We don't know why this psychiatrist is so stuck on Prozac. It's become very frustrating, as this drug and the mirtazapine are clearly not doing anything for Gordon. This Dr. gets good ratings on ratemds.com, so I don't get it either. But if you're so stuck on a drug that you won't make a needed change for a patient then there's something wrong somewhere. We're going to discuss it with the GP on Thurs. Anne

Anne, I am 6 months post treatment and still get fatigued easily. I am also on zoloft for depression, and have had awesome results with it. I know others haven't, but I feel like a new woman when I am on them. The dry mouth is also an issue. I am a teacher and I have to fight through the fatigue and sometimes I have to start my day with a big cup of coffee or get on in th middle of the day just to function. Your husband is not alone in all this.

Anne:
Gordon will be fine, just stick by him (As I'm sure you plan on). Everyone has said how it takes time so I won't elaborate. It all varies so widely. Almost 4 years out and I still feel tired on some days, some food has no taste, the whole saliva issue, etc., etc. But I have come to realize that I can visit my wife everyday, see my lovely Kids and Grandkids, and I'm on the green side of the grass. It takes some longer than others to figure all this out. There is a "new Normal" out there so stick with him and you both will continue to grow.
Steve

Anne, getting someone on the right anti depressant is not always easy and any psychiatrist knows trial and error is involved. I look at this way, if he had an ear infection and was on an antibiotic and it didn't work,it would be silly to keep prescribing the same antibiotic. I don't know any MD that would do that.
It's the same with anti depressants. I have clients that have had to try three or more types and/or combos before getting the ones right for them.

I'd be more than happy to try to answer any questions I can about various SSRI's or other anti depressants. let me know if I can help.
I'm stepping off my soapbox now but it just makes me so pissed to see someone not being helped that certainly can use some assistance to get over this hump!!!

Anne, good plan to talk with your GP about the antidepressants not working. Hope that they are able to help Gordon. You are doing a great job being a caregiver. Dont forget to take time for yourself too.

Thanks everyone. I was starting to feel like a voice in the wilderness at home. It's good to know that I'm not alone in my opinion about the antidepressants Gordon is taking, and that the way it's being handled is just wrong, wrong, wrong!
Anne

Thanks Steve, and I will stick by him. He would help himself and everyone around him if he were more of a "glass half full" kind of guy. But he never has been, and this would be a really hard time to see things differently. Maybe it will come over time, though. Anne

I finished just radiation about the same time as Gordon. I did not have as extensive a surgery but then they almost killed me with pain meds in the hospital I ended up in ICU on an intubator for almost a week before they called in a specialist. I was already on Wellbutrin and Zoloft. The Zoloft was increased before radiation. About a month ago I was at a stop light so tired I could have cried. I felt sad, tired, over whelmed, hopeless that is when it hit me that those are not symptoms of fatigue they were Symptoms of depression. I called my Shrink, he got me in the same day. He agreed that it was depression and increased my Wellbutrin. Within 3-4 days I felt almost like my before self.
I am worn out at the end of the day and I don't do much on the weekends but I am also working 8-10 days getting ready for a state audit so I am very happy with my progress.

OK....I am of the mind that "nothing" should be kept off the table when it comes to a cancer patient getting through this ordeal. I've had a few famous discussions on these boards (some of which I'm not proud of) about antidepressants. I am for them IF that's what a patient believes they need to help them through a situation.

The studies on the effectiveness of ALL antidepressants aren't great...up to 50% of those on the various types (SSRI's, MAOI's, TCA's etc...) don't report a difference when on them and then consider the "placebo effect". Point is...antidepressants aren't the end all be all when it comes to depression.

As far as fatigue goes...I've suffered from CRF (cancer related fatigue) for over 2 years after treatment. I no longer take pain meds, my thyroid levels are fine...but I did find that getting my testosterone levels checked and then supplemented helped me some...as well as upping my B vitamin intake. I use 5 hour energy, they came in especially handy when I opened up my own business and started working 16-18 hour days but I still "hit a wall" often where I just can't do anymore and have to just rest.

Keep your chin up

Eric

I am great from about 6 AM until 2 to 3 PM then my clock needs wound again. If I sit down in my easy chair, within 10 minutes the time moves forward an hour or 2. I try to work my way thru this period.