Is there anyone out there undergoing chemo - who are currently on anti-depressants? I have been given Zopiclone to get me to sleep - but feel just for a short awhile some help at other times might be useful. I would like to go to my GP armed with some information!
I am taking one of the SSRis’ Seroxat but have been on them quite some time
Through previuos bouts of crippling depression. Gp has decided its best to stay on them rather than fall into the black hole again. The chemo has not been easy for me, so ONC suggested diazepam through first few days of chemo and then just to use them as a first aid , when I feel I need them. So I am a real junkie but have to cope with chemo best I can. Also have temazepam through first four to five nights of chemo. Wish I did’nt have to have these but realise they don’t pin medals on martyrs. Have a word with onc or Gp and see what they cna come up with.
LOve Bobbie
Hi Hopege,
My GP prescribed fluoxetine for me during the waiting period for results and treatment to start. I’ve just started chemo epi-cmf and checked with onc that I could still take them and was told no problem. I’ve never taken anything before but the stress of waiting for results was getting me down. I’ve been back to GP and now that treatment has started and I’m beginning to feel more in control we have agreed to start weaning off. There should be no problem if you explain to GP that you need some extra short-term help to get you through.
Hope you get the help you need
Trish
Hi, I am almost at my third FEC and have taken prozac for 7 years, although I only take it twice a week to keep me on a level and it has been working really well. Five days after first chemo I went into a deep depression that lasted 5 days. The oncologist thought it was the coming off the steroids too suddenly, so after second cycle I was tapered off them more gradually, however things were much worse in that I had severe mood swings for 5 days instead. I’m meeting with the oncologist just before number three to discuss a plan of action as I can’t cope during those 5 days at all. I the meantime I’m back on the prozac full time on advice of GP but difficult to know if things have improved yet. corsa it seems like we are similar in a way as sleepness nights are a norm for 2 weeks after chemo. Hope this is of a little help.
Liz x
hi ive been on citalopram for many years and took them through out chemo, also been on the zip sleeping tablets when ive needed them, i tried to come off my anti depressants when towards the end of chemo and turned into a mess!!! I think we all need a bit of help now and then
Anna
Hi Trish ,Liz and Anna I have decided to stay on anti D’s , as have been on them few years now as I have stated before. Think I’m more worried about the diazepam having been addicted to another tranx. Also do any of you guys get jelly legs, I’m sure a lot of it’s fear but sometimes I feel my legs are not gonna make it from A to B. How you doing today NAZ??? love Bobbie
Dear Bobbie,
Yes,I have experienced jelly legs and have sometimes feared I wouldn’t make it from A to B… this happened before chemo so I know anxiety is partly responsible…when I had my first epi it was difficult to know for certain which symptoms were the result of the chemo and which were ‘in my mind’ so to speak and that in itself added to the anxiety. Vicious circle really.
I read in a very good book that having BC means we not only may lose parts of our bodies…we also lose our innocence and the confidence we once had in our bodies. I never felt ill before being diagnosed with BC and yet all I’ve read since has told me that cancer was growing and multiplying indside me without my knowledge. Its no wonder we can’t trust our bodies in the way we could before BC. I am a believer that our brain is the most powerful least understood part of our bodies and plays a major part in how we deal with this disease.
I know I’ve lost confidence in myself.
Last September I was in Italy preparing to travel on to Africa by myself. Today, it was a mental ordeal going to the corner shop for a newspaper.
Although I am starting to wean off the tablets, I will have no hesitation re starting them should life prove difficult without them.
It must take time for our minds to adjust to the enormous emotional and psychological iimpact that a diagnosis of BC brings.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Take care
Trish
Hello all, I start chemo tomorrow but have been on citalopram fpr 10 years for my depression and mood swings. Mood not good since dx so upped citalopram to max of 60mg. I hope it keeps me stable. Good luck all with your chemo and meds.
Rachy
Thanks for your posts - I feel more equipped to go and talk to my GP now.
Thanks