The hot flashes that I have been experiencing since starting my ADT treatments (first, Eligard & Xtandi, now Orgovyx) are limiting my sleep and the frequency of them has become more than just a little annoying. The change to Orgovyx was due to lesser cardiovascular issues. I have had increased heart issues since starting ADT.
My oncologist is suggesting either Megace or Zoloft to treat the hot flashes.
I would really like to understand the use of either with advanced prostate cancer and treating hot flashes.
Thanks, in advance, for your input.
John
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jcarey79
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No noticed side effects for Grumpy. Someone else on here said it affected their ability to drive. Grumpy rarely drives now. He tapered to from two to one pill and it still worked. We eliminated unnecessary meds and he is no longer having hot flashes even without megace. Used it for a year and it never helped his appetite.
Those are good options. Nothing works 100%, but there are several options. Hot flashes tend to diminish over time.
• The antidepressant usually used is Effexor (venlafaxine).
• Megace works, but many men get increased appetite/weight gain. It can cause gynecomastia (see below)
• Estrogen patches also work, and has several other advantages - preserves lean body mass and bone density. The patches don't cause clotting the way the pills do. Gynecomastia can be a problem. Tamoxifen is now available as a transdermal cream that can be rubbed on the breast to prevent gynecomastia.
• Aural acupuncture has been found to be effective in small randomized trials.
Good morning jcarey79 - I take Sage Leaf tablets which appears to have made the hot flushes milder but not eliminated - of course this could just be placebo!
If you care to try something natural, I recently read a post where a wife was discussing her husband's hot flashes. She said that they tried several prescriptions but it was Sage Leaves that worked the best for him. I was on a triple ADT therapy trial at NIH. My hot flashes were brutal and I walked around with a small, high volume, portable fan. I also tried Venlafaxine but I didn't notice much of a difference. I stopped it after a month and used the fan. If I go back on ADT I will try Sage first. The post I read was fairly convincing.
How much do you exercise and what kind? How is your weight, specifically how much fat are you carrying? Being as fit and strong as possible helps limit the frequency and severity of hot flashes while doing something obviously more important-protecting your heart health.
I walk a couple of miles a day and do a cardio program (for my heart) 3 times a week. I don't know precisely how much fat I am carrying, but it undoubtably is more than the muscle I carry. I have changed eating habits to eat healthier and it does feel good but the hot flashes persist all day.
Estradiol patches work great for me, I’ve used them for years now, first prescribed by Snuffy Myers. 0.1 mg patch twice a week (remove the old and replace with a new one twice a week). I used to get severe hot flashes just about every hour. I rarely get one now. They’re also good for bone health and they don’t cause cardiac issues since they are absorbed through the skin and not the liver.
I tried 3 different meds but non worked really good. I wake up tired most mornings, but struggle through my day. I also sleep with a fan also blowing on me. A female friend suggested looking into a cooling pad to sleep on, but they are a little expensive and not in my budget at this time.
I am now taking Gabapentin for a verity of reasons, one for hot flashes. I had 3 doctors at the VA recommend it (for nerve pain, anxiety and hot flashes). It seems to help, but, in addition, I am in a much better mood according to my wife (that is not how she put it, but you get the gist).
Before that I tried Venlafaxine, which helped, but had some issues with that so I stopped. By the way I was taken off Zytiga and Prednisone along with Venlafaxine and I had some major withdrawal issues. Better now.
I started dealing with hot flashes using Estrogen patches (my GP got them for me), which worked very well, but when my Hematologist and then my MO heard what I was doing, they had me immediately stop them due to clotting issues (apparently they can still cause clots). That may be only an issue for me due to a blood clotting disorder.
I still have minor hot flashes, but not too bad. Mainly after I have hot coffee and an hour after I eat (?). The biggest issue is anxiety/skin crawling "flashes" that I get at night for about 2 hours, making me get up and wait it out. Too many meds. I have both PC and Lung cancer, plus asthma and trying to figure out which ones are causing the issue. Makes daytime fatigue more of a challenge.
I recently saw an add for , " Emberwave.com " , they sell a device the size of a large watch that you strap on the inside of your wrist. Device emits some kind of electronic signal(s) that are said to stop 'hot flashes' . Device costs $300. I have no idea if it is worth the cost and if it actually works. Is promoted for women's hot flashes.
I'm told the key is to press the signal as soon as you feel a hot flash coming on, and then it is somehow interrupted. If you want to pm me, I can try to put you in touch with one of the users.
thanks for the followup. Have you and/or your sisters personally used the device ? We men may benefit from the device, if it actually works, not just what the MFG sales says.
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