1. < Breast Cancer

Adding Lexapro to Anastrozole

Posted by cberge67 @cberge67, Jul 14 7:56pm

Has anyone taken Lexapro while on Anastrozole? I'm hesitant to start on antidepressants.
Your experience is appreciated.

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | Jul 15 7:38am

I went off anatrozole due to bad side effects. I went on low dose antidepressants to help with anxiety, even my moods and I felt more like me again. I started Exemestane and did have a few side effects( hand joints pain and insomnia)I have started acupuncture which has also help tremendously!!! I plan on going off antidepressant in a few months, but will talk to Doctor first. I also do healthy yoga 2-3x a week, walk and swim. All have helped. I go to MDAnderson in Houston. Let me know if I can answer any questions

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2 replies
cberge67 | @cberge67 | Jul 15 8:01am
In reply to @celestebradham "I went off anatrozole due to bad side effects. I went on low dose antidepressants to..." + (show)
@celestebradham

I went off anatrozole due to bad side effects. I went on low dose antidepressants to help with anxiety, even my moods and I felt more like me again. I started Exemestane and did have a few side effects( hand joints pain and insomnia)I have started acupuncture which has also help tremendously!!! I plan on going off antidepressant in a few months, but will talk to Doctor first. I also do healthy yoga 2-3x a week, walk and swim. All have helped. I go to MDAnderson in Houston. Let me know if I can answer any questions

Jump to this post

Very helpful! Thank you so much for your input.
I’m so happy you are feeling better.
Thanks again for sharing!

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Karen | @karenB76 | Jul 15 6:13pm
In reply to @celestebradham "I went off anatrozole due to bad side effects. I went on low dose antidepressants to..." + (show)
@celestebradham

I went off anatrozole due to bad side effects. I went on low dose antidepressants to help with anxiety, even my moods and I felt more like me again. I started Exemestane and did have a few side effects( hand joints pain and insomnia)I have started acupuncture which has also help tremendously!!! I plan on going off antidepressant in a few months, but will talk to Doctor first. I also do healthy yoga 2-3x a week, walk and swim. All have helped. I go to MDAnderson in Houston. Let me know if I can answer any questions

Jump to this post

I've been wanting to try acupuncture for the joint pain from exemestane and anastrozole. Does one session help any or do you need multiple sessions? Just concerned about the cost.

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1 reply
celestebradham | @celestebradham | Jul 15 6:21pm

I have been fortunate and found an oncologist who is also an acupuncturist. $145 a session- she has also helped with supplements. Insurance usually doesn’t cover. I went weekly for about 3 weeks, then bi- weekly and now monthly. It has really worked for me.

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nora305 | @nora305 | Jul 16 3:06pm

Here is my story. I started on letrozole (sp?) and got horribly anxious and depressed along with developing terrible backaches. I switched to anastrozole and was afraid it would cause the same emotional problems that I had developed before while on the other aromatase inhibitor. So I was prescribed Lexapro to help me calm down while I was taking Anastrozole. Thankfully, I was able to tolerate Anastrozole physically and I remain on Lexapro so I don't become so horribly depressed. Good luck.

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1 reply
cberge67 | @cberge67 | Jul 16 5:04pm
In reply to @karenB76 "I've been wanting to try acupuncture for the joint pain from exemestane and anastrozole. Does one..." + (show)
@karenB76

I've been wanting to try acupuncture for the joint pain from exemestane and anastrozole. Does one session help any or do you need multiple sessions? Just concerned about the cost.

Jump to this post

Just scheduled a consultation for acupuncture. Thanks so much for your input!

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Sue Ellen Murrey | @semurrey | Jul 17 2:33pm
In reply to @nora305 "Here is my story. I started on letrozole (sp?) and got horribly anxious and depressed along..." + (show)
@nora305

Here is my story. I started on letrozole (sp?) and got horribly anxious and depressed along with developing terrible backaches. I switched to anastrozole and was afraid it would cause the same emotional problems that I had developed before while on the other aromatase inhibitor. So I was prescribed Lexapro to help me calm down while I was taking Anastrozole. Thankfully, I was able to tolerate Anastrozole physically and I remain on Lexapro so I don't become so horribly depressed. Good luck.

Jump to this post

I am still on Letrozole (2 yrs ) and have added Celexa and Wellbutrin which as drastically improved my mood and Wellbutrin is supposedly helpful with sexual wellness but I'm not sure. I use Replens every other day for moisture.

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lcr2017 | @lcr2017 | Jul 22 8:20am

8 months into anastozole, I started on Wellbutrin (bupropion) my PCP in coordination with talk therapist for focus, motivation and anxiety. Later on I tried Cymbalta, and then Lexapro. Lexapro just made me feel like I just didn’t care, it wasn’t like I felt as if it was actually helping my anxiety. So I have been back on Wellbutrin ever since. Yes, I still have my days, but for the most part, my mood and anxiety are better.

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