Here is my story. Surgery in 11/2020. Gleason 8 with one lymph node met. Doctors recommended radiation and I had 38 treatments in the fall. MO also put me on Lupron and then added abitaterone/ prednisone. 2 yr. course.
Lots of side effects and hot flashes have gotten worse and longer recently. Dr has suggested Effexor. Has anyone had experience with this drug? I have read some on it but trust you.
Thanks
I've taken Effexor for many years - a low dose, 75mg - since before surgery in 2002; it halps with so many ups and downs, and didn't have hot flashes after taking it.
Worked for me by reducing the number and severity of hot flashes during 2 years on Lupron. The family also said it improves my disposition. Good Luck.
So, so for me. HF were less frequent and less intense, and of shorter duration, but there was also insomnia, and depression anxiety related symptoms if an insuff amount was taken, even though that dosage would relieve the HF. Another snri or ssri may do just as well, and contribute, in theory, to slowing the PC.
I had terrible hot flushes on ADT and tried Effexor (venlafaxime). It didn’t do anything for my hot flushes. But sent my blood pressure dangerously high. So be careful if you try it. This is a well known adverse effect in some. I ended up trying Estradiol patches instead. 0.10 mg / day dose changed twice weekly. Stopped all of the hot flushes and other ADT SEs while protecting my bones. Win win.
Do the estrogen patches cause breast enlargement? If so how do you mitigate those side effects?
Can cause breast bud tenderness and breast enlargement. Tamoxifen 10 mg prevents this. Or if 0.10 mg/day patch is effective, can try going down to 0.025 dose and see if that is still effective without breast enlargement.Very low dose radiation in just 1 to 2 treatments can also prevent gynecomastia progression.
Thank you. I am hearing about acupuncture also working but it’s not covered under Medicare. I contacted a few acupuncturists and they all want $300 for a consultation and 150 for each treatment. That’s a lot of out-of-pocket for no guarantees of whether it works or not or how many treatments it requires
Hello MateoBeach, Thank you for the 'low dose radiation' suggestion. I am very happy with the .025 patch. I've been on it for almost a year now. Hot flashes are gone and the brain fog has lifted! cognitive functions have improved greatly, according to my friends and family. My Doc does not want me on Tamoxifen, due to my heart problems. But she has suggested radiation for the boob pain. I will give it a try. Thanks again for your good advise and this wonderful site. Cheers lopwillie
Be very aware of Effexor side effects and please read contraindications. My sister took this drug for depression. Tried to cease taking it and could not. It can cause severe mental health issues. And it was impossible for my sister to cease treatment without slowly reducing dosage.
I’ve been on Effexor now for almost 6 years. It helped with the depression and the hot flashes. Daughter also got me a small hand held fan that I keep close. Very hard to work in the heat ,I end up putting a kerchief around my head to keep the sweat out of my eyes and dress as light as I can 😂😂😂
My husband tried Effexor for his hot flashes. It didn’t work and made him even more constipated.
Eventually given megace 20 mg that worked immediately. We cut that to 10 mg and it worked just fine. He dropped that after one year on it and has had no hot flashes since dropping - 4 months now.
thanks for sharing .
I’ve used estradiol patches for years now and they work great and also help with bone health. Originally prescribed by Snuffy Myers. No cardiac issues with patches which are absorbed through the skin compared to estrogen pills that are absorbed through the liver. I used to get severe hot flashes, about 15 per day, now I rarely get one .
Ed
How much do you exercise and what kind? Drugs for ADT side effects, including hot flashes, all carry risk and are inferior to it.
I am doing PT for urinary control and I do cardiac and weights as well. Also some walking. Could do more. Been pretty consistent with this for years
‘Could do more’! Ha, we all know the feeling.
There is no way for me to know exactly what that means in your case, but for most older guys, increasing intensity is generally more valuable than increasing time spent so I would consider that.
How’s your weight? More to the point, how much fat are you carrying? Leaner always means fewer and less intense hot flashes.
I work out like an Olympian and still get aweful flashes every hour. I’m jealous.
I started taking Zoloft (sertraline) 50 mg shortly after my diagnosis for anxiety. It’s helped with that. I’ve also not had issues with hot flashes and my husband (also a physician) said he had some patients who took Zoloft for hot flashes.
My onc just replied: I can prescribe either gabapentin or venlafaxine for hot flashes.
That seems to be the trend. Surprised a bit that MO never mentioned these. His NP suggested it to me. Definitely going to just live with it
Greetings reichel,
Would you please be kind enough to tell us your bio. Age? Location? When Treatment(s)? Treatment center(s)? Scores Psa/Gleason? Medications? Doctor's name(s)?
ALL INFO IS VOLUNTARY, but it helps us help you and helps us too. When you respond, you should post your response in the bio section on your home page for your use and for other members’ reference.
Note: Answers are for your benefit, not mine.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Friday 07/08/2022 6:52 PM DST
no problem. I am 69, diagnosed right at my 68th bday. Surgery at Mass General in 11/2020. I live literally right across the river from it.
Gleason 8 with met in one lymph node. pathology said it was an Adinocarcinoma. PSA had risen to 6.2 and that led to biopsy. No Mets in vehicles, margins etc.
PSA undetectable since surgery but the MO and RO advised radiation and Lupron. Started Lupron in June 21 and radiation started in October. 38 treatments.
At the second shot, MO prescribed Abiraterone, 1000 MG daily. Been on since and will go another 12 months.
Radiation caused some urinary issues which remain. Medication has led to hot flushes, loss of muscle tone and some hair loss.
That is the story.
Thank you for your quick and detailed reply. It's a good idea to copy and paste it in you bio section on your home page. Yeppers peppers most us end up with the same shitty issues.... Keep on Keeping on and post here frequently for help, info and camaraderie. Keep laughing, it helps.....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Friday 07/08/2022 7:43 PM DST
I did try it for depression and didn’t like it. For hot flashes I recommend an estradiol patch .1 mg weekly. Does the job with no side effects.
It did a job on my hot flashes, however, it affected my BP to the point of standing up and almost passing out. Can't get my MO to prescribe the patches, but will fire her anyway after I return in the fall.
thanks. I am going to pass on it. Just not ready to add another drug and a new set if side effects
Can't you ask for a consult with an endocrinologist?
He will be able to handle your issues related to the ADT therapy better than your MO. I would not fire someone if he or she is good in her field but don't feel comfortable messing up with your endocrine system.
My MO referred me to an endocrinologist for issues related to the ADT.
Just my 2c.
Thanks for the advice but they have subsided some. The recommendation for that drug was made by a PA. I love and trust my MO and I am wary of any move doctors
I was myself actually more thinking about bone density and a recommended low dose estradiol patches.
Did you have a bone Densitometry? (Bone density scan)? I am not thinking here about nuclear medicine bone scan.
Thank you for the input. Mayo said I was disrespectful in asking for a new MO! My PCP has referred me to the "Doctor he would go to if he had PCa".
Hopefully they are ok if you want a second opinion?
I believe that is a normal practice in medicine?
The best is when you have a team looking after you. Like different specialists working on you. That is a best.
In PeterMac they have a tumor team and the whole team is consulted when something is very important.
I thought that is a common practice in MSKcc also. It is for me difficult to believe.
Without a doubt, this forum has given me the most help by far in dealing with PCa. Lack of PCa information I think is the biggest killer. While not equating PCa and breast cancer as the same, I look back how TV has come to the point where there are countless reminders to get checkups, feel for lumps, etc. Rare is there ever a mention about prostrate exams. I tell folks every chance I get.
Venlafaxine the generic for effexor. Started on 75mg and it worked for about a month. Increased to 150mg only in the evening and it works fine.
Hot Flashes and Veozah
A treatment for hot flashes
Hot Flashes and Estradoil Patches
Hot flash help for the hubby
