Depression from AIs and tamoxifen

healthystrong

I was diagnosed in October of 2012-stage one node negative. HER neg but estrogen and progestin positive. I was on tamoxifen from January of 2013 to November of 2015 when they put me on anastrazole.   On both meds but particularly on the AI I have been prone to feeling  EXTREMELY DOWN.   It is not this way all the time but when I crash, I crash.   I know that depression can be a side effect and I realize that we are all different.   I am seeing onc this Wed. and she was willing to take me off the AI, since it has been but I am afraid of a recurrence.  Eat right, exercise  etc.  Wondering about the experiences of others.

Meow13

Has she mentioned taking something like paxil? I was on 20mg of paxil while taking AI drugs.

healthystrong

I thought about taking something like that but since this one drug is having side effects not sure about others.  How did this work for you?

Meow13

I think it worked pretty well. I never had the sweats after getting on paxil. I like the way I feel on paxil but worry about weight again and cholesterol. Now I am not on any medication but I just got a call to contact my gp office. Either my cholesterol or sugar level is a concern. I won't go on statins if exercise and weight loss take care of the problem.

healthystrong

Best of luck to you! Have you tried exercising? I find that it helps bring me up when I am down most of the time.  If you are not active already ask your primary care.  There are so many options from yoga, to walking, to a Zumba class. Keep me posted!

Meow13

Triglycerides are a bit high, bilirubin high everything else good. Recommenda omega3 supplement.

Catsnedeker27

I'm a little angry about the attitude that we can control the feeling of hopelessness associated with hormone suppressants. I was actually experiencing suicidal ideation on Arimidex so I stopped taking it. Mood lifted within days and I felt great and positive. While taking Arimidex I exercised, volunteered, spoke to people...all the things mentioned in that patronizing article and yet every morning I thought about killing myself. It was only when I stopped taking the medication that those thoughts went away. I know I don't have a degree in medicine or therapy but what I experienced seems like cause and effect to me. I'm now on Tamoxifen and within hours of the first dose I was feeling hopeless again. These drugs exacerbate depression in some people and dealing with this profound depression is not worth reducing the probability of recurrence. Quality of life has to be considered.

healthystrong

Hi Catsnedeker27!  I do agree with you on quality of life vs statistical probability!   Both tamoxifen and anastrazole have brought me so DOWN. People don't seem to believe me!  I have days when I feel good and days when I am so EXTREMELY LOW AND DOWN.     I could stay in bed all day.  Seeing onc today and not sure about how to proceed, still.  This January I will be seven years on a combo of tamoxifen and anastrazole.  I totally agree with you that some women may be more prone to depression and I get angry too!  I have thrown and broken things!   I get angry because I can not seem to bring myself up. However I am a firm believer in exercise though. It truly has worked for me!  Hang in there and keep in touch.  

diannemc1957

I was on anastrazole and it threw me into a horrible depression... I am on zoloft trying to get it under control..It has been awful! I did not read the side effects before I took it but sure wish I had.. I would have never taken it!!!

dtad

diannemc1957....so sorry you are going through this. IMO it's a disgrace that serious side effects are not discussed with MOs prescribing these drugs. Of course not everyone will have side effects but making us aware is very important. Working through these issues might help more of us complete the recommended treatment.

healthystrong

Diannmec--Hello.  Hang in there.  It has been up and down for me with the anastrazole--every so often I would go down down down and getting going was like moving Mt Everest.  This hasn't happened for about a month--I started a new job and am just really tired.  Are you still taking the anastrazole? How long did you take it? Please hang in there and keep in touch!

diannemc1957

I stopped the anastrazole.. Don't know if I can go back to taking it...I also have OCD and it really messed it up...

Peregrinelady

I also had suicidal thoughts on Tamoxifen. I am much better now on Anastrozole, but I also take magnesium every day that I believe helps with depression. I get Natural Calm from the health food store.

Cowgirl13

I was on arimidex for 7+ years and I experienced debilitating (at times) anxiety and was pretty depressed for long periods and this was with taking meds for depression. I was ready to go for 10 years but then a year ago my oncologist asked how I felt about discontinuing arimidex or did I want to stay on it. He had just come back from the ASCO conference and a paper was presented showing that 7 years is equal to 10 years. I haven't felt so good in years and I lost a ton of weight. I feel like my old self again. I have read on the boards here that antidepressants have worked very well with controlling the depression that many feel while taking the hormonals.

healthystrong

Hello Cowgirl. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.   I knew I was not alone.  No one really believed me--wrote it off as something else. I will be 6 years out this coming January.  I have not yet discontinued the meds--so many ups and downs.

Totallytubular

Hello,

I see this is a bit of an older thread. I have a history of depression so was taking celexa when I started taking ai's over 2.5 years ago.

depression and anxiety has gotten worse since BC diagnosis and oophorectomy. I've tried an add on of Abilify and then Wellbutrin and neither worked ideally without side effects.

meeting my doctor about a third option. I know the estrogen hormonal crash is responsible. anyone have any luck with other meds? I also have insomnia that I never had before.

I've been struggling off an on for the last years. looking for tips or strong meds suggestions. thanks in advance for your ideas. Struggling to live our best life and be responsible with the ai's they are what we got to fight off the beast!

We got this ladies, but it feels like a bitch!

bella2013

TotallyTubular,

I have suffered with clinical depression for the past 25 years. I have been treated with antidepressants. I am currently taking Prozac and Wellbutrin. I was struggling when I started with Anastrazole. My doctor addd on Provigil (Modifinal). It is not an antidepressant. It helps people who have depression along with a chronic or terminal illness. No side effects at all. It lifted the fog. Maybe talk to your physician about it. I have been on it since October.

I also have Xanax in my arsenal. I take half a Xanax (.25mg). It’s a very low dosage and just enough to help me fall asleep and stay asleep.

Hope this helps

Salamandra

Just chiming in that I think the combination of rads/tamoxifen really irritated my previously mild GI issues, and a lot of what felt like anxiety to me, especially at night, may have actually been acid. UGH. I'm waiting for my GI consult now, and in the mean time taking omega-role and 2-3x night antacids, which are really helping with my sleep and in turn helping with my mood.

I had to come off of wellbutrin to go on to tamoxifen. I'm on lexapro instead. I also take sam-e, which I started taking years ago when I couldn't afford psychiatry and which also helps with some tmj pain. The cancer psychiatrist actually told me it might be helping the efficacy of the SSRIs, which lets me stay at a lower dose so get the benefits with fewer side effects. As supplements go it's not cheap, but I think I'm going to stick with it.

Peregrinelady

Salamandra, you might want to check and make sure Sam-e does not interfere with the metabolism of Tamoxifen. I think there is a website called drug interactions or something like that where you can check.

Salamandra

Hey PeregrineLady,

I think that's always a great idea. This is the site I used: Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine Search About Herbs.

Here is the link specifically about sam-e.

The doctor I spoke with about it is actually part of the cancer center where my surgeon, RO, MO, etc, are - managing interactions like this is bread and butter for him, so I feel very comfortable relying on his expertise. But it's always good to be mindful.

Totallytubular

hi bellab,

thanks so much for your suggestion of provigil. so appreciate that.

I'm weaning off Celexa - it stopped working. Trying Effexor with Abilify.

fingers crossed on that option and yes, I've taken the Xanax to help sleep.

I'm hoping for the best and that mood improves.

best wishes to you.

Peregrinelady

Good to know, Salamandra! Thanks for sharing the links.

Lezza13

Anyone else on efflexor? I have been 6 years with Tamoxifen and tired of hot flashes and the anxiety after a BC diagnosis. treatment, tamoxifen etc. I wish all of you the best of luck. I tried not to had to take an anti depressant for years now. I think now I am ready for more happy thoughts. I will see my onc about seeing if 7 years is plenty. Take care everyone and best wishes to all of you

pingpong1953

I've been taking Effexor for almost a year. I was having really strange hot flashes with the Femara - not the "soak the sheets" types of flashes but having this hives-like reaction. I'd practically scratch my skin off. The Effexor took care of that and I'm a lot more comfortable now. I still get "warm flashes," but I can live with those.

Lezza13

pingpong195 thanks for letting me know that effexor worked for you. Best wishes.