Hot flashes have once again become unbearable!

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cahjah75
cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
in Breast Cancer #1
Called gyn yesterday to tell him I wanted to stop taking Savella (commonly prescribed for Fibromyalgia). I had dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation and the hot flashes were worse that before. Yesterday I had 15 drenching hot flashes. My gyn said I'm 1 of 2% with severe hot flashes. So he put me on Prozac (the old standby) and said I might as well feel better and relieve some of the hot flashes. It may take awhile but at least today wasn't as bad as yesterday! I had a thought after talking to him: Onc put me on Arimidex because my bc was estrogen related. Now with no estrogen in my body the hot flashes are much worse so do I blame Arimidex???
Char

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  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #2
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    I'm not taking Arimidex
    But when I started on Tamoxifen, my hot flashes ramped up to a whole new level. The flashes started during chemo, which I believe started me down the road to menopause (it wasn't a long road), and I had been able to just take vitamin E to keep them mostly under control. When I started on the Tamoxifen, though, the vitamin E just wasn't cutting it. I ended up starting on Effexor, which has helped quite a bit.

    I still have some days that are much worse than others, and am trying to pay attention to what happens and what I eat and drink on my good vs. bad days to see if there's anything else I might be able to modify to help.
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #3
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    I am on Arimidex and
    I think they are causing me more and more intense hot flashes than I had before. I was menopausal when all this started, but my hot flashes & night sweats were tapering before Arimidex.

    Sue
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
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    not on Arimidex -was on tamoxifen until last week
    MY hot flashes I consider MILD...from what I have heard...I put sweater/hoodie on and off all day at work..but not out and out sweating...just hot and then ok..

    NIGHT sweats bad...though...

    I am going on next med in 3 wks...I"ll see if possible Arimdex or what the other choices are... (off tamox due to too many side effects..nothing that bothers me but more internal issues)


    so sorry your hot flashes are so bad....

    Denise
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #5
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    Char, ask your doctor about
    Char, ask your doctor about Gabepentin. It really helps me, and my hot flashes and night sweats are SEVERE like yours.
    Miles of Love,
    ~Kari
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #6
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    Gyn
    switched me to Prozac and within days my hot flashes are fewer in number and I'm not dripping. Definitely a move in the right direction. He told me he didn't think Effexor would work for me. He also said I'm one of 1-2% of all women with severe hot flashes. He is very sympathetic and is trying everything to help. I have noticed stress brings them on. Trying to stay calm, cool and collected :D
    Char
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #7
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    cahjah75 said:

    Gyn
    switched me to Prozac and within days my hot flashes are fewer in number and I'm not dripping. Definitely a move in the right direction. He told me he didn't think Effexor would work for me. He also said I'm one of 1-2% of all women with severe hot flashes. He is very sympathetic and is trying everything to help. I have noticed stress brings them on. Trying to stay calm, cool and collected :D
    Char

    night sweats
    I think mine started with the tamoxifen! But does anyone have just different body parts that are drenched? It is so weird when it wakes me up I never know which part will be soaking!I spend a lot more time doing laundry these days! But praise God I am still here and able!
    Blessings!

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