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Suggest Treatment For Hot Flashes During Menopause
Question: I have MS (in remission, but some things seem to remain). I seem to be burning up sometimes during the day. I can be indoors and just start perspiring for no apparent reason and have to take my shirt off to cool off a little and turn on the overhead fan. AND, I need to do a lot or work outside. Oh my goodness, then it is awful!! Is there any medication for MS patients that assists the malady?
Brief Answer:
SSRI or SNRI medication may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Welcome,
I read your questions carefully and I understand your concern.
Multiple sclerosis is commonly associated with sensory changes including increased sensitivity to temperature. When menopause comes with its hot flashes these abnormal sensations become even more problematic. It is hard to differentiate how much symptoms are due to MS and how much due to hormonal changes, but it has been shown that menopausal symptoms are felt more intensively in MS patients.
As you may well aware there is not a treatment to reverse the changes caused by MS, treatment is aimed at stopping/slowing progression and alleviating the symptoms as in this later case.
The first step is through hormone replacement therapy which you seem to already be under for many years.
If that doesn't work as it seems to be your case, then medication with antidepressants may be tried. Shouldn't be misled by the name, are not given only for the antidepressive effect which gives them their name, but because they also affect neurotransmitter levels and moderate these abnormal sensations. The most common classes used for that purpose are SSRI (Citalopram) or SNRI (Venlafaxine) class. So I'd suggest discussing with your doctor about giving them a try.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
SSRI or SNRI medication may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Welcome,
I read your questions carefully and I understand your concern.
Multiple sclerosis is commonly associated with sensory changes including increased sensitivity to temperature. When menopause comes with its hot flashes these abnormal sensations become even more problematic. It is hard to differentiate how much symptoms are due to MS and how much due to hormonal changes, but it has been shown that menopausal symptoms are felt more intensively in MS patients.
As you may well aware there is not a treatment to reverse the changes caused by MS, treatment is aimed at stopping/slowing progression and alleviating the symptoms as in this later case.
The first step is through hormone replacement therapy which you seem to already be under for many years.
If that doesn't work as it seems to be your case, then medication with antidepressants may be tried. Shouldn't be misled by the name, are not given only for the antidepressive effect which gives them their name, but because they also affect neurotransmitter levels and moderate these abnormal sensations. The most common classes used for that purpose are SSRI (Citalopram) or SNRI (Venlafaxine) class. So I'd suggest discussing with your doctor about giving them a try.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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