Fetzima?

edwsmom

Hi there,

Has anyone taken Fetzima?

Before I was diagnosed I took Wellbutrin. I had to come off of it when I started on Tamoxifen. My onc suggested I go on Effexor.

Unfortunately, Effexor has caused me to gain 30 lbs in less than a year. I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out what to do.

I'm weaning off the Effexor - which is taking a really long time. My endocrinologist suggested that I try Fetzima, says it's more like Wellbutrin, but that it doesn't counteract the Tamoxifen.

Has anyone had any experience with it? It's a much newer drug.

thanks for any feedback!

cive

I do not have experience with it since I take one of the old cyclics.  It is like Effexor, a snri , serotonin and norepinephrine  reuptake inhibitor.  Wellbutrin is not it is a sdri, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.

If Effexor works for you then, the new stuff should too.

edwsmom

Hi Cive,

Thanks for responding. I guess I'm asking because the reason I want to ditch the Effexor is because of the weight gain. I don't want to switch to Fetzima if it's likely to cause the same issue.

My only other option is to ask my onc to switch me off of the Tamoxifen to something else so I can go back on the Wellbutrin. I'm 45, have not had a period since my first chemo infusion - a year and a half ago.

Not sure what to do and I don't see the onc again until early May.

cive

It seems quite likely that you are through menopause and may be able to take one of the aromatase inhibitors.  I suggest you discuss that with your mo since they can test your hormone level to confirm that you are/are not in menopause.

Milner

I had the same thing. I really like Fetzima so far. I've been relieved to feel less side effects and it allows me to haul my 30lb heavier self to the gym. I hope it works as well for you.