Paxil and Breast Cancer

[Maria1952]

Hi,

A few months ago I was prescribed Paxil CR for Depression caused by long term GAD.  Of course being a person who suffers from anxiety I did some research (to scare myself futher) and found some information linking Paxil to Breast Cancer.  Something to do with prolactin.  I am post menopause and 55 now.  

Dr, can you you explain this study they did in Canada about this, how true it is, and should I quit the Paxil CR, maybe ask my Dr to put me on something else.  I started with 12.5 in Feb. and now went to 25.  Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you,  

Maria

[tom_h]

Hi Maria,
Yes, she had been on Paxil for many years.  After 4 years of Effexor now, I think she likes it more than the Paxil.  Getting on Xffexor, or perhaps getting off Paxil had it moments of unexplained tears, confusion, and forgetfulness.  At times her behavior scared me.  But after 2 weeks, the symptoms went away and she's been fine.  Thanks for your wishes.  She's doing great, and got through it much better than I would have!

Tom H.

[Maria1952]

Just curious...was she on the Paxil before she got the breast cancer?  I was never able to handle anti-dep I tried after the paxil..I started taking a low dose of Tramadol 200 mgs a day and feel much better pain wise and it has a slight anti dep effect...just enough to take the edge off and not scare me with the side effects..but I can't take anymore than 200 or I get a migraine....go figure...so I just take 200 not the extended release the regular...I have the anxiety/pain thing..

Hope your wife is doing okay..I had an aunt that had breast cancer, age 70...lumpectomy..the tamoxifen for 5 years...she did great..now 85 and still doing good...

Best wishes,
Maria1952

[tom_h]

I just found this, and I wanted to make a comment on the chance there are anxiety sufferers who are also being treated for breast cancer.  It make be a well know issue now, but when my wife began Tamoxifen treatment following her breast cancer surgery and radiation, I saw an article on TV regarding drug interaction between Paxil and Tamoxifen.  We immediately mentioned it to my wife's oncologist, and he initially dismissed it and told my wife to continue to take the two drugs as prescribed.

About a week later, we got a phone call from the physician, in the evening after hours, with the orders to STOP! the Paxil immediately.  Apparently, Paxil greatly negates the benefits of the Tamoxifen.  My wife had been taking the two for nearly a year into the five year treatment program.  The oncologist prescribed an SNRI called Venlafaxine (Effexor).  This did not have the interaction that Paxil, a SSRI had with the breast cancer drug.

[suzi-q]

Wow!  Now I am scared.  I have been on Paxil for over 10 years.  

[hope_for_more]

This forum is not the one with the doctors it's just other people who might or might not have some information.

GAD=Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Here is something from the American Cancer Society site.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Possible_Antidepressant_Breast_Cancer_Link_Explored.asp

[halbashes]

I believe GAD stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

[halbashes]

Here is a link to an article I found on the topic:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Does_Paxil_cause_breast_cancer.htm

Sorry I cannot be of more help.  If you are still concerned, I would recommend asking your doctor about it.

[lonewolf07]

Hi

I heard the same thing from a shrink back around 2001 or 2002.  There was an article in The Toronto Star and possibly The Globe and Mail.  I switched to Zoloft.  With both anti-depressants, I was taking a low dosage.

You might try a Google search to see if you can find the original copy.

What is GAD?