Experiences with Antidepressants for side effects and anxiety

B-B

I thought I'd add this as a topic; didn't find one although certainly there are a number of posts about  antidepressants that help side effects of treatments (which obviously affect our mood) and/ or help mood or anxiety. Also, Would like to hear experiences in taking such medicines, for example, if they were/are hard to tolerate, hard on stomach, cause weight gain. Obviously everyone is different but information helps us make decisions. Some docs we see may be up on which are helpful for side effects; some may know little about the subject. 

3/2014, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 2/8 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (edit)  

04/08/2014 Mastectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal (Right) (edit)  

Arimidex

auroaya200882

Hi B-B I used to take anti-depressants and mood-stabilizers before dx but I recently had to go without these Rx due to insurance problems and the symptoms from Arimidex (depression, sweats, mood swings) came back with a vengeance. After I went back on the psych meds the se's from Arimidex went away. I also took Gabapentin until I ran out of insurance and now I'm back on it also. What I take is Cymbalta ( originally for depression but it has been proven to help with pain) and Risperidone (mood stabilizer).

As far as se's on the psych meds I can't tell of any. I know some people are scared of becoming addicted to them but from my reading and counseling I gather that as long as I take them exactly as prescribed and not abuse them then I'm ok to take them to help me with their intended uses.

If you want to look into this type of therapy I would suggest that you see a Psychiatrist that can prescribe the right "cocktail" of meds.

Also, if you're taking Tamoxifen be aware that the most commonly prescribed anti-depressant (prozac) interacts with Tamoxifen and reduces the potency of the Tamox. Always tell your Psychiatrist all the medicines you are taking so he/she can make sure they do not negatively interact.

If you have other questions and I am able to answer them from my experience don't doubt to pm me,

Aurora