Help for Menopause Symptoms

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levy41
levy41 Member Posts: 3
edited August 2014 in Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results

I had Stage IIA breast cancer in 2011. Had double mastectomy and implants. Tried taking Tamoxifen but caused bad problems with vision, vertigo, depression, anxiety, aches, pains, bad hot flashes and headaches so I quit taking it. Had my ovaries removed so I would be able to try other meds. like Aromasin and others that had the same side effects as Tamoxifen. The worse side effects every time was the vertigo (off balance like on a boat) and vision problems to where I should not have been driving to work but I had to. Stopped meds so I wouldn't risk having bad wreck. When I stopped taking the hormonal meds the side effects all went away but after stopping the last med I tried, the vertigo and vision was better but still an issue. So after lots of research and going to different doctors it seems the vertigo and vision problems I have 24/7 is from low Estrogen. Plus started having lots of other menopausal symptoms but I can't take anything with hormones in it. Don't know what else to try or do so I started acupuncture about month ago and it has helped a little.

Does anyone know of anything else I could try to balance hormones so I can finally get some relief after struggling for over a year?  I would greatly appreciate any feedback!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited August 2014

    I am so sorry you are dealing with all these horrible side effects; sadly, you are not alone.

    Of course, no one can tell you if or what you can do (are you hormone positive. idc or ilc or ? and how strong, family history, onco score, etc.) here on this board; I would guess most doctors are non-committal  because each of us is going to respond differently based on genetics and a host of other variables that to date are undefined.

    Having said that, oopherectomy (taking your ovaries out) is doing a good brunt of what tamoxifen is supposed to have done.

    Unfortunately, some cancers come back even if we do it all right and some cancers never come back, even if we do it all wrong.

    Sending you good thoughts and hopeful you are "the lucky ones" that it never comes back.

    Some studies have shown (though it is very early and not well documented) that bio-identical hormones + testosterone do better than tamoxifen or arimidex..but that was on mice and only for 4 months...........

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited August 2014

    Hi Levy, I just started taking Effexor, which is an anti-depressant that is known to relieve hot flashes.  I started on a very low dose (34.5 mg) and just increased to 75 last week.  While the hot flashes have not disappeared entirely, they definitely are fewer and less intense.  Effexor has a raft of its own side effects, but so far for me, they've been fairly minor and I adjusted quickly.  Doc said he could increase the dosage but I'm getting enough relief from the low dose that I'm content.  Good luck!

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited August 2014

    Levy, I hope a few of your doctors were neurologists and/or ophthalmologists. I would assume all other causes of vertigo & vision problems have been ruled out. You are probably 50 or younger so hopefully have good insurance that covers diagnostic tests like MRI, etc.

    Have your blood tests shown low hormone levels? We do produce some estrogen even without ovaries.

    Effexor (venlafaxine) might help the depression/hot flash symptoms but could make dizziness worse at first until you adjust to it. Also, if a dose is even a few hours late, some people will begin to get a withdrawal reaction because it has a short half life.

    Don't give up looking for relief. You deserve to feel well.

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  • levy41
    levy41 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2014

    Thank you all for responding so fast!!!!  I am 43 yrs. old and I have been taking 150 mg of Effexor for 20+ years and the dr. increased it but I could not tolerate the side effects so I stopped.  I tried a medication for vertigo but that didn't work either.  I have had balance tests, ear tests, MRI's, etc. with ENT and Neurologist and all good.  I know it is all Menopause but need something to help it.  I also have been taking Thyroid meds for years too.

    Thank you again everyone for your help!!!!!

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