tamoxifen vs. zoloft

Lynda Levy
Lynda Levy Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
well, needless to say, i am miffed, concerned and anxious about this recently published finding that for the past five years, almost terminating my protocol, that i come to read this drug may not have been effective. now, according to my mammograms, nothing has showed up....but, that isn't an indication that we're or i'm not breeding some growth somewhere else in my body or even in the breast that just isn't being picked up by the mammo????? any input is helpful or suggestions if there are any oncologists on this site?

Comments

  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #2
    There have been several
    There have been several articles and some posts on here about how some antidepressants, Zoloft being one, wipe out the effects of Tamoxifen. It is something that bc survivors that are on antidepressants need to address with their oncologists, if they are on Tamoxifen. Please call your onocologist and discuss this.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #3
    Kylez said:

    There have been several
    There have been several articles and some posts on here about how some antidepressants, Zoloft being one, wipe out the effects of Tamoxifen. It is something that bc survivors that are on antidepressants need to address with their oncologists, if they are on Tamoxifen. Please call your onocologist and discuss this.

    concerned
    I have an appointment with My Doc on Tuesday morning and I am going to ask him about this. I am on tamoxifen and Zoloft..........I need them both..but not if they are cancelling each other out.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #4
    tasha_111 said:

    concerned
    I have an appointment with My Doc on Tuesday morning and I am going to ask him about this. I am on tamoxifen and Zoloft..........I need them both..but not if they are cancelling each other out.

    Tasha, Glad to hear from
    Tasha, Glad to hear from you. Ask your doctor about effexor. I am on this drug and it is not named in the list of drug combined with tamoxifen. The drug has worked out well for me.The only thing is it take a few weeks to notice. I also have had them increase the dose that I take.
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #5
    Kat11 said:

    Tasha, Glad to hear from
    Tasha, Glad to hear from you. Ask your doctor about effexor. I am on this drug and it is not named in the list of drug combined with tamoxifen. The drug has worked out well for me.The only thing is it take a few weeks to notice. I also have had them increase the dose that I take.

    So, effexor is ok to take
    So, effexor is ok to take with tamoxifen? It is an antidepressant? How does it work for you Kat? Does it really help a lot? Any side effects? Thanks
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #6
    Noel said:

    So, effexor is ok to take
    So, effexor is ok to take with tamoxifen? It is an antidepressant? How does it work for you Kat? Does it really help a lot? Any side effects? Thanks

    Effexor
    Hi again. I tried effexor, it had the same effect as Prozac. week one..very embarassing gas attacks. week 2.. lewd and lascivious thoughts. week 3..brain dead. weeks after that, uncontrollable tremors, panic attacks, lots of depressed thinking and tears, and agoraphobia.

    I guess it just didn't suit me, my husband is on effexor and getting on great with it.

    Zoloft is the only 'Happy Pill' I have tried which actually does what it says on the tin.

    Thanks anyway. Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #7
    tasha_111 said:

    Effexor
    Hi again. I tried effexor, it had the same effect as Prozac. week one..very embarassing gas attacks. week 2.. lewd and lascivious thoughts. week 3..brain dead. weeks after that, uncontrollable tremors, panic attacks, lots of depressed thinking and tears, and agoraphobia.

    I guess it just didn't suit me, my husband is on effexor and getting on great with it.

    Zoloft is the only 'Happy Pill' I have tried which actually does what it says on the tin.

    Thanks anyway. Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    So, is anyone here who is on
    So, is anyone here who is on tamoxifen and zoloft going to ask their doctor about that new report? Or, are you going to stay on both no matter what? You could probably switch, maybe, to another antidepressant that wouldn't negate the tamoxifen's capabilities.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #8
    Noel said:

    So, effexor is ok to take
    So, effexor is ok to take with tamoxifen? It is an antidepressant? How does it work for you Kat? Does it really help a lot? Any side effects? Thanks

    The drug works well for me.
    The drug works well for me. Just had to get the dose right. I have been on this drug for about 2 years now. Have not had any side effects. Has worked wonders.Had a lot of bad stuff happen in my life over the past 2 years and thats why I was put on this drug. Thank God I was already on the drug when I got my dx. Just another bump in the road, with 4 flat tires.
  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
    #9
    Hi Lynda,
    I have read the
    Hi Lynda,
    I have read the articles also. I didn't read that it cancelled out the tamoxifen, but did reduce it's effectiveness by about 30%. I know that is no comfort when we are all fighting the beast so hard. I take an anti-depressant and have for years. Right now I'm on Cymbalta, which is not on the list. I have very few side effects and feel that it works well for me. Of course, it may do nothing for you. I can see how frustrated you are and probably feel betrayed by a system that was supposed to help and protect you. I feel the same and I wish I had words that would comfort you. What has your onc. said about this? I hope you are one of cases that did not have any effect on your tamoxifen and will pray that your 5 yrs. were not wasted.

    Love and gentle hugs,
    Donna
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #10
    antidepressants
    It is troubling that many of these antidepressants interact with Tamoxifen. One theory about why AIs are sometimes shown to be more effective than Tamoxifen is this interaction plus the fact that some people do not matabolize Tamoxifen effectively. But just because you were taking Zoloft with Tamoxifen does not mean that cancer has grown back. Does your doctor do routine blood tests for liver function, etc.? You can also request a PET scan to ease your mind. Good luck.

    Mimi
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #11
    mimivac said:

    antidepressants
    It is troubling that many of these antidepressants interact with Tamoxifen. One theory about why AIs are sometimes shown to be more effective than Tamoxifen is this interaction plus the fact that some people do not matabolize Tamoxifen effectively. But just because you were taking Zoloft with Tamoxifen does not mean that cancer has grown back. Does your doctor do routine blood tests for liver function, etc.? You can also request a PET scan to ease your mind. Good luck.

    Mimi

    That article was an eye
    That article was an eye opener as so many that take tamoxifen are on antidepressants. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

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