Tamoxifen and Depression: A Comprehensive Guide for Breast Cancer

Is there a connection between tamoxifen and depression? How can you cope with depression during breast cancer? In this video, Dr. Jennifer Griggs explains everything you need to know about the connection between tamoxifen and depression during breast cancer and its treatment.
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[@kelleywatt4167]

Who wouldn t be depressed taking tomoxifen knowing it was harming you

[@freecuddles100]

Hi Dr I have been taking tamoxifen for 3 months and the depression is bad. Is there any safe antidepressants that I could take safely with tamoxifen?

[@yerbba]

Some studies suggest that certain antidepressants can interact with tamoxifen and potentially reduce its effectiveness, but large long term analyses do not show an effect on outcome. It's important to discuss this with your healthcare provider, who can provide guidance based on your specific situation. The pharmacist from whom you get the medication can also help. Wishing you improvement in your mood, which is so important.

[@mctaylor8465]

I have had a long hx of depression..you probably have talked about this after the surgeries after the chemo, and after the radiation I experienced an overwhelming feeling of loss, not only from having bilateral mastectomies, but the loss of attention received from the staff and being involved..sounds weird and embarrassing..then came the aromatase inhibitors stage..there werent a lot to choose from in 2010!! I started on Armidex..the depression got worse(anti-depressants werent working), hot flashes, aches and pains..all the classic symptoms..stopped taking it for a couple months after taking it for a year..to say the least my oncologist was attempting to get me on something, so the only choice was Aromisin, which greatly improved my mood overall feeling better. Dont know why.Then my oncologist and I discusseda discussion of going beyond taking it 5 years to 10 years but decided it wasnt necessary and not enough info available.i think also because of having stage 3 lobular ca....it is amazing how many more med options are available today!! So glad to see!! Thank you Dr. Griggs for providing such compassion and understanding..

[@yerbba]

Experiencing depression and feelings of loss after such intensive treatments is completely normal and nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s great that switching to Aromasin improved your mood. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@nancyferrari6743]

I know this is the post menopause therapy drug but just had to share that Letrozole had tough side effects including depression. I will not tolerate that and my oncologist is giving me a 3 week break and will go back to Anastrozole. I’ll keep managing insomnia and joint pain. These pills are a challenge!

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s important to address tough side effects like depression. Taking a break and switching medications can be necessary. Managing side effects like insomnia and joint pain is crucial, and it’s good to work closely with your oncologist to find the best solution for you.

[@goodluck1070]

I'm on tamoxifen for 3 months and I've never have had such severe depression! no future

[@yerbba]

Your other comment suggests that you are living with isolation and lack of support. Those are most likely the cause of your severe depression rather than the tamoxifen. Please seek out help from your doctor. Sending you support.

[@wintersnow5547]

I HAVE BOTH BREAST MASTECTEMY,I AM 40 N WIDOW.I AM TAKING TAMOXIFEN NOW IS ONE MONTH BUT I AM WONDERING IF I CAN LIVE MORE BICOS I HAVR TOO MUCH PAIN ON MY SHOULDER JOINT PAIN..😢😢😢

[@yerbba]

Thank you for writing with your story. It's difficult to know what is causing the shoulder pain. It is possible that the tamoxifen is causing shoulder pain. It would be worth talking with your doctor.

[@patriciaegan7370]

Do you have a video on the connection between Tamoxifen and retina issues. I recently started Tamoxifen and have macular degeneration.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for the suggestion. There may be a connection between crystalline deposits on the macula and tamoxifen, but it's not entirely clear that there is a connection.

[@shirleymilton5178]

I haven’t had time watch this video however I had breast cancer in 1994 and following a double lumpectomy and a mastectomy I was prescribed Tamoxifen initially for 2 years,then 5 years .I actually took it for 12 years at my own decision. 30 years later,I am now 81 and thankful that Tamoxifen worked for me. I know everyone is different ,I guess I was lucky that my doctor supported my decision.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@jackieplappert4328]

Thank you your videos are very clear, my mood swings/depressing side has been there for many years. I've tried CBT before but didn't fully understand it. But I will try again

[@yerbba]

We appreciate the kind words and are glad you find our videos helpful. Wishing you positive outcomes as you engage with CBT again. Thank you for watching!

[@youcamille]

Can you please post a link to this study? Thanks. What was the definition of depression? Who was in the study?

[@rebeccakarlsson1395]

I wonder how old this study is and if it has been replicated. If I am taking a pill that I believe will PREVENT my getting a horrible disease as opposed to taking a pill that MIGHT help me avoid a recurrence of a horrible disease that has already attacked me (but gives me NO guarantee that it will even help me) I would be in a different mindset from the beginning (acting vs reacting). This would definitely affect how I would feel psychologically as I continue the therapy. The power of the mind IS very strong. If only we could steer our thoughts and emotions in ways that affect us positively. Easier said than done.

[@yerbba]

Great questions! The link to the study is here: DOI: 10.1093/jnci/93.21.1615. Depression was measured every 6 months for a total of 36 months. Study participants were assessed for depressive symptoms with the use of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) questionnaire, which is a screening tool. Scores of 16 or higher were indicative of an episode of affective distress. People with and without a history of depression were included in the study. This is from the results of the study (Abstract): “Women in the higher risk depression groups were more likely to score 16 or higher on the CES-D (percent follow-up examinations with a score of > or = 16: high-risk group = 35.7%, with 95% confidence interval [CI] = 32.5% to 38.9%; medium-risk group = 19.2%, with 95% CI = 18.1% to 20.3%; and low-risk group = 8.7%, with 95% CI = 8.3 to 9.1%) and to have these scores more frequently and for longer periods than women in the lower risk groups. Within each depression risk group, there was no difference in the proportion of women scoring 16 or higher by treatment assignment (tamoxifen versus placebo) (odds ratio = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.93 to 1.02).

[@Michele-zb6ll]

Thank you dear Dr. Griggs, for your dedication and encouragement, I should have started Tamoxifen 2 months ago but fear the side effects, I know various persons who stopped taking it for that reason. My hormon levels (Progesterone, Estriol and Estradiol) are very low already and how I should even block estrogen. In integrative medicine, it is well known that a minimum of a hormone level is crucial for the well-being and to avoid various disorders (e.g. mentally, adrenal fatique, bone health, hair loss, weight gain, etc.). May I ask the following (?): given that bio-identic hormone creames do have B-receptors and not only A-receptors, my medical team said I am not allowed to take these (as would normally be the case) but was told I can follow a phyto-estrogenic diet, i.e. food products with A-receptors only that have no influence on the tumor cell growth.(flax seeds, soy, ax Is it possible at all to naturally balance low estrogen-levels if at the same time I am taking Tamoxifen or in about 2 years an aromatase-inhibitor? Do you know how about monk's pepper that naturally support the progesterone-level, if that plant has B-receptors, too? Any literature would be very welcome, did not find any. Thank you and blessings.

[@FIMTAR]

Thanks for having time to share information that helps us, I also just thought of sharing relaxing music that helps some people out www.youtube.com/@RelaxingVibes8556

[@Melly4real]

hi could i please get a reply to this question, not medical advice........ do you see any harm of having spirulina while taking durvalumab and trastuzunab?

[@yerbba]

Whilst we are not aware of any demonstrated benefit, there should be no harm in taking this.

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you, Dr. Griggs, for your medical advice and your caring support.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. Yerbba appreciates all of the support.

[@thuyngo3420]

Thanks you very much doctor...is there anything safer replace tamoxiphen?

[@yerbba]

In people who still have functioning ovaries, tamoxifen is the best option. It is very safe. Side effects matter, however, and being aware of side effects and ways to manage them are so important.

[@estherpalin3543]

Thank u I really appreciate how you make everything understandable- I am experiencing serious side effects 3 years into AI after heavy duty chemo in 2020, time to have a chat with my medical team about it I think 😊

[@yerbba]

You're very welcome, and it's great to hear that you find the information understandable. It's absolutely a good idea to have a conversation with your medical team about the serious side effects you're experiencing. They will be able to provide guidance and explore potential adjustments to your treatment plan to ensure your well-being. Wishing you the best in your conversation and subsequent steps forward.

[@cynthiayee5116]

I have watched most of your videos and came to know that this Tamoxafin may have other forms of cancer develop in down the near future !! This is why I AM WORRIED about tamoxafin for taking for 5 years !!

[@yerbba]

Tamoxifen is associated with an increase in the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer. The risk is increased in postmenopausal women. In people not on tamoxifen, the risk is 1/1000 people (general population). On tamoxifen, the risk increases to 2.3/1000 people. So while the risk is increased, it is still quite low. In addition, if people who are postmenopausal experience vaginal bleeding and get medical attention right away, the prognosis with uterine cancer is generally excellent. While of course we don't ever want to induce a cancer, the overall benefit of tamoxifen for 5 years markedly outweighs the risk in most people.

[@cynthiayee5116]

@@yerbba I started taking my tamoxifen on OCT 16 2023 .so ithas been only 2 weeks , I take it exactly at 7 30 pm with food ..But sometimes It get delayed by 5to10 mins each day .. So doctor Is That OK IF MEDICINE IS DELAYED BY FEW MINUTES BETWEEN THE TIME RANGE .

[@cynthiayee5116]

Doctor Imp question is , What if after 5 years , when I am done away with tamoxifen, How will I know that I m free from cancer , No reocurrance happening ! Do I need to do my yearly checkup like mamogram , or any other test to make sure that cancer is not mataestie...Thanks Doctor !!

[@yerbba]

There is no way to know for sure that the cancer will not recur. Even tests like blood tests and scans do not provide valuable information in most people. You may find our video on why we don't do scans to be helpful.

[@cynthiayee5116]

@@yerbba Greetings doctor ! Thankyou for your information . Doctor ! When I complete my 5 years on Tamoxifen , what step do I need to be cautious about ..? And how will I KNOW THAT CANCER HAS RECOURRED BEFORE EVEN I COME TO KNOW ..IS THERE ANY SYMPTOMS SIGNS IN THE BODY .. Will my daily excercise workouy routine would be good choice ? THANKS

[@cynthiayee5116]

Hello Doctor ! Today I started with Tamoxafin, I have taken with food .if. there may be risk of blood clots ...so should I stop the medicine ..and also is there any restriction on food ...thanks Doctor

[@yerbba]

There are no restrictions on what people can eat. The risk of blood clots is an important one to be aware of, but in most people, the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the risks.