OTC Hot Flash Remedies

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sunsnow
sunsnow Member Posts: 92
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hi Ladies,

While preparing for my BMX with TE this week, I was sucker-punched my new info and my ovaries will also be taken in my surgery this Friday. I am 46 and premenopausal, so I am preparing myself for the hot flashes that should be coming my way. My ob-gyn gave me a list of herbal supplements to consider, but said to clear them with by surgical onc. first. I was just wondering whether any of you have any experience with these. It's the standard list, black cohosh, evening primrose, etc. He also listed prozac if they're bad, but I don't think I'm ready to go down that road yet. Thanks very much. 

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited January 2010

    I am looking for the same thing, I took tamox for 6 months after my 2nd dx of pre-cancer, then after my dx of DCIS and my decision to do bilat, I was taken off tamox because of the side effects (hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings). In the past year my periods are very irregular and am having night sweats that wake me up every night so I am going naturally into menopause (I am 49). Some have suggested effixor for tamox related hot flashes, I don't know if it works with natural hot flashes.

    Sheila

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  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited January 2010

    Try Brevail. You can get it at Whole Foods. Here's a link so you can check it out in detail:

    http://brevail.com/index.html 

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  • Kodapants
    Kodapants Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2010

    I use Neurontin 400mg at bed time and also take Prozac.  It decreases severity...........Omg I could not live without them.

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  • rgiuff
    rgiuff Member Posts: 1,094
    edited January 2010

    I've been taking tincture of rhubarb for almost 3 weeks now, recommended by my oncologist, and this past week, I'm starting to have very few hot flashes on a daily basis.  If this didn't work, I was planning on trying things like red clover and black cohosh.  I've also been curious after reading about something called Maca, which is supposed to be an adaptogen, which is supposed to balance all the hormones naturally.  It's also supposed to help increase sex drive and other menopausal problems.  However, I want to hear more about it and wondering if anyone else has tried it.

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited January 2010

    My oncologist told me not to use black cohosh etc.  especially if a tumor is ER +. He said it will "feed" them, and interferes with Tamoxifen.    Tami

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    sunshow-----I had immediate surgical menopause from TAH/BSO almost 5 years ago. I did try evening primrose oil (per my gyn suggestion) and it helped for quite a while (about 9 months), but then became less effective over time. I never did try effexor, but many do recommend it for hot flashes (my gyn did, but I just didn't want to risk any more SEs, so I just tough it out--still do; I still have hot flashes even nearly 5 years later.)

    anne

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited January 2010

    I've been taking Effexor since going on Tamox 7 months ago.  It does help some but I still get pretty sever hot flashes.  Not as frequently as before and I don't feel like I'm going to ignite but the flashes are several times a day and bad enough that I turn red and want to peel my clothes off.  Really beyond inconvenient when I'm in an important meeting at work.

    Rose, Where do you get tincture of rhubarb?  How much do you use?

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  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Member Posts: 431
    edited January 2010

    My oncologist recommended that I take Vitamin E. She said that it helps about 10% (or was it 20%) of women with their hot flashes. I figured it couldn't hurt to try it. My hot flashes are not too, too bad. Only a few a night and I can usually go back to sleep pretty quickly.

    I was premenopausal and also had my ovaries out and have not really noticed big changes. I was nervous about the tamoxifen and then the oopherectomy but I have done much better than I expected. 

    TCK

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  • azdiva
    azdiva Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2010

    I take Black Cohosh with the permission of my Onc.  My hot flashes have been really severe.  He suggested Effexor, but I have heard, and seen from my sister's experience, that it is one of the most difficult drugs to come off of.  

    Haven't tried Red Clover or Rhubarb, but I am willing to try ALMOST anything!  I even saw an infomercial with Marie Osmond for some drink that is supposed to help (wish I could remember the name . . . damn chemo fog!).

    I have some Evening Primrose Oil, but haven't been using it.  Maybe  I will add that to the lineup.  Already taking about 20 pills/per day.  What's one or two more?!  Haha

    Good Luck Ladies!

    Laura 

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  • tinaafaham
    tinaafaham Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2010
    There are several remedies that have helped me...increasing soy, omega 3(salmon and flaxseed) and most important my Cool-jams Wicking Pajamas. I don't leave home without them. They work great and I found them online.
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  • rgiuff
    rgiuff Member Posts: 1,094
    edited January 2010

    AZdiva, know what you mean about taking all the pills.  I have to plan out my pill taking schedule each day, so hopefully by spacing them out, they each have a chance to do their own thing. 

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