Depressed?

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robang13
robang13 Member Posts: 333
in Breast Cancer #1
The other day my hubby asked me if I could possibly be depressed. At first I said NO. Now, I'm trying to take a good look at myself and he may be correct. I don't want to go out and do things. I rather sit in my room and watch tv. I can't get out of bed in the mornings and most don't until noon. I find myself snapping at everyone and or picking fights. I just don't have the energy to want to do anything around the house. I'm not sleeping well. Just doing a load of laundry is a major chore right now! I could go on and on. Now, the question is, if I am, which doctor do I talk to about it: my primary physician, my radiology oncologist, my surgeon, or my pain management doctor? Also I am on tamoxifen and have read that some meds interfere with it, so which ones should be prescribed?

Thanks again for everyones help! If it wasn't for this board, I wouldn't know who to "talk" to!

Angela

Comments

  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #2
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    Hi Angela,
    Your symptoms sound like depression. I recommend you start with your primary but ask for a referral to a therapist. That is the best way to handle the whole situation because along with medication you can also handle emotional issues. Ask to have any prescription approved by your oncologist because of the tamoxifen. Many of us have gone through this. Our body chemistry gets messed up by our treatments and the stress emotionally. It is treatable so don't continue to suffer. I am no longer needing meds and am doing great. Some of us need them forever and some like me took them for less then a year.

    Hugs.

    Roseann
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #3
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    roseann4 said:

    Hi Angela,
    Your symptoms sound like depression. I recommend you start with your primary but ask for a referral to a therapist. That is the best way to handle the whole situation because along with medication you can also handle emotional issues. Ask to have any prescription approved by your oncologist because of the tamoxifen. Many of us have gone through this. Our body chemistry gets messed up by our treatments and the stress emotionally. It is treatable so don't continue to suffer. I am no longer needing meds and am doing great. Some of us need them forever and some like me took them for less then a year.

    Hugs.

    Roseann

    I agree
    I agree with Roseann. It does sound like depression. When it was me, I started with my primary, while at the same time calling the therapist I'd seen years ago. Primary prescribed xanax, but my is more anxiety (cause of circumstances in the family I can't control) and while therapist suggested an SSRI (zoloft, effexor etc) the last time I did that I gained 14 pounds in 6 weeks and since I've just lost 22, I don't wanna do that again. The xanax keeps me from jumping off a bridge and lets me get sleep and after the "family crap" is done with if I'm still not feeling right I'll try the SSRI.

    Just let your primary know the meds you're on and that you're concerned about interactions. He/she will be able to find the right one for you.

    marge
  • TKMomma
    TKMomma Member Posts: 54
    #4
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    Depressed
    Angela ....... when I was going through my radiation I found that I become less social and also didn't want to do anything around the house. I worked but as far as doing any work at home it didn't happen. I chalked that up to the affects of radiation which after completion the majority subsided ..... although now I think I've gotten use to a dirty house and still don't have energy to do much ....lol. I have been on Sertralyne for years and just received my prescription to start taking Tamoxafin. Was at the doctors today and had my antidepressent meds changed so there are no affects with the tomoxafin. From reading online many comments from others, alot of ladies were put on antidepressents to help them through their treatments and affects of tomaxafin. You should definitely talk to your doctor and have them work together to make sure your prescriptions fit with each other. Antidepressents have really changed my life over the years. You deserve to enjoy life to the fullest and not suffer with these emotions. Good luck.

    TKMomma
  • TKMomma
    TKMomma Member Posts: 54
    #5
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    Depressed
    Angela ....... when I was going through my radiation I found that I become less social and also didn't want to do anything around the house. I worked but as far as doing any work at home it didn't happen. I chalked that up to the affects of radiation which after completion the majority subsided ..... although now I think I've gotten use to a dirty house and still don't have energy to do much ....lol. I have been on Sertralyne for years and just received my prescription to start taking Tamoxafin. Was at the doctors today and had my antidepressent meds changed so there are no affects with the tomoxafin. From reading online many comments from others, alot of ladies were put on antidepressents to help them through their treatments and affects of tomaxafin. You should definitely talk to your doctor and have them work together to make sure your prescriptions fit with each other. Antidepressents have really changed my life over the years. You deserve to enjoy life to the fullest and not suffer with these emotions. Good luck.

    TKMomma
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #6
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    As my active treatment drew
    As my active treatment drew to an end, I experienced depression. Many of my symptoms mirrored the ones you write about. I found going to a therapist really helpful. Finding someone who understands cancer survivors is also helpful. There is light at the end of the depression tunnel! xoxoxo Lynn
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #7
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    Therapist
    Angela,
    You may be able to avoid meds if you see a therapist or just be on meds for a short time.

    Cindy
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #8
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    TKMomma said:

    Depressed
    Angela ....... when I was going through my radiation I found that I become less social and also didn't want to do anything around the house. I worked but as far as doing any work at home it didn't happen. I chalked that up to the affects of radiation which after completion the majority subsided ..... although now I think I've gotten use to a dirty house and still don't have energy to do much ....lol. I have been on Sertralyne for years and just received my prescription to start taking Tamoxafin. Was at the doctors today and had my antidepressent meds changed so there are no affects with the tomoxafin. From reading online many comments from others, alot of ladies were put on antidepressents to help them through their treatments and affects of tomaxafin. You should definitely talk to your doctor and have them work together to make sure your prescriptions fit with each other. Antidepressents have really changed my life over the years. You deserve to enjoy life to the fullest and not suffer with these emotions. Good luck.

    TKMomma

    I am depressed too
    I am depressed too waiting for my consultation and after that my lumpectomy.I have clammed up with everyone. My husband and I always talked but now I am quiet.I am just to worried to talk about things.It will be a excisional lumpectomy.That is the way to go with a small tumor.I read that.BUT still I want it gone now and my results.Things aren;t as fast as they used to be.I see some on here wait and some get in for tests etc within a couple weeks.

    I am being so hushed and clamming up.No one knows but my husband and 2 friends.I decided to wait to tell my sons when I know more. No one else will know like before with my first dx.It was good.Non invasive DCIS and clear margins.No chemo or radiation.I told everyone.I won't now. I have no idea what is going on so I'm up tight.

    I understand comptetely.I am having a hard time keeping my laundry and other things up.I clean but takes me longer.I'm not with it. My doctors also wanted me on antidepressants and I am heading there.I need to know something soon or effexor will be prescribed.I even asked for a marker test since I've never been given one.I know there can be problems with them but I will take the chance.

    Lynn Smith
  • dbhadra
    dbhadra Member Posts: 344 Member
    #9
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    mamolady said:

    Therapist
    Angela,
    You may be able to avoid meds if you see a therapist or just be on meds for a short time.

    Cindy

    I think it's really normal
    to struggle with depression and anxiety as we go through the different phases of treatment. I've been having major anxiety since finishing chemo and depression/anger after my surgery.

    I've been on Paxil for many years and my doctor just upped my dosage from 20 mg to 30 mg. I also have Xanax for the times that I feel overwhelmed and out of control. I met with a oncology therapist who recommended that I take the Xanax regularly right now until my increased Paxil dosage kicks in. Seeing a therapist, especially one who specializes in oncology issues, might be helpful.

    For me, the hardest part of this journey so far has not been the physical but the mental/emotional...we all are dealing with huge issues when it comes to cancer and it is a sign of strength, not weakness, to reach out for help. If that means therapy, support groups, medication, whatever we need, we need to do it for ourselves, IMO.

    Laura
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #10
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    Depression
    Yuppers, it is depression. No doubt about it. It creates a fog over our brain that makes normal tasks feel like we are walking through a barrel of molases to get our work done. I have been on effexor for several years prior to my bc diagnosis as depression and anxiety disorders tend to run in my family.

    I originally started out on Wellbutrin and my doctor asked me to return in a week. I did so and he asked "How have you been doing on this?" I stated "Better but I am pi$$ed off." He asked why and I said "How long have I been messed up like this?" I felt I had wasted so much time. About 3 weeks later I discovered I was allergic to Wellbutrin but then I got switched to effexor becuase it works on two neruotransmitters. It works on Serotonin and Norepinepherine. Most other anti depressants work only on Serotonin.

    Having worked in mental health for years I urge you do go to your primary care physician and not waste one more minute of your life under this burden. Also having a therapist at least temporarily will assist you to get over the hump so to speak. You may not need the meds for a life time like I will (mostly because of family history) but even a temporary help will be great in you time of need.
  • robang13
    robang13 Member Posts: 333
    #11
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    Thanks everyone. I am going
    Thanks everyone. I am going to talk to my primary and ask him opinion. He's such a good man that he will offer therapy if he thinks I need it. I'm trying to decide if I want to wait a week or do it over the phone. My appointment is next thursday but my hot flashes have become constant and are driving me insane!!

    angela
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #12
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    Your primary doctor can
    Your primary doctor can probably give you some names of people to go to. I also ask my oncologist for everything. She gives me lists of doctors she likes. You do have the symptoms of depression. (just reading your post, I think so) I take meds for mine. If you weren't depressed before, this struggle is enough to make you depressed.


    Hugs,

    Judy
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #13
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    lynn1950 said:

    As my active treatment drew
    As my active treatment drew to an end, I experienced depression. Many of my symptoms mirrored the ones you write about. I found going to a therapist really helpful. Finding someone who understands cancer survivors is also helpful. There is light at the end of the depression tunnel! xoxoxo Lynn

    Please talk to your doctor
    Please talk to your doctor about this. You might find that a therapist could help you so much. I pray that you will get some help and feel better. We do understand.


    Lex
  • robang13
    robang13 Member Posts: 333
    #14
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    poplolly said:

    Your primary doctor can
    Your primary doctor can probably give you some names of people to go to. I also ask my oncologist for everything. She gives me lists of doctors she likes. You do have the symptoms of depression. (just reading your post, I think so) I take meds for mine. If you weren't depressed before, this struggle is enough to make you depressed.


    Hugs,

    Judy

    Update
    Spoke to my gyno today about the antidepressants. She said she thinks it will be a great help for me in treating both the hot flashes and my mood. I told her that you girls here informed me about them~ She is calling in a script that I will pick up tomorrow. Hopefully this will help me. Thanks for everyone's help!

    Angela
  • bats245
    bats245 Member Posts: 1
    #15
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    Hi Angela...
    I am totally with you. I finished my treatments in May and became a whole lot more emotional and unsociable. This is very rare for me. I have major hot flashes, insomnia and very irritable. I started taking my tamoxifen in the morning along with Pristiq(anti-depressant).I am feeling so much better, sleeping better, less hot flashes. I am wanting to get out and do more around the house. Effexor is another one that they are prescribing along with tamoxifen to help us women. There are some anti-depressants that can keep tamoxifen from doing it's job, so do your research. I am a true believer that you should know as much or more than your doctor about your diagnose and you are the only one that can take the best care of you. You are not alone!! We are here for you and we are all SURVIVORS and SISTERS FOR LIFE!! Let us know the latest with you and how things are going. I will keep you informed on how the Pristiq is working for me! :)
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #16
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    Here is a link about
    Here is a link about antidepressants and tamoxifen. Effexor is the safest. Paxil, wellbutrin and prozac interact the most with tamoxifen and probably should be avoided. Talk with your physician.

    Antidepressants and Tamoxifen

    http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/June/antidepressants-and-tamoxifen

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