Tafinlar MEK/mood changes
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Tafinlar MEK/mood changes

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Tafinlar MEK/mood changes

  • Post
    • October 15, 2013 at 1:56 am
    bkinman
    Participant
      Have been on tafinlar since 8/²2 and MEK since 9/1. Last couple weeks I have been having mood swings. I take anti depressants for dsythymia (long term depression). Haven’t had any issues for a couple years, but the last couple weeks have had spells of irritability and crying reminiscent o my pre-med days. I know the struggle with Mel is enough reason to fight with depression, but I really don’t think that is it. Can’t find much about depression and the combo as they are so new. I wonder if it reduces the effectiveness of the anti depressants.
      Any experience or thoughts?
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    • Replies
        • October 15, 2013 at 8:26 pm
        POW
        Participant

          I'm afraid I can't help you but I do want you to know that I am sorry for your distress. I haven't heard anything in particular about either BRAF or MEK causing mood swings. However, I certainly have heard of that side effect with other chemotherapy treatments and it might happen with BRAF/MEK. Unfortunately, brain tumors can cause mood swings, too. I suggest that you report these symptoms to your oncologist immediately. If the product information sheets that come with the medications have some type of hot line or 800 number, you might also want to give them a call, too. I hope you can find some answers soon. 

          • October 15, 2013 at 8:26 pm
          POW
          Participant

            I'm afraid I can't help you but I do want you to know that I am sorry for your distress. I haven't heard anything in particular about either BRAF or MEK causing mood swings. However, I certainly have heard of that side effect with other chemotherapy treatments and it might happen with BRAF/MEK. Unfortunately, brain tumors can cause mood swings, too. I suggest that you report these symptoms to your oncologist immediately. If the product information sheets that come with the medications have some type of hot line or 800 number, you might also want to give them a call, too. I hope you can find some answers soon. 

            • October 15, 2013 at 8:26 pm
            POW
            Participant

              I'm afraid I can't help you but I do want you to know that I am sorry for your distress. I haven't heard anything in particular about either BRAF or MEK causing mood swings. However, I certainly have heard of that side effect with other chemotherapy treatments and it might happen with BRAF/MEK. Unfortunately, brain tumors can cause mood swings, too. I suggest that you report these symptoms to your oncologist immediately. If the product information sheets that come with the medications have some type of hot line or 800 number, you might also want to give them a call, too. I hope you can find some answers soon. 

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