Need advice on what to do

bomber410

The net of where I'm at is that I am depressed. It is affecting my job and my relationships.  I am getting professional support.  Under consideration are my medicinal options. 

One would think an anti-depressant is the obvious way to go.  However, one of the ways my depression manifests itself is through fits of rage. I'm concerned about the side effects of a drug like Effexor. 

Now we are putting a mood stabilizer on the table as an approach.  I am not ready to consider a combination of meds.  I would ideally like to start with one approach (anti-depressant) or other (mood stabilizer).

I would like to hear from others who have experience with rage depression.  

The only med I am currently on is Tamoxifen.

nancyluvspink

I was on Effexor for about 4 years.  I didn't feel like it was doing anything anymore.   About 6 months ago, I started taking Pristiq.  I haven't had any problems and I like it.  After visiting a rheumatologist regarding constant pain, he prescribed Pamelor.  I take one of them at night before I go to bed.  I also take ambien to help me sleep.  The way I look at it is, I will try something and if I don't like it, I will stop taking it.  That's all.   The good thing about Pristiq is that I started taking it immediately, the next day, I stopped Efffexor and started Pristiq.  No withdrawal, no waiting.  Very smooth transition.    Nancy

nancyluvspink

I was on Effexor for about 4 years.  I didn't feel like it was doing anything anymore.   About 6 months ago, I started taking Pristiq.  I haven't had any problems and I like it.  After visiting a rheumatologist regarding constant pain, he prescribed Pamelor.  I take one of them at night before I go to bed.  I also take ambien to help me sleep.  The way I look at it is, I will try something and if I don't like it, I will stop taking it.  That's all.   The good thing about Pristiq is that I started taking it immediately, the next day, I stopped Efffexor and started Pristiq.  No withdrawal, no waiting.  Very smooth transition.    Nancy

bomber410

Thank you Nancy.  Im glad to hear your regimen is working for you.

I'm calling my doc back today.  I think I'm going to try lamotrigine (lamictal) as a mood stabilizer.  Not crazy about side effects like thinning hair since I don't have enough to give up. But, as you say, I can try it and if I don't like it, I will stop.

I tried finding the link that shows which drugs work with tamoxifen or not.  If anyone has it or other advice, I would appreciate the information.

dee1961

Hi Bomber,

I was looking around and saw this thread here on BCO..hope it helps and good luck to you http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/746371

Dee~

theresap60

Thanks for the link to the other discussion, Dee.

I just had a physical today after going through the hell of surgery, radiation and chemo this past winter and spring.  I'm on tamoxifen, which has caused a host of problems: weight gain, hot flashes, moodiness/depression/anxiety, exhaustion and bone/joint achiness.  My doctor said that they have had a lot of success with the tamoxifen/effexor combination for all of the above complaints.  She wants to put me on a low dose.  I think I might give it a try.  Years ago, when my Mom died, I was put on Lexapro and that helped for a few years, then I plateaued and it was slow to get off.  I swore I'd never go back on an antidepressant, but here I am seriously considering it.  I guess if I have the  mindset that I won't take them forever, then I can convince myself that they'll help me more than hurt me.  I also have high blood pressure.  The last thing I want to be is a walking pharmacy.

Bomber, I know how you feel.  My moodiness, whether it's from tamoxifen or menopause, can be awful.  I almost feel bi-polar --- some days fine, some days rotten to the core, never manic, so I guess I'm not bi-polar. :-)  I hope you had a good talk with your doctor and  have made a choice.  Living with depression is awful.  It's just one more horror to add to our cancer diagnosis, but hopefully a treatable horror... and not a lifetime treatment... just a few years until we're off tamoxifen and over menopause!

-Theresa