What Causes Severe Anxiety When Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jul 2015

Question: I currently take a medication citrilopram for anxiety for the last 3 years and it has worked great. On Wednesday I received some news from my doctor that I had prostate cancer but it was just a small cell that wasn't alarming. But since then my anxiety has gotten the best of me,Im taking 40 grams a day. I took one a 7am this morning but still feeling the effects. Is it possible to take a half of pill

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Increasing the dose wouldn't help much in acute anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

I can understand your concern. First of all I'd like to reassure you that don't take stress for minor prostrate cancer. These minor cancers respond to chemotherapy also. But get that lesion properly evaluated.

You have developed worsening of symptoms following the diagnosis and Citalopram is not working. Citalopram is a SSRI drug and the drug is an anti- anxiety drug that works by improving serotonergic transmission in brain but the drug can't control acute anxiety symptoms. So in my opinion increasing the doses would not help much in anxiety and rather shall increase anxiety in acute conditions. If you have access to your doctor then in such case medicines like Clonazepam or Alprazolam on SOS basis can help. Low doses of either of these medicines would help to reduce your symptoms of acute unrest and in some time your anxiety would decrease. Please discuss with your doctor for that drugs or if you have prescription of these drugs then you can take them.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)

Thank-you. They took 10 biopsies and out of all 10 they only found 1 small cell in one of them. They are now taking a genetic testing to see if we would like to just monitor with a PSA 2 times a year and 1 biopsy a year or remove it. The anxiety and the knot in my stomach is preventing me form focusing. The doctor reassured me that I shouldn't be worried about anything that is treatable or if I wouldn't have had a PSA test I would have not know.
I feel good about. It's just getting over the nerves and anxiety. WILL THE ANXIETY EVENTUALLY GO AWAY WITH TIME. I got the news Wednesday

If I get worse this evening I will go to the emergency room and maybe that is what they will give me what you recommended in the earlier email. Just emailing you has made me feel somewhat better. You hear the news from your doctor but when you hear positive news from someone else if makes you feel relieved

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Just keep your self relaxed

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question

If the cells were found in only one biopsy out of the ten then the chances of any serious condition are almost nil and on proper PSA testing the cancer will be ruled out. Yes the anxiety will go eventually just try to reassure yourself that there is nothing wrong. Try to ignore any negative things and try to accept the positive things.

Yes if you go to ER if anxiety worsen then they will give you benzodiazepines for relaxation like I have mentioned Clonazepam, Lorazepam or Diazepam. Just keep one thing in mind that you are absolutely normal. Don't remain stressed.

Thanks, Hope this helps you.

Takecare

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (12 hours later)

The doctor is now sending it in for Genetic testing.

What do you mean that it can be ruled out if they already tested ?Are you talking about genetic testing?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes by genetic testing we will rule out

Detailed Answer:
Hello, thanks for asking again

Yes by PSA antigen testing I mean the same genetic testing. No need to worry because most likely the result would come negative.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar