Dr. Saraswat Kumarshri Shriniwas
Psychiatry
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 41-year-old individual who has never been married, with no serious bad habits. I have always been conscious of my health and well-being and have been dedicated to my career as a software engineer. Eight months ago, I received a sudden and unexpected diagnosis of lymphoma. Prior to this, I had no knowledge that such a form of cancer even existed. Over the course of the year, I underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, which concluded two months back. Following my first PET CT scan on last month, my treating oncologist informed me that there was no active cancer present and scheduled a follow-up appointment in three months.
The journey since my diagnosis has been incredibly challenging, marked by anxiety, shock, feelings of insult, depression, and a loss of motivation. The uncertainty of it all has significantly altered my perspective on life. I am eager to return to a sense of normalcy, but I find my thought processes have become more negative. I am seeking your guidance on how to rebuild my confidence and cultivate a positive outlook toward life. As an unmarried individual, I worry about the prospect of marriage and whether anyone would consider a proposal. I am interested in understanding the life changes necessary for my mental recovery. In recent times, I have also been experiencing gastric and indigestion issues, and I wonder if these are related to my anxiety and mental state. Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and I understand that you are going through a challenging period. What you have described aligns with clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder. Experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, demotivation, low self-confidence, and negative thinking is common in cases of depression, particularly when faced with a significant diagnosis like cancer.
The positive aspect is that depression is a highly treatable condition. It typically responds well to a combination of antidepressant medications and counseling. I would strongly suggest you consult a psychiatrist, especially considering your ongoing medications. They can prescribe antidepressants that are compatible with your current treatment plan.
I hope this information is of assistance to you. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your response.
I recently had a consultation with my treating oncologist, who has been overseeing my treatment for lymphoma. I have been experiencing mild to moderate issues with indigestion and a decreased appetite. Over the past three days, I have also been having chills at night, even though I do not have a fever or elevated temperature. I underwent various tests, including a complete blood count and assessments for sodium, potassium, and dengue, all of which returned negative results.
In response to my symptoms, my oncologist has prescribed the following medications for a duration of five days:
I researched Oleanz 5 and I found that it is typically used to treat schizophrenia, a mental disorder that can result in hallucinations or delusions. I do not experience any of these symptoms, and my sole objective is to enhance my appetite post-chemotherapy without any psychiatric issues.
Could you please advise if Oleanz 5 is an appropriate and safe medication to increase my appetite after chemo? If not, I would greatly appreciate your recommendation for an alternative medication solely for boosting my appetite and aiding digestion.
Thank you for your guidance.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concerns about the medication Oleanz 5 (Olanzapine), which is typically used to treat conditions like schizophrenia. However, Olanzapine, the active ingredient in Oleanz is known to increase appetite and aid in weight gain. This could be why your oncologist prescribed it to you, to address your appetite issues post-chemotherapy.
If you have reservations about taking Olanzapine, you could discuss an alternative medication with your doctor. One such alternative is Mirtazapine, which is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication known to promote appetite and improve sleep.
I would suggest having a conversation with your doctor about the medication options and their potential effects on your appetite.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.
Best regards.
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Psychiatry
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