Can anyone here share any experiences they have had taking antidepressants while being treated for multiple myeloma? Is it common for multiple myeloma patients to take antidepressants? Are there certain antidepressants that should be avoided, and others that are okay to take as a myeloma patient?
I'm also open to hearing about other options that people have found good for helping them with any depression they've faced.
Thank you.
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Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
I am not sure how common it is, I am currently taking antidepressants, not sure if I would be handling all my issues as well without them. Before I was on them I was a mad mess. My Myeloma does not want to cooperate with any treatment. I am hoping this next round will work.
Antidepressants definitely have their place!
Antidepressants definitely have their place!
Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
Hey Russ I dont know how common it is either, but I know that I fight with overwhelming sadness at times and anger and sometimes two years later shock that I am in this situation. My husband has thought it would be good forme to go on anti depressants, but I havent as of yet. Is it for deppression you are thinking about it or for pain?
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Theresa
Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
I've never taken antidepressants, but ...
As Theresa just suggested, antidepressants can have a useful "side effect" for multiple myeloma'ers taking them to help with emotional baggage from fighting this disease.
After poking around a bit on the web, I found out that some antidepressants not only turn multiple myeloma'ers into happy smiley people. They also can help reduce neuropathic pain.
The particular antidepressants that do this are the "tricyclic" antidepressants amitriptyline, nortriptyline or desipramine.
Now, as I understand it, "tricyclic" antidepressants are an older group of antidepressants, and they may have side effects that make them not such a great idea for multiple myeloma'ers. I don't know. But I thought this was interesting.
Here's the Wikipedia article on "tricyclic" antidepressants:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricyclic_antidepressant
As Theresa just suggested, antidepressants can have a useful "side effect" for multiple myeloma'ers taking them to help with emotional baggage from fighting this disease.
After poking around a bit on the web, I found out that some antidepressants not only turn multiple myeloma'ers into happy smiley people. They also can help reduce neuropathic pain.
The particular antidepressants that do this are the "tricyclic" antidepressants amitriptyline, nortriptyline or desipramine.
Now, as I understand it, "tricyclic" antidepressants are an older group of antidepressants, and they may have side effects that make them not such a great idea for multiple myeloma'ers. I don't know. But I thought this was interesting.
Here's the Wikipedia article on "tricyclic" antidepressants:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricyclic_antidepressant
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Chuck
Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
That's interesting information, Chuck.
I think I heard once, though, that the antidepressants you mentioned may not be a good idea for patients taking Velcade, even though the antidepressants might help with the neuropathy that Velcade often causes.
The issue, I think, is that these depressants sometimes cause heart problems, and heart problems also are a risk when taking Velcade.
I think there's also another issue that has to do with the way the drugs interact with each other. I think blood levels of one of the drugs can spike (or drop too low?) if the other drug also is in the body. I honestly can't remember the details though.
Maybe a doctor can set us straight!???
I think I heard once, though, that the antidepressants you mentioned may not be a good idea for patients taking Velcade, even though the antidepressants might help with the neuropathy that Velcade often causes.
The issue, I think, is that these depressants sometimes cause heart problems, and heart problems also are a risk when taking Velcade.
I think there's also another issue that has to do with the way the drugs interact with each other. I think blood levels of one of the drugs can spike (or drop too low?) if the other drug also is in the body. I honestly can't remember the details though.
Maybe a doctor can set us straight!???
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BarbSG
Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
Sadly, it is quite common for cancer patients in general, including MMers (and sometimes their caregivers), to be on anti-depressants. Your doctor should be well versed on the drug interactions, and you should query with your concerns both with your doctor, your pharmacist and you can contact the makers of Velcade directly for more information.
For many, anti-depressants are not a long term fix, so I would encourage you to be working on things to help you lift your mood and overall well being whether you are on them or not. Its kind of hard to get motivated to do that when you are feeling depressed! So solicit some assistance and some research.
For many, anti-depressants are not a long term fix, so I would encourage you to be working on things to help you lift your mood and overall well being whether you are on them or not. Its kind of hard to get motivated to do that when you are feeling depressed! So solicit some assistance and some research.
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habubrat - Name: Lori
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
For what it's worth, I just checked the official prescribing information for Revlimid, and there is nothing there that suggests there would be a problem taking Revlimid and an antidepressant at the same time.
The section of the prescribing information I checked was "Drug Interactions." Based on the information there, it looks like Revlimid is actually pretty "clean" when it comes to interacting with other drugs. The only potential negative interaction mentioned in the text is between Revlimid and the heart drug "digoxin".
I'll check the information for Thalomid sometime and post what I find.
The section of the prescribing information I checked was "Drug Interactions." Based on the information there, it looks like Revlimid is actually pretty "clean" when it comes to interacting with other drugs. The only potential negative interaction mentioned in the text is between Revlimid and the heart drug "digoxin".
I'll check the information for Thalomid sometime and post what I find.
Re: Antidepressants and Multiple Myeloma
The drug interaction information for Thalomid/thalidomide doesn't mention anything about antidepressants. Here is the exact text:
Chlorpromazine is the antipsychotic also known as Thorazine. Reserpine is an older high blood pressure medication.
If you read the side effect information for Thalomid, though, it says that there is a possibility of heart-related side effects, such as a racing heartbeat, among people who are overly sensitive (allergic?) to Thalomid.
I'm guessing, though, that whether or not someone is going to have this problem with Thalomid will become clear soon after they start taking it.
So it probably is best to take those older "tricyclic" antidepressants with Thalomid only after you're sure that Thalomid doesn't create any heartbeat issues for you.
"Thalidomide has been reported to enhance the sedative activity of barbiturates, alcohol, chlorpromazine, and reserpine."
Chlorpromazine is the antipsychotic also known as Thorazine. Reserpine is an older high blood pressure medication.
If you read the side effect information for Thalomid, though, it says that there is a possibility of heart-related side effects, such as a racing heartbeat, among people who are overly sensitive (allergic?) to Thalomid.
I'm guessing, though, that whether or not someone is going to have this problem with Thalomid will become clear soon after they start taking it.
So it probably is best to take those older "tricyclic" antidepressants with Thalomid only after you're sure that Thalomid doesn't create any heartbeat issues for you.
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Chuck
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