Thinking of taking an antidepressant

@scottbeammeup,

The decision to take anti-depression might be scary, but it might make a big difference. I was already on anti-depression drugs and stable, then I started a cancer drugs and it made me cry constantly. It was not the cancer, it was drug because as soon as changed drug, the crying went away.

My sister was also on cancer drug, had similar problem and her oncologist prescribed anti-depression if it definitely helped her.

You should definitely talk with your provider. Mention your concern about sexual dysfunction, there are many different anti-depression drugs and the provider should be able to suggest one that will help. If provider is not familiar with all the options, ask for a referral to psychiatrists who will be more up to date with different options. Also, ask about any interactions it may have with other medications your taking.

Also, you may start at one dosage and have to adjust if not working. It does take weeks sometime to see improvement. Unfortunately, sometimes anti-depression drugs are trial and error, so if first does not work, do not give up, let provider know so can change accordingly.

The ability to stop once you start will depends on drug your taking. Do not stop taking any med without consulting your provider.

Have you discuss the side effects with your oncologist?

Thanks for the info. Yes, the oncologist's attitude is that it's one of the normal side effects and that's just how it goes for some people. He said he was sorry I was having this side effect but that's about it. He's been very good about treating my PHYSICAL side effects (Gabapentin for hot flashes, Flowmax for urinary issues) but is kind of brushing aside the mental ones.

Gabapentin caused me soul crushing sadness, depression, anxiety and si. My

@scottbeammeup

It is a shame oncologist did not take your mental health symptoms seriously. If it affects your quality of life, should be treated like any other side effect. I hope your provider at annual physical will provide better advice.

I have rarely known a doctor that takes a big interest in my mental health, it was even more apparent when I had cancer…everything was about the cancer and what steps to take, at first I was totally on board because all I wanted was to be rid of it…sadly I would find out that I wasn’t doing well mentally …of course I went to my own doctor and he prescribed the necessary medication but starting on these meds is usually a difficult thing and it takes a toll on you especially when you’re weak and unable to cope with the symptoms you go through not to mention the time it took to get an appointment again to find more help. I hope that one day there’s more focus on both mental and physical health after all, our body and mind work together as one so in order to keep strong we have to be strong body and mind.

I'm VERY fortunate because I have an amazing GP who actually cares and I can almost always get an appointment the same week I call. He also gave me his cell phone number so I can call him in an emergency but I haven't needed to use it yet and would never abuse it.

I think you’re very fortunate to have a doctor who is so willing to help you and to be so readily accessible, I wish we had more doctors like that…Scott, you are very lucky and I hope you have a successful recovery.

I have dealt with finding help with depression and anxiety for 40 years. Mental health drugs are very specific for certain things and only a psychiatrist has that kind of knowledge. It doesn't have to be such a shot in the dark. Plus a psychiatrist knows othermental health protocols that might be helpful along with a pill to give you a better outcome such as cognitive therapy. With any drug I go online to check side effects and interactions because a doctor may have knowledge but they only have a certain amount of time to tell you. If later you have different needs you can get a prescription with a phone call.

I wish my oncologist and other doctors at my cancer center cared as much as my GP or, conversely, that my GP was also an oncologist 😃.

@frouke

I agree, sometimes specialist are focused on on one thing. When my oncologist changed my cancer drug he never checked that it interacted with my anti-depression. I looked it up and my psychiatrist explain that both were metabolized by liver and so should not be prescribed at same time and switched my anti-depression. Another time they never explained a drug would increase my cholesterol so when had a blood test I freaked out because the numbers were high. My primary explained the reason.

It is just another example that you need to be your own advocate, ask about drug interactions, and do some research on your own.