Hotflashes

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alaskalady
alaskalady Member Posts: 45
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I am currently on Arimidex and have severe hot flashes. Could any of you ladies tell me what you do for relief? Has your doctor prescribe anything that could offer help?

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited September 2010

    I'm on Arimidex too, and am just a sweaty mess this summer! I was told that they can prescribe a low dose of an antidepressant (Effexor) which can help a lot. 

    Talk to your Dr!

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited September 2010

    I'm with Bonnie....I'm a fan girl.  I take one with me on my temp job and people look at me funny when I pull out a little red fan and plug it in (before I even sit down, lol).

    I also have a fan running non stop in my bedroom aimed right at my bed :)

    Bonnie..loved your post over there!

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  • Mom3
    Mom3 Member Posts: 170
    edited September 2010

    I'm on Arimidex too! Thank God for central air, fans, freezers, cold showers and ice packs!!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited September 2010

    I went into chemopause/menopause and was prescribed Effexor, it worked wonders.  Not only are my hotflashes almost completely gone, but I have noticed I am much more tolerate and patient.

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

    My onc and obgyn also recommended a low dose of Effexor, and it has worked very well for me.  It hasn't taken away the hot flashes completely, but has helped immensely.  Talk to your Dr!  Good luck!

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited September 2010

    I take neurontin (gabapentin).  It's actually a seizure drug but it's been found to be effective with hot flashes.  Started with 1 300mg in morning and evening.  It took about 2 weeks for it to make a difference.  Went down to very, very minor flashes during the day but was still having mulitiple wake-up flashes at night so we increased the dose to 2 -300mg capsules at night.  Continue to have an issue with a hot flash that hits me just as I'm drifting off to sleep which is extremely irritating and frustrating but once I get to sleep I don't have any more during the night that get me out of bed.  Just the once that cause me to throw off the covers for a while, fall back asleep, then wake up enough because I'm freezing so I get under the covers and am back to sleep in no time.

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  • mississippiqueen
    mississippiqueen Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2010

    I've been on Arimidex for six months now and hate it.  My hot flashes are unbelievably frequent and I too am one sweaty mess.  I am developing joint pain and vaginal dryness.  I told my onc at my appt in Aug of all this and he said "yep, normal symptoms."  AAAUUUGGGGHHHH...I said, this is my "rapid aging drug, isn't it?" and he said pretty much so.  NOT GOOD.

    He put me on Effexor to help with the sweats, 37.5 mg dose per day.  It worked the first night pretty well and I actually got sleep.  But after two weeks, this stuff has built up in my system to the point that I have become a zombie.  DH says he'd prefer the bitch.  I can't seem to get off the couch and watched endless TV and I don't really watch TV.  I didn't know about all these reality shows....how behind am I!!!!   I have quit taking it.  What the heck, it's Louisiana and hot all the time anyway so why can't I just sweat.  (My Grandmother is probably rolling over  in her grave at the thought.....:))

    I'm now about ready to quit the Arimidex.....I'm too active to feel like this.  We are having serious quality of life discussions now days.....DH was adamant that I should take it or as he now says, at least try it.  I know it's selfish to think of ME but really, would anybody want to be around a pure bitch....or zombie.  My oncotype score was low...my nodes were clear.  I don't trust these drugs.....am I nuts or what?

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited September 2010

    mississippiqueen - I'm from the New Orleans area - where are you from?

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited September 2010

    I agree with Gg08-Bonnie - her link is spot on,  they are truly the hot flashing girls best friend!  LOL!

    FYI my first natural menopause paled in comparison to the hot flashes while on TAMOXIFEN !   

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  • Laurie_R
    Laurie_R Member Posts: 262
    edited September 2010

    Ok what am I doing wrong lol.  I have been on Effexor for yrs. as an anti-depressant, still takeit for that but I am now takeing Femara for ER+ and am also a fan gal as the effexor isn't helping with hot flashes plus I'm 59 yrs old which just adds to the mix.  Any suggestions?

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  • Libraria
    Libraria Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2010

    I am having hot flashes since chemo and throughout radiation.  Dr. Oz, on his program this week said Sage Extract is a herbal solution.  A drop in a glass of water once a day.  You should be able to buy it at a health food store.  I am going to try it. 

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  • mimi791
    mimi791 Member Posts: 92
    edited November 2010

    I was super stubborn for 7 months and refused to take anything since I already felt like a giant chemistry exeriment after 16 rounds of chemo....but I finally caved and my onco prescribed Effexor and it has made my 20+ hot flashes a day a less than 10 warm flashes.  My makeup stays on and I only have to wear one layer, not three.  Also, my coworkers no longer have to wear jackets in the office.  I was worried because it is an anti-depressant, but I have been on it for 3 weeks now and have not noticed any mood changes with the exception that I am less anxious, and what cancer survivor can't do with a little less anxiety?

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited November 2010

    Girls, I have recently been put on Neurotin and bingo Hot Flashes gone.  I have been off Tamoxifen for 4ish weeks so I thought the Hot Flashes would subside - NO SUCH LUCK.  So the Neurotin was a welcome addition.  I just take it at night and now I am sleeping much better too.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited November 2010

    There is no doubt that Neurotin works for me.  My hot flashes had stopped so I thought I could cut back from 3 a day to just taking 2.  It took about 6 days and then the next couple of nights they were back.  So I went back to taking my 1 pill in the morning and 2 at night.  Back to no or very few (minor) hot flashes.

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited November 2010

    layer, layer, layer....and always something with me to use as a fan!!!

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited November 2010

    Karen LOL I know what you mean.  I am starting to always wear a tank top under almost every thing.  When that HEAT starts coming, off come the layers!  I have even gone out on the front porch when it is only 45 in a TANK, oh felt so good!

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  • billiegirl
    billiegirl Member Posts: 85
    edited November 2010

    I tried neurontin, prozac & some OTC herbs. Nada. Then started taking 1000mg daily of Acai Berry. Took about 2-3 weeks to stop the hot flashes completely!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited November 2010

    the chillow is awesome

    http://www.amazon.com/Chillow-604232777510-Cool-Comfort-Device/dp/B0000V0E14

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited November 2010

    Billiegirl - which Acai product did you use, liquid or pill form?

    Apple the Chillow sounds wonderful - Christmas list hmmm or just order it LOL

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