anxiety meds

Options
wallycat
wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

I apologize that I did not do a search first.

I saw my new onco and she said that anti-anxiety meds helped hot flashes.  Everything I read indicates these make you gain weight.  Arimidex/tamoxifen have already gotten me plenty heavy so I put it out here:

is there any anti-anxiety med that anyone is on where weight gain is not a side effect and a drug that is easy to be weaned off of?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • HollyinMich
    HollyinMich Member Posts: 210
    edited February 2011

    I haven't experienced any issues with Xanax as far as with weight or dependancy.  I don't use them on a daily basis though, only when I need them.  For instance at the moment I am taking them pretty regularly because I have an upcoming MRI and PET scheduled before my BMX on February 18.  So with the stress of the scans and the upcoming surgery I have been using them.  Also, I don't notice much of an altered state with them ether.  I do believe Xanax is a bit more mild than some of the others out there.  Hope the information helps!

    I should also add that since I have been using them as of late I have noticed a decrease in my hot flashes.  I can't say for sure though if it's from the Xanax or if it's because I'm 2 weeks out from finishing my Taxol treatments.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited February 2011

    I take Ativan, though not  daily...no weight gain that I know of....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited February 2011
    wallycat ~ I've taken Xanax off and on for over 10 years and have never noticed any weight gain from it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2011

    My onc prescribed me Ativan as an anti-nausea med. Helped a lot. I remember taking it a couple of times when I started freaking out over usual BC stuff. It helped calm me down. I do not use it daily so cannot comment on the weight gain sorry.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited February 2011

    I take Valium for anxiety because I don't like how Xanax makes me feel.  I only take it as needed, though, so not everyday.  I don't believe it helps with hot flashes.  Which meds did your dr recommend?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LG300
    LG300 Member Posts: 652
    edited February 2011

    The only anti-anxiety meds that I've read about that help with hot flashes are SSRIs (selective serotinin reuptake inhibitors), which are anti-depressant & anti-anxiety medications.  Effexor is the one that's usually prescribed for hot flashes (it's actually an SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor).  I also read something recently that Lexapro (an SSRI) can also help reduce hot flashes. 

    The traditional anti-anxiety meds (Valium, Xanax, etc.) don't help with hot flashes.  I was prescribed Valium by my PS as a muscle relaxant when I had my TE fills.  It helped with the pain (and anxiety), but did nothing about my hot flashes.  I didn't find it addictive, but I only took it for a limited amount of time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MauiNoKaOi
    MauiNoKaOi Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2011

    Valium is the only med that has helped me. I take as needed only when I really am having difficulty coping or can't sleep because I keep leaving 'stuff' in my in box so to speak. My doctors do not like to prescribe it, because of the addicting Euphoric nature of it. However, I have not become addicted and have never felt a sense of Euphoria from it. It just allows me to forget about things and get some sleep. I just need to find one of my doctors that understands my need. My Cancer Psych. put me on buspirone. It just made me dizzy and I still needed the Valium for those anxious moments.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • amontro
    amontro Member Posts: 504
    edited April 2011

    I was prescribed Ativan for anxiety.  It's not strong. It just takes the edge off.  I have been taking one pill twice a day, in the morning and late afternoon. It can make your drowsy, but not as much as other anti-anxiety meds.  I also take Percocet for pain. This works differently for  me. It's great for the pain and, instead of making me sleepy, it makes me feel good and more alert. My onc says that is unusual.

    Sorry about hot flashes. I still get them and my onc says they're from Arimidex. Blanket on; blanket off!  LOL.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alex56
    alex56 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2011

    I take Effexor and my hot flashes are a thing of the past. No weight gain either.  Helps with anxiety too.  Really glad I asked for it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2011

    I take Lexapro, it has helped me alot.  NJ

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cathmg
    cathmg Member Posts: 278
    edited April 2011

    I took Celexa, seroquel, and ativan for awhile-no weight gain. Best wishes-Cat

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Katarina
    Katarina Member Posts: 386
    edited April 2011

    I was seeing a psychiatrist. for anxiety and PTSD when I got my Cancer diagnosis. My psychiatrist has been a god send. She's had me on Prozac and Klonazepam for my pre-existing issues and upped the dosages when we got the advanced breast cancer diagnosis. I take these both daily and truly believe they've cured my anxiety in dealing with the cancer process and treatments. I'm prone to depression anyway so definitely believe in preventative meds like SSRI's and anxiety treatments. 

    I feel lucky that I was on these meds and they were working just weeks before my DX. I also have not gained any weight - getting fat is just too much to cope with on top of what we are all dealing with.

     Best to you all. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories