ssri'S - EFFEXOR, FOR DEPRESSION W/ TAMOXIFEN - Cancer: Breast Message Board

redsands · 08-23-2007, 07:49 AM

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

cjammom · 08-28-2007, 04:22 PM

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.

redsands · 08-28-2007, 04:39 PM

Yes- I work out every day- brisk walking- weights- stretches- but I feel like I am a *****- 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

cjammom · 08-29-2007, 05:04 PM

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.

redsands · 08-30-2007, 06:32 AM

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