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Andrea Barnett Budin · 11-09-2007, 11:18 AM

In the 70s and 80s I had incapacitating depression (from childhood traumas unhealed). I saw a psychiatrist religiously 2 days a wk, determined to overcome, but knowing I needed help. He did not help. No anti-depressants then. I kept saying I wanted a little blue pill. He laughed at me, saying it wasn't as easy as that. I functioned with a smile on my face and fooled everyone (but Paul, my husband, and closest friends).

Well after bc, I REALLY needed help regaining all the headway I'd made ('95). Tried little blue Zoloft and WOW! No, Joanne, no anti-depressant before bc, to answer your question. It's just like a switch is flicked on and I can be ME! And I only take 25 mg! Ea doc asks for your list of meds, and I provide this of course. When we get to the Zoloft and I tell them how much, they always stop writing, put the pen down and say -- You know it's probably not doing anything at that dosage. You might as well just stop taking it.

I say, I know. But trust me -- it makes a world of difference for me. I feel so great I'm not giving it up. (And apparently have no need to increase it...)
Andi

11-09-2007, 11:18 AM	#17
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	So Grateful For My Little Blue Pill... In the 70s and 80s I had incapacitating depression (from childhood traumas unhealed). I saw a psychiatrist religiously 2 days a wk, determined to overcome, but knowing I needed help. He did not help. No anti-depressants then. I kept saying I wanted a little blue pill. He laughed at me, saying it wasn't as easy as that. I functioned with a smile on my face and fooled everyone (but Paul, my husband, and closest friends). Well after bc, I REALLY needed help regaining all the headway I'd made ('95). Tried little blue Zoloft and WOW! No, Joanne, no anti-depressant before bc, to answer your question. It's just like a switch is flicked on and I can be ME! And I only take 25 mg! Ea doc asks for your list of meds, and I provide this of course. When we get to the Zoloft and I tell them how much, they always stop writing, put the pen down and say -- You know it's probably not doing anything at that dosage. You might as well just stop taking it. I say, I know. But trust me -- it makes a world of difference for me. I feel so great I'm not giving it up. (And apparently have no need to increase it...) Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...