@youngsally
Yes, this is why I was prescribed Effexor--for hot flashes. I developed breast cancer in 2000 and was pre-menopausal. The cancer was hormone-driven and I was put on Tamoxifen after a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. The Tamoxifen binds with estrogen and after about 10 weeks on it, I began having hot flashes because I was going into a chemically-induced menopause. It is very common for breast cancer patients who can't have hormones to be put on Effexor to control hot flashes (well-known off-label use). It worked like a charm and I was on 25mg for 18 years. I was going to quit it about four years ago, but developed breast cancer again. This time I was facing double mastectomy, several reconstruction surgeries and 16 rounds of chemo and my doctor said let's put that on the back burner. I had no idea when I started Effexor that it was such a powerful drug, that it affected your brain neurotransmitters and was difficult to quit. I don't think my oncologist knew this either and he has been surprised by my continuing issues despite tapering off quite slowly. It has been my experience, however, that if there is a weird, or uncommon side effect to something, I'll get it.