Depression and Femara (letrozole)

bethsbaby
bethsbaby Member Posts: 61
edited September 2014 in Breast Cancer #1

I have been recently switched from Tamoxifen to Letrozole.  I had some revision surgery the first week of August, and ever since have been depressed.  I have only been on the Letrozole for about 3 weeks, so I really dont think it is the only culprit, but am curious if there are any anti depressants that are better when used at the same time as Femara.   I know with Tamoxifen some anti depressants cause the Tamoxifen no to be effective.  Is this the same with Femara?  I called my oncologist's office and the nurse said I could take any with Femara, and to call my primary care dr.  

My oncologist who I have been with since dx has taken a leave of absense and I have a different one in the same group now.  Because he is new to me, i am not confident with what his nurse told me.  Is there anyone out there who is on Femara or Letrozole who is taking an anti depressant and if so ,  what is it and do you think it is helping.

 

Thanks,  

Comments

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #2
    Not on them

    Hey Bethsbaby....I'm not on them but thought you needed somebody to answer you at least...  :)  Because if there is one thing I do know about it is Depression.   It can be a real pain to stay depressed..........and I just hope you will get the meds worked out....or maybe figure out a plan to beat it.   I learned a long time ago for myself it is better not to take anything I don't have to........I got so depressed once on sleeping meds I was almost ready for the Funny Farm.  Now I try to attack it with a plan for getting a little exercise and for eating what I want etc...  :)    I hope somebody will be on here that can help you about those meds etc.....but meanwhile.........sending good thoughts your way.  Hang in there...

  • bethsbaby
    bethsbaby Member Posts: 61
    #3
    GlowMore said:

    Not on them

    Hey Bethsbaby....I'm not on them but thought you needed somebody to answer you at least...  :)  Because if there is one thing I do know about it is Depression.   It can be a real pain to stay depressed..........and I just hope you will get the meds worked out....or maybe figure out a plan to beat it.   I learned a long time ago for myself it is better not to take anything I don't have to........I got so depressed once on sleeping meds I was almost ready for the Funny Farm.  Now I try to attack it with a plan for getting a little exercise and for eating what I want etc...  :)    I hope somebody will be on here that can help you about those meds etc.....but meanwhile.........sending good thoughts your way.  Hang in there...

    thanks

    thank you so much for replying.  I had almost given up on anyone answering, and had not checked back in a while.  I did go to the dr. and for now am trying some other things to see if I can help myself without taking any other medication.  I promised the dr, that if I got worse or was still struggling that I would call him back.  I am getting ready to get out of bed as we speak.  It is only 10:50 am !  I will be out before lunch time today.  That is improvement  :)

    Thanks again for reading my post, I hope you have a great day.

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #4
    bethsbaby said:

    thanks

    thank you so much for replying.  I had almost given up on anyone answering, and had not checked back in a while.  I did go to the dr. and for now am trying some other things to see if I can help myself without taking any other medication.  I promised the dr, that if I got worse or was still struggling that I would call him back.  I am getting ready to get out of bed as we speak.  It is only 10:50 am !  I will be out before lunch time today.  That is improvement  :)

    Thanks again for reading my post, I hope you have a great day.

    Depression

    Yes we either sleep too much or can't sleep at all.....  At least with the sleeping too much our poor bodies are getting some rest ...even if our minds aren't...........  oh well    Like Scarlett said... "I'll think about that Tomorrow"  ..  I joke but it is not funny.    Here is something that I believe works...it is hard but maybe if you try it you can let us know how you did with it...   If we act like we are Happy...we sometimes become Happy.   If we Smile and maybe whistle or sing...we sometimes will reach the Happiness Place.   Not easy when we don't feel it...but give it a try?   Our minds are wonderful things and they can train us to get well......to a certain degree.   And...sometimes a Miracle Happens and we find Peace. 

     

  • GMcD
    GMcD Member Posts: 134
    #5
    GlowMore said:

    Depression

    Yes we either sleep too much or can't sleep at all.....  At least with the sleeping too much our poor bodies are getting some rest ...even if our minds aren't...........  oh well    Like Scarlett said... "I'll think about that Tomorrow"  ..  I joke but it is not funny.    Here is something that I believe works...it is hard but maybe if you try it you can let us know how you did with it...   If we act like we are Happy...we sometimes become Happy.   If we Smile and maybe whistle or sing...we sometimes will reach the Happiness Place.   Not easy when we don't feel it...but give it a try?   Our minds are wonderful things and they can train us to get well......to a certain degree.   And...sometimes a Miracle Happens and we find Peace. 

     

    Hello.  I don't get on often

    Hello.  I don't get on often these days but hope I can help.  I had been on the anti-depressant, Prozac for over 2o yrs. for anxiety and also Femara for almost 5 yrs.  I have minor issues with Femara, such as stiff joints, but not aware of being depressed.  I am very much a proponent of anything that helps with depression.  I hope you have been able to find a solution to your concern.  Best wishes.

     

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