anti-depressants & breast cancer

[Joanne S]

Ladies,

Did you take anti-depressants at any time prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer?

If so, please respond and advise how long were you taking them before your bc dx?

I'm just curious and wonder if anti-depressants may possibly have any effect or increase risk for breast cancer.

Thanks for your response.

I have been on Zoloft continuously for 14 years (13 years prior to my bc dx one year ago).
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[Vanessa]

I have been on antidepressants since I was 35 and I am now 47. I have taken Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa and Lexapro. Of course, not at one time, but trying to find one that didn't make me gain weight. I'm glad you started this post, because I have wondered about that at times.

[Kimberly Lewis]

I am currently on Zoloft. Low dose - but decided to take this time to sort out my emotional life. I have started seeing a counselor - who is also a BC survivor! She is wonderful. It has been a huge help to me and I highly recomend it to anyone who feels like the cancer was the last straw so to speak.

[mimiflower07]

great post...i had questions regarding the start of taking something before i began chemo. I think it takes some meds 2 plus wks to build in your system. I was just to worried about another drug in my body not to mention supplements.
suzanne

[nitewind]

I have been on Prozac for ten years and was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of last year. Interesting thought.
Hugs

[cafe1084]

I was put on prozac shortly after my dad died in 2006, coincidentally, just about the time the doc said my cancer may have started. Then again, at the time, I lost over 80 lbs, so it could have contributed i suppose, even though I was er <10%. I too keep looking for the culprit. Unfortunately, we will probably never pinpoint the exact cause or causes...shame, too, then we could stop the thing that started all this to begin with! I guess it is not for us to know why or how, just for us to survive and grow from.

[Bev]

I was drug free except for Iron spplements before BC. I find myself wondering about the Iron now. I do Zoft now as all the BC treatment made me very anxious. We'll figure this out someday. Bev

[MCS]

interesting

I wished I had been on some form of anti depressant because I was on an extreme amount of stress at work for several years when dx. In my own mind, I am certain that this stress was the cause of my bc.

if not antidepressant then maybe something like an antianxiety such as zanax or ativan.

xoxo

maria

[ckeesling]

Hi,

I had been on and Prozac and Xanax for several years before my DX, mainly due to stress and anxiety. I had taken myself off prior to my complete hysterectomy in 2005.I was diagnosed in Nov 06 and immediately went on Lexapro.I hadn't heard of any connection, but this is very interesting..I to believe my cancer kicked in due to an abnormal amount of stress I was under....

Take care all
Cathy

[R.B.]

Balancing your omega threes and ensuring adequate intake of long chain omega threes DHA and EPA should assist neurological function.

At the most basic level neurons need DHA. Women have higher neuron density. Women have a higher DHA requirement.

Babies are DHA hoovers and may deplete a mothers brain DHA. Some women's brains do shrink in pregnancy.

This is a search of the NCBI library on DHA and depression. I have copied below as the list of trials is more powerful than any explanation I can give.

You may also be interested in the `Greek Diet' thread which looks at omega three and six and BC etc.

A trial in France where they looked at breast fat tissue at the same times as lump excisions produced the result that women in the highest third for DHA EPA fats in breast tissue had a 70% lower risk of the lumps being invasive.

If you click on the link below you will find the trial links below and more.

RB

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17188654&ordinalpos=13&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Selective deficits in the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the postmortem orbitofrontal cortex of patients with major depressive disorder.

"Deficits in DHA concentrations were greater in female MDD patients (-32%) than in male MDD patients (-16%), and could not be wholly attributed to lifestyle factors or postmortem tissue variables......
CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate a selective deficit in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in the orbitofrontal cortex of patients with MDD [major depressive disorder]. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence implicating omega-3 fatty acid deficiency as well as the orbitofrontal cortex in the pathophysiology and potentially pathogenesis of MDD."


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=search&term=depression%20dha




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[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Okay before the anti d/anti anxiety med came the stress! So, is the culprit the cortisol overload (naturally prodced), a hormonal imbalance (pre or post menopausal, pregnancy) or the anti d eventually taken? I go w/stress beyond the norm (we all experience a degree of pressure in Life) as being the root of all illness, striking your genetically weakest body part. There's the link again. The mindbody connection. T cell counts go down as depression sets in, compromising the immune system and leaving you virtually defenseless...
Andi

[Brenda_D]

I was never on any type of anti-depressant before BC.
I am on Prozac now, because of the BC.

[R.B.]

Stress undoubtedly chemically links in at lots of levels but DHA moderates the stress response production of norepinephrine etc.

So I would put lack of DHA / omega three as a risk factor.

I was unaware stress impact on T cell function I will look that up.

Thanks Andi BB

RB

[fauxgypsy]

I have taken anti depressants in the past for about two years, maybe a little longer. Wellbutrin.

R.B., sometime back, Andi started a discussion on the mind/body connection. I don't know if you saw it. It was quite thought provoking. Below is a link to part of it.

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28396&page=4

I have also included some sites that offer insights into psychoneuroimmunology that i thought you might enjoy if you haven't already seen them.

http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/immune/psychon.htm
http://www.nfnlp.com/psychoneuroimmu...n.htm#research
http://www.wellness.org.za/html/pni.html
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/Search...etter014C.html
http://www.cousinspni.org/
http://www.aacn.org/pdfLibra.NSF/Fil...e/ci140105.pdf
http://www.appi.org/book.cfm?id=8171

Leslie

[betlen5]

Interesting question....I have been on several different anxiety meds for over 25 yrs to help with my Agoraphobia (Panic disorder). I have been on Paxil 30mg (Dr.changed to 40mg 3wks ago) 1x daily for 10yrs along with Xanax 4-6 mg daily. Started Effexor XR .75mg 1x daily about 3weeks ago to help deal with my BC.

I had heard that Paxil could be linked to breast cancer and asked my oncologist 5 yrs ago who research this and could not find any links.

I have not thought about this for years and perhaps it's time for me to do more research on my own.

I will let you know what I find.

[R.B.]

Thank you for those links FauxGypsy.

I searched and there a quite a few books on the subject.

There are not enough hours in the day to read it all.

Please do not loose sight of the fact that DHA is essential to brain function and structure -and its presence in involved in a host of consequent pathways which interlink into behaviour mood and outlook.

RB

[Hopeful]

Interesting. I was on Paxil from 1995 to 2000; started at a high dose, but gradually reduced it until I wound up on very low dose, 2 mg. per day for 4 of the 5 years. It did nothing for my depression at any level, but the very low dose was an excellent anti-anxiety drug for me, and the anxiety reduction worked indirectly to allow the depression to lift. Even after the dx of bc in 2006, I am pretty much anxiety free (as much as any of us can be)and take no meds.

Hopeful

[suzan w]

I was on paxil from 1993-2001 and it was a miracle drug for me as far as depression goes. Interesting thread and I always wonder about what triggers cancer cells...
6 months before my diagnosis I went through a really high stress period of time and wonder if that had anything to do with it!

[Cannon]

And, I'm sure I'm pointing out the obvious -- so many people take antidepressants these days that I'm not sure there's even a correlation between that and breast cancer (the rate of which has been declining [post-menopausal] or steady [pre-menopausal]).

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Wow Leslie! You have given us all many gifts since you first joined this group. And THIS POST HAS BLOWN ME AWAY! Thank you, my sweet friend... Hope you'll all read Leslie's links! They are phenomenal!

Ladies, Sisters, and Gentleman, my Brothers -- YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS LISTENING TO YOUR MENTAL CHATTER AT EVERY MOMENT!

How you think determines how you will feel -- and how you will fare!!

YOU are the Master of your immune system! A good attitude, far beyond a brave face, but deep KNOWING of your abilities to attain your desired outcome, is achieved in many positive ways.

Yes, you must not deny your bitter, angry, resentful, blaming, unforgiving, remorseful, sorrowful, outraged, anxious, uncertain, fearful thoughts, and the emotions that come along with such dialogue. But YOU NEED NOT BE VICTIMIZED BY YOUR TAUNTING AND HAUNTING THOUGHTS. You have the power to experience what you are thinking and feeling traumatized over and then to exhale them from your body as you slowly breathe out!

Then, you can REBOOT and author and consciously choose the dialogue you wish to have running in your head throughout the day. This will increase your T-cell effectiveness, increasing NK (natural killer) cell activity, boosting your immune system! Meditation and laughter, love and compassion, generosity of Spirit and humble gratitude for your many blessings, plus awe over the beauty that surrounds us ALL BUFFER AGAINST DISEASE PROGRESSION AND/OR IMMUNE SYSTEM BREAKDOWN, created unwittingly by naturally negative, learned reactions to Life's ordeals and unwanted realities...

We must become aware of BODYMIND feedback, which is an ongoing conversation between your thoughts and emotions and your body and immune system. Gaining control of your thoughts and therefore your emotions and your life -- is personally EMPOWERING beyond your imagination! So, realistically face the traumas you have been burdened with and the feelings such truths imposed on you. Speak of them out loud. Share them. Write them down. And in so doing, cathartically HEAL them and yourself!!

Become aware of the interaction between mental and emotional states, your immune systems function and ultimately your health! The birth of neuroscientists and their findings are LIFE ALTERING! Chemicals in your body form a dybnamic network of connection between the mind and the body. Researchers now speak of the BODYMIND -- seeing there is not a clear distinction between the body and the mind! THIS IS A REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCEMENT IN MEDICINE AND HEALING!!

Meditation = decreased blood levels of stress hormones! Now provable! Every part of the immune system connects to the brain in some way. In sensitivity to chemicals secreted in the brain, stemming from our response to our mental/emotional processes. Moods and feelings impact our physicality...

What happens in the mind, and our emotional reaction to our perception, can have real effects on our physiology and physical response (including of course, our immune system)! This is not new, but ancient wisdom reawakened. We can view it in the twenty first century with newly available scientific investigation and fresh understanding, in psychoneurological terms!

Lingering unresolved emotions, and old, inflexible ways of coping, can become the source of chronic stress. And this can undermine immune system function. Pre-existing bilogic/genetic conditions can become aroused in such an internal environment.

States of mind affect our health, hamstringing our body's ability to resist dysfunction. I see cancer as a malfunction of cells, overproducing and overexpressing themselves ad nauseum.

Please, DO NOT LOOK AT THIS AS MAKING US A *VICTIM* OF CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT RATHER THAT WE ARE EACH THEREFORE *EMPOWERED* (once we become aware of the internal and connected processes of our being) -- TO CREATE NEW HEALTHY! WE HAVE THE POWER TO ENHANCE PATTERNS OF THINKING AND BEHAVIOR -- WITH CLEAR AND IMPASSIONED FOCUS, INTENTION AND EXPECTATION. We must see that it is essential to shift our focus from uncertainty, fear, anxiety and uncertainty -- toward living fully in the moment, embracing the day and experiencing the joy and serenity that come with the KNOWING we can manifest our most deeply desired dreams! This is how miracles are born... TO YOUR HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND HARMONY, MY SWEET SISTERS AND BROTHERS... With much love,
Andi http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e05fca/06

[Donna]

Oh yeah - name an antidepressant and I have been on it - I am pretty sure there isn't one I have missed over the years. Each one seemed to give me a new "something" like lexapro turned me into a shopaholic, one combo made me bipolar - what an adventure - trying to get better only to have some new thing to cope with. I was completely off of them for about a year before BC diagnosis - then when I was almost through with rads I just felt that black cloud descending again and I am back on effexor again.

Donna

[hutchibk]

I did not take anti-deps prior to b/c. Before I started chemo, my doc suggested I consider a mild anti-dep to help keep my spirits up as I navigated my way through the first 9 months post DX. I took Remeron for 11 months, tapered off, and have not taken anything since.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

No anti d's before bc.

I took Zoloft after bc. Then nothing. Then mets. Then Zoloft, Ativan, Ambien, Xanax -- all the help I could get. Then I tapered off.

Went on Effexor Sept '06 -- to relieve hot flashes mostly. Did not work. Did cure my IBS though! Okay.

Last June I began to crash. New onc. Lost my lifeline onc nurse, she left. New onc wanted brain MRI, colonoscopy, genetic testing (I am a 12 yr bc patient remember) -- if I cared at all about my dghtrs and granddaughters, were his words barked at me. He was gruff and blunt, brilliant and odious to me. I felt untethered, having had the very best of the best who also happened to be the most wonderful, humane beings I'd ever encountered. I was spoiled, I suppose. This onc traveled a lot and was unavailable a lot though I am basically a maintence patient. My old onc, now in Tenn, urged me to stay w/new onc (his old partner) via email. I trust this onc more than words can say, respect his opinion enormously. I stuck it out.

*I* figured out Effexor was the culprit in making me feel shaky, depressed, dizzy, mentally confused and scattered, unable to focus. I asked to be weaned off about a mnth ago. I have done this, w/great difficulty, returned to old IBS meds to stabilize that and have restarted Zoloft, my old standby. No meds or supplements before bc. Now big supplement lady. Please see my thread GAINING CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=30419

Andi

[Ginagce]

I'm with Andi. What I see as a prime example is Dana Reeves which I do not believe is a coincidence.

Ginagce

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Gin, I love that your *interest* is LIFE. And your occupation RADICAL SABBATICAL! You are a beautiful Spirit! With a bodymind! http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e05fca/08 Love your perspective...

I thought Dana, w/her great attitude and love of her son, had the need to go and be with Christopher. They are true Soulmates! A beautiful love story. Inseparable Spirits. I believe her son is being well taken care of... And the two lovers are together for sure.

Gina, I am sorry that your husband passed on in '98. When were you dx? And when did you recur? Is there a connection between the pain of the loss and bc do you think? Surely, a most difficult and traumatizing event to cope with...

With loving energy...
Andi

[mts]

I took Effexor to remedy the hot flashes. It really worked for that but I too felt the horrid dizziness, shakyness and problems remembering stuff. I started to cut back on the Effexor VERY gradually because of the side effects. But, will say that when I got down to a half of a pill I did quite well on them. By then however I had my mind made up that I was going to ween off completely. Most Px's are one size fits all and when it comes to these powerful drugs, I believe it needs to be more tailored. Everyone metabolizes differently.
Now I know that if I ever take another anti-depressant, I will work my way up the amount rather than the other way around.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Dear Mountains, Sorry, I couldn't resist. MTS. How does one relate to that? I have a reallllyyyyy difficult time. Again -- sorry. Multiple traumatic syndrome?? Just doesn't work for me.

Well, anyway -- I took 25 mg Zoloft for yrs. Did I tell this already? In this thread? If so, move on. If not -- got to 50 mg and called doc to say, You need to prescribe a diff anti d cause I am having headaches ev day and I NEVER get headaches and my palms are sweaty and I feel horrible. No, said doc, this is a good drug. I want you to stay on it. I CAN'T. Okay, said he, cut it in half. So I went to 25 mg. I FELT GREAT. For years. Each time I'd go to another doc, which I don't have to tell you is a ridiculous amnt of docs -- I used to NEVER go to anyone but annual OB/GYN for PAP (those were the days!) -- ea doc would ask for a list of all my meds. When I got to Zoloft, they paused and asked for mg. I said 25. They'd pause, put down their pen and stare in to the beyond, saying, You know at that dosage it's probably not working???? I know. You might as well stop it. NO! I FEEL GREAT! We agreed to allow me to delude myself. Only I KNEW I wasn't...

Every one, as you say, is different. NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL. Including, by the by, HGB!!! For ME 13-15 is NORMAL. Others, at 7 feel great. I collapse below 11!!!
Those NORMAL RANGES don't even apply. I fall beyond the *range*. So what??? I'm just saying...
Andi http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e05fca/06

[Joanne S]

Interesting, but I really hope we get some more responses----over 400 have read this post alrealy, but only a mere 20 some responses were posted.


As I mentioned previously, I allowed myself to be stressed and depressed for a few years without medication---because I thought I was entitled as my daughter was terminally ill and died. I have been on Zoloft for several years now, too bad for my mental health, I didn't start taking it alot sooner. Good question, was it the severe stress, antidepressants, both or neither that had any effect on my bc.


I certainly hope none of you are too embarassed to admit you were on antidepressants. I am very curious at the possibility of it possibly having effect on BC risk. Thanks for your responses ladies!

Joanne

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

It's just me again. Same message, but different... I do not believe the anti d's cause ca. I believe the toll of the chemical alteration in your bodymind causes T cells to plummet (actually proven in many studies -- linked w/stress, distress, pp out of work, loss of loved one, etc.). This leaves your immune system not in good fighting position and open/prone to infection and malfunction/dysfunction. Ca is out of control cells run amok, w/no NKs (natural killers) around to hold them off. Joanne, please read Leslie's fab links. Read my post in this thread re this. Step back. Become The Witness. The Observer. Change your perspective a bit, from a distance. It is an astounding realization that can EMPOWER you and change your life forever...

I haven't adequate words to say how sorry I am that you lost a daughter. As I first read your words something clutched at my heart and choked it. I gasped. How utterly devastating such an experience has to be. Can you ever recover? Surely Zoloft and the like will assist you in getting your footing and embracing Life with gusto, as I have no doubt, your daughter wishes for you. You will put your arms around her again. For now, live for her, in memory of her, as a tribute to her. That is the best you can do. With much loving, healing energy sent from me to you, with my deepest respect for you and all you have had to endure...
Andi

[weezie1053]

I took Paxil for about 3 years starting in 1997. I took myself off as stress in my life lessened. My gyn nurse practioner put me on Lexapro several years later, and then I again weaned myself off. I had been off Lexapro several years when I was diagnosed with BC. I am, once again, on Lexapro. Seems like I had more problems handling the day to day crisis later in my treatment than the earlier stages. As I look back, it was probably due more to fatigue and not being able to juggle 10 balls in the air as everybody was accustomed to me doing.

[Joanne S]

Bless you Andi!

Oh ---I hate it so much when I type a long thought out response and somehow manage to lose it.

Here's a short version cuz I tired and frustrated now.

Thanks for responding to my post about depression and anti-ds, and for your suggested reading. I will read them. What enthusiasm you have!

I can relate to your dosage amount. When I started taking Zoloft many years ago, I could only handle 1/8 of the smallest dosage. During some of life's chuck holes, my brother's leg amputation....I've had to up it to 250 mg. I've been mostly on 100mgs for the duration.

I handled my initial dx of BC very well and had a very positive attitude during the first 9 months. Several of my doctors recommended uping my dosage to 200 mg again to aid with my chest pain and depression from the frustration of dealing with the pain. (Doing better now with the addition of Neurotin and physical therapy.)

Thank you so much for your very kind,compasionate and supporting words.

Wishing you continued improvement and wellness,

[Soccermom]

Prozac, Celexa, or Lexapro since 1993 ( PTSD resulting from an assault in 1990) dX 2004 since then Prozac or Cymbalta

[R.B.]

Thought provoking.

RB


http://www.lipidworld.com/content/3/1/25

"In a cohort of 380 Australian women, plasma DHA was investigated at 6 months post-partum. Logistic regression analysis indicated that a 1% increase in plasma DHA was associated with a 59% reduction in the reporting of depressive symptoms [24]. It is well known that during pregnancy there is a significant transfer (up to 2.2 g/day) EFAs to the developing fetus [7]. Increased risk of post-partum depressive symptoms has recently been associated with a slower normalization of DHA levels after pregnancy [25]."

[Carol H.]

This brought back memories of my awful panic attacks that I was having 10 years ago. Celexa worked great for two years and then I had to switch to paxil 10mg. I have been on the paxil for 8 yrs now and I'm afraid to stop taking it of fear I will fall back into a deep dark hole again. Just think, not that many years ago without anti-depressants we would have been put in mental hospitals. No matter what, I'm not giving up my pills, I like being normal and happy. Carol H.

[dhealey]

I have never been on any type of antidepressant before or during treatment. I try to handle my stress through exercise. Walking, light weight lifting, yoga, pilates. This approach seems to work for me. I often wondered if the 7 years I took birth control pills had anything to do with my breast cancer particularly since I am ER/PR positive. My mother also took birth control pills for about 7 years. She also was ER/PR positive.