To Prozac or not

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PattyPeppermint
PattyPeppermint Member Posts: 11,162
edited September 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

last week at my mo appt we discussed ongoing depression or anxiety I've been having. I really think it's anxiety but not depression. It happens 1 or 2 times a week. For no apparent reason, I just feel so down and crying. We weren't raised to believe !much in therapy or depression meds. Just pull yourself up by the boot straps and find the positive and focus on that. But I haven't been able to handle this very well. I've tried 2 meds in the past : remeron and lexapro. I didn't like feeling numb. No happiness or no sadness so I stopped. Mo prescribed Prozac and I am a little nervous about Starting it. Ive heard many negatives about it. I didn't have Rx filled yet. Since my back pain has decreased I notice I have these episodes less. gonna wait and see if they go away on their own with the X working so well.

Just wanted others experiences with Prozac before I start it - after I given it some time to see if it was simply because of the physical pain.

Thanks

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  • KathyL624
    KathyL624 Member Posts: 217
    edited September 2016

    I know this is posted in the Stage IV threads, but since I have experience with Prozac I wanted to chime in. I have struggled with anxiety my whole life and have tried Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Prozac, and most recently Effexor since I am on tamoxifen. Of the first three, Prozac was the best for me..made me feel like myself/calmer but still very clear/lucid/energetic. Since Effexor makes me sick, my MO is discussing me moving to Prozac if I can do an AI with ovarian suppression. Anyway, long story short, Prozac worked beautifully for me in the past.

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  • PattyPeppermint
    PattyPeppermint Member Posts: 11,162
    edited September 2016

    Kathy. Thanks for the info

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited September 2016

    I don't know specifically about Prozac but feel our lives are far too short to be miserable. It is worth a shot! And sometimes, it takes a bit of trial and error to get it right, or changing these meds when treatment changes alter your side effect profile. All these issues our bodies go through - hormone deprivation, chemo, emotional reality of situation - can lead to depression and related pain symptoms, aside from the direct pain of our BC.

    I, too, continue to have hang ups with this type of treatment (or even admitting I have a problem), but remind myself daily that I have bigger issues and my hang up is a small one. If it can be relieved, I owe it to myself to try!


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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited September 2016

    Patty, I was also raised that depression was a sign of weakness. That you should pull it together. Last year I had a very difficult time. I ended up telling my oncologist that I was extremely stressed and had anxiety. He thought I was depressed instead. Funny thing is now I think he was right. We are dealing with so much on our plate that I really think we all need it that has this diagnosis. My oncologist put me on Effexor and it has made a world of difference. I agree that these drugs are a trial and error. What works for one doesn't help another. I would recommend trying it, if it doesn't work try something else. Life is too short to waste on sad days. I wish you the best.

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited September 2016

    Patty, I can relate to how you feel. I do take an antianxiety med but Lately I've felt a bit more blue, and my primary Doctor prescribed the antidepressant Wellbutrin. I haven't taken it yet for similar reasons you mention not taking Prozac. I worry that it will increase anxiety, as other antidepressants I tried years ago did.

    I was also raised to think that needing any kind of emotional support or turning to medicine as a means of coping signified weakness and it was ridiculed and mocked. Looking back, I see it was a defense mechanism used to disguise that we in my family all had certain fears and anxieties that we would not admit to. One of my sisters was the most critical as a teenager and young woman; these days as a woman in her 60s, she relies on several medicines for emotional well-being.

    i had to work through those old issues, still do sometimes. I had my pride that I didn't need medicine to cope and I had to surrender the pride. I sometimes feel as tho I'm being judged as incompetent because I rely on an antianxiety med, as though there's something "wrong" or unbalanced in my personality, as tho ones who don't need meds are somehow superior. I don't like that feeling, but I hate being anxious even more.

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited September 2016

    I just had my PCP prescribe nortriptylene for me which is one of the old tricyclic antidepressants. I took it many years ago for depression, but find from Bestbird's MBC guide that it also is prescribed for the sort of old lady pains that I have such as sciatica, joint pain, and peripheral neuropathy. When I took It previously, I found I was less irritable and it definitely helped my depression. And yes, irritability can be a sign of depression.

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited September 2016

    I had GREAT success with Zoloft. I am now on effexor because Zoloft and tamoxifen don't mix so we switched and I haven't gone back.

    I would NEVER do cancer with out a med. Sure my sex drive is dead (chemo or drugs) but seriously, least of my worries? I do really well otherwise. I have Ativan for the stressful days of scans or sleepless nights.

    My motto, life to short too cry and feel down..go for it.

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  • pwilmarth
    pwilmarth Member Posts: 235
    edited September 2016

    Everyone is different, but sometimes they use an antidepressant like Prozac for something called general anxiety disorder. So you may find this drug helpful. Cymbalta is often used to help with pain management, so if pain is a component to your depression, that may be helpful.

    So much of what we experience is outside of our control - what they call situational depression, and those of us with stage IV cancer are living that everyday.

    My thoughts are there is no harm in trying these drugs. Many people find them helpful and if they improve your quality of life, then it's a benefit to you.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited September 2016

    patty,

    My apologies for intruding. I have been on Effexor since my dx and it has been most helpful. It has not given me a flat affect, and has really allowed me to enjoy life without serious periods of the blues. I would give Prozac a try and if it's not for you, there are many others out there. Whatever my lifespan may be, I want to live it in peace and happiness. You deserve that too


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  • PattyPeppermint
    PattyPeppermint Member Posts: 11,162
    edited September 2016

    thanks for your experiences. That's why I love bco. Always someone has experience in whatever subjection questioning.

    Gonna wait about two weeks and see if the decrease in pain helps the mental side if not then I am going for it.

    Thanks.

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  • Lynnwood1960
    Lynnwood1960 Member Posts: 1,284
    edited September 2016

    Patty, just chiming in to say that I think you are smart to wait the 2 weeks. You've just had your thyroid meds adjusted , your abnormal level may have contributed to your fatigue for sure as well as your migraines. It seems like you are feeling much better and your spirits are good. I think waiting is a good idea.

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited September 2016

    Patty I take zoloft and it works. My depression was caused by the meds and I have to take them- so talk about a rock and a hard place... I would rather be happy and feeling good. What ever you decide it's this cancer ride and NOT you -- so medication to combat the blues is simply treating the cancer and side effects. Much love and support your way!

    I just thought to add I have a family member (privacy) who has been on prozac for years for severe PMS and says she loves it and no side effects and it beats bawling and miserable every month. So I thought I would throw that in. I have never taken it. Remember you can always try it and if it's not for you, stop. :-)

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