Venlafaxine for hormone flashes

Posted by sue417 @sue417, Jun 22 4:21pm

Hi
I am 10wks out from radiation and 8 mths from stopping hrt which I was on for 10yrs. Having wicked pms symptoms and depression , also my radiation fatigue is getting worse. I would like to know if anyone has tried this medication and if it helped. I have a script on hold but think I may give it a shot.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jun 25 2:16pm

In reply to @sue417 "Hi Thanks gor sharing that information. May I ask your age when you went on it..." + (show)

Mid 30s. I was through with surgeries and the oopherectomy, and was already on tamoxifen. I was in my third week of radiation. The hot flashes were so bad, they would start with a seizure like period of several minutes. Then last for an hour.
This did not get rid of them but it definitely made them better.

sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 25 3:46pm

In reply to @auntieoakley "Mid 30s. I was through with surgeries and the oopherectomy, and was already on tamoxifen. I..." + (show)

Hi
Wow that was young. I tried tamoxifen for 6 days and that was enough for me.I'm not doing any of those medications.

cancerjm | @cancerjm | Jun 26 3:44pm

In reply to @sue417 "Hi Yes I agree everyone has to do what works for them. I started taking MCT..." + (show)

I take Venaflaxine for depression while caregiving my mom. She passed away 2.5 years ago and I tried once to titrate it down and get off it but it didn't work. Recently (last week) prior to being diagnosed with Breast cancer I again wanted to try to get off it, didn't get the chance to even try now that the cancer verdict is in. I'm wondering what will happen during the time they tell me to stop all meds before my surgery and after. I'm 71 years old and have had hot flashes for YEARS. Had a full hysterectomy 30 years ago. That causes surgical menopause as we all might know, so, I put up with it for several years but it seems I still suffer from sweating so much and prefusely; almost embarassing! Thank God I'm retired and don't have to be dressed up sitting in meetings as I use to be. If I miss taking V even one day I feel myself on edge. Not good. Gotta get off it. When my mom passed away I couldn't cry, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I couldn't cry. Guess it works well for keeping you even keel and NOT crying huh?.

Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Jun 27 8:06pm

In reply to @cancerjm "I take Venaflaxine for depression while caregiving my mom. She passed away 2.5 years ago and..." + (show)

I can't cry either! It is weird, but better than crying all the time! For me when I had my surgeries, my Dr let told me I could take an anxiety med so maybe ask your surgeon if you can take this.

So sorry for your diagnosis. Please stay positive and strong. You can do this. 💪

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jun 29 10:30am

In reply to @cancerjm "I take Venaflaxine for depression while caregiving my mom. She passed away 2.5 years ago and..." + (show)

On sertraline, I do cry but it is more appropriate than before, not leaking all all the time. I am definitely less agitated about things, and take more in stride. I tell people it it is my filter. I still sweat profusely in the heat to the point of embarrassment but the hot flashes I get during more moderate temperatures are definitely less and less intense.
I would not skip doses of your venlafaxine, especially now, with a new diagnosis. If you really want off of it. Talk to your doctor about titrations. I know from experience, all of these drugs will kind of zing your brain if you miss a dose or quit cold turkey. Some of these zings are more like a shock from a high voltage power line.
How are you handling the new cancer diagnosis?

salamander | @salamander | Jun 30 10:28pm

In reply to @sue417 "Hi Wow that was young. I tried tamoxifen for 6 days and that was enough for..." + (show)

Hi,
How are you doing now?
Dg?
How long with no recurrance?
I don’t take tamoxifen either.

sue417 | @sue417 | Jul 1 9:41am

In reply to @salamander "Hi, How are you doing now? Dg? How long with no recurrance? I don’t take tamoxifen..." + (show)

Hi
I am a newbie I just had surgery and finished treatment in April of this year.
Struggling with radiation fatigue and menopause symptoms. My bc was hormone positive so hrt was taken away. It sucks. Hoping to see a naturopath that's specializes in oncology to see if there is anything I can take to ease menopause symptoms.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 1 5:41pm

Also relevant to this discussion, you may wish to read this member spotlight:
- Trading Tips and Coping Strategies to Taper off a Medication: Meet @texasduchess https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/trading-tips-and-coping-strategies-to-taper-off-a-medication-meet-texasduchess/

sue417 | @sue417 | Sep 25 1:45pm

In reply to @auntieoakley "Just an add on to the information that others have already posted. When I was in..." + (show)

Hi
Did you have side effects when you wants on it?

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 25 2:55pm

In reply to @sue417 "Hi Did you have side effects when you wants on it?" + (show)

If you mean the sertraline, the answer is no. I do not have side effects from that. My life is definitely better with it than without it.
Are you on an antidepressant already?