Chemotherapy: chemo side effects depression anxiety

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It's completely natural to feel depressed, anxious, angry, or confused when you're being treated for cancer. Emotions run high when you have a serious disease that needs serious treatment. If you feel depressed, you may not be motivated to keep your medical appointments, continue your treatment, or generally take good care of yourself. That might lessen your chances of beating your cancer. You can do something about it. Anxiety can be caused by the need to sort through difficult and sometimes confusing choices about your treatment. A breast patient with cancer, for example, may be asked to choose between removing a breast or removing a lump and then having chemotherapy or radiation. Another patient may be offered the option of an experimental treatment (clinical trial). You may simply be worried about how effective your treatment will be and what side effects it will cause. Remember, your treatment team is there to answer your questions and help you decide.
	Here's what you can do to get beyond these emotional problems:
	Discuss your feelings and concerns with your doctor and nurse. Don't keep them to yourself.
	Consider professional counseling to help you deal with what you're feeling.
	Join a support group to share what you feel with others who feel the same.
	Look to your family and friends for support.
	Try relaxation techniques.
	Don't be afraid to take medication if it is prescribed for you.
	Stay positive. It's important in helping you fight your cancer.


	Neulasta^® (pegfilgrastim) is prescribed to reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. Important product safety information Ruptured spleen (including fatal cases), serious allergic reactions, and a serious lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome have been reported. Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have abdominal or shoulder tip pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, a fast rate of breathing, or any allergic reaction. The most common side effect of this injection is mild to moderate bone pain. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. By My Side™ - Caregiver Resource. ^® 2008 Amgen All rights reserved. Amgen.com \| Neulasta.com \| Neupogen.com \| Vectibix.com Terms of Use \| Privacy Statement \| Site Map