Doc recommending anti-depressant or sleeping pill - experiences?

melclarity said:

@Jailbirdstreet Hey there! I too was offered at the end of Chemo Effexor which is widely used to treat hot flushes not actually as an anti depressant.  I tried on 2 occasions unsuccessfully, it made me incredibly dizzy and nauseas so couldn't take it. I'm now 18 months post chemo and the hot flushes yeah theyre there but I wouldnt say are horrendous, maybe Ive just got used to managing them LOL. Yes I still wake all night long flicking the covers off and on, off and on. Something I found helped is Melatonin which is over the counter and natural to aide with sleeping. Hugs Melinda xo

@Jailbirdstreet  each person reacts to drugs differently. You may find that the anti depressant may help you through a bad patch you are going through. You do not have to take them forever. Not all anti depressants are the same some are tolerated better than others.
If sleep continues to be a problem then maybe a short term solution of tablets to help your body cope is not such a bad idea. I did not like taking anti depressants but they helped me some time ago  in the past

I was given Effexor years ago for depression after the death of someone close to me. It was the worst drug I have ever been given. I experienced dizziness, headaches and problems with my sight. I was only on it for a month but the withdrawal was absolutely awful. Now after BC I suffer severe hot flushes - every 20 minutes some days. My oncologist offered me Effexor but I flat out refused. Then when I was getting severely fatigued from lack of sleep due to the hot flushes my GP gave me Endep which is a sleeping pill (but it might also be an anti depressant). I took half a tablet at 7 pm and had the best night sleep. I too hate taking medications. The good thing about the Endep is that I can take it only when I need to get a decent sleep - unlike anti depressants it doesn't have to build up in your system. I took it twice last month and haven't had to take it this month. I am happy that it's there if I need it. Good luck.

Hey @Jailbirdstreet, I too have been prescribed Effexor but have not taken it. I  play throw the blanket as well but still manage to get enough sleep to keep going. I like the idea of Melinda's Melatonin  - and I reckon I'd personally be up for giving that one a shot before the Effexor. BUT if I was finding everything difficult due to lack of sleep I wouldn't hesitate to take the Effexor. Wishing you all the best. Xx

@Jailbirdstreet Hey there! I too was offered at the end of Chemo Effexor which is widely used to treat hot flushes not actually as an anti depressant.  I tried on 2 occasions unsuccessfully, it made me incredibly dizzy and nauseas so couldn't take it. I'm now 18 months post chemo and the hot flushes yeah theyre there but I wouldnt say are horrendous, maybe Ive just got used to managing them LOL. Yes I still wake all night long flicking the covers off and on, off and on. Something I found helped is Melatonin which is over the counter and natural to aide with sleeping. Hugs Melinda xo