Robin Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I had my first chemo treatment and bounced back but now after my 2nd treatment I have felt down or something. i feel the days are so long and nothing seems to interest me so I was wondering if depression is common with chemo and if so what is a safe anti depressant? thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy-OK Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 This is something you need to disuss with your oncologist. I leaned more towards anxiety than I did depression but there are many that do experience depression. I am sure they can prescribe something that will make you feel a bit better. It is my understanding that anit-depressants can take a few weeks to take full effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 My sisters FIL needed an antidepressant when he was on chemo and we felt my mom needed it though she declined it. I have heard it common. Talk to your doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raneyf Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I'm in the middle of chemo and feel depressed a few days after each treatment. I think it's something we need to talk to our doctors about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I am one who swears by my antdepressent. At the height of my surgery and recovery I was on an antidepressent AND an anti-anxiety. During my first 2 cancers the depression went unnoticed and I struggled. good luck gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Prior to surgery, I had anxiety and took medication. After surgery, when the monsters came out and wouldn't let me sleep, I took anti-anxiety medication and a prescription sleep aid. I still have prescriptions for both and use as needed. Talk to your primary care physician about the depression. Your doctor should give you a test in the office with lots of questions to gauge how depressed you are and if medication would help. It takes a while for them to work, at least a month, and there is some tweaking of the dosage, but then it's pretty smooth. I didn't take the daily stuff, I took Xanax as a "Band-Aid" fix - just on the days the elephants were sitting on my chest. Your doctor can help you figure out what is needed and you can get a plan in place, together (and the co-pay for a PCP visit is less expensive than that of a specialist like an oncologist...) Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev'sSister Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 My sister had a very hard time with depression. She would get up in the morning and cry and cry and couldn't tell anyone why she was crying..but it was uncontrollable. The doctor tried several things before he found the right medication for her. This is a very real problem and it is very important that you talk to your doctor about it. It will be impossible to get through this without getting medication for your depression. These are the words the doctor said to my sister. Talk to your Doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marym Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I was prescribed lexapro when I was first diagnosed. My doctor said everyone who has lung cancer should be on a mood elevator. I think it helps a lot. Also, some chemos give you steroids,before the infusion. That can be a downer when you come off them. I would just ask the doctor to prescribe something. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Robin, It could just be how the chemo is making you feel. Tony would go into the "chemo-zone" for several days after each treatment. It got so bad, that at one point we talked to the Doctor about anti-depressants, but Tony felt adament that it was merely the cumulative effects of the chemo. Turns out he was right. He bounced back to his usual self once he was out of treatment for awhile. Just another perspective from another survivor. Best wishes, Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Chemo made me profoundly sad. At the drop of a pin I would cry. I know MANY people that go through the same thing during chemo. Not Uncommon! I made it through my treatments with nothing, but now days they offer anti anxiety medication to anyone who has any kind of cancer. Anxiety and Cancer go hand and hand as does Anxiety and Depression. Talk to your Onc about how your feeling. If you can feel better from a little pink pill, then I say, GO FOR IT! I've been on anitdepressants after my son died and I swear by them now. I was only on them for about 8 months. This cancer journey isn't always a cake walk so if you can make it easy then go for it. Good luck and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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