suicidal thoughts on tamoxifen?

Please contact your doctor ASAP. You don't need to feel this way.

Please call you doctor! I had the same problem after being in Tamoxifen for about 7 months. It was gradual and really snuck up on me. I suddenly realized that what I was feeling and yes even planning was horrible and NoT me! I stopped taking it immediately and scheduled an appointment with my oncologist ASAP. It IS a side effect!!! I was back to normal in short time but had o forgo Tamoxifen.

yes sweetie, get some help I didn,t have that side effect, I did pretty good on it, had weight gain, insomnia, muscle aches, but nothing like that,all of us are different and not same effect. God bless. msphil

I read this with interest as I have been having suicidal thoughts.  On Easter Sunday I decided to stop my Effexor because I have gained a pound a month while on it.  It is hard to say what causes what.  I felt better for about a week or two but am back feeling seriously depressed.  I have been taking Aromasin for about one month.  Prev. took Arimidex with several attempts but got severe headaches.Frankly I felt pretty good without an anti-hormonal and was hesitant to try again, but know I have to take it.  I had a full hysterectomy 4 yrs ago.  But it could be many stressors: kids growing up, bad break up, declining income and increasing expenses and severe arthritis that has come upon me this past year.  I am 20 lbs. over my weight of 3 yrs ago, but after 4 surgeries,etc. I just wish I could work out but the severe pain I have prevents me.  Now with Arimidex, everything is starting to ache on me (I have fibromyalgia). I live with two teens - my oldest who is disabled, lives with his Dad.  I was diagnosed about a year ago - could be an anniversary reaction too.  All I know is that I am depressed to the point it is hard to get to work and I have pushed away any friends I have left, altho' some family and friends have just not been up to it.  The only person I confide in is my counselor at the cancer center; I am afraid that if I say I am suicidal they will hospitalize me or put me on an anti-depressant that will add to the weight gain. I am repeating reconstruction in June but am considering having the other breast removed to prevent recurrence; that may be the source of the current sadness, (in fact I have several surgeries/procedures coming up).

I never thought the anti-hormonal could be leading to the depressive/suicidal feelings.

CrazyKitties, we'll add to the excellent advice you've already received, and encourage you to contact your doctor right away. Depression and mood swings are known side effects of tamoxifen, but you shouldn't have to feel this way.

Please, please call your doctor. 

If you're having these feelings now and need someone to talk with, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255), or your local 911, or go to your hospital emergency room for help.

Your Mods

CK - You sound quite tough.  I think it was a bit easier to be strong in the beginning, at least for me.  I was still in shock. You sound like you have some good friends to have a dinner party with, so that is good.  Hang in there sister!!

CrazyKitties, thanks for checking in. Wow, you're going through a lot and I can see why you might feel discouraged. It's not the same, but when I began tamox I went through a period of severe insomnia for about 6 weeks--I mean, practically no sleep, night after night for weeks. It sucked and my mood dropped. I felt really discouraged. Finally a friend suggested I might be depressed and so I called a counselor and she helped a lot. As you probably know, she said that depression can be serious, so I'm glad you're getting help with that. I can't imagine dealing with all those other things; it makes it complicated and discouraging to say the least. Are there any support services you can use? I don't like full-on support groups (I'm afraid to hear about new issues I haven't considered before) but I've been going to my Healing Imagery group and it helps. It's all cancer patients so I feel like I'm around my tribe. And the imagery is a type of meditation. It helps. Glad to hear you're seeking a second opinion and moving forward. take care!

crazykitties, so glad you are here, glad to see so many of us doing what we can to support you across the miles. I was on Effexor for chemo-induced neuropathy, the MO said other benefits would be improvement of Tamox SEs: hot flashes and depression. Made the depression much worse, no help for hot flashes, definitely got suicidal thoughts. Talked to the MO to discontinue, but it was too quick for me and on top of everything else I got severe withdrawal symptoms (jittery, nausea, headache, etc.). Just telling you this to make sure you pay attention to this as you decrease your Effexor. Hope the lower dose helps you! Took me 3 weeks after I had only been on it 6-8 weeks before discontinuing. But I am off that and almost all other meds and feeling much better! Still going to see my counselor and participating in a cancer support group. I had resisted a face-to-face group until this one was offered as an 8-week session of mindfulness-based sessions for cancer survivors, and it is a group of about 8 women that I am finding somewhat helpful.

I went on effexor to control hot flashes (I was on Celexa before).  I hated how it made me feel, and it did nothing to help my hot flashes.  However, it was a b***h to get off of it.  I had the worst withdrawal effects I have ever had in my life, I wanted to commit myself.  Now I'm off all anti-depressants after being on them for ten years.  Add to that Tamoxifen which also causes depression.  I have felt suicidal the last 3 days with some crazy family issues involved as well.  I have been taking 5 htp, but it's not cutting the mustard.  How can I get off all this stuff, and feel better mentally.  It seems crazy to go through all of this (malignant melanoma followed by stage 3 bc) only to feel like ending it all.  I'm having such a tough time 6 months after treatment.  Did you all feel worse as time went on?  How do I try to tell my family what I'm feeling.

Les 

Please, please call your MO first thing in the morning. Tamoxifen can cause depression and suicidal thoughts in severe cases. Call right away. PM me if you need to talk. This is the meducation. Not you. There are options to help you. Please post soon so we know you're ok. Holding you close in my thoughts

I'm ok. Thank so much for your responses. I haven't called my onc, but I stopped taking the Tamoxifin and feel a little better. The down side is that I now feel like I'm playing Russian roulette with my life since both my biological mother and her sister have been diagnosed in the past. I'm embarrassed for feeling such strong mental side effects, and it's difficult to talk even to a doctor. My current onc has caused me feel as if I shouldn't be experiencing the things I've told him about in the past, like I'm faking or over reacting. That's the entire reason I searched and found this site. I needed to know that wasn't crazy. I'm going to see if can get another doctor in the office. Hopefully, it will help to get one with whom I'm comfortable. Please say prayer for me, ladies! Thanks again for your help.

I was the same I lasted just 20 days on tamoxifen before I had to stop it. I became suicidal was so depressed and anxiety ridden I could not function and my brain fog was so bad I was a danger to myself. Been off it 2 weeks and I am back to myself again thank god. I would never work in my field again on it I'm only 46 years old.

Like you I feel like I am playing Russian roulette with my life and my oncologist is not helpful in the least just today he said I want you to try it again in s couple of months I cried I'm so scared.i did not do chemo because he said anti hormones would be more beneficial now I'm just so confused. He will not offer any alternative as he says they are far worse for SE.

Vix