Should I Take Anastrozole with Existing Depression?

I won't lie, I was a mess when I first started anastrozole. Not sure if it was the meds or me still coming to terms with having breast cancer. I cried a lot. My oncologist suggested I take it every other day for starters and try to work my way to every day, which is what I did over a three month time period. I am doing better now. Maybe talk to the doctor about trying that or seeing if there is an alternative med?

I had no depression nor any major side effects except for achy knees and thinning hair and 20 -30 % loss .

Give it a try. Everyone is different. Could you talk to the Dr that is perscribing your current depression meds?

The problem is that I am starting out already with deep depression, and I worry about adding on to that. My oncologist doesn’t seem to have any experience with patients in this situation, so I am hoping someone on this forum might

Britta do you take any meds for depression?

Yes, several

Britta have you talked to the Dr who prescribed them.

I understand. I prioritize my mental health over my physical health. I do everything I can not t to rock that boat. Any meds for physical health have to play well with my psych meds. Ask if you can meet with the cancer centers' pharmacist or medication manager and ask all your questions. If they don't have those options available, ask your primary about med management. I see a med manager who started out getting his pharmacist degree, then decided to become a PA and then decided he wanted to specialize in psychiatric care. So I feel like he's got a pretty well rounded knowledge of my needs.

Britta, I didn’t experience any depression . I am on year 4. Achyness is my biggest complaint. Talk to your dr about your concerns. I take it because I know I’m helping my chances of not getting a recurrence. That mindset for me has helped with the side effects I do have! Does your center have support groups for breast cancer survivors? That could help as well! All the best to you.

The only thing getting me down right now is the loss of hair and how thin and fragile it is. The minor touch of my head sheds hairs every time. There has to be something for this. After all , we’re helping one thing and another issue comes up. Maybe this sounds not important as compared to other issues, but it is for me , and how it is affecting me🙁

It is hard for me too Sue. I pay a lot of money for fake hair extensions. Rogaine has helped with new growth a lot but that growth is very fragile and brittle. 😕 It’s ok to be grateful for the treatment and disappointed with the side effects. ❤️

I am taking Anastrozole and I take Paxil no problem no side effects

I just raised this concern at RI Hospital... there are no wrap around services for the mentally ill who get breast cancer! This is bs... I'm worried too about this! I hope there are shrinks etc who deal with this complex situation of mood disorders and changes of brain chemistry with these types of drugs interacting with psych meds....let alone if you have CPTSD etc.... We need to speak up and out if this isn't a focus of interdisciplinary care... we need to talk!

I was similarly very worried about starting tamoxifen for the same reason (plus anxiety). In the end, I decided that I can't decide the medication is going to give me side effects or be terrible without even trying it. I can always stop. So I started it on 10/1. So far, the side effects have been minimal except for a rash.

I have been on anastrozole for 18 months. I was depressed before starting the medication. COVID isolation, death of my sister and not able to have funeral for her, then breast cancer diagnosis. I started anti- depressant Zoloft 7 months after starting anastrozole. I'm feeling better now. I attend a Breast cancer support group, have counseling online monthly. Get the psychological help you need. Give it a try.

This concern about medication side effects interacting with existing mental health conditions is completely understandable and shows thoughtful self-advocacy. Many people in breast cancer treatment face similar decisions about balancing treatment benefits with potential impacts on depression or anxiety. This type of question is exactly what oncology teams are equipped to help navigate - they can discuss your specific situation, review your depression management, and possibly coordinate with mental health providers to create the safest treatment plan. Have others in the community found helpful ways to discuss medication concerns with their care teams?