i HAVE BEEN SO JUMPY AND NOT MYSELF SINCE I HAVE BEEN TAKING TAMOX.- AND WEEPY- MY DR. SAYS THAT AN ANTI DEPRESSANT MIGHT HELP- HOWEVER THAT THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS ACCEPTIBLE WAS
EFFEXOR- CAUSE- PAXIL, ZOLOFT ETC- CAUSE AN ENZYME NOT TO FUNCTION RIGHT IF YOU ARE TAKING tAMOXIFEN- GREAT- i AM REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT EVEN TAKING SOMETHING THAT IS SO CALLED ACCEPTIBLE.
jUST LIKE WHEN i TOOK HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY- ( I HAVE AN ER POSITIVE TUMOR)- FOR 11 YRS- THAT WAS PUSHED ON MY BY MY GYN DR- HOW GOOD IT WAS FOR ME- BONES , HEART ETC- AND NOW THEY KNOW THAT ISN'T THE CASE- AND HAVE RECOMMENDED WOMEN NOT TO TAKE IT- EXCEPT ON A VERY LIMITED BASIS. i DON'T TRUST PHARMACUETICAL CO- OUT TO MAKE $- AND dR'S WHO CHANGE THEIR MINDS ABOUT THINGS AFTER A FEW YR STUDY. aNY IDEAS- OR HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING???pLEASE GET BACK TO ME

Hi Red..been there done that myself..I am a 4yr survivor. I tried effexor, prescribed for me because of terrible hot flashes..it did work!, but I didnt care for the way it made me feel..very,very tired..but everyone is different..it may work better for you! I presently take elavil, its a mild antidepressant, I take it because I have alot of leg pain, most probably caused by chemo. It also helps with sleep...it had been working beautifully, until recently..as soon as summer is over I plan on going back to the rheumie who prescribed it and figure out what to do next!
I hate taking medications also, so I know how you feel..but spending even part of the day, weepy and depressed isnt fair either! Do you, and can you exercise regularly? I make sure I get to the gym almost everyday, and it really helps! the endorphins your body makes while exercising really helps fight off depression..I feel much better after a good workout! Maybe if you dont already do it, you can start with some walking..
I wish you the best!
stop in whenever you can and let us know how youre doing..okay?
hugs,
cj.

Yes- I work out every day- brisk walking- weights- stretches- but I feel like I am a witch- very edgy- I would take a ssri- but really don't trust what they are going to find out a few years down the road- like now they say- zoloft, paxil etc mask the full effect of tamoxifen= just what I wouldn't want= My marriage is really being jepordized by my bad moods- I really have to just grin and bare the hot flashes( mainly bad in the summer months= and some leg cramps- vaginal dryness is a biggie- This is a 2nd marriage for me and only married 5 yrs- it really is a shame - the first 3 were fantastic- and now it has really gone very downhill. I am in therapy- but I still am having a hard time. Do you get any of the symptoms I have described?
Hope all is well- keep in touch.
Red

Hi Red..so sorry that you are going through all this, and with a new marriage too. Yes, I do get many of the same symptoms that you have..and then some more too! It wouldnt be right for me to tell you what you should do, so I wont, I will only tell you what I would do for myself. I would also go to therapy, which I have, and that made me feel better about many things that were bothering me..and as much as I hate taking any meds..I would have to give it a try..I have done that twice since my diagnosis..both times I felt that what I was feeling directly influenced my moods and behavior..and at that time I felt that my relationships suffered..with my hubby and kids..for me that was the right decision..
Only you can make that decison..do whats right for you..maybe speak to your therapist about that..
I wish you well...It isnt an easy decision for anyone..
hugs to you,
cj.

hI cJAMMON- THANKS FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE- i AM TRYING TO BE MORE POSITIVE- AND WILL QUERY MY ONCOLOGIST AGAIN ABOUT EFFEXOR. I MUST TELL YOU I DON'T DO WELL W/ MEDS- I ONCE TRIED ZOLOFT FOR MY IRRITABLE BOWEL(WHICH IT MIDLY HELPED FOR A YEAR0- AND THE FIRST MONTH I WAS REALLY SICK TILL IT REALLY KICKED IN. SO-
I WILL WAIT TILL OCT AND MAYBE TRY IT IF I CONTINUE W/ THIS FEELING.
ON A REALLY PERSONAL NOTE- HAVE YOU HAD ANY PROBLEMS W/ DRYNESS (VAGINAL)- I HAVE VERY DELICATE SKIN AND THAT HAS BECOME A PROBLEM- AS TO SOMETHING THAT WORKS AND ISN'T AN IRRITANT.
THANKS AGAIN
RED

Hi Red..I know how hard things are..and its really tough being positive all the time! sometimes, as much as we try...we feel that way, and I know of many women who have gone through this breast cancer journey who feel the same, and for some medication seems to be the answer. I would suggest that if you do start an anti-depressant..ask that you start with the lowest possible dosage..especially given the fact that you have had some problems in the past.
Red, vaginal dryness is a common side effect.. I have spoken to my gyn, and onc about it and KY lubricant was suggested..I prefer the warming gel..
It is sold over the counter, so you can pick it up without a prescription..but do speak to you doctor about it just to make sure its right for you.
hugs,
cj.

Hi Red..I know how hard things are..and its really tough being positive all the time! sometimes, as much as we try...we feel that way, and I know of many women who have gone through this breast cancer journey who feel the same, and for some medication seems to be the answer. I would suggest that if you do start an anti-depressant..ask that you start with the lowest possible dosage..especially given the fact that you have had some problems in the past.
Red, vaginal dryness is a common side effect.. I have spoken to my gyn, and onc about it and KY lubricant was suggested..I prefer the warming gel..
It is sold over the counter, so you can pick it up without a prescription..but do speak to you doctor about it just to make sure its right for you.
hugs,
cj.
hI
yOU are so nice to get back to me- I know the journey is hard- what I didn't tell you is that my 38 yr old daughter was diagnosed the same time as I was-( just by luck I had her go for a Mamo when I was daignosed- she had a very agressive tumor- Brac2 gene( which I don't have but found out her Dad ( we are divorced had)- she had a double mast. and a complete hysterectomy- she has 2 young girls( one of which is diabetic- so it has been very difficult to watch her go through this- I financially help out alot- I still work part time- her husband does very poorly financially- so it has been a rough 2 yrs. I will try the warming gel- got vit e supposotories- and am willing to try- right now things are so strained between my husband and I = I wonder when we will ever get together. But hopefully all this strain will pass- I pray every day for my daughter- and just am trying to accept it more gracefully w/o being a complete witch- which I have been.

Hi Red...you sure do have alot of stress going on..I have a 20yr old daughter, and I can only imagine what it would be like to watch her go through all that..it must really hurt you. I am so sorry that this disease has invaded the both of you..Cancer really stinks!!
Please Red..try not to be so hard on yourself..okay? You have, and contine to go through so much..the weight you carry on your shoulders right now is tremendous..but trust me, things do get better..as time goes on it does become easier to put some of it behind..I can actually have days go by now that I forget about having had cancer..and I pat myself on the back for getting through it all..So Red, give yourself a pat..youve done well!!
hugs to you both,
cj.

tHANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORTIVE EMAIL- IT REALLY HELPS- THINGS ARE NOT GREAT W/ MY HUSBAND AND I- CAUSE OF ALL THE TENSION- PLUS HIS BACK IS OUT- WE ARE ONLY MARRIED 5 YRS- ( THE LAST 2 HAVE BEEN EMBROILED W/ THIS BREAST CANCER THING- AND WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE SPARK BACK IN ANY SENSE- IT IS REALLY SAD. iT IS A 2ND MARRIAGE- i WAS DIVORCED FOR 21 YRS BEFORE I REMARRIED- AND I NOW FEEL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE REMAINED SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND LIVED IN SEPARATE PLACES. MY WORK, WHICH WAS a great sense of joy- has really gone down hill- cause I had all my students in another state - and when i moved here- which is about an hour away- ihad to cut back the commute- it was too much- hours in the car- -i send all the money i do earn- to my daughter- well- at least i have an affliation w/ an arts council where I teach 1 time a week- but I used to work w/ young adults and adults- and it is just children now- not as rewarding intellectually- but I am holding on to it- I am trying very hard to be greatful for other things I have- and not be so hard on myself- it is very hard living in this house like 2 strangers- who barely say goodmorning- or goodnight.
Listen- I think I have to get off the pity pot- and just move on- and accept where things are now-and get joy where I can .
Best to you and be well.

Hey now thats the spirit Red!!
We only have one life, live it to the fullest!!

Wishing you peace Red..for you and your family..
Keep in touch!!
hugs,
cj.