HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Medically Induced Menopause, Hot Flashes, Taking Effexor. Had Breast Cancer And Sarcoidosis. Suggestions?

We discovered that I had breast cancer at the end of 2009, and I have had a double masectomy followed by strong chemo . Last November we did a PET Scan , CT Scan, and neck biopsy. The end results showed no regrowth or new cancer, but I had developed Sarcoidosis . My 6 month CT Scan has just came back good and clean. All of this is great news! However, my question is concerning the medically induced menopause . I am truly having the most severe hot flashes. These happen ALL day long, and many of these are truly head to foot drenching!! It is so hard to just keep working and living life fully. This also just zaps so much of my energy. I am now 45 years old, which I know accounts for some decrease in energy. The only two prescription medications that I am on are Venlafaxine (Effexor) 100 mg once a day and Tamoxifen 20 mg once a day. I also take vitamin D 1000 mg, E 400 IU, and B12 500 mg daily. I have chosen to not take Methotrexate or any more Steroid Shots to help with the inflammation and pain. These are scary meds and the side effects they cause aren t worth it to me. I am trying hard to walk and be active once home from work, but this is often very hard. Is there anything else that you can suggest to help with my bad hot flashes and energy???
Mon, 26 May 2014
Report Abuse
OBGYN,  's  Response
I would suggest that you stop tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and can exacerbate flashes tremendously. If you are truly menopausal meaning that the blood test for FSH is elevated and remains elevated for six months with no return of menses then you may be a candidate for an aromatase inhibitor instead of a selective estrogen receptor modulator. You would need to discuss this with your oncologist was more familiar with the receptor type and staging grade of your cancer. However you state the cancer was in 2009 and there is probably not a great deal of additional benefit after five years of adjuvant therapy. Again this is a matter to discuss with your oncologist. Effexor is probably benefiting your hot flashes making them less intense. Perhaps instead of 100 mg a day you could take 50 mg twice a day spreading it out a little more evenly with a little better coverage for the flashes.
I should also point out that the hot flashes may not be the only cause of fatigue. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease and fatigue is often a component of the autoimmune process. There are great many new medications out to help cheat autoimmune disease without some of the terrible side effects of steroids. You may wish to visit revisit this issue with a specialist in the treatment of sarcoidosis. I hope you feel better soon.
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Breast cancer


Loading Online Doctors....
Medically Induced Menopause, Hot Flashes, Taking Effexor. Had Breast Cancer And Sarcoidosis. Suggestions?

I would suggest that you stop tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and can exacerbate flashes tremendously. If you are truly menopausal meaning that the blood test for FSH is elevated and remains elevated for six months with no return of menses then you may be a candidate for an aromatase inhibitor instead of a selective estrogen receptor modulator. You would need to discuss this with your oncologist was more familiar with the receptor type and staging grade of your cancer. However you state the cancer was in 2009 and there is probably not a great deal of additional benefit after five years of adjuvant therapy. Again this is a matter to discuss with your oncologist. Effexor is probably benefiting your hot flashes making them less intense. Perhaps instead of 100 mg a day you could take 50 mg twice a day spreading it out a little more evenly with a little better coverage for the flashes. I should also point out that the hot flashes may not be the only cause of fatigue. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease and fatigue is often a component of the autoimmune process. There are great many new medications out to help cheat autoimmune disease without some of the terrible side effects of steroids. You may wish to visit revisit this issue with a specialist in the treatment of sarcoidosis. I hope you feel better soon.