Hot Flashes

This is really a common side effect with Tamoxifen treatment and all too frequently leads to discontinuation of a really helpful drug. Recommendations that are at the top of the list include regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet. Do those first. Next I would consider acupuncture. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology a couple of years ago that compared acupuncture to an antidepressant drug commonly used for hot flashes called Effexor. Acupuncture was just as effective in decreasing hot flashes and patients reported increased libido, and improvements in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being with acupuncture. Side effects for the Effexor group included dry mouth, nausea, constipation,and decreased appetite. Black cohosh is another option. I won’t go into all the weaknesses of the big studies that have been done on black cohosh and hot flashes but I’ll summarize by saying the preponderance of the evidence shows that black cohosh is effective in treating hot flashes. It is not a phytoestrogen as some have believed in the past. Many of the common herbal preparations used for hot flashes do contain phytoestrogens so I would avoid those and stick with plain black cohosh. This is really a common side effect with Tamoxifen treatment and all too frequently leads to discontinuation of a really helpful drug. Recommendations that are at the top of the list include regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet. Do those first. Next I would consider acupuncture. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology a couple of years ago that compared acupuncture to an antidepressant drug commonly used for hot flashes called Effexor. Acupuncture was just as effective in decreasing hot flashes and patients reported increased libido, and improvements in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being with acupuncture. Side effects for the Effexor group included dry mouth, nausea, constipation,and decreased appetite. Black cohosh is another option. I won’t go into all the weaknesses of the big studies that have been done on black cohosh and hot flashes but I’ll summarize by saying the preponderance of the evidence shows that black cohosh is effective in treating hot flashes. It is not a phytoestrogen as some have believed in the past. Many of the common herbal preparations used for hot flashes do contain phytoestrogens so I would avoid those and stick with plain black cohosh.

Flax seeds, red clover, black cohosh, dong quai, vitamin E and many others have been used to combat hot flashes. I would recommend talking with your ocologist before taking any of these because some of them are phytoestrogens. There are some antidepressants that can cut hot flashes too but some should not be taken if you are on tamoxifen or an AI. I would check with an oncologist to see what might be a good option for you. I was on tamoxifen and my oncologist suggested vitamin E twice a day and it helped me. Flax seeds, red clover, black cohosh, dong quai, vitamin E and many others have been used to combat hot flashes. I would recommend talking with your ocologist before taking any of these because some of them are phytoestrogens. There are some antidepressants that can cut hot flashes too but some should not be taken if you are on tamoxifen or an AI. I would check with an oncologist to see what might be a good option for you. I was on tamoxifen and my oncologist suggested vitamin E twice a day and it helped me.

I had some sleeping problems when I was on Tamoxifen. I was taking it in the morning and my Oncologist suggested taking it in the evening.....problem solved! It's interesting that the question posed is "what side effects WILL I exprience while taking tamoxifen?" My advice is not to expect side effects, just try to take it one day at a time and see what happens. Everyone's different and just because you know someone who has a problem with a drug doesn't mean that you will too. I've been on tamoxifen for a year and a half now and I can honestly say that I have no side effects. I know other women who aren't so lucky, but I have no complaints. For me the benefit gained is much greater than the downside of taking the drug.

Hi,
When I started Tamoxifen I had terrible hot flashes. I spoke with my med onc and she recommend that I take 400 units of Vitamin E twice a day. It really help me. I think that everyone should check with their own doctor before taking any vitamins when they are on Tamoxifen.

Another thing that really helped in the summer was a "chillow pillow". It a small flat pillow that you lay over your regular pillow. It really keeps you cool. Just google chillow pillow and you will find it. It was not costly and I found a place that shipped it free. To reduce the effects of hot flashes, keep cool. Slight increases in your body's core temperature can trigger hot flashes. Dress in layers so that you can remove outer clothing when you feel too warm. Open a window or use a fan or air conditioner to keep air flowing. Lower the room temperature, if you can. If you feel a hot flash coming on, sip a cold or cool drink. Apply a cool damp pad to your forehead.

Watch what you eat and drink. Hot and spicy foods, caffeinated beverages and alcohol can trigger hot flashes. Learn to recognize your own triggers and avoid foods or drinks that bring on hot flashes.

Relax. Some women find relief from mild hot flashes through yoga, meditation, relaxation or other stress-reducing techniques. Breathe deeply. Deep, slow abdominal breathing (paced respiration) may decrease hot flashes.

Don't smoke. Smoking is linked to increased hot flashes.

For women, reduced estrogen levels sometimes confuses the part of your brain (hypothalamus) that controls your body temperature, appetite, sleep cycles, and appetite. When this happens, the brain will send messages to the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system to increase blood flow, thus causing hot flashes and increased body temperature.

Hot flashes are common with women going through menopause. During menopause, a woman's ovaries produce less estrogen. This is a natural process for women as they age.

Hot flashes may also be caused medically through medications (ovarian shutdown medications and hormonal medications) or removal of ovaries.

Ovarian shutdown medications include: Zoladex (goserelin acetate), Lupron (leuprolide), and Trelstar (triptorelin)
Hormonal medications include: Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), Femara (letrozole), Tamoxifen, Evista (raloxifene), Fareston (toremifene), and Faslodex (fulvestrant). For women, reduced estrogen levels sometimes confuses the part of your brain (hypothalamus) that controls your body temperature, appetite, sleep cycles, and appetite. When this happens, the brain will send messages to the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system to increase blood flow, thus causing hot flashes and increased body temperature.

Hot flashes are common with women going through menopause. During menopause, a woman's ovaries produce less estrogen. This is a natural process for women as they age.

Hot flashes may also be caused medically through medications (ovarian shutdown medications and hormonal medications) or removal of ovaries.

Ovarian shutdown medications include: Zoladex (goserelin acetate), Lupron (leuprolide), and Trelstar (triptorelin)
Hormonal medications include: Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), Femara (letrozole), Tamoxifen, Evista (raloxifene), Fareston (toremifene), and Faslodex (fulvestrant).

Here are some suggestions to manage hot flashes better:

- Drink cool liquids.
- Lower the room temperature, turn on the air conditioner, or turn on a fan.
- A cool damp cloth may be placed on your forehead during a hot flash.
- Dress lightly and wear loose fabrics.
- Avoid hot flash triggers such as spicy food, hot food or drink, cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, and stressful situations.
- Cool showers may help.
- During a hot flash practice slow, deep breathing.
- Try relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.

For severe hot flashes your doctor might recommend taking a break from your treatment for a week. Then restart at a lower dose and slowly increase the dose, allowing your body to adjust to the treatment.
Here are some suggestions to manage hot flashes better:

- Drink cool liquids.
- Lower the room temperature, turn on the air conditioner, or turn on a fan.
- A cool damp cloth may be placed on your forehead during a hot flash.
- Dress lightly and wear loose fabrics.
- Avoid hot flash triggers such as spicy food, hot food or drink, cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, and stressful situations.
- Cool showers may help.
- During a hot flash practice slow, deep breathing.
- Try relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.

For severe hot flashes your doctor might recommend taking a break from your treatment for a week. Then restart at a lower dose and slowly increase the dose, allowing your body to adjust to the treatment.

Hormonal Therapy is very different from Hormone Replacement Treatments (HRT). They are almost the opposite of each other. Hormonal therapies inhibit the body's production of hormones, while hormone replacement treatments add hormones to the body.

Hormonal therapies (anti-estrogen) are used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancers by either stopping the body's production of hormones or inhibiting hormones from attaching to cancer cell hormone receptors.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) refers to treatments that some women take during or following menopause that add hormones to the body. The purpose of HRT is to relieve some of the effects of menopause such as hot flashes. HRT is not a breast cancer treatment and it may increase your risk of breast cancer. Hormonal Therapy is very different from Hormone Replacement Treatments (HRT). They are almost the opposite of each other. Hormonal therapies inhibit the body's production of hormones, while hormone replacement treatments add hormones to the body.

Hormonal therapies (anti-estrogen) are used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancers by either stopping the body's production of hormones or inhibiting hormones from attaching to cancer cell hormone receptors.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) refers to treatments that some women take during or following menopause that add hormones to the body. The purpose of HRT is to relieve some of the effects of menopause such as hot flashes. HRT is not a breast cancer treatment and it may increase your risk of breast cancer.