LCIS MANAGEMENT

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RITZGAL
RITZGAL Member Posts: 18
edited June 2014 in LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)

This is a great forum.  ADH found on stereotactic biopsy, which led to surgical biopsy.  LCIS found.  Oncologist opinion that since I am 62, and have been on Prempro for 11 yrs that HRT may have contributed to LCIS, because although LCIS is found in women my age, it is usually found in younger women.  Needless to say, I have weaned off the Prempro.  Having sweats and flashes, but not as bad as I thought it would be.  I am supposed to start Raloxifene.  This may cause hot flashes.  If severe enough, dr prescribing Effexor to treat flashes.  I have been reading such negative information about the side effects of Effexor, and even worse, horrible withdrawal symptoms if you have to get off of it.  Is there anyone reading this that actually had to take effexor along with Raloxifene?  If so, could you tell me please if you had a good, or bad experience?  Thank you for any input. 

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  • CAZ
    CAZ Member Posts: 678
    edited May 2009

    Hi RITZGAL,

    Sorry I can't help you with the Effexor, but I can say that they have to list any side effect that anyone has ever had.  I'm on Singulair for capsular contracture after mastectomy.  The list of side effects is daunting (aggression, hallucinations, nightmares).  I've had nothing but vivid dreams, and I'm sleeping better.  Just because it is listed as a side effect doesn't mean it will happen to you.  I hope  you do well.

    Carol(AZ)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Ritzgal---I finished my 5 years of tamoxifen back in October and started on Evista in Feb. for further prevention.  (I am high risk due to LCIS and family history.) I waited  4 months to make sure there was no overlap of SEs, so I could differentiate between the 2 meds. I haven't noticed any new SEs since starting the Evista.

    Anne

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  • RITZGAL
    RITZGAL Member Posts: 18
    edited May 2009

    Thanks Carol,  Just needing reassurance, I guess.  I hope you are doing well.

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  • RITZGAL
    RITZGAL Member Posts: 18
    edited May 2009

    Hi Anne,  Thanks for your reply.  I'm so glad to hear ...no SEs from Evista.  I am waiting until my sweats and flushes are gone from Prempro withdrawal to start Evista so it is clear if I get new SEs.  Now I'm getting positive feedback.  That's encouraging.  I just didn't want to be taking any more meds than I have to.  Already on plenty for heart cond.  I was told that I shouldnt take tamox because my mom had uterine cancer and Evista is better for me anyway because I'm post menopausal.  I hope you are well.

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  • Minnesota
    Minnesota Member Posts: 923
    edited May 2009

    Ritzgal,

    Bingo! I'm on Evista (raloxifene) and Effexor. I am doing fine on both. No side-effects. I was on tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years until I had uterine thickening, and they recently switched me to Evista. I had been on another antidepressant, but there are studies indicating that some of these interfere with the uptake of tamoxifen. One that has been shown not to is Effexor. That's why I switched to it. I have also read about problems going off of it, but if and when I do, I will just go off very slowly. One of the ladies on one of the boards said she literally counted out the little balls in the capsules and went down in infinitesimal increments, in order to avoid any withdrawal symptoms. That's certainly always a possibility. One thing I do notice, is if I forget to take the Effexor, I do start to feel a little light-headed. All anti-depressants are major meds, so you always have to be careful - that's the way I look at it. I take mine for depression, not hot flashes, so I'm happy I had an alternative that did not interfere with tamoxifen. Actually, I would have been willing to put up with some side-effects in order to let the tamoxifen do it's work. What I don't know, is if there have been any studies looking at whether any anti-depressants interfere with Evista. If so, I'm still betting Effexor wouldn't be one of them.

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  • RITZGAL
    RITZGAL Member Posts: 18
    edited May 2009

    That's why this forum is so awesome!  There is always someone out there with just the answers we're looking for.  Now I see why they prescribe Effexor over other meds, even with it's problems getting off of it.  I have to learn to trust my doctors.  Hopefully, the Evista won't cause any SEs and I wont need the Effexor, but I'm so glad to hear positive feedback.  I think if there were a better med than Effexor to take with Evista, my onc would have prescribed it.  I read that post too, about counting the beads.  I'll cross that bridge........  Thanks so much and all the best to you.

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