I have been on anti-depressants and sleeping pills for almost a year. The anti-depressants are prescribed by psychiatrist and the patient has to follow his instructions closely especially if the depression is serious. No side effects or addiction from both medicine.

Karen

Frank and I both saw a psychiatrist for two years,we both developed PTSD, as a result of his doc who was literally watching him die, that`s a whole other chapter. But, I agree with Karen, your run of the mill family doc is just not qualified to treat serious psych issues. Frank`s PTSD stayed pretty much in control, but we both were on tranquilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics for nightmares and flashbacks. I spent close to a year, refusing to take antidepressants cause I`ve had serious reactions to drugs, when I finally agreed, he started me on a very low dosage and increased it very slowly. Talk about a fun summer, 2 people with PTSD, Frank was having 3 to 4 flashbacks a day, then they started at night, so I`d have to jump out of bed after him and bring him back to reality................his very last flashback was when he was fitted for his radiation mask last Sept, fortunately, I was in there with him, I knew as soon as they sat him up he was flashbacking..........I`m yelling, clear the way, he`s having a flashback......but, I`m rambling again...........bottom line, if you need to be on meds do it..........this disease is crap and if meds help us get throught the day, that`s a good thing..........Hugs, Dee

I'll jump right in. I,ve been Diagnosed w/ oropharyngeal cancer w/ neck mass. I was diagnosed 3/15/04 was told I would have operation. on 4/7, then 4/21, then 4/4 now back to 4/21. I'm with V.A. I was told they needed to put more survere cases before me. I don't know if that is good or bad. They say it's not spreading that fast but what do I know?
Listening to your concern about speach problems after surgery and radiation is my concern too. I am a therapist by trade and need to talk to make living.
Since I have two more weeks before my surgery I am looking at every thing under the sun to reduce my tumor or heal it. I have been in trying verious alturnative approaches and would like to explore this more with you all.
My heart is with you. I hear your struggles are my'in, too. This is very grounding to be able to hear all your experiences. Wish you my best.