Femara/depression

ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with stage I bc (BRCA positive - had preventive mastectomy on the other breast) in January of 2008. In July of 2008, after chemo, I started taking Femara. I became severely depressed as a side effect of Femara (my doctors told me it was like a post-partum depression: I went very suddenly from having a lot of estrogen to almost no estrogen at all). It was truly horrible: I would cry all day long for absolutely no reason.

To make a long story short, I finally got on anti-depressants (Lexapro and Buspar) and am doing fine two years later. However, I have gained about 7 pounds which I believe is at least partially due to the anti-depressants. This might not sound that bad, but before I was always 20 pounds overweight, so now I'm 27 pounds overweight which I can't afford. I am thinking of getting off the anti-depressants, but am afraid the depression might come back as I am still on the Femara. On the other hand, maybe my body has now adjusted to the lack of estrogen.

Has anyone become depressed from this drug, and what was your experience going off anti-depressants?

Any advice would be appreciated. I am now depressed that I am fat.

Ohilly

Comments

  • gagee
    gagee Member Posts: 332
    #2
    So sorry to hear about your problems....
    I don't know the pill you are on. I was on Arimidex and had to go off it. I had so many side effects my husband wanted to see an attorney. I was so depressed,hot flashes,cold flashes,my joints were swollen (every joint possible),and gained about 40 pounds since surgery in Aug. 2010. Last rads in Nov. 2010. So we think the side effects were from the pill and the radiation. I had a lumpectomy on the right side only. I have been off the pill about 8-10 weeks and some of the side effects have gone away.... hot flashes,cold ones and not as depressed but I am now on Prozac. The swelling is going down but will never go away as it is now artharitis. (sp). So now I have to take 3 pills for that. I am 64 and only had to take 2 pills my whole life and now I am on about 12 with a few vitamins which are RX's ones. The onoc says I may not have to go on a pill at this point and hoping never will. My cancer was the smallest and they got it all in surgery as well as taking 8 nodes with no evidence of cancer there.

    I hope you can understand this as I am still quite upset over this whole ordeal. No family history and out of no where I get the devil.

    It helps to talk about all this and I don't do enough of that. My kids say " it was only a small cancer" and don't know why I am so upset. My husband has been my rock. If not for him I don't know where I would be right now.

    My prayers and thoughts are with you. Again I hope not to alarm you but just to say what I have been through.

    Hugs and Prayers, Diana
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #3
    gagee said:

    So sorry to hear about your problems....
    I don't know the pill you are on. I was on Arimidex and had to go off it. I had so many side effects my husband wanted to see an attorney. I was so depressed,hot flashes,cold flashes,my joints were swollen (every joint possible),and gained about 40 pounds since surgery in Aug. 2010. Last rads in Nov. 2010. So we think the side effects were from the pill and the radiation. I had a lumpectomy on the right side only. I have been off the pill about 8-10 weeks and some of the side effects have gone away.... hot flashes,cold ones and not as depressed but I am now on Prozac. The swelling is going down but will never go away as it is now artharitis. (sp). So now I have to take 3 pills for that. I am 64 and only had to take 2 pills my whole life and now I am on about 12 with a few vitamins which are RX's ones. The onoc says I may not have to go on a pill at this point and hoping never will. My cancer was the smallest and they got it all in surgery as well as taking 8 nodes with no evidence of cancer there.

    I hope you can understand this as I am still quite upset over this whole ordeal. No family history and out of no where I get the devil.

    It helps to talk about all this and I don't do enough of that. My kids say " it was only a small cancer" and don't know why I am so upset. My husband has been my rock. If not for him I don't know where I would be right now.

    My prayers and thoughts are with you. Again I hope not to alarm you but just to say what I have been through.

    Hugs and Prayers, Diana

    bumping ...
    up ...
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    My understanding is that
    My understanding is that Femara is only used with women who are already well past initial menopause - I was 18 yrs out (was 44 when went through it) and 63 when DX'd with IBC.

    I've been on Femara for over a year now and have no depression issues (or other SE either) at all - but then depression hasn't been an issue for me at all. None of my Drs have ever suggested anti-depressants - I was given lowest doseage of Ambien while doing Taxol because I absolutely could not sleep and my PA keeps my script current - she doesn't want me to miss a night of sleep - so I take it very occasionally.

    We are each unique - I'm ADD and SAD so my brain chemistry is a bit "skewed" to start with - but that is me.

    My faith in my Heavenly Father and the path I need to walk to return home also sustains me.

    Susan

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