Just wondered if anyone has any experience or advice with antidepressants? I have been feeling quite low for quite awhile and the doctor has suggested prozac. Being only 21 I am not sure if this right course of action for me.Any alternatives? Hope someone can help
Clare

Hi Clare, after my diagnosis of Ca larynx I became very anxious about everything and anything. My oncologist prescribed Lorazepam 1mg tabs which I take one each night, they help me sleep and my hubby says I'm calmer during the day. I can also take one if I'm facing a particular procedure eg dental work. Hope this helps. They are however part of the valium family but milder, but can become addictive apparently altho my Doc didn't think this was an issue.
Sue

Hi Clare,

Sorry to hear your feeling blue I have suffered with depression for as long as I can remember, its strange sometimes I am so happy and jolly and at drop of a hat I can go into very deep depresion. I have been on Prozac for quite a few years, they have helped me loads, they don't make you feel hyper or spaced out or anything just seem to make you calmer and help to deal with things more rationally, well for me anyway.

About 3 months back before all this stuff happened with my brother, i decided I was going to try come off the prozac, and I did and managed to do so with no ill effects, at the moment I am struggling again with stress and depression so may well ask GP if I can go back on them,they certainly help me with my depression..

I hope between yourself and GP you can find something that will give you that little """pick me up""" your needing.

huggs

Michelle

Hello everyone, I don't think there is a person out there with CANCER or has someone they love with this disease that isn't some level of depressed. It is a sad disease with a sad outcome. You are happy to be here but sad about the shape you are in. I don't take anything at all. I take enough med's without adding anything else. But that is me. I worry about my husband who sings to me daily. Who always has a smile on his face. This is so hard on the family members and the love ones. To have to sit there while this disease just eats us alive, knowing there is nothing they can do for us. I know this because this is how I felt with my moma. It is the sickest feeling I have ever felt. Just so helpless. Wanting to take it all away, knowing that you can't. Depressed, oh yes, aren't we all. Tears, wow, I could fill buckets with them all. Fears, Oh Lord, Scared to pieces. Struggle, you bet, everyday, to make it thru another exhausting day. But things are getting better everyday, WHAT MORE COULD I ASK FOR? Always Vicki Lynn

My doctor advised me to go on anti-depressants last week, as I am feeling very low at the moment. I declined as I have been on prozac before, and yes they definately help and as michelle says did not make me feel spaced out just calmer. But I just feel I have such a long way to go with this illness that I will keep my options open and try and get through this without any more medication. I have to go back and see my gp in 3 weeks to see how I feel then.

What I would say is if you feel as tho you are getting worse please go and talk to your doctor again, he may be able to suggest a milder anti-depressant.

Remember you always have us if you want a chat.

Best wishes
Tracey

I agree with you all if you need anti depressants for depression take them. In your heart you will know if you really can manage without them. I have not had them at all during my cancer illness or for about 12 years even on occasion when low.

But I have taken them on and off for about 5 or 6 times for short periods of a few months each from late twenties to forties. Now I am sure modern drugs like Prozac are even more effective.

One thing I do recall when very depressed in the past is being terrified the drugs would not be prescribed as I sat in the waiting room, feeling that I would not know how to cope without them. I wonder if anyone else has experienced that. I think it is a real sign of needing them.

I also think that as soon as you know you are on the up is the time to wean off fast.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clare:
Just wondered if anyone has any experience or advice with antidepressants? I have been feeling quite low for quite awhile and the doctor has suggested prozac. Being only 21 I am not sure if this right course of action for me.Any alternatives? Hope someone can help<br />Clare

---

Hi Clare...I've been thru about 5 different anti drepressants..I did not like the side affects for any of them..I take a valium 2mg at bedtime..seems to help the next day..Tom

Viva Prozac, Clare as far as I am concerned. I have been taking them long before my cancerwhich was diagnosed 5 years ago. I think it is eight years since I was prescribed them because of marital backlash problems.
I have never had any side effects. It took about three weeks for them to start working and I know I should probably stop. But after these scare stories in the Sunday papers todqy abput people coming off Prozac and Seroxat I think I'll let sleeping dogs lie.
Regards Ishbel

Prozac information from the manufacturer's website.
A simpler guide to Prozac.