antidepressants- what kind? Help!

jessamine · October 2010

I've been avoiding it for a long time, but now, 'post treatment', I think it really needs to happen- I have to take some kind of anti-depressant. BUT- I just don't know if there's one out there that meets my requirements. I need something with NO SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS- I have enogh problems with that already , and that knocks most of em out of the running right off. And I sleep ok, but barely- so I really don't think I can take any of the "upper" type drugs (wellbutrin is one apparently). And I really have concerns about the dependency building drugs (effexor). Anyone have any ideas? thoughts? Are you on one of these or something else, and what do you think?

kareylou · November 2010

Hi,

I recently started on Wellbutrin, out of desperation. My situation was much the same as yours, and I was also worried about the sleep. I can say that I feel LOADS better than before I went on it, and am surprised that I am sleeping better than ever. Evidently the depression was affecting my sleep. Now I sleep 6-7 hours per night and feel rested when I wake up. The only thing I've noticed besides the lessening of depression is that I can't drink coffee within a couple of hours of taking the bupropion, or I get jittery.

I had a short stint on Effexor while on Tamoxifen and really did not have a good experience. Waited till I was off the Tamoxifen and then ran immediately to my doctor to get something so that I didn't waste any more of my life feeling miserable.

raincitygirl · November 2010

I am on wellbutrin as well, have not had trouble sleeping, have not gained weight, and have seen no change with sexual desire or experience....

My experience was that wellbutrin seemed like a stimulant for the first three or four days and that was it, nothing after that.

jessamine · November 2010

Very good to know- thank you both! Wellbutrin looks like the one all right. I haven't started yet- keep thinking, oh, it's not that bad- maybe just having it in the house is enough! I'll probably start soon though...

Anonymous · November 2010

Hi Jessamine! I'm a Wellbutrin fan as well. I, unfortunately, have been dealing with depression even before BC and have to say I've about tried them all. Wellbutrin is the only one that didn't cause the sexual SE's for me (some say it even made sex better but I can't say I've been lucky enough to have that happen). I have had absolutely no SE's on it which is very unusual for me. I'm hypersensitive to any meds so I really do think this is a good one to try. Just remember that when you do start on any anti-depressant it takes about 4-6 weeks to see the full effect so don't give up if you don't think it's working. Good luck!

D4Hope · November 2010

I have had depression most of my life. I was taking Cymbalta until I started Tamoxifen. Certain antidepressents interact with Tamoxifen and make it less effective. Now I take celexa and it has helped me alot. No side effects and I have lost weight.

manatee64 · April 2011

It's important to be aware of the antidepressants that stop tamoxifen from working and even increase the risk of breast cancer. I tried to cut and paste some articles on it, but it doesn't work here the way it does in e-mail and documents.

A Google search for these terms: tamoxifen antidepressants

will pull up some accurate info - IF you check the sources and skip the trashy ones.

I had to stop Arimidex due to severe depression although I was on an antidepressant. Onc says he will put me on tamoxifen in about a month - if the depressions clears up. The big problem though is that I'm taking cymbalta which is one of the drugs that interfers with tamox. So I will have to change antidepressants first.

web530 · May 2011

I'm on tamoxifen and going to see a psychologist for the first time tomorrow - I'm so glad I read this thread because I wouldn't have known there can be interaction between the tamoxifen and antidepressants - which I'm sure he'll put me on.

My depression started recently....was diagnosed 6 months ago. I feel guilty because my treatment did not include (thank God) any chemo or radiation, just bilateral mastectomy, tissue expanders, reconstruction and tamoxifen. I feel guilty because so many women have to suffer thru chemo and radiation, I don't have the right to be depressed. Am I crazy? I went into overdrive when diagnosed, flew thru the mastectomy, suffered thru the tissue expanders, and the reconstruction surgery was a breeze (just 3 weeks ago). So, why I am falling apart now? I am full of anxiety and fear of the cancer returning (although my Onco type score indicates only 20% chance). I never took time for myself to deal with my diagnosis during the last 6 months, went back to work too soon after the mastectomy, faked a "light hearted" attitude about my cancer with family and friends. So, is that why I'm in this dark dark place now?

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I crazy? Of course there are other factors that may be contributing....I was the primary caretaker for my dad when he had cancer and then passed away, shortly thereafter mom was diagnosed with dementia and I took care of her for 5 years. I was diagnosed with BC just 9 months after she passed, I hadn't healed emotionally from her passing. During the same time I had to deal with a husband who was unfaithful. So, did I have too much on my plate and now it's hitting me?

I guess I just want to know if my deep depression is justified, or am I just a big baby and need to "deal with it" ?

Good luck to all of you and thank you for listening.

Anonymous · May 2011

Hi Web, no I do not thing you're overreacting with having had to take care of both your mom and dad and see them pass away, having to deal with an unfaithful husband, all this is enough to bring down anybody.

You put it very well when you say that when the bomb drops, all we can do is go through the motions, get really tough, get educated about a whole new language in order to be able to deal with all of the experts...oncos, gynecos, BS, biopsy results, SEs, ad nauseam ... and when finally the storm settles down, we have to face the ugly truth of having to live in fear of reoccurrence, having to deal with the outside world which DOES NOT understand, our families and friends whose support is often inadequate, and the list goes on and on.

Yes, we all have had way too much on our plates and I can only speak for myself, it is hitting me very hard in the face. I'm pondering whether I will ask for an anti-depressant, starting to read sisters' testimonies, cause I won't be getting my hair back and that is enough right now to throw me in the deep blue sea.

Lowrider54 · May 2011

Hi Web

Don't you fret...and please don't feel guilty - I get that - I am a stage iv that is only treating with antihormonals and a bone strengthener and I often communicate with many that are on their 2nd, 3rd, and beyond rounds of chemo - I feel like a 'baby' when it comes to having mets but it is mets and it is stage iv and it is terminal so just because I have not yet reached the point of chemo, the mind-set isn't much different.

One thing I have found is the care the treating team, including the psychiatrists, take in things having no reaction with any of the other treatments. The pharmacists watch too and it is quite nice that access to all the meds is listed so even at an emergency room, they can pull them up.

And don't feel silly about having to seek out some help - this is not an easy path and I know I would not be as functional as I am without the help of both anti depressants and anti anxiety meds. Through talking and listening, you will discover what is going to work best for you but don't be fearful of trying a couple of things before you find one that does it for you. Where physical medicine is more of an exact science - strep throat get antibiotics - mental health is different, no two people have exactly the same response to the same medicine at the same dosages.

I wish you the best and hope you find some relief and start living and being happy again and no longer worry about how lucky you got to be...

Big Hugs....LowRider

Blinx · May 2011

Web530 - Please don't feel guilty about your BC experience. There will ALWAYS be someone who has gone through something worse, but that doesn't mean you didn't go through hell. I remember reading here that it is common to experience depression when you are finished treatment - since it is just you against the world at that point, and can be a little scarey.

Depression is a whacky thing - you could be perfectly healthy, seemingly fine emotionally, and then wham, it comes out of nowhere, for no reason. I'm glad you're getting help. I recently started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist for the first time, and am seeing what drugs work for me. I told my oncologist that I wanted to quit tamoxifen, so that I'd have more options for antidepressents (the ones that work with tamox make me too tired). She gave me leeway and told me I could take anything. I'm still skeptical, but have started on Zoloft.

alex56 · May 2011

Why some respond so well to benign treatments and some have to endure months of hideous chemo for the same condition is a question I can't answer. It's what makes BC so infuriating and terrifying. The emotional struggle just adds insult to the physical struggle. I finally asked for help for the emotional side of it about a year after my diagnosis. I've been taking effexor for 3 months and it has helped immensely. I sleep better, can think clearer, and the hot flashes have all but disappeared. I don't get weepy and full of despair anymore - I just feel normal. For that I am grateful.

web530 · May 2011

Thank you all for responding. A psychiatrist gave me a prescription for Lexapro, but I did read that it interferes with Tamoxifen, so I'm waiting to hear from my oncologist whether it's okay to take this med.

Again, thanks for all the info, it is much appreciated.

Racy · May 2011

web530

I got the same prescription and also checked with my onc today after reading the advice about possible interference with tamox earlier in this thread. The onc has advised me that there are conflicting results of studies about this topic but overall he thinks the bulk of studies do not indicate a problem. He said though it is up to me whether I am comfortable to take it. I am not sure that I am and think I will check with my GP if there is another drug that might be less risky.

I would be interested to know what your onc says.

Racy · May 2011

I probably won't be starting on Tamoxifen until mid July so I started taking the Lexam antidepressant 5 days ago. My mood seems to have lifted. I don't know if the antidepressant has worked or I am just having an upward mood swing. I am going to continue taking it then look for a more compatible med when I start taking Tamoxifen.

antidepressants- what kind? Help!

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