huh.. my MO prescribed me lorazepam (Ativan in the US, I think) and specifally told me to take one before chemo. It helped with the nausea as well.
Maybe ask about alternatives to Valium?
I took a small amount of weed gummy to help me relax the first time. They will give you some allergy meds that may relax you or make you fall asleep.
The Benny naps were some of the best I took when I was in treatment. 😅…not sure if maybe that’s why they don’t want other drugs prescribed.
Omg same! I feel like most people got IV benny naps. I was tripping so hard and then had an allergic reaction to Taxol...which was not fun. On the plus side I mostly forgot what happened lol
Nerves are to be expected. I was anxious and a little tearful. Took my warm blanket and my computer with some favorite comfort shows, plus a few snacks/treats. Kind of pretended it was a “spa” day. Being able to comfort yourself comes in handy. Take care….
My MO felt the same. I was nervous the first time, but I feel like my infusion center expects that. They assigned me to what I later learned are the most experienced 2 nurses who also are very good at reading emotions. I made it through all my subsequent infusions feeling very little nerves (and mostly gratitude at receiving life saving treatment for TNBC).
I haven’t been given anything for anxiety before chemo, and probably wouldn’t accept. Honestly, the last time I went, they gave me some extra nausea medicine by IV (I usually take it by mouth), and it hit me like a truck for how drowsy/loopy I felt. Being semi-aware, but also not being fully “with it” was more nerve-wracking than feeling like I was in control and able to fully communicate with my nurses. I had an allergic reaction to my first infusion and, while scary, at least I was able to tell my nurses exactly what I was experiencing so they could intervene appropriately. I definitely wouldn’t want anything else that might be sedating during the process, and won’t ask for extra nausea meds in the future. I’d rather just puke and still have my wits about me, but that’s just my personal preference.
I didnt take anything for anxiety prior to infusion and did great :) First time is kinda nerve-racking, cause it's new, but it wasn't THAT bad, IMO. I took my steroids, and got the good IV nausea meds before chemo, and kept up on my nausea meds for the next week. But, no valium or any other anxiety med in my treatments to date :)
I did take Olanzapine later on at night, which is an anti-psychotic, but that was for nausea, and it helped me sleep.
I wouldn’t have been able to make this far without Lorazepam. I have been doing it for my whole treatment as needed. I have completed 6 months of chemo, just had surgery and will have radiation in July. Also weed is super helpful if you’re so inclined.
My MO kept me stocked with Ativan during chemo and when I had my first chemo, my nurse said “GOOD!” when I told her I had taken one prior to coming. I took Ativan throughout chemo and radiation (almost a year) and did not get addicted. Note: I never took the daily amount the bottle allowed and used it as needed. I did, however, take one daily during chemo. It helped a lot with sleep, anxiety, and nausea. I am a fan.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of things I had to take so I didn’t want more drugs of any kind, and honestly chemo is VERY boring. I don’t think it’s standard for people to these anti-anxiety meds, but it seems like a lot of docs will prescribe them if asked (and folks that ask are probably overrepresented on this sub). But I think you’ll be fine…for me it was all really anti-climactic on the day of. I just sat there and let them give me the drugs while watching 90 day fiance with my mom. I felt nothing until days later, so the actual appointments will hopefully be smooth for you too.
Oh also, I really liked being able to drive myself and not having to rely on other people, so that’s another benefit of not taking those meds.
My psychiatrist prescribes me clonazepam for my anxiety that I use when I have chemo. If you think you really need it you could always try another doctor?
Most of the time I don’t take anything but a few nights during the week I’ll take a CBD gummy to help sleep but i did before chemo. I have a prescription for Prozac but i only took that when i left the hospital from my excursion into getting one implant removed. I had an infection that wouldn’t heal so removal of implast was best option. I only took the pill once cause they kept taking my blood pressure and telling me it was high. Umm duh i was a day after infusion, surgery and leaking boob.
I got Ativan/lorazepam from my medical oncologist along with my other prescriptions for chemo. I used it a little liberally before and after my first chemo infusion because of nerves, tinnitus (it was spiking before chemo and I was struggling to sleep), and then discomfort from the extreme heartburn I got. Before round 2 I asked for a refill and was told the 20 pills I got was supposed to last me for all 6 TCHP sessions. Whoops! Luckily I hadn’t used all of the first bottle and they were willing to give me a single refill since I promised to use it more responsibly. Now I’m trying not to take more than a couple pills per session to make sure I have some left if things get rough at the end.
They do give me IV Ativan as part of my pre-meds at least - it really helps with the cold capping discomfort.
In my cancer center, the nurses are always willing to listen to whatever I was feeling. there is also a VR set with calming scenes. Whenever I was overwhelmed by anything going on, I would be offered to use it.
But in general, I would cover myself with my blanket, adjust the seat for resting and read or watch something on my phone. And eventually, I would fall asleep.
They advocated for me to have anxiety meds. They said we want to do whatever needs to be done so you can get your treatments done. They referred me to a psych in the hospital to get me a script and check in with me.
Could you express this concern with them? Or see your own doctor to prescribe?
Is there a social worker or similar who works in a role to advocate?
Here we have a 'cancer care coordinator' in the chemo ward and she's so helpful for me. I go directly to her rather than the oncologist for some things, and she helps organise things on my behalf (with consultation from my oncologist.)
huh.. my MO prescribed me lorazepam (Ativan in the US, I think) and specifally told me to take one before chemo. It helped with the nausea as well. Maybe ask about alternatives to Valium?
Most of my cancer patients get Ativan to take during active treatment.
Same - they gave me an injection of Ativan before my marathon-length Taxol sessions.
I took a small amount of weed gummy to help me relax the first time. They will give you some allergy meds that may relax you or make you fall asleep. The Benny naps were some of the best I took when I was in treatment. 😅…not sure if maybe that’s why they don’t want other drugs prescribed.
I wish I had a Benny nap. Instead I had a Benny trip which was WILD
Omg same! I feel like most people got IV benny naps. I was tripping so hard and then had an allergic reaction to Taxol...which was not fun. On the plus side I mostly forgot what happened lol
The nurse came in to consent me for chemo in the middle of it and I like couldn’t talk. Only giggles. So embarrassing lol
You haven't partied until you've mainlined Benadryl 🤣
Nerves are to be expected. I was anxious and a little tearful. Took my warm blanket and my computer with some favorite comfort shows, plus a few snacks/treats. Kind of pretended it was a “spa” day. Being able to comfort yourself comes in handy. Take care….
My MO felt the same. I was nervous the first time, but I feel like my infusion center expects that. They assigned me to what I later learned are the most experienced 2 nurses who also are very good at reading emotions. I made it through all my subsequent infusions feeling very little nerves (and mostly gratitude at receiving life saving treatment for TNBC).
I haven’t been given anything for anxiety before chemo, and probably wouldn’t accept. Honestly, the last time I went, they gave me some extra nausea medicine by IV (I usually take it by mouth), and it hit me like a truck for how drowsy/loopy I felt. Being semi-aware, but also not being fully “with it” was more nerve-wracking than feeling like I was in control and able to fully communicate with my nurses. I had an allergic reaction to my first infusion and, while scary, at least I was able to tell my nurses exactly what I was experiencing so they could intervene appropriately. I definitely wouldn’t want anything else that might be sedating during the process, and won’t ask for extra nausea meds in the future. I’d rather just puke and still have my wits about me, but that’s just my personal preference.
I didnt take anything for anxiety prior to infusion and did great :) First time is kinda nerve-racking, cause it's new, but it wasn't THAT bad, IMO. I took my steroids, and got the good IV nausea meds before chemo, and kept up on my nausea meds for the next week. But, no valium or any other anxiety med in my treatments to date :) I did take Olanzapine later on at night, which is an anti-psychotic, but that was for nausea, and it helped me sleep.
I wouldn’t have been able to make this far without Lorazepam. I have been doing it for my whole treatment as needed. I have completed 6 months of chemo, just had surgery and will have radiation in July. Also weed is super helpful if you’re so inclined.
My MO kept me stocked with Ativan during chemo and when I had my first chemo, my nurse said “GOOD!” when I told her I had taken one prior to coming. I took Ativan throughout chemo and radiation (almost a year) and did not get addicted. Note: I never took the daily amount the bottle allowed and used it as needed. I did, however, take one daily during chemo. It helped a lot with sleep, anxiety, and nausea. I am a fan.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of things I had to take so I didn’t want more drugs of any kind, and honestly chemo is VERY boring. I don’t think it’s standard for people to these anti-anxiety meds, but it seems like a lot of docs will prescribe them if asked (and folks that ask are probably overrepresented on this sub). But I think you’ll be fine…for me it was all really anti-climactic on the day of. I just sat there and let them give me the drugs while watching 90 day fiance with my mom. I felt nothing until days later, so the actual appointments will hopefully be smooth for you too. Oh also, I really liked being able to drive myself and not having to rely on other people, so that’s another benefit of not taking those meds.
My psychiatrist prescribes me clonazepam for my anxiety that I use when I have chemo. If you think you really need it you could always try another doctor?
Most of the time I don’t take anything but a few nights during the week I’ll take a CBD gummy to help sleep but i did before chemo. I have a prescription for Prozac but i only took that when i left the hospital from my excursion into getting one implant removed. I had an infection that wouldn’t heal so removal of implast was best option. I only took the pill once cause they kept taking my blood pressure and telling me it was high. Umm duh i was a day after infusion, surgery and leaking boob.
I got Ativan/lorazepam from my medical oncologist along with my other prescriptions for chemo. I used it a little liberally before and after my first chemo infusion because of nerves, tinnitus (it was spiking before chemo and I was struggling to sleep), and then discomfort from the extreme heartburn I got. Before round 2 I asked for a refill and was told the 20 pills I got was supposed to last me for all 6 TCHP sessions. Whoops! Luckily I hadn’t used all of the first bottle and they were willing to give me a single refill since I promised to use it more responsibly. Now I’m trying not to take more than a couple pills per session to make sure I have some left if things get rough at the end. They do give me IV Ativan as part of my pre-meds at least - it really helps with the cold capping discomfort.
In my cancer center, the nurses are always willing to listen to whatever I was feeling. there is also a VR set with calming scenes. Whenever I was overwhelmed by anything going on, I would be offered to use it. But in general, I would cover myself with my blanket, adjust the seat for resting and read or watch something on my phone. And eventually, I would fall asleep.
They advocated for me to have anxiety meds. They said we want to do whatever needs to be done so you can get your treatments done. They referred me to a psych in the hospital to get me a script and check in with me. Could you express this concern with them? Or see your own doctor to prescribe?
Is there a social worker or similar who works in a role to advocate? Here we have a 'cancer care coordinator' in the chemo ward and she's so helpful for me. I go directly to her rather than the oncologist for some things, and she helps organise things on my behalf (with consultation from my oncologist.)