Cancer Diary: Dealing with Restlessness and Anxiety
Most patients who end up at the end of life, from cancer or otherwise, experience anxiety and restlessness. Typically, medications are given to help with both of these conditions. Ironically, Carl's last days were very peaceful although he suffered from restless leg syndrome for many years (it disappeared as he entered his final month of life -- probably NOT common).
To understand the differences, here are accepted definitions:
Anxiety
An abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it. Use words of encouragement and remind them that a panic attack can never harm them and that nothing is physically wrong with them. This is because many people will assume they're having a stroke, or even dying. Reminding them that they are physically okay can help.
Typically when someone is suffering a lot of anxiety their breathing rate will increase rapidly and be very shallow, so encourage them to slow down their breathing, which in turn will help to encourage a sense of calm.
High levels of anxiety will affect a persons ability to think straight, so be concise and clear in your language and don't offer a range of choices as this will only confuse the situation.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Unconscious shaking of limbs that often impedes sleep. RLS needs medical treatment with some drugs (gabapentin is commonly used) to improve the quality of the patient's life.
Restlessness
Due to the decrease in circulation of blood to the brain and to other changes happening in the body, the person may become restless or agitated. To have a calming effect, speak in a quiet natural way, lightly massage the person’s hand or forehead, or softly play familiar music. Let a palliative care team member know if the person becomes restless or agitated. Medications can be given to reduce the problem.
For more information about these conditions as part of the dying process, check out this article:
The Dying Process - Palliative Care Australia
For more information about anxiety, check out the award-winning book, Anxiety Anonymous (Dr. Dennis Ortman) HERE.
For other Cancer Diary posts, click HERE.
Blog editor's note: As a memorial to Carl, and simply because it is truly needed, MSI Press is now hosting a web page, Carl's Cancer Compendium, as a one-stop starting point for all things cancer, to make it easier for those with cancer to find answers to questions that can otherwise take hours to track down on the Internet and/or from professionals. The CCC is expanded and updated weekly. As part of this effort, each week, on Monday, this blog will carry an informative, cancer-related story -- and be open to guest posts: Cancer Diary.
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