Need Advise!!!!

Hi everyone,

 I posted months ago about my Mom's pancreatic cancer.  Since Sept. she has had no symptoms just pain which has increased.  She takes morphine 30 mg twice a day.  Has only lost 8 lbs since Sept.  The other day out of the blue she was flooded with anxiety...sweaty, couldn't get her breath, rapid heart beat...total freak out.  It passed after 10 min. but she was very upset.  She is a very mentally strong person and said the next day she felt somewhat depressed.  She said to me this is not me what is going on.  She had another episode last evening and today does not feel any better.  Hospice gave her some adavan (sp?) and they believe its just a mental thing.  Mom and I neither one believe this.  I have read some info about the blood clotting with pancreatic cancer.  It states the following under "what are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism" ..  "Sometimes people who have PE experience feelings of anxiety or dread, lightheadedness or fainting, rapid breathing, sweating, or an increased heart rate.  Hospice listened twice extensively to her lungs and hears nothing bad.  Does anyone have any idea what could be causing these strange symptoms????  Earlier today Mom wanted to go to the hospital...but after her nurse came she decided to wait until tomorrow.   URRRGHHH

Freaking out!!

Kelly

Hello:

This has been happening to my dad. The doctor prescribed him anxiety medication. I think the chemo medication makes him anxious.

Many times this could be because of the pain medications...I understand that it can interfere with certain brain chemicals...causing anxiety or depression .....has anyone told you about a celiac plexis block for the pain...they are amazing it has enabled my husband to virtually be off of all pain meds. He has stage 4 Gastric cancer with liver and nodal involvement. Diagnosed in July and has had 2 blocks. The ativan will help with anxiety but maybe speak to the Doctor about more of an antidepressant/anxiety med...it won't make her groggy and may actually help reverse the situation.

Good Luck

Thanks so much for your quick responses.  Mom decided not to do any chemo treatments.  She is just letting the BEAST run it course.  Hospice told us the anxiety was 100% not caused from the morphine.  They said she is on to low a dose of it to cause anxiety.  Mom's family doctor told her about the blocks the day she was told about the cancer.  We have been asking all the docs about getting the procedure and none of them act like it should be done.  I disagree.  But when they say these things to her she follows their input and does not try to push the issue.  SOOOOOO very frustrating!!!!!!!!

 Kelly

I have been dx in March 07.  This happens to me periodicly when
my sugar gets too low.  Low blood sugar is common with PC patients
and with me, I get confused, shaky, sweating and cry for no reason. I
drink OJ or candy or crackers and after about 5 to 10 minutes I am back
to normal.  My family is frieghtened everytime this happens to me.

Take care,

Janice 

Hi

I wonder if your Mom had abdominal surg.    I ask as  sometimes there is a problem that can develop that happened to me.  It is very much like a low blood sugar reaction but what I refer to is "Vasovagal response".   I don't even completely understand why it happens but is has something to do with absorption.... and effect on neuro vascular system.

I would ask my Dr about this if I were you. 

Good Luck.

On 1/26/2008 kelwards1 wrote:

Hi everyone,

 I posted months ago about my Mom's pancreatic cancer.  Since Sept. she has had no symptoms just pain which has increased.  She takes morphine 30 mg twice a day.  Has only lost 8 lbs since Sept.  The other day out of the blue she was flooded with anxiety...sweaty, couldn't get her breath, rapid heart beat...total freak out.  It passed after 10 min. but she was very upset.  She is a very mentally strong person and said the next day she felt somewhat depressed.  She said to me this is not me what is going on.  She had another episode last evening and today does not feel any better.  Hospice gave her some adavan (sp?) and they believe its just a mental thing.  Mom and I neither one believe this.  I have read some info about the blood clotting with pancreatic cancer.  It states the following under "what are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism" ..  "Sometimes people who have PE experience feelings of anxiety or dread, lightheadedness or fainting, rapid breathing, sweating, or an increased heart rate.  Hospice listened twice extensively to her lungs and hears nothing bad.  Does anyone have any idea what could be causing these strange symptoms????  Earlier today Mom wanted to go to the hospital...but after her nurse came she decided to wait until tomorrow.   URRRGHHH

Freaking out!!

Kelly

 My father experienced severe anxiety with this disease.  I would say it is from the pancreas being affected.  My father could not tolerate the anxiety medication so he blew into a paper sack ( he carried one with him all the time).  It helped a great deal.

  Vicki 

Hi,

My father has sence deceased from P.C. but all I know is that some people do not do well on adivan. I know this and screamed at hospice the whole time my dad was on it. It gave him horrible agitation and anxiety. Finally when my cousin who is a nurse came to visit and begged hospice to change his meds to valum did they listen. My father would have been so much more comfortable had they listend to me he would not have had to suffer any more than he allready had to considering circumstances. I have heard this same story about adivan from so many people whose loved ones are dying from cancer. I really am not sure why they are still using it. Good Luck , I would insist on trying a different drug. It has the adverse effects it is prescribed for in many patients.

Cherylynne