Have any of you in remission from lymphoma had an antidepressant, or Effexor specifically, cause a scan to show active lymph node(s) perhaps due to side effects?

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Robin - 13 Apr 2004 08:18 GMT

This is in regard to my brother. He was intially diagnosed with STage 4
aggressive lymphoma. After chemo, he was in remission for 2 mos, then
recurrence. He had stem cell transplant 23 months ago. since then, his
blood work results have been up and down, but doctor felt very positive
that he's so far out from stem cell tx without recurrence. My brother
has been getting gamma gobulin infusions during last few months due to
lowered immune system, getting constant colds/flu.

Because numbers have been low during last 3 mos, the oncologist ordered
scan, which indicated two active lymph nodes (one under arm pit, the
other in stomach). He felt that only two nodes wouldn't fit the profile
for a recurrence of the aggresive lymphoma that he had, that it wouldn't
recur slowly, but just like it started, pervasive involvement.

I'm trying to determine what might be likely to have caused this if not
recurrence or other cancer. He started on Effexor one month ago, and
hasn't really felt well since. Effexor is known for all sorts of side
effects including extreme fatigue, muscle aches, back pain, etc.

Any experience with this, or comments, would be appreciated. Thx.
Robin

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J - 13 Apr 2004 10:29 GMT

> This is in regard to my brother. He was intially diagnosed with STage 4
> aggressive lymphoma. After chemo, he was in remission for 2 mos, then
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Any experience with this, or comments, would be appreciated. Thx.
> Robin

Hello Robin, It's so good to hear of your brother's success with stem cell
transplant. A friend of mine had chemo then stem cell last year so she's
early in and we're hoping for good things for her also.

I'm not an expert about medications but I don't think I've ever heard of
antidepressants affecting the lymph nodes and I read other newsgroups where
they do take Effexor. So I looked it up just in case and there's nothing
here that would indicate (to me) that it can affect the lymph nodes.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202764.html
In fact, the same newsgroups sometimes take it for sleep and muscle aches
and pain.

So I looked up gamma globulin infusions and "chills and fever" (which can
cause achey muscle pains) are mentioned as possible side effects . So I'm
wondering if the infusions are causing the aches and pains? Of course,
there's other antidepressants if he really feels he'd rather not be on
Effexor.

I'm not a doctor so I don't know what you mean by "active lymph nodes". If
you mean they're showing as enlarged, it's my understanding that can just
happen for any reason. Or perhaps as a result of having had a viral flu.
Most of us don't have the luxury of having a scan to check for swollen lymph
nodes after having a bout of flu (nor would I want to). I'm sure it's
worrisome for you and your brother, but if his doctor feels there's no cause
for worry, I would say relax and finish the treatment and gets lots of rest,
as best he can.

Watch for replies from Steph in case I've misunderstood what you mean by
"active" and/or he knows more than I've posted. Well, he always knows more,
I mean if he corrects something I've posted or has something to add.

Keep in touch and do let us know how he's doing.
Take care,
J - not a doctor

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Lily Mae - 13 Apr 2004 13:47 GMT

Hi Robin, sorry about your brother. I took Effexor and it can make you very
sick if you don't eat a lot of food with it. Even a small amount of food
isn't enough. I would get instantly nauseous, lay down and have to be in the
fetal position for about 1 hour, then it would pass.I mean not moving, just
still. I didn't even have a cancer! I never had any of the other side
effects you mentioned.
I say try another antidepressant. Paxil, puts on weight, and Lexapro is a
new one that I've had no effects from. No food is needed when taking it.
It's probably worse for your brother since he is compromised already. Hope
it helps............ keep in touch with this group. Have great talks with
your brother. Talking helps both of you.
Lily Mae

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