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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Tamoxifen hot flashes
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Tamoxifen hot flashes
by seven7, May 09, 2003 12:00AM
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!
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!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, May 09, 2003 12:00AM
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.
Member Comments (3)
by frankenboob, May 10, 2003 12:00AM
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.
by accord9, Aug 08, 2003 12:00AM
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?
