Tamoxifen

dharmal
dharmal Member Posts: 17
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I've been on Tamoxifen for about 3 months now and am having hot flashes about once an hour during the day and a couple of times during the night, I have episodes of night sweats. I am trying Remifemin to relieve that, but after two weeks, not much change. Should I ask my oncologist for something stronger?

Comments

  • jmears
    jmears Member Posts: 266
    #2
    Hi
    I tried the Remifemin and it didn't work. I then got 500mg Black Cohosh (the infgredient in Remifemin)but my Oncologist didn't want me to take it because of the plant estrogens. It worked so great. You may ask your doctor he/she may feel differently. I looked for research and found both positive and negative for the use with Estrogen Positive breast cancer. I now take Zoloft an anti-depressant... it lowers the amount of hot flashes and of course makes me anti-depressed :) I also found that after a year on Tamoxifen I don't notice any issues anymore. I either got used to it or side effects went away. Are you still having your periods? Mine went away with the chemo and that all started the hot flashes for me. So I guess in time they subside. Good Luck Jamie
  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 Member Posts: 311
    #3
    Hi again...I've been on it since December 4th, and my hot flashes have finally started to subside. I rarely have them in the daytime any more...just night sweats. The night sweats are still once a night, but hoping they will subside also. If you are that uncomfortable, definitely talk to your oncologist, because there are mild antidepressants they are using with great success for a lot of women to curb the hot flashes. Good luck! We can be warm together!! LOL!!! Take care...Cyndi
  • pippi
    pippi Member Posts: 51
    #4
    I get horrendous hot flashes. The under blanket on my side of the bed has turned yellow whilst my husbands is snow white. The only thing that helps is effexor. I take half a one a night. If I forget the hot flashes next day are NOT NICE. It would help a lot more to take a full one every night 37.5mg but they are not on our health scheme here in New Zealand and they cost $2 per tablet. Good luck---Love Pippi
  • mary20
    mary20 Member Posts: 12
    #5
    jmears said:

    Hi
    I tried the Remifemin and it didn't work. I then got 500mg Black Cohosh (the infgredient in Remifemin)but my Oncologist didn't want me to take it because of the plant estrogens. It worked so great. You may ask your doctor he/she may feel differently. I looked for research and found both positive and negative for the use with Estrogen Positive breast cancer. I now take Zoloft an anti-depressant... it lowers the amount of hot flashes and of course makes me anti-depressed :) I also found that after a year on Tamoxifen I don't notice any issues anymore. I either got used to it or side effects went away. Are you still having your periods? Mine went away with the chemo and that all started the hot flashes for me. So I guess in time they subside. Good Luck Jamie

    Hi - I read your response about Tamoxifen and have a question. My last radiation treatment is tomorrow and I am go go on Tamoxifen in about two weeks. I have heard about weight gain. I gained weight taking chemo and can't bear the thought of adding more pounds. Did you gain weight? Does everyone? Thanks.
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #6
    mary20 said:

    Hi - I read your response about Tamoxifen and have a question. My last radiation treatment is tomorrow and I am go go on Tamoxifen in about two weeks. I have heard about weight gain. I gained weight taking chemo and can't bear the thought of adding more pounds. Did you gain weight? Does everyone? Thanks.

    Hi Mary. I've been on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years and have not gained any weight but I'm very careful with my diet and exercise daily. Be didigent and you can do it too! Good luck! HUGS!! Cathy
  • iris48
    iris48 Member Posts: 92
    #7
    Bellergal or Bellaspa same thing relieved my 17-20 hot flashes and night sweats. I too am on Tamoxifen. Taking Remifemin is vying for the same receptor site the tamoxifen uses and although plant it is still estrogen which tamoxifen is surpressing. I wouldn't take Remifemin at this time. The Bellaspa is a prescription drug and elliviated the problem without side effects. Check it out.

Discussion Boards