Lupron, Femara, Xgeva, and CONSTANT Hot Flashes - help?

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jnprsn
jnprsn Member Posts: 151
edited September 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

After my recurrence to the pelvic bone in January, I was put on Lupron, Xgeva, and Femara. My hot flashes are about every half hour and I sweat while trying to sleep at night.

I am thrilled to say that being on these drugs has made my tumor markers come down from the 300s to the 40s.

I've tried Effexor, Neurontin (Gabapentin), and Lexapro. I'm currently on Lexapro 30 mg and it seems to make my sweating worse.

Does anyone have a solution that worked for them? I'm 48 years old and can't imagine living the rest of my life like this. Its like a constant agony that seems to have no end.

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited September 2016

    That sounds terrible. 30mg is a high dose for hot flashes. You may have more luck with 10 or 20 mg? I think Lexapro can either help or increase hot flashes - it is a balancing act. Cymbalta is another option. Also you may need to give one med time to take effect. Going on and off those meds causes hot flashes in and of itself. How long have you tried each of the various drugs?

    I see you are on Lupron. Having your ovaries removed may help stabilize the hormones (in combination/with the help of Lexapro/Effexor/Cymbalta or the like). May be something to consider down the road. I know that is a big step. Just throwing it out there. My hot flashes were heinous when I was premenopausal but are more manageable with ovaries out. No hormone fluctuations/break through hormones

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  • DC197
    DC197 Member Posts: 371
    edited September 2016

    I feel your pain. Actually, it was the night sweats that were particularly bothersome to me. Changing my pj's in the middle of the night was not the way to get ideal sleep. I tried different things, too, but finally the gabapentin worked for me. I take 1 300mg capsule before bed, but the NP said I could take 2 if necessary. Maybe you could ask the onc to up the dosage for you. Good luck.

    Diane

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  • jnprsn
    jnprsn Member Posts: 151
    edited September 2016

    JFL, you're the first to recommend removal of my ovaries. Going to look into this next. Although my Oncologist shut the idea down with the usual "other parts of your body make estrogen too". Never tried Cymbalta.

    Diane, I tried different doses of Gabapentin and it didn't work. Thanks though.



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