So depressed! Help, please

It sounds an awful lot like bad depression - this disease is very scary & can get to you.

Not all anti-depressants work with all people. Also, some of us develop a resistance to certain kinds and have to switch. (I've switched 3 times)

Make an appointment with a psychiatrist - this isn't something the onc can help with. A psychiatrist can adjust your meds with the proper training.

susan 

Just a question, but isn't paxil contraindicated with the tamox or Ai's?  Maybe thats why it's not working?  Ask your pharmacist if they are contraindicated. Are you on tamox or another Ai now?

Who is prescribing your antidepressants? General MDs can prescribe, but aren't as adept in the intricities of more complicated depresion. Psychiatrists have much more specific knowledge of the ins and outs of different medication combos that work in treatment resistant depression.

So sorry you have to deal with persistent depression.  I have juggled a bunch of antidepressents and tranqs myself since dx...Wellbutrin which has a great reputation was just awful for me....left me in a deep dark well.  Lexapro and valium were a calm and steady fix  (again, for me)....I sure hope they keep subtracting meds 'til they find the culprit.  Perhaps take old-fashioned valium instead of Xanax....I find it has a much lighter touch....And of course, keep working out...walk, walk, walk....There must be some way to get your endorphins to kick in!  Anyway, just wanted to tell you,I sure do sympathize with your plight....Hang in....You will find your way out......Best wishes, P

Hi, there ~  Reading through your question, I wondered if your psychiatrist deals with enough bc patients that he really understands the unique stresses of it?  I'm asking that because the point was made to me at the major bc center where I've been treated that it's extremely important to talk to psychologists who specialize in bc because there are many intricacies about it that make it quite different from other life stresses, including other life-threatening illnesses.  So, even though a woman might be getting excellent general counseling, it may not be quite as on target and helpful as you would get with someone who is totally versed in bc dx's and familiar with the psychological challenges of living with it.  Hope that makes sense, and just something I wanted to pass along  to add to your thought process.  Take care ~  Deanna 

P.S.  On the neuropathy... someone here clued me into using B6 when I was going through chemo.  That was when I had first started to get symptoms of neuropathy in my feet, and it totally resolved it.  I don't know if it works as well when you are having the problem post-chemo, but it might be worth a try, since it's inexpensive and easy to find.  If you try it, just be sure to get a good natural brand.