Anyone on ADT taking anti-depressants?

@jimgaudette Thanks Jim for your reply. With ADT I don't have any libido any more. I'm rather leaning against taking an antidepressant, but was just interested in others experiences. I try my best to exercise and lift some weights every other day.

@waynerl
I put that list together from antidepressants people had used and found worked on the Mayo forum and other online prostate cancer meetings I attend.

Sorry to hear you cannot really exercise a lot.

@waynerl I think you are better off with no libido than having libido and difficulties having satisfying sex. Once you get off ADT, you might return to some version of your former self.

waynerl: I've been on Zoloft for 30 some years. It has been a mircle drug for me. When I went on ADT (Abiraterone, Lupron, Prednisone) combined with dealing with the fact that I now have cancer, the ADT exacerbated my depression. Talk to a doctor. You'll have to sort out if the depression is from having to deal with cancer, or the loss of your pet. I've lost dear pets and I know how devestating that can be.

@thoffman6709 Zoloft was my secret sauce many years ago too. Started with Lexapro which made the whole thing so much worse.

I have a history of mild depression for which I was treated 25 -30 years ago in the years leading up to and going through a difficult divorce, but had been off medication since 2003.

Last year, even before my prostate cancer (then on active surveillance) showed signs of progression, I requested to resume antidepressant medication (velazodone) when I found my days filled with persistent negative thoughts. The medications certainly helped, and I am glad to be continuing it now that I have started active prostate cancer treatment (SBRT and ADT). Overall I am sure it helps me to feel less anxious and depressed.

We did take our grandchildren to see Wicked "For Good" (Part 2) Friday after Thanksgiving and I bawled like a baby at the end. Now, I have always been one to weep a bit at emotional movies, but never uncontrollably like this. I am sure it was partially an ADT-effect, and equally sure that my kids and grandkids got a kick out of watching Papa sobbing as we exited the theater. (I'll take it; it earned me lots of hugs!) I view a movie-cry as cathartic and far more therapeutic than crying because of real-life events

I wouldn't shy away from antidepressant medications if you feel a need; their mechanism of action is quite subtle, and contrary to popular opinion they do not create an artificial sense of euphoria. While sexual side effects can occur, I did not find these to be problematic before ADT was added, and doubt that the negative sexual impact of ADT is made any worse as a result of being on the antidepressant as well.

I take Venlafaxine for depression and have had no issues and I’m on Eligard and Darolutemide.

I started on 10mg of Celexa almost two months ago. It takes about two weeks to take effect. I have been on ADT, Lupron, for one year with one more year to go. RARP in 2023 with cancer recurrence in 2024 and 39 radiation treatments. I had mentioned to my radiation oncologist that I seemed to be in kind of a dark place. He suggested I add Creatine as it had shown some positive effects on mental wellbeing. I’m still on it but it had no positive effect that I could see. The Celexa has been a game changer for me. I have emerged from my dark place and feel 100% better. My wife says the change has been a miracle and she has her old hubby back. I will also say I have been seeing a counselor for about 3 months and that has been well worth it to me. You have to figure out what will work best for you. Good luck my friend.