Effexor vs Elavil - unable to laugh or cry?

jnprsn

I was put on Elavil and Klonopin for extreme Generalized Anxiety Disorder that I just can't seem to shake. The Elavil (antidepressant) gets me sleep from about 10-4am. I still wake every morning with a panic attack. The Klonopin gets me through the day.

I still feel depressed and anxious but the worst part is I can't laugh or cry. I'm just a zombie and I can't stop thinking about my problems.

I was put on Elavil because I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and tryclyclic antidepressants bring on the diarrhea. I was thinking of asking my doctor to put me on Effexor. Especially since it doesn't interfere with Tamoxifen (in my near future).

Is anyone on Effexor with IBS and not experiencing diarrhea. Are you able to show emotion (laughter and tears)?

I'd really appreciate any feedback. I can't go on living like I have no emotion.

Thanks

- Jane

SelenaWolf

I don't have IBS, but I have suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder/Panic Disorder (which became markedly worse during treatment) and I'm cyclothalmic; a step below Bi-polar.  My doctor switched me to Cipralex following my BC diagnosis; it's of the SSRI/SERM family, but it doesn't interfere with tamoxifen.  It's been a wonder for me; I can sleep after years of raging insomnia (which got worse during treatment), I am able to experience emotion (just not the huge mood swings of before), and am happy and at peace for the first time in a long time.  I find it slightly constipating, but nothing that can't be handled without a little extra dietary fibre.

I know this doesn't answer your original query about Effexor, but - perhaps - it will offer another choice that you can look into.

jnprsn

Thanks Selena. I will ask my doctor about it. I feel like I'm still in a state of shock. Good days and bad. Mostly bad.

Cipralex is Lexapro, right?

farmerlucy

jnprsn - I took klonopin for 9 mo after my dx. It is very common for us to have PTSD symptoms many times after active treatment ends. http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20130313-3

 I was having panic attacks all the time last summer. Definitely not fun. Are you able to meet one on one with a counselor? I did (a Stephen Minister through my church) for about 4 months and that helped me immensely. As I got stronger I weaned off klonopin. I am now on 75mg of Effexor. Not only does it help with hot flashes from tamoxifen, it really evens out my moods. Am I able to cry? Absolutely. Do I cry as much as I used to? No way, but for me that is a very good thing. If I can help in any way please let me know.

NancyHB

I have been taking Effexor for about 19 months now, since ending chemo and beginning Tamoxifen. I started with 37.5 mg to help with hot flashes; I upped it to 75 mg, which took away the hot flashes but left me feeling anhedonic and flat, unable to cry or feel any upset. I didn't like it much, so I dropped (very slowly) back down to 37.5, then 17.75. I quit taking Tamoxifen, but continued with the Effexor because it helped - just enough to take the edge off the anxiety that I've had since being diagnosed. I have had IBS and UC for many years, and have not experienced any bowel issues with Effexor. And yes, I can laugh, cry, and feel all the feelings of life, without nearly as much of the anxiety. I hope you find something that helps you.

farmerlucy

Nancy - How did you cut back? I think I'll stay on 75 til spring and then go back to 37.5.

wrenn

i'm curious to know if anyone started antidepressants during or just before chemo? I have a prescription for cipralex but am afraid to deal with the getting used to it. I have read that it causes nausea and vomiting and don't want it confused with chemo side effects.

About the no emotions i have had that from antidepessants in the past.

jnprsn

Yesterday I broke down and cried for the first time in a while. Still haven't laughed. I can't see the light at the end of this long, depressing, scary as hell tunnel.

Farmerlucy I see a counselor who isn't much help. She's told me that I need to find a hobby and focus on the date when this will be all over. Yet it never will be all over because I will have this recurrence fear all the time. And thank you for reaching out to me with help. I made an appointment to see a different counselor at our local Cancer Support Community. I'm hoping she can help me better.

I'd like to try the Effexor but so afraid that it might cause diarrhea. I lost 20 pounds through all of this and diarrhea doesn't help. I'm trying to gain weight.

NancyHB, your positive experience is encouraging. I'm assuming your IBS was IBS-D and not IBS-C?

I wish this nightmare would end after chemo. I have two more Taxols while filling my left TE. Then radiation. Then the right TE has to be put in and filled. The fear there is that an infection will occur like I had the last time. Then of course, exchange surgery. I also have cording where the tendon in my armpit needs to be cut and then physical therapy.

After chemo I need to change my diet to more vegetables which is so hard for me. I don't know how I'm going to swing that one.

Its so overwhelming and I'm so sick of it. I want my hair and my breasts and my life back. I want the strength that I see other women like you have. The fighters and warriors that I see on here that are so brave.

Thanks so much for listening and replying.

NancyHB

You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for, jnprsn. Being here is a strength! Making it through AC and Taxol treatments takes strength! Having an mx and reconstruction requires a definite strength. This whole process is exhausting. {{hug}} Be patient and kind with yourself.

Crying is good! This whole experience sucks (stupid cancer!) and having emotions is a good thing. Even when they hurt. Laughing may take a little more time to come; life has changed and the fear of recurrence can make life so much more challenging, in a way that is incomprehensible to those who have not walked in your shoes. Life goes on all around us, even if we aren't motivated to keep up with the rest of the world. I felt "left behind" when everyone kept up their "normal" life and I felt stuck in my cancer. Starting Effexor helped with that.

For a long time I felt like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel - and the light was attached to a big train. I had to realize that I was making a choice to remain "stuck" in my cancer. Yes, I'm terrified of recurrence because I know what that means, but I can't do very much to keep that from happening. It will. Or it won't. And I can let that control my life (and lose my joy...which would make me feel even more depressed), or I can chose to acknowledge my fear and take control of it. I am still scared, every moment of every day, and I choose to embrace and love that fear rather than fight against it. By embracing it I take the power out of the fear; I control IT, and it does not control ME.

Yes, I had IBC-D. Interestingly enough my IBS cleared up after chemo, and it's been 18 months since I've had any problems. I understand they use the same chemo drugs for colon cancer so it makes me wonder if that has actually helped me.

Effexor is extremely difficult to come off of. I have had to wean myself by a quarter-dose every two weeks - any quicker and I'm very ill. My doctor prescribes 37.5 mg pills and I break them into quarters, to reduce my dosage slowly.

I hope tomorrow is a little better than today...and the next day a little better than the last. Take care of yourself.