Need advice on Effexor and Xanax. Soon, please.

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:28 pm

I was diagnosed with breast cancer today. It's a very treatable kind, and I see a surgeon on Monday.

But my PCP told me to go off my hormone replacement pills, which are kind of the only thing that keep my emotions in check. I have serious mood swings without them. She said I could replace them with Effexor, and take Xanax until the Effexor kicks in.

I haven't filled the prescriptions yet. Do any of you have experience with these drugs? How will they affect my MC?

I don't want to take something that will set my MC to flaring, because that seems like it would be adding another layer of unpleasantness to my life.

Thanks,
Martha

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:35 pm

Oh Martha
so sad to hear of your Dx - then again good news that it is very treatable.
:bigbighug:

Effexor has not affected my MC. I will be honest and say that it does not work for everyone, and is very hard to stop.
what sort of dosage has your doctor prescribed??

if you are a D dominate type MC'er, maybe Elavil/Endep (Amitriptyline) might be a better option?? low doses it is used to calm the gut.

so far as Natural support my suggestions are:
- definately start P5P (or increase P5P if you are taking it) this will help with hormones, histamine and stress
- increase intake /use of magnesium
- zinc and Vit C, it will help adrenals, immune system, cell rebuild. Zinc will also help with hormones
high dose Vit C is a common support for Cancer

hope this helps

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:36 pm

Hi, Martha. I can't help with the meds issue but I wanted to say that I'm sorry about your breast CA diagnosis. I'm so glad to hear that it's treatable. I will keep you in my prayers and my hope is that the meds you take won't cause any other issues for you. Hugs,

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:49 pm

another suggestion:
email nancyl and Leah
both have been through the same thing in recent years

links to threads/discussions
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight=
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight=

this one Leah talks about effexor
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight=
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight=

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:16 am

Martha,

Just wanted to say I am thinking about you. I've never taken Effexor, but was on a benzo for sleep. If possible, I suggest taking the xanax for only a very short period of time.(2 weeks ) They are pretty tough to quit. I hope everything goes smoothly. Keep us posted.

T · Post by T » Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:35 am

Martha
Keep in mind that these drugs work on the sensors in your brain and you have some of the same sensors in your gut so sometimes it might not be the drug but the dose as I have found out by experience.
Generic for Effexor is Venlafaxine in which I tried A while back and it worked great the first day but the second day I was sick and on the couch all day (I think the dose was to high for my gut)so my PCP directed me to A psych. He has me on Mirtazapine 15mg and clonazepam .5mg.
Mirtazapine at 30mg was to strong for my gut and made me sick and that is why I take the combo and they are both ODT (orally dissolving tablet)like most anxiety meds they will be A bear to wean off of.Strange my phych is the only DR that keeps A list of my food intolerances
hope this helps and hope you get well.

Terry

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:44 am

Martha,
I can't add anything but I will keep you in my prayers.

Post by **tex** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:27 pm

Hi Martha,

I have no experience with either of those medications so I can't add anything that might be helpful.

I wish you all the best in your treatment, and I hope that your recovery will be speedy and free of complications.

Love,
Tex

dhouts · Post by **dhouts** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:18 pm

Hi Martha,

I'm so sorry to hear of your dx but good to know that it's treatable.

For me, xanax helped calm me and I slept really well but it didn't clear and I was in a fog all day. Even decreasing the dosage to just a quarter of the pill had the same affect. You may not react the same but just in case this happens, you'll know why.

Sending good thoughts your way...

Lou Ann · Post by **Lou Ann** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:43 pm

Martha,
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I am glad it's treatable and I hope your treatments and recovery are swift...

I take xanax for anxiety, the lowest dose , and usually cut that in half....it works well.
I only take it every now and never took the other one, so I'm sorry I have no input there.

Lou Ann

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 6:09 am

Martha, I am praying for wellness and a speedy recovery. Deb

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:42 am

Prayers for a non eventful recovery.

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:45 am

Martha, Don't know if you remember me. Been a long time since I was on the board a lot. I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I pray for your complete healing. I wish you the very best.
Shirley

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 7:10 am

Hi, everybody. Thank you for the good wishes and insights on medicines and supplements.

The surgeon was not amenable to my suggestion that we wait for treatment until late April, when I would get home from a 6-week trip to Thailand to see our son and his family, including their new baby, due in February. So the trip is on hold. Sigh.

I am scheduled for surgery on Friday, followed by 4 weeks of healing, and 6 weeks of radiation. That's the plan, as long as all goes well. This cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ, often called stage 0 cancer. So it's the good kind to have!

My insurance paid for generic Effexor, called Venlafaxine ER 37.5 mg. I'm supposed to take one a day. I'm not depressed, but this is supposed to help with the symptoms of menopause (mood swings, hot flashes). I took one last night at supper, and hardly slept all night. The bottle said it might cause drowsiness, but it sure didn't for me. I'll try it in the morning next, but will wait until tomorrow morning so that I don't take too much. So far, with one dose, it hasn't caused diarrhea.

Terry, do you remember what dose you were on that you thought was too high?

Gabes, what is P5P?

Painkillers: I told the doctor I could only take Tylenol, so she's ordering Tylenol with codeine? Should that be safe for me to take to deal with any pain from the surgery?

Thanks, you guys. You're the greatest. I know lots of people who have had cancer, but no-one who has MC with it, so I appreciate hearing from your experiences with the various things I will need to deal with.

Love,
Martha

Post by **tex** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:39 am

Martha,

Insomnia is a common side effect of Effexor. Some users complain of no sleep the first night and then roughly 4 hours of sleep per night afterward.

It's about 1:30 am in Gabes' part of the world, so I'll answer your question about P5P. It's the active form of vitamin B-6.

As far as I'm aware, the only risk of codeine added to Tylenol (other than the long-term risk of addiction) is the same risk as with all narcotics, namely constipation/impaction due to reduced intestinal motility.

I hope the surgery and recovery will all go smoothly.

Love,
Tex