Antidepressants, tamoxifen,

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tiredofcancer
tiredofcancer Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

I started taking tamoxifen back in the winter, and had to go off lexapro because my onc said it interfered with tamoxifen. I'd had a hysterectomy last October after my breast cancer surgery and treatment and tried the Arimidex but it made my bones hurt too bad.  I have hot flashes like crazy. 3 fans aren't enough, plus central air.  My onc put me on Effexor and I didn't like the way it made me feel, and so I tapered off it, in spite of my onc's orders.  I think I offended them because I didn't want to take it. I nearly died coming off Effexor.  It took me all summer and finally after 2 weeks of being able to do nothing but sit and cry and throw up, I saw my family dr and he put me on trazedone. I had to bite the bullet for another two weeks, but finally am much better, but now my onc says trazedone also blocks tamoxifen. My sister has also had breast cancer and she stopped all of her medications because she said they were worse than cancer. I tend to agree with her.  I am seeking a natural way to deal with the hot flashes. I will NOT go back on Effexor, no matter what.  If my onc gets angry, and won't treat me then I will go without treatment.  I intend to stay on the Tamoxifen but I really want to talk to my onc and see what are the chances of my cancer coming back if I don't take it.  Either way, I am sick of living in pain (cancer is not my only illness) and just wish the world was a better place, and doctors would take more time to listen to their patients.  MY onc might spend 5 minutes with me at each visit. His trainee spends maybe l0.  how can they know what I need in that short of time?  Does anyone have any suggestions per antidepressants, and hot flashes?   just can't imagine living the rest of my life like this. 

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited September 2009

    Hi-I've been on tamoxifen for over a year & took the anti-depressant celexa. My psychiatrist just changed me to zoloft 2-3 months ago. It's apparently better for hot flashes. I haven't noticed a difference in the improvement of hot flashes, but it has made my mind a little clearer. I was dealing with menopause-brain-very forgetful and couldn't remember words & felt doped up. My onc's asst. said it has no interference w/tamoxifen.

    I've also increased my calcium & magnesium because of the foot pain associated with the tamoxifen.

    I also use the drug clonazapem (klonopin) for sleeping and irritability.

    Hang in there. I know the hot flashes are terrible.

    P.S. I also wish Drs would take more time w/ their patients. During my yearly physical 2 wks ago I felt my Dr was like the Tanzmanian Devil-(trying to get done soooo fast). It drove me nuts.

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited September 2009

    I have just been prescribed ambien because I have such a horrible time sleeping at night.  It was given to me by my gynecologist.  FOrgot to ask about the mix with tamoxifen.  I think I'll wait.

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  • annieireland
    annieireland Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2009

    hi all. only joined a few minuites ago, so bear with me! i have been on venlafaxine, an anti depressant,for nearly 12 months,partially because i was pretty fed up,partially because research has shown that it might help in easing the awful sweats caused by tamoxifen. what i have just discovered by listening to you guys is that a side effect of tamoxefen is anxiety,which i was totally unaware of! the anxiety i felt i put down to the general situation,the sweats,ect. have just weaned myself off venlafaxine because it did not help with the sweats, and the side effects were anxiety! so, basically, i have been suffering all this time taking 2 drugs that each caused me anxiety! the venlafaxine was obviously enhancing the effects of the tamoxifen,so in effect,ive been giving myself drugs to cause me to be anxious since l had my treatment for bc,and doubling the effects! so a huge thanks for that,ladies!!! which brings me to my next point.WHY WAS THIS NEVER POINTED OUT TO ME BY THE SO CALLED BLOODY EXPERTS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TREATING US,AND GETTING HUGE AMMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR DOING SO??? every medication i have tried to combat sweating and anxiety has been researched,and requested from my doctors,by me. they could not offer any solutions at all. and if another "proffessional" advises me to wear loose clothing, get a chillow pillow,ect, ill shove the bloody thing so far up their unmentionable orriface that they ll be suffering from sweating and anxiety as well as us!!!! sorry i ve gone on a bit, but i feel so much better for it! if anyone would like to know what i have tried for sweats,please get in touch. they didn t work for me, but everone is different,arnt they? enough for now. take care! x

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  • annieireland
    annieireland Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2009

    hi love.chin up! have only just posted a message myself, and its nackered me, so will reply with some suggestions for you later. xx

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