Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes?????

chrisgam · 06-13-2007, 10:15 PM

I just received a call from my mother-in-law. She has recently been through a bout of breast cancer which was an estrogen fed tumor. Needless to say, she was taken off of all hormone therapy for menopause and she's been suffering from hot flashes lately. Her general practitioner told her about this medication that "has helped many of my female patients with hot flashes who cannot take estrogen". Well, my mother in law went and had the prescription filled and when she got it home and looked at it, she saw that it said that it was an anti-depressant medication. She called me to ask me about it and I almost freaked out when she told me the name of this medication--Effexor!!

I am SO angry!! This doctor did not even tell her that this med was an anti-depressant! Also, this same doctor has been trying to get my MIL to go on anti-depressants ever since she was diagnosed with the Breast cancer and my MIL has kept telling her that she does not want to take any anti-depressants.
It is like she is trying to trick her into taking these meds. And, not just any anti-depressant, but the worst one of all. I told my MIL to throw that crap away as fast as she can. CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THESE STUPID DOCTORS WHO PASS OUT THESE HORRIBLE MEDICATIONS LIKE THEY WERE CANDY????

Charlie · 06-13-2007, 10:41 PM

Sure can... They tried the same thing with my sister. Unfortunately for the Dr I had talked to her about AD's and warned her that it could happen. Being the shy reserved person she is (NOT) Doc got an earfull and more.

I think she told him he was stupid....

Katesmom · 06-13-2007, 10:42 PM

Help with hot flashes? You mean to have more of them? My God, I sweat like a pig on Paxil. My menopausal MIL and I sweated together, comfortable only when everyone else was freezing. Went away with the paxil!

scotty · 06-13-2007, 10:46 PM

This is sick!!! Woman have survived menopause for generations.....I'll sweat thank you!!

Johnnny off Paxil · 06-13-2007, 11:00 PM

Ignorance to the highest degree.... time to fire this doctor or start a lawsuit for malpractice.

Regards, Johnny

Healing · 06-14-2007, 12:59 AM

Also, research has linked Paxil to breast cancer, so one would have to wonder about whether the same might be true for Effexor.

It's nice to see you, Chrisgam. I'm outraged about what your MIL has been through and is still going through. How are you doing with w/d?

darcyb · 06-14-2007, 10:40 AM

I've said it before and it needs repeating: we're in the era where being human is deemed an inconvenience.

That's sick. Know what my mother did to manage hot flashes? She dresses in layers, knows where the windows/air vents are and knows where the cold water is.

Sometimes I want to do fund raising to get into medicine and be a part of the new replacement doctors who seek to enlighten life, but not completely make wrong its natural challenges.

On another note, chrisgam, you said your mother was 'suffering' from hot flashes. Was she having hot flashes, or choosing to label the experience as suffering? Or are the words yours? If the suffering label was being chosen and communicated, is it really surprising that a doctor responded with urgency to an urgent message?

But yeah, those drugs are given way too liberally, and there should be some definite "you know what I'm asking you to take, right?" exchanges.

Amaya's Nana · 06-14-2007, 11:06 AM

I'm a member of a support group for women with hysterectomy's and there are TONS of women put on SSRI's to control hot flashes who cannot take estrogen replacement for one reason or another. Sadly, before I knew the dangers of Paxil, I encouraged some of those women to go for it because I thought Paxil was the drug sent from heaven. Good grief!!!

darcyb · 06-14-2007, 01:23 PM

Why is the hot flash experience being treated medically at all? I thought it was a natural process?

Amaya's Nana · 06-14-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darcyb

Why is the hot flash experience being treated medically at all? I thought it was a natural process?

It is a natural process Darcy but some women do have them so badly that they turn cherry red and break out in buckets of sweat that can be embarrassing. They can also interrupt your sleep greatly. Some women really have a hard time through the menopausal years. Especially those women who are in surgical menopause whose bodies were not ready for the sudden shift in hormones.

darcyb · 06-14-2007, 02:39 PM

Oh ok. That makes sense. So my next guess is that SSRIs have been handed out even for unnecessary mild cases, just as they've been handed out for unnecessary mild cases of stage fright?

Light · 06-14-2007, 03:02 PM

I've never been one to sweat much but I sweat buckets on effexor. It was so bad. Really hard to manage throughout the day... The problem completely disappeared when I discontinued the effexor.

Amaya's Nana · 06-14-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darcyb

Oh ok. That makes sense. So my next guess is that SSRIs have been handed out even for unnecessary mild cases, just as they've been handed out for unnecessary mild cases of stage fright?

I think you know the answer to that question, my dear

Homerbcool · 06-14-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amaya's Nana

I think you know the answer to that question, my dear

(heard in cliff claven of CHEERS voice)

"Its a little known fact there Lisa,, that'd be what they call a rehitorical type question...that is a questions where the answer is persumed to be known...there dont ya know."

Amaya's Nana · 06-14-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homerbcool

(heard in cliff claven of CHEERS voice)

"Its a little known fact there Lisa,, that'd be what they call a rehitorical type question...that is a questions where the answer is persumed to be known...there dont ya know."

Homie - are you poking fun at me?????????? LOL

Casey1231 · 06-14-2007, 04:21 PM

Effexor seems to be the drug du jour for hot flashes, several of my patients have been on that. I highly doubt they were told of the difficulty of stopping the drug though...

scotty · 06-14-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey1231

Effexor seems to be the drug du jour for hot flashes, several of my patients have been on that.

It's the drug du jour for everything...it's one of the few that doesn't have a generic available..yet.

Tigerlily · 06-15-2007, 06:53 AM

Hi

I could be wrong, but in South Africa, there is a generic of Effexor. It is called Venlor and comes in 150mg, 75mg and 37,5mg capsules. The real Effexor only comes in 150mg and 75mg here. You can no longer get the tablet form here.

Also just thought it prudent to mention again that Wyeth intends (not sure of launch date - Alto will be I'm sure) to remarket Effexor as Pristiq to peri and post-menopausal women for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Please warn everyone you can. This drug is utter poison.

Take care
Tigerlily

Fleet86 · 06-15-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Light

I've never been one to sweat much but I sweat buckets on effexor. It was so bad. Really hard to manage throughout the day... The problem completely disappeared when I discontinued the effexor.

Paxil makes me sweat buckets, so it wouldn't be helping me with hot flushes!!

06-13-2007, 10:15 PM	#1
chrisgam Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hastings, Nebraska Posts: 156	Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? I just received a call from my mother-in-law. She has recently been through a bout of breast cancer which was an estrogen fed tumor. Needless to say, she was taken off of all hormone therapy for menopause and she's been suffering from hot flashes lately. Her general practitioner told her about this medication that "has helped many of my female patients with hot flashes who cannot take estrogen". Well, my mother in law went and had the prescription filled and when she got it home and looked at it, she saw that it said that it was an anti-depressant medication. She called me to ask me about it and I almost freaked out when she told me the name of this medication--Effexor!! I am SO angry!! This doctor did not even tell her that this med was an anti-depressant! Also, this same doctor has been trying to get my MIL to go on anti-depressants ever since she was diagnosed with the Breast cancer and my MIL has kept telling her that she does not want to take any anti-depressants. It is like she is trying to trick her into taking these meds. And, not just any anti-depressant, but the worst one of all. I told my MIL to throw that crap away as fast as she can. CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THESE STUPID DOCTORS WHO PASS OUT THESE HORRIBLE MEDICATIONS LIKE THEY WERE CANDY???? __________________ Paxil Free since April 30, 2005!!! On paxil (10mg) for one year. Tapered off over two months with almost no bad withdrawal symptoms. Suffered severe "second wave" of withdrawal four months after taking last dose.

06-13-2007, 10:41 PM	#2
Charlie Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,561	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Sure can... They tried the same thing with my sister. Unfortunately for the Dr I had talked to her about AD's and warned her that it could happen. Being the shy reserved person she is (NOT) Doc got an earfull and more. I think she told him he was stupid.... __________________ The truth is the truth even if no one believes it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." Knowledge speaks ....... Wisdom listens Charlie www.ThePaxilProtest.com

06-13-2007, 10:42 PM	#3
Katesmom Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 13,706	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Help with hot flashes? You mean to have more of them? My God, I sweat like a pig on Paxil. My menopausal MIL and I sweated together, comfortable only when everyone else was freezing. Went away with the paxil! __________________ Katesmom aka Kim started Paxil Oct. 2003 for PIH Paxil free since 19 Jul 2005 ". . .the cruelest lies are often told without a word. . .the kindest truths are often spoken, never heard." -- Ben Folds

06-13-2007, 10:46 PM	#4
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? This is sick!!! Woman have survived menopause for generations.....I'll sweat thank you!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

06-13-2007, 11:00 PM	#5
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 2,894	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Ignorance to the highest degree.... time to fire this doctor or start a lawsuit for malpractice. Regards, Johnny

06-14-2007, 12:59 AM	#6
Healing Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 736	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Also, research has linked Paxil to breast cancer, so one would have to wonder about whether the same might be true for Effexor. It's nice to see you, Chrisgam. I'm outraged about what your MIL has been through and is still going through. How are you doing with w/d? __________________ 1996-97 - Paxil x 9 months, tapered, suffered 8 months withdrawal but didn't know it was withdrawal, so... 1998-2001 - Zoloft, tapered, again unwittingly went into withdrawal, so... 2002-03 - Paxil x 20 months, developed severe headaches, so... Sep 03 - May 05 - Paxil wean took 20 months, severe physical, moderate psychological symptoms Sep 03 - Jun 05 - took Prozac to help with Paxil wean - not recommended Jul 05 to date - post-taper, severe psychological, moderate physical symptoms

06-14-2007, 10:40 AM	#7
darcyb Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 6,927	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? I've said it before and it needs repeating: we're in the era where being human is deemed an inconvenience. That's sick. Know what my mother did to manage hot flashes? She dresses in layers, knows where the windows/air vents are and knows where the cold water is. Sometimes I want to do fund raising to get into medicine and be a part of the new replacement doctors who seek to enlighten life, but not completely make wrong its natural challenges. On another note, chrisgam, you said your mother was 'suffering' from hot flashes. Was she having hot flashes, or choosing to label the experience as suffering? Or are the words yours? If the suffering label was being chosen and communicated, is it really surprising that a doctor responded with urgency to an urgent message? But yeah, those drugs are given way too liberally, and there should be some definite "you know what I'm asking you to take, right?" exchanges.

06-14-2007, 11:06 AM	#8
Amaya's Nana An "A bucket" gal! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 6,371	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? I'm a member of a support group for women with hysterectomy's and there are TONS of women put on SSRI's to control hot flashes who cannot take estrogen replacement for one reason or another. Sadly, before I knew the dangers of Paxil, I encouraged some of those women to go for it because I thought Paxil was the drug sent from heaven. Good grief!!! __________________ a/k/a Lisa PAXIL FREE AS OF 3/18/06! Fully recovered! Currently weaning Klonopin - down to .25 mg - Onward and Upward!!!!!! Focus your attention on the here and now. Recognize it for what it is: the one moment of the only life you will ever have that you truly possess. Rare is the individual who has come to completely accept that the past is no more than a memory and the future an assumption about unborn events.

06-14-2007, 01:23 PM	#9
darcyb Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 6,927	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Why is the hot flash experience being treated medically at all? I thought it was a natural process?

06-14-2007, 02:39 PM	#11
darcyb Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 6,927	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Oh ok. That makes sense. So my next guess is that SSRIs have been handed out even for unnecessary mild cases, just as they've been handed out for unnecessary mild cases of stage fright?

06-14-2007, 03:02 PM	#12
Light Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,271	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? I've never been one to sweat much but I sweat buckets on effexor. It was so bad. Really hard to manage throughout the day... The problem completely disappeared when I discontinued the effexor. __________________ Drug-free since 4/9/05 If you ever teach a yodeling class, probably the hardest thing is to keep the students from just trying to yodel right off the bat. You see, "we build to that. " — Jack Handey

06-14-2007, 04:21 PM	#16
Casey1231 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 717	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Effexor seems to be the drug du jour for hot flashes, several of my patients have been on that. I highly doubt they were told of the difficulty of stopping the drug though... __________________ Paxil 10 or 20mg for 14 years for panic and depression - 10mg for past 7 years. Unable to continue slow wean with liquid. Attempt to switch to lexapro initially successful, then worsened anxiety, so now back on 10 of paxil.

06-15-2007, 06:53 AM	#18
Tigerlily Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 73	Re: Anti-depressants prescribed for hot flashes????? Hi I could be wrong, but in South Africa, there is a generic of Effexor. It is called Venlor and comes in 150mg, 75mg and 37,5mg capsules. The real Effexor only comes in 150mg and 75mg here. You can no longer get the tablet form here. Also just thought it prudent to mention again that Wyeth intends (not sure of launch date - Alto will be I'm sure) to remarket Effexor as Pristiq to peri and post-menopausal women for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Please warn everyone you can. This drug is utter poison. Take care Tigerlily __________________ 2002 Klonopin Effexor 150 Ambien 20 Klon w/d 2003 2004 off Amb + Effex 2005 Low energy Effexor 150 Trazadone Solian Effexor S/effects Pdoc advice Drop Effex 150 to 75 in 1 day c/t Trazadone 75 Effex 5 days Start Zoloft Ambien Horrific W/D. Wks later 75 Effex Stop Zoloft Attempt wean Very ill July '06 switch to Prozac Benzos Seroquel Jan '07 weaned Zanor Seroquel Ambien protracted W/D Prozac 20 Urbanol 20 Prozac weaned mid July 2007 Urbanol weaned Dec 2007

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