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Interferon and mood swings

Forums General Melanoma Community Interferon and mood swings

  • Post
    Lauri England
    Participant

      I am currently about 9 1/2 months into my interferon treatments.  Last Monday I had a shot right before bed and Tuesday I was so grumpy I couldnt hardly stand myself.

      I am currently about 9 1/2 months into my interferon treatments.  Last Monday I had a shot right before bed and Tuesday I was so grumpy I couldnt hardly stand myself. Im not talking about the normal grumpy day.  I mean aggressive and feeling like I was ready to explode.  Not like me at all.  This continued into Wednesday and Wednesday night my husband and I got into an argument and I missed my shot that night.  The aggression continued into Thursday and then Friday and I again did not do my shot Friday.  I can not stand the way I have been feeling emotionally.  And yes I am on prozac but sometimes it does not help.  Now it is Sunday and I have been off the shots for a week tomorrow and I am feeling so much better.  I am not sure if I will start my shots again or not.  I have not talked to my doctor because of insurance problems this month.  Should be all straightened out my September.  At this point I am not sure I want to start them again.  My doctor wants me to have scans in October.  That will be the first scans since last summer. I have felt like such crap for so long half the time I dont know if the interferon is working or if the melanoma has spread.  The day after a shot my legs would ache so bad I could not walk around a lot and I had little to no energy. I have pain killers but when I take them I just sleep so I dont take them much.  The leg pains are bearable just not much walking around. I have some decisions to make at this point and looking for advice.  Thank you for listening and God Bless!!

    Viewing 7 reply threads
    • Replies
        MariaH
        Participant

          Hi Laurie,

          I am sorry to hear that you are having a tough time on the shots.  9 1/2 months of feeling like crap is going to start to wear on you.  My husband also did interferon, and he started getting lax about doing the shots at about the same time.  If he was feeling especially worn down, or moody, or had an event that he wanted to feel good for (ie vacation) he would also skip a dose.  He also took a break from them for about a week, which his onc disagreed with but Dave did anyway – if he didn't take the break, I think he would have just quit them all together.  He did finish the year.

          When you see your doctor, mention the lack of energy.  Interferon has a tendency to mess with your thyroid, and they can test it to make sure it is functioning ok.   I would also check with the doctor regarding the Prozac.  He may want to switch you to a different anti-depressent and see if you do better.

          If you look at the big picture, you are 3/4 of the way there.  Take a break if need it, and then finish if you want.  But always remember it is your decision (not the doctors), and whatever you decide – don't look back.

          Hope it gets better for you soon,

          Maria

          MariaH
          Participant

            Hi Laurie,

            I am sorry to hear that you are having a tough time on the shots.  9 1/2 months of feeling like crap is going to start to wear on you.  My husband also did interferon, and he started getting lax about doing the shots at about the same time.  If he was feeling especially worn down, or moody, or had an event that he wanted to feel good for (ie vacation) he would also skip a dose.  He also took a break from them for about a week, which his onc disagreed with but Dave did anyway – if he didn't take the break, I think he would have just quit them all together.  He did finish the year.

            When you see your doctor, mention the lack of energy.  Interferon has a tendency to mess with your thyroid, and they can test it to make sure it is functioning ok.   I would also check with the doctor regarding the Prozac.  He may want to switch you to a different anti-depressent and see if you do better.

            If you look at the big picture, you are 3/4 of the way there.  Take a break if need it, and then finish if you want.  But always remember it is your decision (not the doctors), and whatever you decide – don't look back.

            Hope it gets better for you soon,

            Maria

            Vermont_Donna
            Participant

              Hi Lauri,

                There is no doubt that Interferon is a brutal treatment with many severe side effects. I did 11 months of the low dose injections. I only had two of the high dose infusions and then developed an infected PICC line and cellulitis of my arm. I also went on antidepressants. Congrats on completing 9.5 months of the shots. I am sorry that you have had such a strong emotional response and I hope that your husband understands its the drug, not you.

              Please talk to your doctor like you said you were going to and determine the best course. Interferon is not a cure per se but delays re-occurrence. I am glad I did it. I had 11 months of no re-occurence after the 11 months of shots. I have done many other treatments since. but the way I see it, each treatment buys me time. I have just been scanned and seen by my oncologist ( a melanoma specialist, and by my dermatologist..also a melanoma specialist) and I am a complete responder still, for 6 months to Ipilimumab (yervoy).

              Hugs, and keep thinking positively!

              Vermont_Donna, stage 31, NED

                Vermont_Donna
                Participant

                  TYPO!!   Stage 3a!!    lol……

                  Vermont_Donna

                  Vermont_Donna
                  Participant

                    TYPO!!   Stage 3a!!    lol……

                    Vermont_Donna

                  Vermont_Donna
                  Participant

                    Hi Lauri,

                      There is no doubt that Interferon is a brutal treatment with many severe side effects. I did 11 months of the low dose injections. I only had two of the high dose infusions and then developed an infected PICC line and cellulitis of my arm. I also went on antidepressants. Congrats on completing 9.5 months of the shots. I am sorry that you have had such a strong emotional response and I hope that your husband understands its the drug, not you.

                    Please talk to your doctor like you said you were going to and determine the best course. Interferon is not a cure per se but delays re-occurrence. I am glad I did it. I had 11 months of no re-occurence after the 11 months of shots. I have done many other treatments since. but the way I see it, each treatment buys me time. I have just been scanned and seen by my oncologist ( a melanoma specialist, and by my dermatologist..also a melanoma specialist) and I am a complete responder still, for 6 months to Ipilimumab (yervoy).

                    Hugs, and keep thinking positively!

                    Vermont_Donna, stage 31, NED

                    gossteach
                    Participant

                      Hey there! I had a similar experience a couple of months ago and my doc prescribed an anti-deppressant, which has helped with the moodiness, but there are still days that I will snap at the kids and my husband and feel like my blood is boiling!!! It sucks and I'm sorry you are going throught it.Sometimes I think it happens because I'm so exhausted….are you getting enough rest? I know you said you haven't seen the doc this month, but it might be worthwhile to discuss a dose reduction. I've had two reductions in eight months,and each time, it helps lessen the side effects. I've also taken "breaks" from treatment per docs orders for bloodwork issues….but every time I have, it has made it 10 times worse starting back up again! It always feels like the very first week of treatment with the shakes, fever, body aches etc.

                      You've done so well making it as far as you have! Only you can decide if you've had enough. Believe me, I have asked myself the same question MANY of times. I'm available if you need a listening ear!

                      Michelle

                      [email protected]

                      gossteach
                      Participant

                        Hey there! I had a similar experience a couple of months ago and my doc prescribed an anti-deppressant, which has helped with the moodiness, but there are still days that I will snap at the kids and my husband and feel like my blood is boiling!!! It sucks and I'm sorry you are going throught it.Sometimes I think it happens because I'm so exhausted….are you getting enough rest? I know you said you haven't seen the doc this month, but it might be worthwhile to discuss a dose reduction. I've had two reductions in eight months,and each time, it helps lessen the side effects. I've also taken "breaks" from treatment per docs orders for bloodwork issues….but every time I have, it has made it 10 times worse starting back up again! It always feels like the very first week of treatment with the shakes, fever, body aches etc.

                        You've done so well making it as far as you have! Only you can decide if you've had enough. Believe me, I have asked myself the same question MANY of times. I'm available if you need a listening ear!

                        Michelle

                        [email protected]

                        ockelly
                        Participant

                          Hi Lauri

                          My husband is 6 month into his year and has been taking Ativan nightly to help him sleep. He had been having nighttime anxiety before starting.  If he misses a dose he becomes very agitated and moody.  Knowing that you are already on an antidepressant you may wan to add Ativan nightly.  It is a good drug that will work immediately unlike a lot of the antidepressants that need a month or more to become effective.  I know its a huge decision to stop after 9 1/2 months.  It may give you the relief you need to complete your year.

                          Best of luck

                          Kelly

                            Lauri England
                            Participant

                              Is Ativan a perscription or something I can buy at the store?

                              ockelly
                              Participant

                                Its a prescription.  Our oncologist has a nurse info line to call.  If you have the same you should be able to tell them you are having terrible mood swings and frustration/anxiety.  My guess is they will call in a prescription without an appointment.  Tell them you would like to try Ativan.  Starting dose is usually 1mg at bedtime and if you feel tired in the morning try going down to .5mg.

                                Hoping you get some relief.

                                Kelly

                                ockelly
                                Participant

                                  Its a prescription.  Our oncologist has a nurse info line to call.  If you have the same you should be able to tell them you are having terrible mood swings and frustration/anxiety.  My guess is they will call in a prescription without an appointment.  Tell them you would like to try Ativan.  Starting dose is usually 1mg at bedtime and if you feel tired in the morning try going down to .5mg.

                                  Hoping you get some relief.

                                  Kelly

                                  Lauri England
                                  Participant

                                    Is Ativan a perscription or something I can buy at the store?

                                  ockelly
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Lauri

                                    My husband is 6 month into his year and has been taking Ativan nightly to help him sleep. He had been having nighttime anxiety before starting.  If he misses a dose he becomes very agitated and moody.  Knowing that you are already on an antidepressant you may wan to add Ativan nightly.  It is a good drug that will work immediately unlike a lot of the antidepressants that need a month or more to become effective.  I know its a huge decision to stop after 9 1/2 months.  It may give you the relief you need to complete your year.

                                    Best of luck

                                    Kelly

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