Natural anti stress remedies

Living with secondary breast cancer Treatments and medical issues
1

Hi, 

I am on Palbo, Letrozole and Denosumab. Getting a lot of stress and anxiety in life at the moment (nothing to do with the cancer). Does anyone know of a natural anti stress remedy I can take safely with the above meds?

Thanks

Lesley x

2

Hi Lesley

Different things work for different people so it’s not easy to recommend a solution.

  1. Rescue Remedy is a long-established natural remedy that many people use. You can chew a lozenge, spray it in your mouth, take drops… it comes in different forms. I’ve seen it work for some. It didn’t help me, though I always carried it with me.

  2. Check with your breast care nurse to see what they can recommend, which you may get free via the hospital, though a local service or hospice (if you’ve been referred to one. I know high levels of anxiety are a criterion). You may get reflexology which provides respite from the stress, acupuncture that works for some, or someone to talk to like a counsellor. But these aren’t short-term solutions, more long term There’s also homoeopathy which, again, works for some but not others. You would need to check with your oncologist here. They don’t believe homoeopathy can make a jot of difference but, when I wanted to take arnica for the bruising during chemo, I was advised against it as it could thin the blood. So scientifically, it’s nonsense but, when push comes to shove, they know it can work!

  3. You can talk to your GP but these won’t be natural remedies - solutions like diazepam to take for a short period or to take as needed. My oncologist is a great believer in quality of life and he considers these solutions perfectly acceptable at Stage 4.

  4. I’m a great fan of Progressive Hypnosis’s free videos on YouTube. They helped me get through primary treatment and now, with Stage 4, I use them daily. Basically they talk you through diaphragmatic breathing, relaxing the muscles, maybe a visualisation. I don’t know what else because I’m away with the fairies! 

  5. If you’re a fairly active person, there are YouTube videos to introduce you to tai chi, yoga or pilates.

  6. Longer term, there is a brilliant free university course on mindfulness, run by MONASH (one of Melbourne’s universities) fur FutureLearn. It’s all online, at your own pace. I’ve actually done it 4 times and have found it helpful for stress.

  7. Yourself. It doesn’t come naturally to many women but it’s time to prioritise you over anything else. Look at those anxiety-provoking situations and ask how important they are over your health. In many cases, stepping away and letting other people deal with it can be a big help. You may find just having your needs met and people realising that you are to be left alone when it comes to crises will be a great natural remedy.

Personally I’m relying on practising meditation with YouTube every day is enough. I’ve suffered from anxiety, phobias and panic attacks all my life so I have tried everything. Lorazepam for scans. Diazepam as required. Reflexology regularly, with a bit of reiki. Plus the oral chemo that keeps me asleep much of the time!!

I hope you find something to help. Others may add things I’ve completely forgotten about. All the best

Jan x

3

Get a foot massage - works a treat so relaxing.

Hugs
Poppy xx