Hi all,
I just wanted to share something I learned today from the pharmacist on the chemo ward. She asked me how I found metaclopromide and I explained that it had caused me to have very intense dreams. She said that it can affect the brain more than the new antisickness drug I’ve now been prescribed (Domperidone…sounds appealingly like Dom Perignon :)), particularly with younger people (I’m 41). I did some more research and learned that Metaclopromide can block dopamine and in some rarer cases causes depression and panic disorder amongst other mental health impacts. I definitely experienced some of these rarer side-effects but thought it was just me not coping well - I’ve never felt so low mentally - it took me to a really dark place at the end of each week I had of taking 3 per day.
I’m relieved to know this overwhelm and uncharacteristic depression/ lack of will to go on can be attributed (in part at least) to metaclopromide. I’m feeling much better a week out of it, and wanted to share my experience in case anyone else is feeling overwhelmed/ in a dark place and also on metaclopromide - it’s worth asking your oncologist about it and perhaps trying an alternative anti-sickness drug.
All the best, from a sunnier place,
Jess
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Good to know, thanks @jessy_p and glad you’re feeling better!
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I’m so sorry you experienced this and I’m glad you’re feeling better and hope that Domperidone works better for you .
I’ve not had chemo but read your post out of interest as I take Metoclopramide if I get a migraine otherwise I get repeated episodes of really violent vomitting for up to 30 hours which prolongs the migraine for up to 4 days .It works well for me if I can take in time and I don’t get side effects but I’m glad I don’t have to use it very often as I know it can have very undesirable side effects on the central nervous system . It’s quite an old drug and has fallen out of favour because of side effects and availability of new drugs but it is still prescribed because it can be very effective against nausea and vomitting depending on the cause xx
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I’m sorry to hear about your migraines - that sounds so tough, but great that Metoclopramide works for you. I’m thinking that these other side-effects I experienced, for me, emerged over continuous frequent use over a number of weeks. It’s a great drug for lots of people. I wanted to share, because I thought I was losing my mind and it reassured me to know that it was exacerbated because of the Metoclopromide, and that I could change drugs. Thanks for your reply xx
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It’s awful when you’re going through something really bad and then something else in the treatment goes wrong and makes things worse . It’s good that you highlighted this - it might help someone in the future.
My migraines are usually infrequent but extremes of heat and cold don’t help so I’ve had a couple recently xx
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That is so interesting - I had a nasty bout of depression whilst taking Ribociclib and Letrozole with Metaclopramide and ended up with counselling and upping my antidepressants. I thought it was just me coming to terms with having Secondary Breast Cancer - but maybe the Metaclopramide was a factor too.
I’ve changed the drug regime twice since then but the weird thing is, if I take a Metaclopramide in the morning, it stops my mouth being so dry. There’s no logical reason for this!
I haven’t managed to lower my antidepressants yet - every time I do something else crops up on my SBC journey! But I’m not planning on popping my clogs just yet.
Thanks for the info - Hilary.
Thanks for your reply Hilary! It’s hard to separate it out at times isn’t it, as the whole experience is so challenging and difficult. It’s good to hear that you have support and medication to help you with the mental health side of things. I’m also having counselling and it’s such a helpful foothold in the emotional chaos of it all. Wishing you all the best with your treatment and SBC journey!
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Letrozole can also cause depression. It’s the main reason I came off of it.
I stopped taking it because the Ribociclib was showing signs of not working anymore. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride since then! The good news is I went 19 years between my first cancer diagnosis and this one - and there are now more and more treatments for SBC.
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