For Anyone Scared To Try Antidepressants

lynnea · May 2009

Hi ladies- I just posted a very long post under Cleomoon's thread "Mood disorder berfore BC" I wish I had the computer skills to cut and paste it here so that everyone could read it. Please go there and read my post. Antidepressants literally saved my life. I am a 55 yr single woman who is highly educated. I'm a medical technologist and a nurse. I'm not a "mental flake" as some would say. I am totally convinced that most depression has a biochemical side. That's not to say that other modalities don't help. They do. But would you treat insulin dependant diabetes with talk therapy alone?? I don't think so. We are just on the brink of understanding "mental" illness, and more and more research is pointing to the effects of neurotransmitters on all sorts of things : from pain to heart disease, PMS and menopausal symptoms and even to cancer. I too am a Christian. I too have been involved with self help groups and even talk therapy. I'm not knocking any of it- they are all adjunct therapies. Like many others have said, if one med hasn't helped within 3-4 weeks, try another. It's not an exact science yet-you just have to keep trying til you find something that fits your individual biochemistry. I know I sound a little preachy, but after I posted Cleo's thread, I read some of the others and wanted to share my story. Peace Lynne

PS if anyone has specific questions, please PM me.

Seven11 · June 2009

I agree with you. I was diagnosed long before bc with depression and anxiety and I'm a very, very tough chick. For a long time now I've been wanting to get off the zoloft, but my doc keeps telling me that it's like any other long term condition.

lynnea · June 2009

Hey klfh-I know what you mean about wanting to get off meds. Twice in the last 20 years I have tapered off my prozac in the hopes that I no longer needed it, but both times I had to restart because my symptoms returned. After feeling so good for a while now, I don't think I'll ever go off them. That's why I'm convinced that depression is a chronic illness that needs to be treated. Sometimes I go up and down with dose. In 2004 when my dad was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and I became my bedridden mom's caregiver, I had to increase the dose because the added stress of caregiving was making my depression worse. There is no way I could remain sane and care for my mom without it. Thanks for shareing your thoughts. Too many people are misguided and misinformed about depression. It's a real illness and not something people think is "all in your head."

Lynne

Alyad · June 2009

I too have been on antidepressant meds long term well before BC. I have also tried to go off them a couple times and it comes back. I have been on them long enough (8 years) that when I do get the depressed feelings it really does feel like an imbalance in my system. I still really really wish I did not have to take them- I hate the idea I have to take a pill to feel okay- but I hate feeling depressed more. I will add that I am also a pretty tough chick. I've hiked 4500 miles. I thought I might be able to go off while hiking for months- I'm exercising all dang day right and love what I'm doing- still I got depressed!

For anyone on tamoxifen considering an antidepressant- make sure you talk to your doc about the right one- certain ones interfere with tamox's effectiveness. I will probably be switching off Wellbutrin to Effexor soon when I start tamoxifen.

nanna · July 2009

I have been dealing with depression for about 2 weeks. just wondering if you can take zoloft and femara

lynnea · July 2009

Hi-I'm not sure about how similar femara is to tomoxifin. Some of the SSRI's interfere with the metabolism of tamoxifin (decreases tomoxifin's ability to metabolize into the active molecule). I'm not sure if Femara uses the same metobolic pathways. Please check with your oncologist first.

Maybe some one else taking Femara might know. Lynne

SoCalLisa · July 2009

when I was depressed I really knew it was situational with my treatments..I refused the

meds and gradually pulled myself out of it..

neesie · July 2009

This topic kinda ticks me off! I have been on Paxil for PTSS for years...................I was on Tamoxifin for 2 years followed by Femara for 3 years. Just finished Femara the end of April. Not one time during the 5 years did ANY Doctor mention the combo of the two!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not PCP, BS, ONC, RAD ONC, Pharmicist...........no one. How are any of us supposed to know what to do.......whatever it is it seems to change a few years down the road.

Denise

sheila888 · July 2009

Hi Everybody,

I just came accross this topic. I have been taking AD prozac for many years now. Before even i was DX, I am also on Femara since March 2006, none of my doctors mention anything.

Smile Sheila

London-Virginia · July 2009

Hello all. Re whether Tamoxifen "is the same as " (for want of a better precis!) Femara, I think it isn't. I just started taking Femara so have been researching info on it. It is as you know an AI, and I think somewhere on this site there is info on this very topic, but I can't remember where. Guess you could look on the Femara website itself - I read through a lot of info on there which was useful. Do hope this helps a little - best wishes -

lynnea · July 2009

Thanks Ivorymom for clarifying the difference between Femara and Tamoxifin. For anyone who isn't sure what AI is it stands for Aromatase Inhibitor. London-Virginia mentioned another thread on this topic. I just bumped it up for those who are interested. It is probably not the only thread on this subject, but it is the most recent, as there was a news release after the Oncology Conference in june. It's titled "Tamoxofin and Antidepressants" Hope it helps.

For anyone suffering from depression there are many different meds and like Ivorymom said earlier, sometimes you have to do a lot of dosage tweaking and keep trying, but your patience will be rewarded with a better quality of life. And yes, like SocalLisa said, some depression IS situational and resolves with time. But those of us who have suffered with depression for extended periods of time, know that meds have been a Godsend. Lynne

WTH · July 2009

Besides Advil for every day maladies, my drug of choice for depression-related issues is Celexa! Few side effects. Really helps. Non-addictive to my knowledge. Certainly takes the edge off!

Exercise is a wonder drug in itself for depression - it is amazing how a walk can perk up one's mood (forcing it sometimes is a must, I know, but well worth it). However, if that isn't enough, I do believe in assistance. I know so many that have come around to believing that too and coming to the realization that you are not weak in requesting help. You are human. You need a little help along the way. Take it (if need be). Big deal. And, it could be.

Most of us here have gone through enough to warrant a little bit of assistance.

It has done wonders for many I know (and love). If your coping mechanisms are not working well, it is a thought. Possibly a partial solution.

All the Best!

For Anyone Scared To Try Antidepressants

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