HOT Flashes - What works?

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jnprsn
jnprsn Member Posts: 151
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After


Hi ladies,


I've been getting hot flashes all day and all night. Anyone know what works to stop them? Black Cohosh, Evening Primrose Oil, Pycnogenol?

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited December 2013


    Black Cohash helped me some & my onc approved it (if you're er/pr+) you want to run everything by your onc for sure. He told me to get the brand reifemerin (?) from Germany because since it's unregulated in the states you can't know if there's really even any in there. Anyway as I said, it did help some, but after a couple months I had to go with effexor.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited December 2013


    Effexor 35 mg helped me tremendously. Its actually an antidepressant but for some reason stops hot flashes. My oncologist proscribed it. I had the lowest dose and it kicked in after about 5 weeks. I was able to stop taking it this year and didnt need to taper off. Its such a low dose I could quit. benefit was I also lost 5lbs.. Good luck, I hate hotflashes. I can say I'm 3 years out now and they're so minimal I dont need the effexor any more.

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  • jnprsn
    jnprsn Member Posts: 151
    edited December 2013


    Thanks ziggypop. I will look into it. I am ER/PR+.


    Bevin, I can't take Effexor because of my IBS. Sad

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited December 2013


    I hope it works for you, jnprsn. If you can't find the brand, ask your pharmacist to order it for you. The Cohash does lessen the effectiveness of Tamoxifen or AIs, but then so does effexor. As I mentioned, my onc approved it because those effects are really, really minimal.

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  • Mariadll
    Mariadll Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2013


    My ND prescribes me hesperidin. It helps some, but doesn't tackle the hott flashes entirely. My dietician also suggested high magnesium foods - beans and nuts.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2013


    The main Breastcancer.org site has very helpful information in the section All About Hot Flashes - including causes, triggers, survival tips, lifestyle changes, and medications. We hope you find solutions that work for you!


    • The Mods

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  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited December 2013


    So sorry you can't consider Effexor. Its a wonder drug for me. My hot flashes were horrible! Only a few every now and again and not as intense. Maybe your onc can prescribe something else? I feel your pain (heat).

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