Anti-Depressants for Hot Flashes -Effexor or Paxil-Anyone try?

Options
NYCMs
NYCMs Member Posts: 35
edited November 2017 in Sex & Relationship Matters

Hello,

I have LCIS and my sister passed from BC at age 42. I am 54 and my quality of life has really diminished from HOT FLASHES. Along with the hot flashes I get nausea, dizziness and rapid heart beat and extreme fatigue. I was so at my wits end I had a genetic screening that came out negative and was considering going on Evamist and Progesterone but my doctor strongly advised against it. The hot flashes are really hurting my relationship cause I never feel sexy and feel like a hot sweaty mess. My gyno recommended Paxil and I would like to know if anyone here has used any anti-depressant for hot flashes and your experience. I have never taken an anti-depressant and am concerned about side effects and if it even helps enough to be worth it. Thanks for your advice.

Comments

  • NYCMs
    NYCMs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2017

    PS I've tried every supplement out there to no avail.

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited October 2017

    I take Effexor/Venlafaxine and find it very effective in reducing hot flashes. I certainly notice a difference if I miss a dose. It reduces my flashes from 20+ to about 2 per day.

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited October 2017

    NYCMS, Effexor is a prescription antidepressant drug, not a supplement. It would be worth trying Effexor if you haven't already.

  • NYCMs
    NYCMs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2017

    Thank you. My doctor recommended Paxil--do you know if there is a difference? Also, do you find it affecting your mood also or only the hot flashes. May I ask how many mg you take?


  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited October 2017

    When I started taking Effexor six years ago, it was also to counter depression as I was depressed following my diagnosis. I think my mood is much better now as I have learnt strategies to cope with having had bc, and time does heal.

    I take 75 mg and plan to continue.

    I'm not familiar with Paxil. I did try another drug before Effexor but it did not relieve the flashes.

    I suggest talk with your doctor about options, but I can vouch for Effexor!

  • cajunqueen15
    cajunqueen15 Member Posts: 794
    edited November 2017

    Hi all, I took Effexor for hot flashes and it helped, especially for the dreaded night sweats. I came off of it about 6 mos later (I can't remember why, but something about the SEs) and that part was MISERABLE, with brain zaps and flu like symptoms. Hot flashes resumed and then subsided a few months later. I've been at least 8 months with no hot flashes an no meds. I hope the same for you!

  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2017

    My doctor wanted me to take effexor and I said no. I know that antidepressants hinder your ability to orgasm and I will be dammed if I am giving that up. My hot flashes were getting worse this year and I think it's because I had two surgeries and wasn't working out. I notice a HUGE difference when I work out regularly. Also, since this is in the sex forum, I will say that that has gotten better too. I still don't have much of a drive, but I can now actually do it without using lube. I am using topical estrace 2x a week.

  • NineTwelve
    NineTwelve Member Posts: 569
    edited November 2017

    I took Effexor years ago for depression and had horrible side effects from it (unable to climax, night sweats, brain zaps, constant nausea/hunger - which caused me to gain weight, irritibility, insomnia, dizziness and seeing things out of the corner of my eyes). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, in case they react as badly as I did.

    There are some other ways of dealing with hot flashes. Exercising daily and giving up meat and dairy have been really helpful for me.

  • Candyapple17
    Candyapple17 Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2017

    When I started to take Tamoxifin, I had to stop taking Wellbutrin as it has a contra indication. My doc switched me to Effexor and it has done wonders for me. I feel better than I have I a long time. I have a great amount of energy during the day and sleep like a baby at night. I have lost weight as my appetite seems to be a little suppressed - Yay!! I have not had one hot flash yet and my oncologist is thrilled it's working so well.

  • clariz
    clariz Member Posts: 23
    edited November 2017

    I took Celexa 20 mg.daily (Citalopram generic) for depression and anxiety for 2+ years after my BC DX, anti-depressants do help with hot flashes, & cold flashes I get palpitations when I get hot flashes and the Celexa helps regulate that. The first year I also took Ambien to help me sleep, I had 2 surgeries --hysterectomy and lumpectomy just less than 2 mos apart so I was really scared and it's keeping me awake at night.Before I started Celexa, My gyno prescribed Effexor 75mg. right after my surgery (hysterectomy) but I can't tolerate them, 'got dizzy and sick to my stomach, so I didn't take them anymore, Gyno said I could cut them in half, but I was too scared to do it. I thought I will be fine without anything to help with hot flashes, nope, everytime I go to radiation I freaked-out and I got so anxious, so I went to my Primary care dr. and she prescribed the Celexa, It made a huge difference.

    Paxil like Celexa/Citalopram are SSRI's so it will help with your hot flashes. You can always stop them like I did when you start feeling better. I never have any problem problem when I stopped taking them either, I just went cold turkey, same with Ambien, luckily I didn't get any withdrawal symptoms. If you google Ambien (generic is Zolpidem) it is prescribed to women who are going through menopause. In my case I stopped taking the Ambien first, I still sleep good because I was still on Celexa at that time. then a couple of months later I stopped them because I feel like it's contributing to my weight gain.Regular excercise also helps with sleep and hot flashes, nowadays this is what I do to help with mine, yes, it does get better after a while, so for now go ahead and take the Paxil, remember it is only temporary anyway. Goodluck!

  • NYCMs
    NYCMs Member Posts: 35
    edited November 2017

    Thanks everyone for your replies--so helpful!

    I did not hear about the orgasm thing! Seems like a cruel joke :( I've always been an exerciser and still am at 54. I do CrossFit, Zumba and Hot Yoga (yes HOT yoga) It makes me happy for a while that I feel the heat is coming from elsewhere lol. The exercise doesn't help me (Or who knows maybe it does. Maybe instead of 50 miserable flashes a day I'd have 100!) I've had the hot flashes for THREE years now. When someone told me they can continue for a decade I just about keeled over!

    Candyapple - how many milligrams do you take and how long have you been on it? I did not know that it can also help with energy level! That would be a blessing as I have been feeling 94 not 54.

Categories