femara and depression

I am thinking about putting a query to my onc of nurse practioner.  I have been on the femara since I think January.  And even though it causes less muscle and joint pain I have become mre depressed and anxious about this that and the other thing.  And have become rather tired of having to worry.

I'm on Arimidex and had some problems with this early on, and while it's true they aren't exactly the same, I was told the cause of it was the estrogen depletion rather than a side effect, which would be the same. I don't have any answers other than that info about the possible cause- I started taking some natural stuff (SAM-E) and while I'm doing a lot better now, I think I just got lucky and it was only an adjustment period for me. But it could be something to try before taking the anti-depressant plunge, if it comes to that- if you did want to I was told to give it 6-8 weeks to start working.

Hi lindas

So glad I found some answers to Femara thought I was going mad to be honest because I am liking the symptoms of going through the menopause again although that is not possible as I am 59, loss of confidencek, can only go to places where I know how to get to, have to write everything down as a reminder of what is going on in my life, my phone has a calendar, i have a diary and plus the calendar on the kitchen wall - saw oncologist last week and mentioned this and her reply was well "all tablets have side effects"

I'm glad to see this subject come up because I was doing great for the first months of diagnosis/treatment UNTIL I started Femara. Now that little 'feeling' of worry of recurrence, etc. feels like it's taking over my life. The anxiety is giving me headaches. I am only 18 months into my Femara treatment ... combined with the pain, "chemo-brain" type issues and the thinning hair ... it's been tough.

I'd love to help you with an antidepressant suggestion, but it truly is an individual case-by-case basis ...and certainly with your hypertension you'll want a doctor's specific recommendation.  

I'd just be prepared before visiting your doctor with a list of what antidepressants did NOT work well for you in the past and what side effects you find intolerable (weight gain, for example).  Good docs (and certainly psychs) know the side effects of antidepressants, as do pharmacists as an excellent second opinion, and some antidepressants have lots of them and some have little. I also always ask about serious side effects, given all the drug recalls, as I recently found out that Cymbalta can cause liver problems and liver function tests should be monitored.  No thanks, as mine are already being monitored on the Femara!  Some people prefer an older SSRI with a track record.  It's all very personal.  Wish I could help more.

I've read Celexa has a very low side effect profile, but it also causes more than the typical amount of nausea during the first 2 weeks. This was confirmed by my pharmacist, who took it personally and had a few tries until she got past the 2 weeks and was side effect free and on her way out of depression.  

I'd also speak with your doctor about your exercise regimen, if you're well enough to exercise, to get his okay and a good plan to help with hypertension and depression. I know when I'm well enough to exercise, it lifts my spirits.  

 Best of luck to you! 

Emily, welcome!

I'm so sorry about the crummy depression you're dealing with. The lymphedema is not likely related to the Femara, but being diagnosed with lymphedema is actually very depressing and may well be contributing to the lack of motivation and your sense that your quality of life is lower. Have you connected with a really good, well-trained lymphedema therapist? The initial therapy is a steep learning curve and discouraging, but learning to manage it does get easier over time. Honest!

Gentle hugs!
Binney

This is a nice discussion! I am fascinated as after surgery, chemo, rads and a year of herceptin (sitll doing the Zometa trial), my onc told me that I needed to go off of the SSRI I was on (Prozac) as it contraindicted Femara.  I met with a psychiatrist and he had only two options for antidepressant meds that he said were safe with Femara.  One was Effexor and the other is a brand new med (can't recall what it was at the moment).  I said I would tough it out as I have heard Effexor gives hotflashes/makes you perspire more, etc. I figured with all the SE of Femara, that I would give it my best to not take any antidepressants. 

Wow.

This has been 10 months of emotional trials.  I have significant depression, but I am somehow managing.  Of course, there is the camp that says having depression very much takes a toll on our bodies.  I have even had strangers tell me that depression can exacerbate or help facilitate the progression of cancer (the whole stress/unhappiness factor).  What a slippery slope that whole concept it.  I "try" so hard to be happy go lucky...

So here's a weird one...I saw my Onc for the first time today since August (my last Herceptin).  I told him about how the Femara has affected my physical well being, that even my Yoga instructor has noticed a obvious decline in my flexibility (very frustrating - it is almost as if my progress is retracting).  My Onc told me today that I was not imagining this, and that this is a very common SE.  I just turned 47...was before stupid cancer, I was riding centuries, spinning classes, yoga, swimming, etc.  I was in excellent physical health...anyway...where was I?  Ah, yes...so my Onc tells me today that he wants to to go off Femara and start Aromasin.  He said that Aromasin is also an AI  and --- get this...he said that on Aromasin, I should be able to notice some difference in my tendonds, etc.  Of couse, he wants to do a PET body scan and a breast ultrasound (as I am haiving pain in the affected breast), Here's to feeling better...:)

Hi DAHL, sorry you're here, but you'll get help. This is an old thread; some of the folks on it aren't monitoring it. It'll be easier to get answers if you check active threadslike this one:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics/726592?page=314#idx_9402