Best time to take Effexor with Tamoxifen?

CidneyI

OK, the hot flashes and night sweats became too much for me to function at work and not getting any sleep. SO, the oncologist started me on Effexor. Cuurently, I take the Tamo early morning and I took the Effexor in the evening. I woke up at 2:30AM and could not go back to sleep! Is it OK to take the two pills at the same time? Any suggestions about what works best?

farmerlucy

I take both in the a.m. If I wake up in the night I'm up for a couple hours. It has been that way for years though. I do have very vivid dreams from the meds. That is kind of entertaining.

vlnrph

It's fine to take both in the morning. Is your Effexor (venlafaxine) the extended release version? Try to be consistent in the dosing interval - if you sleep in some weekend, don't delay the meds by more than a couple hours. I actually felt a withdrawal syndrome beginning the few times I forgot and have to be sure I won't run out: this is more likely to occur with people on the higher strength capsule.

CidneyI

Yes, I am taking 37.5 mg of Venlafaxine (Effexor). I didnt know if I would feel strange taking the Tamo at the same time but I think I would prefer to do that if the Effexor is going to keep me up but then again, that could be from the Tamo (and snoring husband).

Famerlucy - I did have a very vivid dream the other night that Richard Gear was in love with me, lol.  I have never thought all that much about the actor in any capacity but there he was in my dreams, kind of made me feel good.

 

mdg

I take both in the morning with no problem.

farmerlucy

Cidney lol Richard Gear!

LindaE54

I was on that combo for a while.  Pharmacist told me to take Effexor in the morning because it gives energy and to take tamoxifen at supper time.  Tamox has its full effect during the night according to pharmacist.

 

farmerlucy

Linda - I did read a study about that recently. I think this is it. Also it says total darkness may be a key. Hmm maybe I should switch T to evenings. Honestly I think Effexor helps me sleep.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/14072...

Nancy2581

I read that study too Jill. I am suppose to take tamoxifen when I start radiation. I take lexapro at night. Wondering if I switch it to morning and take tamoxifen at night. Decisions decisions

Nancy

Ridley

I take Effexor (75 mg) in the morning and started splitting my tamox -- 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg at night about 2 months ago.  I had been off tamox for a couple of weeks going into surgery and when I started back up, I felt better taking tamox this way.  Unfortunately, I have started to have hot flashes again in the last couple of weeks.  They are not waking me up -- just a few during the day.  Has anyone else had that happen -- seems like my body is getting used to the Effexor.  I mentioned that to my onc yesterday and he didn't think that should happen. 

farmerlucy

Hi Nancy - waving! Counting down your chemos with you.

Ridley - A couple of months ago I was having what I call "break through HFs" several times per hour. I played around with my Effexor dose, stopped it, and started it again after a month (37.5). Right now I am not having any HF that I notice. I figure it may have something to do with being so close to menopause and perhaps my ovaries finally decided enough is enough. I hope you get some relief. It is no fun.

vlnrph

Anyone on a higher Effexor/venlafaxine dose than farmer lucy (37.5mg) should do a taper before stopping the med since there can be a withdrawal syndrome. Ovarian function certainly can fluctuate which would help explain variability in the hot flash experience.

The melatonin connection cited in the study is interesting because it has been noted that cancer occurs at higher rates, for instance, in nurses working night shifts, etc. I personally do like to sleep in a dark room...

CidneyI

OK, the Effexor has really helped with the hot flashes and night sweats, just have warm flashes every now and then but nothing like they were. Now the new problems is I cant sleep! I saw a news article saying a new study shows people who do not sleep well have a tendacy to develop dementia - oh great! I already have CRS, Cant Remember Sh!t and now I have dementia to look forward to.

 I think I am going to switch the tamo with evening and the effexor with in the mornings like some of you have mentioned. This BC stuff is so much work!

PS - I wished there was a "like" button on peoples post and replies because so many times, I am saying to myself, OMG, that is exactly me or that is exactly what I am going or have gone through!

farmerlucy

Cidney - So often this stuff is two steps forward, one step back. Hang in there.

Vinrph - Good point! When I came off the Effexor for that month, my onc said to take it every other day for like a week and then come off. Even at my dose I felt a tad bit dizzy coming off it.

kathy4173

I'm new here and it was great to find this... I am just about to start tamoxifen and am already on the 37.5 dose of effexor that I take in the morning... I would like to take them at the same time but if it is better to take the Tamoxifen in the evening I can do that.