How common is it to have to get anti-depressants?

BobsProstate

I have talked to my doctor about the mood swings and what seems like depression over this diagnosis but I haven't agreed to take them yet. I don't want to start another problem because of this problem. Does anyone have any experience with them?

po18guy

Rhetorical questions: What is your worldview? Your philosophy? Your social support system?

As to anti-depressants, long-term high-dose steroids ruined my sleep, so I was prescribed one drug in particular so that I could sleep. Doctor told me about Trazodone, which is primarily an anti-depressant, but also has anti-anxiety and narcotic (sleep-producing) qualities. It is not habit-forming. it is available generic, thus affordable, and one may essentially stop and start it at will.

Worth asking about.

Lynne-I-Am

My gp suggested my taking an antidepressant shortly before I started my chemo treatments. When he made this suggestion, I was surprised, I figured my crying and anxiety were all part of the package when one is diagnosed with cancer. I am not one to take meds. , probably take a handful of aspirin a year so I was very reluctant to take his advice. I was afraid of the side effects, that the medication might dim my reality, make me fuzzy or lethargic, honestly I didn’t know what to expect. He reassured me this was not the case so I reluctantly agreed to try a minimal dosage. I was very surprised at the results. For me, my tears dried up, I felt perfectly aware and alert but my emotions were no longer overshadowed by the cancer . The fears and anxiety left replaced by determination to get through the treatments ahead. I do not know if this is what everyone experiences who has been or is on an antidepressant but the medication really helped me.

Jayne

I have been on Celexa for 15 years now with no side effects. I started after my dx and it helped tremendously.

MyLungCancer

I have considered the same.

LiveWithCancer

A friend of mine who has been having heart issues (and subsequently, anxiety-induced sleep issues) was talking just yesterday about being prescribed Trazodone. She was really singing its praises.

BuckeyeShelby

Wasn't on antidepressants, but I did take anti-anxiety (Ativan). I only took it at night, when the darn hamster in my brain wouldn't get off the wheel. Ativan calmed down the whirling thoughts and let me sleep. Didn't take it every night, but I was glad I had it.

Scoofer

I have not experienced much anxiety (no crying or depression) in the midst of hormone therapy and ADT2 for my stage IV hormone refractory incurable prostate cancer. However, I’ve found that my doctors seem to feel I’ve got plenty to be depressed about so when prescribing drugs to minimize the strong reactions I’ve had to hot flashes my doctors have prescribed drugs that work to minimize hot flashes as well as enhance mood. I’m just fine with that. If it helps me avoid depression, that sounds fine to me too! I sleep pretty well!

Carool

I’ve been on an antidepressant (Lexapro, 10mg each night) for 11 years now. I found I was even more anxious than I was prior to my b.c. dx. After suffering with anxiety for 9 years or so post-dx. I finally saw a psychiatrist, and she prescribed Lexapro, which is good for anxiety and depression. No sexual side affects, either. I’m still quite anxious, but better than before.

BoiseB

I was lucky that my health care system was dedicated to treating the whole person, Both my self and my daughter has appointments with a psychologist/social worker. I also had hypnotism

meyati

You might as well take it. They get mad and say you are lying.

It's frustrating!! I tell them I'm allergic to some meds and they say that I'm lying and trying to get attention--or--have you had tests to prove this? I say that I was content throughout the treatment -follow up and they say again I'm lying- nobody can be at peace like this

I can't win at all. To me, this is so insulting- they act like I'm a child that doesn't know my mind or body.

meyati

Oh, I'm undergoing a series of allergy tests. The first test found 4 allergies-2 are ingredients in some medicine-including an antibiotic. and in eye infection meds.

schweetieangel

I went on anti depressants for awhile after my first cancer diagnoses. i stopped taking them as didn't really feel they were helping me much.