Crazy behavior on your AI?

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pabbie
pabbie Member Posts: 370
edited October 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

that has you concerned or is it just me?

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited October 2017

    Pabbie, I am not sure what you mean by 'crazy' behavior. Maybe you can clarify

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    Lashing out at other people in public. Severe anger and irritability.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited October 2017

    Well, I have been on anastrozole for close to four years and if anything, have gotten milder and more tolerant. I do not attribute this to anastrozole however...

    Happy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2017

    Yes, on Arimidex. It's one of the reasons I stopped taking it and switched to Aromasin. Anger and terrible mood swings, etc.

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  • Tappermom383
    Tappermom383 Member Posts: 643
    edited October 2017

    Hmmm - I posted on the Arimidex thread about my irritability and listlessness. My DH and I are barely speaking because I'm constantly snapping at him. My first prescription was Teva generic (mid-July) but then my pharmacist switched me to Accord. I'm wondering if the Teva would serve me better or if I should switch to one of the other AIs.

    Claire - did your anger and mood swings stop with the switch to aromasin?

    M

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited October 2017

    Pabbie, I'm not on an AI but I know that when I experienced unexplained tendency towards rage and crazy irritability I was actually depressed. I didn't have the typical symptoms of depression so that wasn't on my radar. I desperately went to my doctor and told her I just wasn't "myself" and explained about the anger/rage/etc and found out it was depression. Got some good meds and a plan for mental support and the rage subsided. Just a thought, hope you figure it out!


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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    Thank you all. I don't feel so alone. I've been on generic Aromasin for 4 months. I just started up again after taking a week off. I'm not familiar with Teva vs. Accord. I've tried the other two AI's and this is the longest I've been on an AI for breast cancer. I totally understand about the snappiness towards our DH's. I'm in talk therapy. I take an older anti-depressant called Amitryptiline. It usually works well before adding the AI to it. And I see a psychiatrist. And I meditate.

    I feel better after I took a week break off the generic Aromasin. I could be myself again. But, I took this break without discussing it with my onc., so don't be like me., I would tell your onc if you plan to take breaks. And I also heard that things seem to even out after being on the drug for 6 months.

    Take care to all. Please PM me if you have other questions., if I can help, I'll share.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    kcat 2013., thank you. i'm being treated for depression and anxiety, i'm talking with my psych on monday, maybe we need to tweek my meds. thank you.., it feels like a mixture of anger and anxiety.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2017

    pabbie - I have not had this issue myself, but I am wondering if you had the same experience on the other two AI drugs? The reason I ask is that Aromasin (exemestane) has a steroidal component and I wonder if this could be contributing to your irritability, steroids are known for this. If you are only experiencing this on this particular drug it is a possibility worth exploring.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    SpecialK., Yes, this is worth exploring. And I will. I did not know about aromasin having a steroidal component. I've tried Femara twice over the years and it puts me into a deep depression within a week but not irritable and angry. I can't remember with Arimidex. I'll have my onc look back on her notes regarding the arimidex.

    I will mention this to my psych on Monday.

    Thank you so much.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    KB870 You gave me a much needed laugh today when you mentioned bail. I had my hubs go to Costco alone last week because I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. lol

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    SpecialK: I asked my oncologist about the steroidal component of aromasin and my angry/irritable behavior and this was his answer:

    Aromasin (exemestane) should not cause the mood swings connected to steroids (like prednisone, etc.) - Having mentioned that, it can cause mood modifications all on its own - similar to Arimidex. Sometimes, it takes some trial and error to figure out which medication is best tolerated.

    I've decided to try Arimidex starting tomorrow. This is my last AI to try for the second time. Wish me luck.

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  • Tappermom383
    Tappermom383 Member Posts: 643
    edited October 2017

    Magnesium was suggested on another thread as an antidote to anxiety, irritability and depression. Has anyone had experience with it while taking an AI?

    MJ

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    tappermom 38., i take magnesium, calcium, and vit. d. plus amitryptiline and clonazapem.

    Hopefully my psych will have some encouraging words on mon.

    I did stop generic aromasin and starting generic arimidex on monday.

    tappermom 38., i know your on arimidex and have the irritability, but i willing to switch it up. take care.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    I spoke with a pharmacist today who validated that any medication with a steroidal component can promote mood swings. I explained to him that my mood/irritability was getting too uncontrollable on aromasin.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited October 2017

    Hi everyone...IMO pharmacists are a better choice than most MOs when it comes to SE from anti hormones. Good luck to all.

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  • Wildplaces
    Wildplaces Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    pabbie,

    I do not take Aromasin but a good friend of mine does. She started experiencing panic attacks, irritability, and angry moods - mostly mornings and it resolved as the day progressed. Her general practitioner prescribed an antidepressant but she kept saying - why now when I'm over most of the stressful treatment?? Her oncologist believed it was related to the steroid component of Aromasin (apparently at least three weeks for a complete wash out ) - she is much better on Arimidex.

    Everyone is different - hope you do better on Arimidex!!

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2017

    oh no,

    I am about to start Arimidex in about 10 days. I already started saying "that is what I want so give me" My DH has chuckled a few times. I have to be careful.

    By the way does anyone know there is a way to get Arimidex brand name made by Astrazeneca for $1 per day without income requirement?

    Visit www.arimidexdirect.com or call 855-748-2655 for mote info.

    If you want femera copay assistance, just google femara copay assistance by novartis

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    Wildplaces: thank you for the validation. Your friend has a good oncologist.

    I'm giving myself a break before I start the anastrozole (sp). (a wash-out)

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