CancerCompass message board discussion started by Jessicam1022 on 1/31/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,9252,0.htm Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I am a 22 year old female who was diagnosed with Melanoma this past June. I had 4 lymph nodes removed and skin graphing done on my fore arm. They staged me as a stage 2 malignant melanoma. They talked about interferon as a precaution, but the doctor said because I had no present signs it wasn't needed, so now I go for routine check ups with a derm., oncologist, and plastic surgeon... My question is I'm terrified of it coming back after everything I have learned. I have a new mole removed everytime I go to the doctor and I'm constantly finding new moles that bother me. Obviously, this is all in my head, but does this ever stop? I feel like I'm driving myself crazy. I also wanted treatment to be sure this wouldn't come back.... Is that wierd? Is this normal? I don't know anyone who has been diagnosed with this that I can talk to and I get the feeling that people don't take skin cancer as serious as other cancers.... How can I relax again??? The last thing I want is for this to consume me, but how do I find the balance between being precautious and being completely dramatic..? : )It's frustrating.... Any thoughts from anyone would be greatly appreciated!! Jessicam1022 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Dear Jessicam1022, I have stage 4 melanoma. When I found out I went into the fetal position in bed and stayed that way for several days. I did not eat or hardlly move. Finally I called my doctor and told him what was happening to me. He prescribed Ativan for me. I resisted taking it, but when I did my life started returning to normal. I could eat, get up and do things and felt better about what was happening to me. The facts were the same, but my reaction to them was much calmer. I had surgery to remove the tumors in my body. On a follow up vist after the surgery, my surgeon noticed a mood change and asked me how I was doing. I told him I was very anxious and had a hard time getting anything done. He asked me if I was taking anything for depression and anxiety. I told him I had been prescribed Ativan, but was not taking it very much because I didn't want to get addicted to it. He let me know in no uncertain terms that I should take as much as I needed to be able to live a normal life. My Oncologist also prescribed Paxil to help with the depression and anxiety, which I now take once a day. The two drugs in combination now allow me to feel a lot better about what is taking place in my life. I recommend you talk to your doctor about your symptoms and take enough of what he prescribes to get the results you want. Roxannehoo Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/31/2007 Roxannehoo wrote:Dear Jessicam1022, I have stage 4 melanoma. When I found out I went into the fetal position in bed and stayed that way for several days. I did not eat or hardlly move. Finally I called my doctor and told him what was happening to me. He prescribed Ativan for me. I resisted taking it, but when I did my life started returning to normal. I could eat, get up and do things and felt better about what was happening to me. The facts were the same, but my reaction to them was much calmer. I had surgery to remove the tumors in my body. On a follow up vist after the surgery, my surgeon noticed a mood change and asked me how I was doing. I told him I was very anxious and had a hard time getting anything done. He asked me if I was taking anything for depression and anxiety. I told him I had been prescribed Ativan, but was not taking it very much because I didn't want to get addicted to it. He let me know in no uncertain terms that I should take as much as I needed to be able to live a normal life. My Oncologist also prescribed Paxil to help with the depression and anxiety, which I now take once a day. The two drugs in combination now allow me to feel a lot better about what is taking place in my life. I recommend you talk to your doctor about your symptoms and take enough of what he prescribes to get the results you want.Go to your doctor immediatley and have him prescribe something else other than paxil, after taking this awhile bad side effects.  My husband is coming off this and the withdrawal is unbelievable.  Go to GOOGLE and type in PAXIL MESSAGE BOARD.  You won't believe the testamony from individuals trying to come off this drug..  My husband took all this info to his doctor, his doctor said they are now no longer prescribing PAXIL.  He is still taking 10 mg of PAXIL, along with 20 mg of PROZAC, doctor is having to do this to get hime off PAXIL with out suffering.  Get something else prescribed. Dean in Georgia Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT