mental health.... meds?

yellowfarmhouse · October 2007

Dear friends,

Hi! I haven't really seen many posts about antidepressants/antianxiety meds for a while. There was a time when I was about a year out from dx when I almost went on a med. But, then I "chickened out" and decided to try to go without . Well, I managed pretty well for about another year but the last 6 months I've felt myself not dealing with stress well, worrying more about recurrance, and feeling depressed. I know I should be so happy to be a 2.5 year survivor and then I feel guilty for how I'm feeling. I've been bringing my daughter to a therapist for OCD issues and she is on paxil and so now I keep thinking if I should give it a try . I've always bucked the idea maybe because my mom is bipolar and I always thought that I wouldn't be. Well, any advice? Have you had experiences with meds, counseling, both? I find that I feel better if I get enough sleep and when I don't work so much but lately I'm not sleeping well at all and have to work lots of hours to pay medical bills that keep haunting me from all the cancer stuff and my five kids' dentist and doctor bills.

Thanks for listening. I know I can always count on you gals to listen and understand. I am always in awe of the strength and tenderness I see amongst our family here.

blessings,

Wendy

iodine · October 2007

Hey Wendy, Long time no see! Great question. Sounds like you already know the ans.??? I've always thought that better living thru chemistry was why God gave us the chemists.

You are already stressed out paying medical/dental bill for FIVE kids, hey, I'm impressed. And if you're not sleeping on top of that, girl, you do have my sympathy.

How's this: just try it for 3 months. Counseling (by a psychologist/clinical soc.worker) and meds. recommended. It takes the meds 6 weeks or so to kick in any way. See if you get better rest and an easier day, if it makes no difference, no harm, no foul.

If it makes life better, well, it was worth the effort!

Make that appt. and keep it. Commit to at least 6 sessions of counseling. I was told that was the least that one could expect to have results from. Of course if you don't like the guy/girl, find a better one that suits you. You can also find pastors who are trained in family counseling, too. Make sure they have degrees in it, tho, most don't.

It made a HUGE difference in my life, I'm here to tell you. My family saw a big difference in me and welcomed back my laughter and smiles.(wonder if they are missing yours?)

Hugs.

roseg · October 2007

Wendy - I hate to suggest something that would add to your bills, but I think Dottie is right that you'll get the maximum benefit from doing some sessions with a counselor.

You have a tons of things to worry and be anxious about (because you're a mother!) plus physical changes. Drugs can help your body feel better, but talking with a counselor helps you to see the bigger picture and ultimately that's even more helpful.

If you had a parent who had mental health issues that are likely genetic it doesn't automatically mean you do too. But it does suggest that maybe you didn't learn the best ways of coping because your parent(s) didn't model them for you. So checking in with a professional might help you identify some behaviors you can add to your toolbox that will be useful.

I'm on an agree with Dottie kick this morning.

LottaQuilts · October 2007

I was always so against taking meds.

My onc. convinced my to try Paxil. One pill made me so violently ill I ended up in the ER. That scared me off anti-depressents. They gave me Xanax, which helps take the edge off the anxiety and I highly recommend it.

About 1/2 way through chemo, I kinda hit a low point again, though. I think I've just had enough. So I bit the bullet and tried Lexapro. I've only been on it for about a month, so I'm not getting the full effect yet, but I'm hopeful and have had no serious side effects from it other than a headache for a few days. I take it in the morning as it can cause insomnia, which I have problems with anyway.

I am also seeing a counseler, though we've only had one session so far, but he really gave me some good advice and I'm hopeful he'll help me as well.

For the insomnia, I'm taking the generic version of Restoril. It usually works pretty well except on treatment days when the darn steroids keep me awake no matter what! My onc. says the Restoril will not cause the dependancy of Ambien or Lunesta, so I can continue to take it every night (which I do) Without it, I don't sleep at all which only makes the depression worse.

So my advice..... get some good drugs and a good shrink. There's no reason to suffer and no shame in getting help when you need it.

Abbi

Member_of_the_Club · October 2007

The gold standard for anxiety and depression is meds plus therapy. But don't be afraid of meds. These are medical problems and you shouldn't suffer when tehre are medical solutions. I was on effexor for a year and it gave me my life back. I have bene fine since.

Sierra · October 2007

Hi there:

I have used several of the anti deps

and being a person v. sensitive to meds

ended up with celexa.. some years ago

following my completion of TX

with.. counselling.. I wont just

take these meds from a GP>>

Effexor lately has been recommended to me for

hot flashes, but really I try to avoid it

so I sweat

In your case, sounds like they could help

you to move forward. You have to be able

to function on a daily basis and I know

about that fog, and just not being able to

do anything, mind is taxed, memory, depression etc.

Best to you on this

PS. I did try Lexapro at one time

l0 days. that was it.. terrible headaches

and it kept me up.. no sleep..

HOWEVER, everyone is different

With winter coming on as well, I find it can be

more intense (SADS). They do take a while

to kick in, but with the right counsellor
talking can assist greatly.

P>S. Your picture looks great
and take care of all your kids
That is quite a handful

Feel free to PM
any time
(not on forum much)

)

yellowfarmhouse · October 2007

Thanks, girls. I forgot to mention that I'm taking my daughter to a really good therapist so I guess I could just talk to him and schedule an appointment for myself too.

I've been doing research on SSRIs. Have you all been reading that stuff that says exercise is just as effective? I admit that I haven't been as good with my regular healthy diet, exercise, supplements, and stress reduction routine.

Well, I sincerely appreciate all the insights. I am going to be open to meds and will try to bump up my healthy living habits and schedule a session with the counselor-- one problem is cost but I guess I gotta do what I gotta do. I'll let you know how things go.

thanks,

Wendy

Fitztwins · October 2007

Well, I have been on Zoloft for just

under 7 years. (my twins turned 7 on Friday).

It has made a huge difference in my life. I upped my script when the big C took hold. I am a lifer. I have had very little side effects from it.

I don't cry as much or get anxious.

Janis

Member_of_the_Club · October 2007

I am a big believer in exercise as an antidote for depression and anxiety. It isn't necessarily enough, I wa on effexor for a year. But now I am fine with my steady diet of exercise. When I am going through something difficult I up teh exercise and it helps me a lot.

Your daughter's therapist will have to recommend a different one for you because he or she cannot work with both of you, but it is a good place to start.

Ka-Loni · October 2007

HI Wendy, I been taking Effexor-XR and it works great for my depression. When I have some anxiety, I just pop a Xanax in.Just when needed. And, it seems to be doing well for me. Everyone is different, so you may need to try a couple out first and get a feel of what it does for you.

God Bless,

Kaloni Wink

saluki · October 2007

Hi Wendy,

Like Dotti, Rose, and MOC, I'm a big believer in counseling whether it be a psycologist or Psychiatrist; Maybe one that specializes in Breast Cancer patients rather than your daughters doc.

If medication is going to be an issue for you and your insurance won't cover meds;

Psychiatrists seem to have alot of access to

free samples from the Pharmaceutical Companys. Since Psycologists can't prescribe--that may be a consideration.

You can easily get a recommendation from your

Breast Surgeon or Oncologist.

Before going the medication route--You may want to try supplimenting with Magnesium-- Its cheap and can be very effective. It held me for quite a while and gave me pain and spasm relief as well.

I think the only reason its not holding me now is that I changed brands--not realizing not all types

of magnesium are bioavailable to the same degree.

I didn't realize when I was forced to change brands

I reduced its effectiveness. I'm in the process of changing now.

Marilyn (Blundin) has been having great success using it for depression. So, you may want to consider trying that before moving on to the heavier duty stuff.

Incidently, it works marvelously to relax you and help you sleep. Here are a few links you may find

helpful.

http://www.ctds.info/anxiety_depression.html
http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com/learning/magnesium-deficiency-depression.html
http://www.mgwater.com/articles.shtml#depression

Sierra · October 2007

YES, Exercise is great

walking if you can

as early as possible

My naturopath doctor

told me if I did not do

this..

it would serve as a downfall

for me

It boosts you up

Best

mental health.... meds?

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