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For Those On Tamoxifen, How Long Did You Have To Be On It To Experience Hot Flashes?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Los Angeles, CA

I started tamoxifen and so far have only noticed depression and dry skin. I"m wondering when the hot flashes will start...

January 8, 2014 (edited)
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A MyBCTeam Member

For me it started a month later. It was terrible, hot flashes many times a day & night, highly depressed, irritable, hysterical at time, unable to sleep and aggressive. When I went back for my follow-up I told my Dr. that I want my life back and will prefer having a shorter life without it than continue like this. She didn't seem impressed by my melodramatic !!!! request, she told me that some anti- depressor stop hot flashes. So For a year now I am taking Effexor (venlafxine XR) and it work well. Still have some mild hot flashes once & a while but nothing compare to before, and mostly all other symptoms disappeared. FYI I am 53 and wasn't in menopause before chemio.

May 1, 2014
A MyBCTeam Member

Mine started right away. Chemo put me into menopause so it's hard to distinguish whether they are from one or both. Definitely got worse, however I think they are getting better now. I have been on it 2 1/2 months. You do get used to them and they just become an annoying but bearable part of your day. Count your blessings if you don't get any hot flashes!!

January 9, 2014
A MyBCTeam Member

I am back to Tamoxifen again after the earlier post two years ago and so too are the night sweats and hot flashes. I take another prescription Clonidine in the morning and at night- my doc said I can take up to 4 x day for hot flashes and it does help. Caution it does lower your BP so not everyone can take this kind of a dose.

June 23, 2017
A MyBCTeam Member

I started having hot flashes before the tamoxifen, but they seem worse now. It is horrible, and afterwards, you freeze because you are all wet and sweaty. I feel insane sometimes in the car, I will tell my boyfriend its hot in here,then 5 secs later, I freezing, put up your windows, please. CRA-CRA

May 23, 2014 (edited)
A MyBCTeam Member

My doc said it totally depends on your age. He said the younger you are, the less likely you will experience side effects. So far my side effects are lethargy and bone pain. As an FYI, I am 29.

April 29, 2014

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