Tomixfen and Depression?

goops · 02-06-2008, 08:16 PM

They started me on Tomixfen about 4 weeks ago - since then I get upset real easy and am fighting depression - since I was fine before I have to assume it is the Tomixfen - has anyone else had those problems?

caya · 02-06-2008, 09:23 PM

Goops,

I was very emotional, edgy, anxious when I started Tamoxifen - my onc. explained that when women go through natural menopause they run the gamut of emotions. Tamoxifen is slamming your estogen and your emotions can be affected - Your body is adjusting to this. Are you having hot flashes as well - Give it time to settle down, but definitely speak to your onc. about this. You can talk to him/her about going on an anti-depressant at a low dose if you need to - I did and I feel much better.

all the best
caya

Bill · 02-06-2008, 09:25 PM

Hi Goops! I'm sorry I can't help on this one, just know that I'm thinking of you and praying for you. What is your dosage of Tamoxifen? I know depression can be an awful thing to deal with, on top of everything else you are going through. If you have noticed a direct correlation between the time you started the T. and the time the depression kicked in, it could be the T. Hopefully, your body just needs time to adjust. If you haven't done so yet, please let your doctor know, and hopefully, your sisters in the room here will chime in. Thoughts and prayers, Love, Bill

goops · 02-07-2008, 06:48 AM

Hi Caya,

Thank you for your input - I am having terrible hot flashes especially at night, I will wake up and kick my blankets off and then wake up freezing awhile later. Because I am on a emotional roller coaster right now I sometimes have trouble getting to sleep. I don't know why but I am only going to be taking this drugs for the 7 remaining months in which I have Herceptin and then she is changing me to another drug. The oncologist did tell me that the side effects subside in most woman after awhile - it has been 4 weeks for me.

Hi Bill - Thanks for your prayers you have a good soul. I haven't picked up my prescription refill so I do not know the dose. Hopefully you are correct and I just need to adjust to the medicine.

Believe51 · 02-07-2008, 07:20 AM

Mighty Oak is no longer taking Tamoxifen and although he is a man this was noticed after he began the Faslodex. Maybe this is unhelpful but Ed has not really suffered from too much depression through this all and feels sooooo much better now. He actually told ME that HE feels it was the Tamoxifen and who knows better how he feels then him, right?? Hope I could help a bit>>Believe51

PinkGirl · 02-07-2008, 08:22 AM

Hi Goops

Maybe yes, maybe no. It could be the tamoxifen but it could
be from a combination of everything you've been through.
Depression and anxiety can be from menopause.

I was on tamoxifen for a few months and the main problem
I had was the wicked hot flashes at night. They
eventually settled down but now I get them from arimidex.

Unlike the AI's, I don't think there is a substitute for tamoxifen.
Talk to your doc. If it continues you could try an anti-D. Some
of them also help with hot flashes. Good luck with all of this.