Antidepressants

lmliess
lmliess Member Posts: 329
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Does anyone take antidepressants going through cancer? I called my dr to see if there was anything I could take to help my appetite and he suggested an antidepressant called Remeron (I think). I have never taken one so I was curious as to what to expect. He said it should help my appetite and get me through the down emotions. Which I may need...I have posted today about a WALMART commercial yesterday making me cry and I am having serious body issues trying to deal with having a colostomy. Maybe it would be a good idea just to get through this .

I HATE CANCER!!!! I feel like finding a punching bag and beating the crap out of it pretending it is cancer, but then I would pull something from surgery an be at the ER....

Comments

  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #2
    I.....
    ...am on Zoloft, and though it takes a month of taking it to kick into your system, I found myself feeling much better, and not going through alot of down times, where death was at my every thought, and thoughts of hopelessness of this disease, it does help me cope now, and with this site as well and everyone here, with so much hope, this has helped me through this very tough time, and I don't even think of bad thoughts everyday now, sure I have my moments, but I come to my senses much faster and appreciate that I'm still here everyday :)

    I also take Ativan and sometimes a Xanex, which helps with anxiety and sleep, and I know alot about those commercials you're talking about, I have always been real sensitive anyway, where even a Kodak commercial can make me cry, I been like since I was a kid LOL...I also have a colostomy, but I don't care about my body as much, I know I feel like I can't wear a bathing suit anymore or go swimming ever, because I don't want people to think I'm unsanitary, and think my bag would bust in the pool (that would be horrifying) but I come to terms with it now, and don't mind it at all, it saved my life, and no more hemorrhoids! LOL! I know it's hard to look in the mirror, and see the long incision and ostomy, but those are our battle wounds girl! just keep the focus that this is what is healing us as well :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #3
    I have
    They have helped me a lot. Everyone is very different and some people may find other ways to cope with the stress of cancer, but I believe that it is important to deal with the stress so it doesn't make the cancer worse.

    They all work differently, have different side effects so it's up to you and your doctor. Don't expect a miracle overnight, it may take two weeks or more. I've found that it made me more normal feeling.

    There are just as many ways to get depressed as there are ways to get out of it. There could be nutritional things you could do or to meditate. I tend to medicate instead of meditate. I just didn't want to have feeling depressed along with anxiety and nausea on top of it.

    BTW: to answer a question from another thread, people do bake it and it is supposed to work well. You also kill two birds with one stone(d). Munchies and nausea.

    I hope you feel better, it's a lousy place to be but what you're feeling is normal for people in our shoes.
    -phil
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    You are not alone.....
    Linda,
    I don't know how many times after being diagnosed that I would have to pull over while driving because I couldn't see, tears so large that I would literally have to go home and change shirts...Every emotion that you could go through I went through, and sometimes several at a time...Then I found Flourextine(generic Prozac)...Im not saying this is for everyone, some do better with counseling but I after a couple of weeks to get it into my system do not dwell on cancer or its emotional rollercoastering it does to you. The antidepressants keep me from dwelling and allow me to move on and smile again.....
    I wrote a post somewhere in here that has to do with neuro-transmitters that the brain puts out that make you smile,laugh,cry,grin, etc.. If these emotions are not checked and balanced and you stay in a constant state of depression then your brain senses that there is no use for these neuro-transmitters to work for you anymore and they actually shutdown,and it is beyond your ability to restart them. Prozac works in restarting these neuro-transmitters going again sending brain waves to your system allowing you to smile,grin, and actually function again with this disease.
    Its not just you, everyone goes through depression with this, its a normal reaction to a bad event that has tried to take control of your life. Loss of control is another type or cause of depression. The meds help you cope with it by a chemical change in your brain signals. You will not feel any physical change in your body, but it takes a couple of weeks to notice that you do feel that you are better capable of coping with things concerning your new lifestyle... The colostomy also aids in depression but damn gal, your alive and beautiful and so full of life and joy to bring to your family so take back control of yourself, try some antidepressants and tell your husband to let you know when he sees them start working for you, He will notice before you do....I am still on Prozac and as long as I feel like I do in living with this I will stay on it...Im smiling and everything in my life is great again........We all love you too and wish you the best...Help yourself, try it for a month and if you don't see any benefit then Phillieg will pay for you and your husband a trip to Jamaica.....LOL......Hang in there girl, it will be ok given time....and really time is what we have the most of....... :)
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #5
    Anxiety
    I have terrible anxiety so I take Lexapro. It definitely helps me cope! I stopped taking it for about a week once and I'm telling you, I couldn't stop crying! I QUICKLY went to get it refilled!
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
    #6
    Buzzard said:

    You are not alone.....
    Linda,
    I don't know how many times after being diagnosed that I would have to pull over while driving because I couldn't see, tears so large that I would literally have to go home and change shirts...Every emotion that you could go through I went through, and sometimes several at a time...Then I found Flourextine(generic Prozac)...Im not saying this is for everyone, some do better with counseling but I after a couple of weeks to get it into my system do not dwell on cancer or its emotional rollercoastering it does to you. The antidepressants keep me from dwelling and allow me to move on and smile again.....
    I wrote a post somewhere in here that has to do with neuro-transmitters that the brain puts out that make you smile,laugh,cry,grin, etc.. If these emotions are not checked and balanced and you stay in a constant state of depression then your brain senses that there is no use for these neuro-transmitters to work for you anymore and they actually shutdown,and it is beyond your ability to restart them. Prozac works in restarting these neuro-transmitters going again sending brain waves to your system allowing you to smile,grin, and actually function again with this disease.
    Its not just you, everyone goes through depression with this, its a normal reaction to a bad event that has tried to take control of your life. Loss of control is another type or cause of depression. The meds help you cope with it by a chemical change in your brain signals. You will not feel any physical change in your body, but it takes a couple of weeks to notice that you do feel that you are better capable of coping with things concerning your new lifestyle... The colostomy also aids in depression but damn gal, your alive and beautiful and so full of life and joy to bring to your family so take back control of yourself, try some antidepressants and tell your husband to let you know when he sees them start working for you, He will notice before you do....I am still on Prozac and as long as I feel like I do in living with this I will stay on it...Im smiling and everything in my life is great again........We all love you too and wish you the best...Help yourself, try it for a month and if you don't see any benefit then Phillieg will pay for you and your husband a trip to Jamaica.....LOL......Hang in there girl, it will be ok given time....and really time is what we have the most of....... :)

    Thank you!!
    You guys are great and always make me feel so much better. In fact I teared up and need a tissue so I am on my way to Walmart to get my RX!
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #7
    Buzzard said:

    You are not alone.....
    Linda,
    I don't know how many times after being diagnosed that I would have to pull over while driving because I couldn't see, tears so large that I would literally have to go home and change shirts...Every emotion that you could go through I went through, and sometimes several at a time...Then I found Flourextine(generic Prozac)...Im not saying this is for everyone, some do better with counseling but I after a couple of weeks to get it into my system do not dwell on cancer or its emotional rollercoastering it does to you. The antidepressants keep me from dwelling and allow me to move on and smile again.....
    I wrote a post somewhere in here that has to do with neuro-transmitters that the brain puts out that make you smile,laugh,cry,grin, etc.. If these emotions are not checked and balanced and you stay in a constant state of depression then your brain senses that there is no use for these neuro-transmitters to work for you anymore and they actually shutdown,and it is beyond your ability to restart them. Prozac works in restarting these neuro-transmitters going again sending brain waves to your system allowing you to smile,grin, and actually function again with this disease.
    Its not just you, everyone goes through depression with this, its a normal reaction to a bad event that has tried to take control of your life. Loss of control is another type or cause of depression. The meds help you cope with it by a chemical change in your brain signals. You will not feel any physical change in your body, but it takes a couple of weeks to notice that you do feel that you are better capable of coping with things concerning your new lifestyle... The colostomy also aids in depression but damn gal, your alive and beautiful and so full of life and joy to bring to your family so take back control of yourself, try some antidepressants and tell your husband to let you know when he sees them start working for you, He will notice before you do....I am still on Prozac and as long as I feel like I do in living with this I will stay on it...Im smiling and everything in my life is great again........We all love you too and wish you the best...Help yourself, try it for a month and if you don't see any benefit then Phillieg will pay for you and your husband a trip to Jamaica.....LOL......Hang in there girl, it will be ok given time....and really time is what we have the most of....... :)

    Ya Mon
    Ya Mon, we go get the big Spliffs down her Mon...
    We stop down and catch a Buzz first.
    :-)
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #8
    luv3jay said:

    Anxiety
    I have terrible anxiety so I take Lexapro. It definitely helps me cope! I stopped taking it for about a week once and I'm telling you, I couldn't stop crying! I QUICKLY went to get it refilled!

    depression
    I take ativan,and zoloft on a daily basis,and they help alot to keep me on an even level,and I have a permanant colostomy,you get used to it.You would be surprised at how many people have one ,and you would never know.best of luck.

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