Just wanted to post an update about my progress on my medication issue (i.e. my concern about anti-depressants in general, and bupropion for me specifically) inhibiting the metabolization of tamoxifen (and, as a result, potentially its effectiveness, as well.).
I met with my ps...
-
Fantastic!
Maria Gifford
Friday, March 14, 2008 at 08:56 PM -
Reply to the Buproprion and Tamoxifen interaction post
Anonymous
Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 02:24 AMGreat post, I'm very happy to see you take that initiative. Because of you and your efforts many women will benefit. THANK YOU.
replyre: Reply to the Buproprion and Tamoxifen interaction post
Jolene Boyd
Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 09:17 PMYou are very welcome... Just by way of an update, the first couple months on Effexor were a bit rough--mood stabilization seemed out of whack and I experienced bothersome side effects similar to what I have had with the SSRIs (primarily sexual side effects) but now the mood effects seem to be improving and the side effects are decreasing. Both are reliefs from my side of it!
My sense of my oncologist's opinion is that he thinks the research about the potential interaction between bupropion and tamoxifen is too new and the studies out there weren't very large, so he advised a more conservative, wait-and-see approach. That is still a bit disappointing to me, although I fully understand where he is coming from, from a purely "scientific" perspective. However, not to be overly dramatic, but when something can potentially affect cancer recurrence and therefore mortality, I think it makes sense to at least TRY another option if it's available. Which, of course, is what I did. I don't have any regrets at the moment!
reply
Hi Jolene,
Fantastic progress during your appointment today, I must say. Being "heard and validated" -- especially by getting through to a Mayo Clinic physician on the phone right during your appointment -- is phenomenal. Good for you, and kudos to your psychiatrist for picking up the phone and dialing the good ol' Mayo Clinic right here in Rochester, Minnesota (yes, I live here and worked for Mayo for a number of years.)
Best of luck with your change in medication. What a smart healthcare consumer and self-advocate you are. Be VERY proud of that.
Looking forward to hearing more from you soon. Stay in touch!
Best,
Maria
reply