[Justine]

Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by Justine on Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:42 am

I am having a Hickman line put in and stem cell harvest next week. My family has tried to seize custody of my children (ages 10mths, 2 & 7) citing my anxiety & depression due to multiple myeloma that has recently surfaced. Mental health teams stepped in and said the biggest risk factor to myself & my children was my own family. I have good friends but my family have left me for dead ... no pun intended

I am seeing a great therapist when I can but my GP thinks I should start taking an anti-depressant. I have been taking low dose Xanax to help me sleep but am concerned about the anti-depressant whilst going through transplant etc.

Any feedback would greatly help my anxiety & depression ... lol ... thanks

[Cheryl G]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by Cheryl G on Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:30 am

I'm very sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your family (and with your depression). I hope you are able to resolve things with your family and that, together, you come up with a solution that is best for you and for your children.

I have not taken any antidepressants during treatment for myeloma, so I can't comment on whether or not specific antidepressants are recommended for myeloma patients.

However, your question reminded me that I had seen news here about antidepressants and, sure enough, I found two articles that you might want to consider.

One article says that an antidepressant has shown some effectiveness in the treatment of myeloma cells:

https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2013/05/31/beacon-newsflashes-may-31-2013/

Another article says that an antidepressant is being tested to see if it can help in the stem cell collection process:

https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2013/08/12/beacon-newsflashes-august-12-2013/

I think that both of the antidepressants that were researched in these articles are older ones, so they may have side effects that you and your doctors would have to consider before choosing them as treatments for your depression.

[LibbyC]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by LibbyC on Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:37 am

Hey Justine,
Letting you know have sent you a message on FB.
Libby

[heike]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by heike on Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:41 pm

dear Justine, i so feel for you and hope that things will eventually clear up - and i know, family is special, esp in such a situaltion. from my own experience i know a little bit about depression/anxiety - i have no idea, but have you ever worked along Jon Kabat-Zinn/ Saki Santorelli? for me it does help - and just want to tell you - be honest to yourself and trust yourself. which is so hard, i know! but you're the one who knows intuitively. all the very best! heike

[Basketballmom]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by Basketballmom on Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:56 pm

Hi. Ive been taking Paxil 25mg once per day for ten years. No side effects at all. My dr and onc was very determined that i stay on it everyday throughout treatments and sct. Not because of any concern other than it keeps me even keel and anything that can assist us going through this major horrible life stage, can only be beneficial. I do hope things work out with your family but I also understand that some people (family included) can be more toxic than chemo! Pls only surround yourself with positive healing and caring people. Makes a world of difference. And remember, if you take a mood-stabilizer, you are being strong and proactive towards your treatment and health! NOT weak!! BTW Im a mom of a 10year old and now in end stage of my myeloma. Everyday a fight to stay and be positive. Possible only with right people around me and right medication. Xxx

[Justine]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by Justine on Mon Nov 11, 2013 3:34 pm

Thankyou very much for the feedback everybody xx

[hotinaz]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by hotinaz on Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:54 am

Hi there,
I have endured 'chronic pain' since 2002. And now i n 2013, just was diagnosed with M. Myeloma. So during my tenure with chronic pain...I have discovered that taking an antidepressant is truly one of the few meds which help. I have taken Zoloft in the past for about 2 years straight. Zoloft is a SSRI type of med. For this specific med...you absolutely need to work up to 100 mg. dose. Even higher like 150 mg. if still working sluggishly. I would never have guessed how well these can help with chronic pain and I am sure M.M.

I also have experience with taking Effexor. It is an 'SNRI' anti-depressant. The hillbilly or layman term for this med is that it truly is like the 'doulble barrel' shotgun approach to helping. Meaning it works for with mega-horsepower for even the toughest, bleakest, darkest lower than rattlesnakes belly type of depression. For most people anyhow.

Sure there are side effects of both. However, sad and severely depressed folks like us sometimes require the assistance of very good 'recycling of reuptake inhibitors in our brain
.
I would never have expected the Effexor to work so well. I had a girlfriend constantly check on me and make me take the med. Eventually either of these will help you sleep better as well and wake up each day feeling somewhat o.k. I am not kidding at all.!!

Very best of luck to you!!!!!

[Wayne K]

Re: Depression and antidepressants during treatment

by Wayne K on Tue Nov 19, 2013 11:31 am

The SCT will be taxing, but a good step in the long run and should get you back to some normalcy.
I took Xanax some right after my transplant for a sleep aid and for occasional anxiety.
When I was in the hospital for my SCT transplant the doctors and staff where well trained in the procedure and able to meet every need. I suspect your staff of health care pros will also. I wouldn't worry about it. I also wouldn't get to uptight about the future.
I'm 74, diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago with Bence-Jones, had a SCT 3 1/2 years ago and I raked leaves yesterday and then went fishing.