Tamoxifen hot flashes

When I have hot flashes (I am taking Tamoxifen)  I have feelings like needles sticking me, on my head, face, arms and legs.  I can stand the hot sweats better than the "stickings." The sticking is only  when I get the hot spells.
Is this normal,  or do I have something else wrong with me?

P.S.  I am taking Effexor for hot flashes.  It helps some,  but I want to sleep all the time, so I believe I will stop it when my prescription runs out. (I had the needle sticking feeling before I started the Effexor,  and with it both)

Thank you for answering my,  and others, questions!

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear seven7, It sounds like these "stickings" are related to the hot flashes, which are a common side effect of Tamoxifen.  When are you taking the Effexor?  The medication reaches a peak about 5 hours after taking it so timing the medication to have that 5 hour timeframe within the middle of your sleep cycle might help with the tiredness.  If you have decided to stop the medication it is important to taper off it over a couple of weeks, rather than stopping abruptly.

[frankenboob]

I had terrible hot flashes, but had alot of luck with neurontin and vitamin E. Might want to ask your oncologist - mine got some info from Mayo Clinic about Neurontin and agreed to give it a try - I'm taking 300mg at bedtime.

[accord9]

I am having terrible hot flashes and started Effexor yesterday.  Poof! no hot flashes last night!!! however, even though I was exhausted, I couldn't sleep.  I took the pill about 5pm.  The pharmacist suggested taking it by noon so that's what I did today and I have felt "weird" all day and a little weak.  Should I try taking it at bed time? Also, I developed a seroma on my lumpectomy breast and have had to put off radiation.  This has happened twice now and Cipro was prescribed which caused a weird rash on my stomach, arms and hips.  Has anyone heard about that??? None of my doctors could tell me what it was.  What causes a seroma and what happens if it doesn't stop draining?