Hot flashes what helps?

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CAMommy
CAMommy Member Posts: 437
edited December 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I had a hysterectomy/BSO two plus years ago and was on estrogen patch until I got dx with DCIS in June. Bye bye estrogen patch.

I didn't do too bad with hot flashes after losing my patch. I went through surgery, rads and moving across country this summer. All fine.

I started tamoxifen and couldn't handle it. At the same time I started having horrible hot flashes. All the time. It's miserable. Stopping tamoxifen helped, but they are still hanging on. I have no idea why now I would be getting them when I was fine up until I started tamoxifen.

I'm due to start an AI after thanksgiving and I'm just so upset by these hot flashes. I'm already on celexa (an ssri). What else can be taken for them since obviously estrogen is out of the question.

I feel like tamoxifen totally messed me up and I wasn't even on it long.

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  • Hygeia
    Hygeia Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2015

    Dear CAMommy,

    Hot flashes are no fun anytime.  Mine weren't terribly troublesome but nagging nevertheless.  I didn't want unnecessary medication so I opted to keep ice cubes on hand.  No one questioned my carrying with me a commuter cup with ice cubes or chips and it helped with hydration too.  Several of my post-M friends relished my  "discovery" as well.

    Good luck and cool hugs,

    ~Hygeia

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Effexor 37.5 mg daily relieves hot flashes--my MO prescribed it for me for a long time. Some of the other SSRIs interfere with the effectiveness of anti-hormonal meds, so you have to be careful what SSRI you take when you begin the AI. Effexor is one that doesn't interfere.

    But I hated taking any SSRI, so I eventually got off the RX SSRI and I am taking 5-HTP, an amino acid, 150 mg a day; it works for me as well as effexor did. I still have them--I don't think there is anything that takes them away completely--but they are greatly lessened.

    Know what foods triggers them and avoid them (coffee does it for me, but I suffer through since I'm not giving up my caffeine). Sleep in a cool room with a fan if you need it, and layer with blankets if you get them at night ( I do, less than during the day). Eventually they balance out and you don't have them much anymore. But it's part of life, post BC, and getting older.

    They suck but at least when I have one I know I'm alive, better than the alternative. :)

    Claire in AZ

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  • bjb01
    bjb01 Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2015

    I experienced horrible night sweats particularly after starting Arimidex.  My MO put me on Clonidine.  it's a blood pressure pill and I take it before bedtime.  That's when I need it most.  I didn't want the side effects of antidepressants. It has made a huge difference.  probably 50-75% reduction.  Like any medication, there are side effects.  dry mouth and maybe a bit of insomnia.  there are always ups and downs, but it's made a big difference for me.  No more waking up soaking wet.

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2015


    Glad to find you all here today. I had hot flashes for years during menopause, and they returned after chemo. Different, but bearable. I also switched to Effexor from my past anti-depressants and it seemed like the hot flashes were easier, too. Now for the past couple of weeks they have increased in severity and duration. I am having at least two per hour. They are bad. I mean leave wherever I am, sit in the car with the AC blasting, and cry. I've had collateral damage from Arimedex, but the other symptoms, like joint pain, come and go. Any suggestions? ✌️❤️Linda

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2015

    suersis - thanks for the reminder. I really want to dive into ice water, but I am back to the cold wraps in the refrigerator for my neck, at home. Linda

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  • CidneyI
    CidneyI Member Posts: 79
    edited December 2015

    I have been on Effexor for a year now. It really helped with the hotflashes for a awhile but not so much anymore. I am in the process of weening off of the Effexor and WOW, it is awful! My oncologist is going to have me to try a non prescription supplement called Relizen.It is a non-hormonal supplement for hot flashes and it can be ordered from the Relizen website. My dr said he will give me a 10 supply with a code so for when I order it, I will get it cheaper. I hope it works!

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