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Anxiety & loss of concentration -- will ADs help?
This Wed I'll see my doc to discuss if I shall start ADs. Since last Thursday, I've also started to suffer from anxiety and loss of concentration. Now, I wonder if ADs will also help against these side effects. Anyone with experience in this matter?
ask your doc to run an ammonia level check on your blood...often confusion comes from too high a level and this can be remedied with lactulose of a high fiber diet to keep at least 3 movements a day happening.
anxiety, yes, ativan works best for me...and it is less hard on the liver than many other choices..
AD's can also help but they take weeks to kick in, so sometimes short term you may need to take both. The ativan for immediate relief...and later maybe you can just get by with the AD.
My anxiety did not begin until going on treatment...it was dirrectly Riba related.
My body would just quiver...even waking up my whole abdomen would be shaking and quivering like a bowl of jello,,,,and even while asleep these tremors were ongoing...
so for me the ativan was a life saver...however some docs are reluctant to give it, because it can cause dependancy issues. I convinced my doctor..because without it I could not have continue treatment...I knew that...and made certain she knew it too.
Do not exagerate your symptoms, but do not underste them either...
I went from a very calm person who could browse for hours in a mall...to a shakey lump who wanted to hold onto the rug and wail. And stores...more often than not I would have to turn and run to get out..I couldn't handle the lights the people or the stress of the experience....so som sort of serious brain changes were being caused by the chemo.
mb
anxiety, yes, ativan works best for me...and it is less hard on the liver than many other choices..
AD's can also help but they take weeks to kick in, so sometimes short term you may need to take both. The ativan for immediate relief...and later maybe you can just get by with the AD.
My anxiety did not begin until going on treatment...it was dirrectly Riba related.
My body would just quiver...even waking up my whole abdomen would be shaking and quivering like a bowl of jello,,,,and even while asleep these tremors were ongoing...
so for me the ativan was a life saver...however some docs are reluctant to give it, because it can cause dependancy issues. I convinced my doctor..because without it I could not have continue treatment...I knew that...and made certain she knew it too.
Do not exagerate your symptoms, but do not underste them either...
I went from a very calm person who could browse for hours in a mall...to a shakey lump who wanted to hold onto the rug and wail. And stores...more often than not I would have to turn and run to get out..I couldn't handle the lights the people or the stress of the experience....so som sort of serious brain changes were being caused by the chemo.
mb
In my experience, the ADs are a definite asset in dealing with the mood swings, anxiety etc. They take a few weeks to kick in. Many folks in treatment find them essential.
As you probably know, they are not without their own side effects. In my case, I think the ADs amplified my feeling of grogginess and lack of focus while they mellowed out my mood. Ultimately I chose to go off the ADs while I was still undergoing treatment because I needed the extra focus. So I chose a little higher level of volatility and moodiness in exchange for a little more energy and alertness.
Another way to deal with the anxiety and loss of concentration is with cardiovascular exercise, which improves the serotonin chemistry in the brain as well. I go to the gym daily and prefer my natural approach to the meds. That's not to speak against the meds. They have their place. But really no one should be in treatment without attempting light to moderate exercise. (Plus it makes you healthier.)
As you probably know, they are not without their own side effects. In my case, I think the ADs amplified my feeling of grogginess and lack of focus while they mellowed out my mood. Ultimately I chose to go off the ADs while I was still undergoing treatment because I needed the extra focus. So I chose a little higher level of volatility and moodiness in exchange for a little more energy and alertness.
Another way to deal with the anxiety and loss of concentration is with cardiovascular exercise, which improves the serotonin chemistry in the brain as well. I go to the gym daily and prefer my natural approach to the meds. That's not to speak against the meds. They have their place. But really no one should be in treatment without attempting light to moderate exercise. (Plus it makes you healthier.)
Ativan (lorazepam) is very good for anxiety and unlike ADs, you can take it only when needed. It is particularly good at night when I'm trying to sleep and just cannot stop my mind from torturing me with all my fears!
I'm right there with you. I had an appointment today and decided to go on the Celexa she suggested a couple weeks ago. Seems the anxiety and mood swings were NOT a transient thing like I thought. :-( I'm taking my first one today (20 mg) to see how it effects me. If it keeps me in the game, so be it.........
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