for the past 4 months. My biopsy was in December to confirm the breast cancer, had a lung biopsy in January just to rule out a nodule they found on a CT, met the oncologist in February, had the lumpectomy in March (and been dealing with constant pain and swelling ever since). And had my port procedure this month. I finally see the oncologist again on May 5th to talk about when to start chemo. I had my PC give me a buspirone prescription for anxiety, which has helped a lot along with the counselor I found online that specializes in cancer. But the waiting is horrible. We all know chemo will be burial but the waiting to start that horrific journey is almost worst than actually doing the chemo. I just want to get started so I can get past it all.

I have gone through the same emotions of shock, depression, worry, etc. I had to up my antidepressants but it finally helped after about 4 weeks. Thought I was over it but now I’m so tired I can’t do but one thing a day and I’m exhausted. I’m 78 and was in good health 2 yrs ago. Now have glaucoma in both eyes, diabetics taking insulin and Brenzavvy, high cholesterol, Etc etc etc. had my lumpectomy on left breast 2 weeks ago, surgery for removal of 6” of colon and removed gall bladder in November. Decided against radiation at my age but will do the estrogen blocker. It seems like I go to one dr right after another. I’m tired.

I just finished chemo And I just want to go one week without a doctor appointment or a scan or a blood draw Next is MRI and Mammogram, then probably radiation based on scan results

I was diagnosed on February 28 and was mentally and physically drained and exhausted and unmotivated for weeks. I only started to feel like myself around the last week of May only to then have to prepare for a double mastectomy on June 16 (this followed 2previous lumpectomies) which I am now recovering from. I’m guessing that exhaustion will follow me again, but at least this time I know from before that in weeks to come my energy levels will come back. Let yourself be drained, rest and take care of yourself however you need (massages helped me) and although it could take a few months, you will likely/eventually start to feel like yourself again…hope this helps

@ Carol, I have similar concerns with MRI, bring a blindfold, that definitely helps me

CS talking to people such as these platforms and other free cancer support services for emotional support; also finding a therapist to talk to weekly; medication recommendations is an individual choice; it’s important to consult your drs and work with a psychiatrist. In the same boat here; my emotions are up and down and have extreme fatigue

The exhaustion and emotional overwhelm that comes with a new diagnosis is incredibly common and typically does ease as you move through treatment and adjust to this new reality. Your body and mind are processing a lot right now, and it's completely normal that trying to stay positive feels difficult when you're dealing with so much uncertainty. Many community members find that connecting with others who understand this journey and taking things one day at a time can help during this overwhelming period.