Antidepressants

[Arkiemom]

I am deciding if antidepressants are for me. In january, I had my 3rd stomach/ colon surgery for MBC. I woke up from surgery with a food tube and a failed surgery. 7 chemo later I struggle with all the changes. I have a great support system but wonder if antidepressants would help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Jerseygirl45]

I say if you feel you may need them go for it. Depression is not a good thing. We need to help ourselves any way we can.

Barbara

[Maludagui in reply to Jerseygirl45]

I agree

[Barbteeth]

I’ve started taking sn antidepressant as I’m not coping well at all

My issue is pain and I had a vertebraplasty in October which didn’t work..yesterday I was crying and saying to my husband that I want to die

I’m on the 3rd week of the tablets called citalopram and hoping they’ll start to make me fe better

Good luck

Barb xx

[mariootsi in reply to Barbteeth]

Barb I'm so sorry you are still in pain! If you find that citalopram isn't working try something else. There are so many antidepressants available that if you work with your dr you will find the right one. Also, it does take time for them to work!

Barb you are an amazing warrior with a long life ahead of you. You will find what works and will find relief! Love and hugs, Marianne. I think you are in quite a slump right now and need help.

[Barbteeth in reply to mariootsi]

You’re so right

I’m in a

[Barbteeth in reply to mariootsi]

Start again!!

Yes slump is the right word

Took me till 11.30 to bother dressing but I did and put makeup on just reading today..my daughter sorting the horses

Thanks for your message

Barb XX

[mariootsi in reply to Barbteeth]

I'm thinking about you and sending prayers.

[Barbteeth in reply to mariootsi]

I saw the spine surgeon who did my vertebraplasty in October and told him about the pain and depression

He’s ordered an MRI scan on Wednesday to see what’s going on

I had an X-ray today which showed a little cement leakage which could be the cause

He said he could do extensive surgery to straighten my spine but I don’t fancy that!!

Hope something can be done or I’ll have to live on painkillers for the rest of my life..ugh

Barb xx

[mariootsi in reply to Barbteeth]

Barb,

I hope they get to the bottom of your pain and figure out a plan to give you some relief! I'll be praying for you and will be sending positive energy for your relief! Damn Cancer! Love, Marianne

[Barbteeth in reply to mariootsi]

Thanks Marianne

Barb xx

[Toomanyquestions in reply to Barbteeth]

I’ve just be prescribed diazepam to help this week so I can take the Citalopram. I think it’s a drug that druggies use so I’m very dubious but I can’t have a repeat of yesterday. I will let you know how it goes x

[Barbteeth in reply to Toomanyquestions]

Good luck

Barb xx

[Toomanyquestions in reply to Barbteeth]

How are you feeling today? X

[Barbteeth in reply to Toomanyquestions]

Not too bad actually

I’m taking opiates for my back pain and they make me feel peculiar..so the combination of those and citalopram make me feel like a drug addict !!

How are you?

Barb xx

[Toomanyquestions in reply to Barbteeth]

Not as bad since the diazepam arrived. Opiates can bring you down too. I spend all day looking online for a possible cure every day. I don’t think it’s good for my mental health. X

[Barbteeth in reply to Toomanyquestions]

I used to do that

My advice to you is to stop googling stuff like this especially statistics..it’s all based on old data...I found this out on this forum ..I would get so anxious and depressed reading that

Also the so called mad ‘cures’....you know the sort of thing ‘so and so’ ate only parsnips and cured her cancer etc etc..also supplements claiming cures

Don’t misunderstand me..I take vitamins and supplements but for my general health not to cure cancer as that’s impossible

Barb xx

[Hidden in reply to Barbteeth]

It can take up to 4 weeks to feel the full effect. What dose is your citalopram? I am taking 20 and have for several years but since my cancer over a year ago I have had to increase it although 20 is the highest dose. None of the add ons helped me so my doctor suggested upping it to see if it helps. I take hydromorphone cont also and the combo makes me loopy and foggy.

[Barbteeth in reply to Hidden]

I’m on 10 mg and on week 3

I hope they’ll help me

Barb XX

[Hidden in reply to Barbteeth]

They worked for years for me before cancer came along. I hope they help you also ❤️

[Barbteeth in reply to Hidden]

I feel positive about them

Barb xx

[Arkiemom in reply to Barbteeth]

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It's so hard. I am hoping your medication starts working quickly.

[Barbteeth in reply to Arkiemom]

Thank you

Barb XX

[Red71 in reply to Barbteeth]

Barb, have they suggested radiation to that spot on your back or is it in a place that can’t be radiated? They were suggesting kyphoplasty for me but it was rejected because they said my fractures were too old. I had radiation to my T10 and 12 vertebrae with great response. I still have pain, but it is not in that spot and is now within the range of being controlable. Elaine

[Barbteeth in reply to Red71]

I did have one session about 6 months ago..on T5 but had only a slight effect which is why I had vertebraplasty..he tried kyphoplasty but the radiotherapy had toughened up the bone so couldn’t do that

Maybe I could have more radiotherapy..I will ask at next appointment

Thanks

Barb xx

[mariootsi]

I think we need to help ourselves in any way possible to cope with mbc. If you are depressed antidepressants are a good answer. Many of us find them very helpful! Hopefully they would help you! Good luck with your decision! It is not a sign of weakness. This is an overwhelming dx. I plan on asking my onc for effexor when I see her on Tuesday. She has offered it before but I have decided to go for it. I take mirtazapine for anxiety and sleep but I think effexor would help with the depression and hot flashes! I wish you well! Love, Marianne

[Arkiemom in reply to mariootsi]

Thank you! I think I will talk to my doctor about it! Good luck to you!

[mariootsi in reply to Arkiemom]

Thank you! Good luck to you also!

[Moon-and-Stars]

I agree with all the ladies. They’re surely worth a try. If they don’t work, they don’t work and if they do, happy days. You won’t know unless you give it a go.

[Eliactida1955]

Try something else if that is not working and never give up-praying for you.

[Arkiemom in reply to Eliactida1955]

Thank you!

[Aelgersma]

I say try it. I take sertraline and for the last few months have been using hemp oil at bedtime. Anything, even if it helps just a little, is worth it

[blms]

First Try l theanine! 200 msg and you can take mire as needed throughout day. And it’s not a harmful drug and Sloane Kettering suggests it fir cancer patients

[mariootsi in reply to blms]

Has your onc ok'd it? I asked my dr about it and she never heard of it! I have read that it a very effective help with depression. I just worry that it would interfere with my Ibrance and faslodex as there is no research!

[Nananewf54]

My dear ..you take what ever will help you tru. I take lorzempazm when i get anixety and a sleeping pill at nite ..it gets me tru and blocks my mind so i can get some needed rest. ..just a low dosage will help i dont take every day or nite ..just when i get anxious .

[Gwennie123]

I take an antidepressant called Pristiq. I’ve been on it for two years before my MBC diagnosis. It helps with the ups and downs. Works for me. Check it out

[blms]

I did and he said fine plus look up Sloane Kettering online and look under supplements and look

Infer T for theanine and read research and decide for yourself. I think it’s anazing

[Kimr2081]

You have to do what you feel comfortable doing but I say go for it if you think it will help. I have taken one for years and it helps immensely. What we are dealing with is hard so if you need some help you should get it. If you decide to don’t get discouraged as they take awhile to take affect. Usually at least a month. And sometimes you have to try more than one because sometimes they don’t work. I hope your doctor will help you with this. Kim

[Bailey3266]

Definitely try them; I waited 16 mos and wen it was unbearable I tried; I think they help anxiety more than depression. There’s still a stigma with mental illness; but there shouldn’t be & it truly helps me I’m not depressed at all; anxiety from 10+ to a 1! I take Zoloft!

[Barbteeth]

Thanks Sandra

The only time I’m pain free is when I’m lying down so at least I sleep ok

My life is hideous at the moment

Barb xx