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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 3/15/2017 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Help!!! My anxiety was well under control until I was called back for a repeat mammogram and ultrasound. Well, I have an appointment in 2 days for an ultrasound biopsy. In the past 6 years I have had 2 biopsies, both benign. I just keep thinking of the worst and can't seem to concentrate on anything. I am trying not to take my clonazapan and deal with this fear, but ut is really tough.
Does anyone know if I can take a benzo before the ultrasound, so I am not so anxious? I am thinking everything negative about the results.
I cannot relax or concentrate on tv, reading, anything. Just can't wait until this is done, even though I am terrified of the outcome. Anyone else have the same experience. Sleeping is almost impossible, my mind is just racing.
Posted 3/15/2017 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi IAAM,

I know exactly how you feel. Medical appointments and tests are my challenge/trigger as well.

Some helpful tools that you can use ay this time are the Therapy Worksheets Downloads and the Positive Affirmations/Mantras links form our Resources. Both will help you redirect the worries and intrusive thoughts.

One very simple, but helpful mantra I use when waiting on a test/result is to repeat, "It's not time to worry about that now." It really does work if you keep up the practice.

Remember that though our anxiety causes us to believe that something catastrophic will happen...

There is a vastly higher chance of a good (or neutral) outcome. 😊

Check out those links...and post as often as you need to. We will be here to encourage you!

S.C.
Posted 3/15/2017 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat, makes me feel a little better. No appetite so far today in anticipation of the biopsy tomorrow and the weekend wait for results.I will most definitely look at the links.
Trying to be positive about the results, but my sister-in-Law just finished her treatments for breast cancer. I guess I am just thinking of all she has gone through this past year. My brother-in-law is doing poorly with Hodgkins Lymphoma right now and I am a wreck with worry about my sister and what she is going through right now. Prognosis for him is not good. So I think with all of this happening around me it is no wonder I am anxious. Have to learn to deal, this is life.
Posted 3/15/2017 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
IAAM,

Oh, I am sorry to hear about your SIL and BIL...of course this is triggering, as it hits close to home. sad

I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers...

...and remember that their situation is not the same as yours.

Wishing you courage and peace regarding tomorrow and the waiting for results. It is going to be okay. Post as needed though. smile

S.C.
Posted 3/15/2017 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, it has been rough lately. I will be ok and get through all this the best I can. Once I have the biopsy and get results, I will deal with it from there.
Posted 3/15/2017 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
You say,

"Help!!! My anxiety was well under control until I was called back for a repeat mammogram and ultrasound. Well, I have an appointment in 2 days for an ultrasound biopsy.

"I am trying not to take my clonazapan and deal with this fear, but ut is really tough.

"Does anyone know if I can take a benzo before the ultrasound, so I am not so anxious?"

I don't see anything on the net that says you can't take medicine before taking an ultrasound test. Have you seen that?

I type in, "Can you take medicine before an ultrasound" and it said "No results." You can type in that and see what it says.

I've taken an ultrasound test, and the doctor didn't say anything about don't take your medicines, and I take an anti-depressant and Lithium for bipolar, and a blood pressure medicine.

Its just sound taking a picture. I would think it's like taking an X-Ray. Doesn't seem like that would be affected by medicine.

If you think you need to take your medicine, I don't see why that would hurt anything. If it does, reschedule it.
Posted 3/15/2017 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Tim Tam
I will look that up about taking meds. It is actually an ultrasound guided biopsy. They will take a few samples and I will get results on Monday.
Thanks for your input.
Posted 3/15/2017 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
What did your doctor say about not taking any medicine before your test?


In the search engine, under, "ultrasound guided biopsy"

one of the results was "uwmedicine.org:
and it said, under preparations, medicines,

"•Take your other regular medicines as prescribed by your doctor, unless your doctor or the Radiology staff has told you otherwise."

I'm glad you're looking it up on the web, also.

Post Edited (Tim Tam) : 3/15/2017 6:01:29 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/15/2017 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
I would call your dr and ask since it a biopsy . there may be a medical reason why you should not. I wish I could have been sedated for my prostate biopsy -I can tell you that. I was allowed a nice strong pain pill after and that took the edge off anxiety. good luck and sorry you have to go tru this.
Posted 3/16/2017 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Super20dan
I decided not to take anything. I'm sure I will be fine. Not pleasant, but shouldn't be as bad as the stereotactic biopsy. That was uncomfortable.
Thanks for your feedback. Will let you know how it went tomorrow.
Posted 3/16/2017 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Ultrasound biopsy is done, without any pain during the procedure. But during the ultrasound another nodule was seen, so on Monday will have the stereotactic biopsy. If I was anxious before, my anxiety is through the roof now. I asked about taking Klonopin before this next biopsy and they said that was fine. Hopefully that will help, being a little more relaxed.
I really won't relax until biopsy is done and I get the results from both.
Posted 3/16/2017 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
our thoughts go with you and that everything turns out ok
Posted 3/16/2017 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
super20dan
Thank you, trying to be positive. So far I am feeling a little pain, but also optimistic.
Posted 3/17/2017 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
IAAM,

Great job on getting through your procedure today!

I am sorry you are feeling anxious about the nodule...but try to keep in mind that it is most likely something benign...a cyst, a fibroid...even a fatty tumor or scar tissue.

...but I know, it is hard not to worry, so keep distracted and posting with us...we'll keep you encouraged. smile

S.C.
Posted 3/30/2017 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, anxiety and sadness off the charts. Got my biopsy results and both nodules are malignant. I will see a surgeon to find out more and discuss treatment plan. I feel like I will not be able to go through this. Just honestly so scared of the unknown. Can't concentrate on anything, would rather just sleep and not deal with this all. My husband has been so supportive, but it seems I keep pushing him away. I don't mean to, but just can't talk about any of this. Food doesn't interest me, can't read or watch tv or even concentrate. Is this a normal reaction. In between all this my sister's husband passed away, and I have tried to be there for her.
Just plain terrified.
Posted 3/30/2017 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
I just had eye surgery Monday. Cataracts. I was basically horrified.

It was scheduled like 3 weeks in advance. Waiting it out for 3 weeks was also rough.

But I got through it, and I hope you will, too.
Posted 3/30/2017 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
yes you are having a normal reaction. I did exactly as you are now when I found I had prostate cancer. so sorry your results are what they are. we will try and support you mentally as best we can . as bad as things seem now.... there is hope and light at the end of this long dark tunnel. modern medicine is truly amazing today. please try to stay strong. you are also entitled to a period of grief so you can act as you wish or seem fit to act is my feeling
Posted 3/30/2017 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Super, the fear of all this is overwhelming. I don't cry every day and really don't know what triggers it in the first place. Trying my hardest to stay strong and optimistic. Primary care physician says nodules are small, so hopefully caught early. Praying that is so.
Posted 3/30/2017 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
IAAM,

I know this was not the result your were hoping for...but you are going to get through this. Everything is going to be alright. You are in good hands with your medical team...

...and we are here to help cover the anxiety aspect of things.

You are going to fight, get well, and be stonger than ever before.

I am sending thoughts and prayers your way for courage and strength.

Post as often as you need to friend.

S.C.
Posted 3/30/2017 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat,
This forum is really helpful for me. Sometimes all I need is to post and get my feelings out there. Thanks everyone for being here for those of us who need the support. I was really down earlier, but you are right, I will fight this and win. 😀
Posted 3/30/2017 10:03 AM (GMT 0)
That's a great attitude. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Posted 3/30/2017 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Rspwed,
Thank you, I am going to beat this.
Posted 3/30/2017 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Here is a technique I learned for my practice years ago. Make your doubts into pictures. Can you visualize them? Good, so make the pictures immediately when you start to worry. Now, make the outcome you want into a picture (everything turning out OK). Make the worry pictures one at a time and stack them up. Make them all dull and small. Make the success picture large and colorful. Now, watch as the worry pictures disappear. Put the success picture in front of where the pictures were. How does that feel? If this process doesn't work for you, substitute things. Make the doubt pictures on glass and watch as they explode, or experiment until this works for you. Your mind is very powerful, learn how to use it. Keep you eyes on your goals, is basically what works best, and remove the obstacles so they don't get in the way. I hope this helps. smile
Posted 3/31/2017 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Take the meds! Do whatever YOU need to get through what you have to do. Then you can think about the results ... try to compartmentalize what you need to do and what you don't...get through the procedure, then worry about the worry. xo
Posted 4/19/2017 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Mastectomy/implant with expander surgery scheduled for April 25th.Had blood tests and EKG, so the next thing is surgery. As it gets closer to the surgery I am really anxious once again. I wish this was all over already. No appetite and constant thinking of this surgery. Wow, this is really frightening.....scared beyond belief. I just feel like I can't get through this all.
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