BLACK COHOSH

talbrig13

What does anyone know about Black Cohosh for hot flashes.  I am ER+ PR+ and HER2+, Had lumpectomy, chemo, Herceptin and rads.   I am taking Effexor for hot flashes.  Also taking Femara...Also Vit E,  Fish Oil, Calcium, Vit D.

Can the Black Cohosh hurt me...as far as the estrogenic effect?  Or is it very mild.

Any help would be appreciated.

idaho

Black cohosh is an herbal estrogen.  My oncologist told me not to take it, the word is not out yet whether it acts exactly like estrogen or not.  My onc said don't take the chance so I am not.  Tami

JeninMichigan

Black cohosh is not a true phytoestrogen.   It does have some benefit for hot flashes but may be toxic to the liver.  A true phytoestrogen mimics estrogen so well that it fools the body on a cellular level.  Only plants rich in isoflavones can do this (red clover, soy and kudzu).   All others are suspect.      Your oncologist is likely to tell you to stay away .   Mine did.  But I do take genestein isoflavones.  I am only mildy ER + (5 percent) but my oncologist wanted me on Tamoxifen.  Before I started Tamoxifen, I was in chemopause and the hot flashes were unreal.  I started taking genestein isoflavones and the hot flashes stopped and my "moods" really evened out.   I started Tamixofen with no further hot flashes or other issues.   My oncolgoist still doesn't like that I take it but I have done alot of research and this one is my decision.   

Jennifer

dpbrown523

I had received a free trial of Remefemin (sp?) and the leaflet stated it was safe for breast cancer patients to take.  I called and left a message on my oncologist's nurses' voice mail.  I did not hear back from them until two weeks later, and was discussing something else.  I said, "Oh by the way, I never heard anything about the black cohosh from you."  I had been taking it for over two weeks by this time.  She said she would ask him and call me back.  When they finally did call back they told me not to take it.  I was upset!  That was about the time I stopped going to him and have not gone to an oncologist since then.  That has been over one year ago now.

kristifromsandiego

Interesting that my oncologist recommended it because of my hot flashes.  He says it can help level them out, he was not worried about it at all.  He is a great oncologist and everyone I have heard from thinks he's great.  I am er,pr +, he also stated that he would like me to not use soy unless it is very sparingly, a glass of wine every once in a while will not kill me, but not several times a week.  Doctors sue can be different.  Kristi