Anti-depressant???

I am on tamoxifen and I take lexapro. I started it when I was diagnosed because I couldn't stop crying. I have chosen to stay on it because I really think it helps keep me level.

Nancy

Hi!

I don't have any side effects from Celexa, and it worked pretty quickly for me. I may just be lucky, though. We tried Prozac on my son who has autism and suffers from depression and anxiety. Prozac is supposed to slow people down and makes many people sleepy at first. He ended up having a paradoxical response -- instead of slowing down, he became manic! He couldn't even sit down to watch a movie; he would pace the entire time! So, different people react differently to SSRIs; you never know.

My daughter (no BC) experienced weight gain from Lexapro and Prozac.Lexapro also made her nauseous. However , I know others who had no ill effects. If one drug does not agree with you, your doctor can change your medication until you find one that works. However, make sure you are taking it because you want to, not because your husband wants you to.

I'd love to hear if Effexor helps with hot flashes! I'm still plagued by them 4-10 times a day, 9+ years after my hysterectomy/oophorectomy.

They happen at regularly scheduled times (waking up and when eating) but also occur nearly every time I am stressed, even minor stress) at work. I keep a fan on my desk, and a hand fan in my purse. These flashed make me drip with sweat and flush. I soak my blouses and this make me selfconcious - thereby increasing my stress! Nasty cycle....

I've had Lexapro in the past when I was dealing with a really spiteful & sadistic boss. Lexapro worked GREAT for me emotionally. Made it possible for me to deal with his mean ways. I eventually switched jobs and got a great boss so I weaned myself off the med. I did not get any relief from hot flashes while on Lexapro. If Effexor can help with them, I'll gladly give it a try.

Thanks for starting this thread. I've learned there may be something I can do to minimize my hormone-deprived body.

I'm starting my hormone therapy on the 2nd. My blood work came back and I was warned that I will most likely need an anti depressant. I know I won't be on Tamoxifen since I'm now post at age 44. The one thing that gets me are the hot flashes at night. I swear I spend half the night seeking out a cold spot on my pillows. I'm contributing that to my endless fatigue.

I am hoping to revive the dialogue here because it seems so relevant to me currently . I am only 3 weeks in on Tamox and feeling crazy...I mean mood swings...mainly towards the downward spiral...No one ( I mean doc) mentioned how seriously detrimental this drug can be to moods..but I have to say I am feeling it. So, from reading the chatter here I am guessing I now should be making my way onto an antidepressant if I plan to contine on Tamox,,,or forever be gloomy? I hadn't factored all of this into my original decision to start HT...and feel....perplexed.

Elaine, I totally understand you. I've been taking antidepressants since 2008. I actually needed then long before then, but didn't know it. Breast cancer isn't my first rodeo.  My DH is disabled, my youngest son is severely mentally handicapped and autistic, and my older son has bipolar. In fact, my family is rife with depression and bipolar, so it shouldn't have surprised me that I would struggle with it too. 

I managed pretty well through the lumpectomies and chemo, but the aftermath of my BMX last Feb did me in. About 7 days post-op I lost a large amount of what was left of my right chest to tissue necrosis and developed a large 6cm seroma on the left.  I became so depressed that I could hardly even bathe and dress myself. I didn't want to get off the couch or eat or do anything, really.  Thankfully, my doctor recognized that I had PTSD, brought on by the whole experience but especially exacerbated by the BMX.  She put me on Lexapro and a sleeping med, because I had hardly slept since surgery.  I felt better within days and by 2 weeks I was almost back to my normal self.

Here I am 7 months later. I am feeling much more in control.  I no longer need the sleeping med and I'm weaning off the Lexapro.  It has been very good for me. I will continue taking my other antidepressants because I'm not done with this stuff yet--I still have at least 2-3 more surgeries left to do.  But I'm glad I had the benefit of the Lexapro and the sleeping med--it was the right thing at the right time.