ADT and hot flashes

[Leigh2350]

I have previously posted about this and the benefit I gain from antihistamines.

I will now add my recent experiences with PPI (proton pump inhibitor ) drugs used to control stomach acid reflux or simply put indigestion. These drugs are extensively prescribed and in my country ( New Zealand ) they are the third most commonly prescribed medication.

I have a problem with my aesophagus and was recently prescribed one of these drugs. Well , what an issue ! After 4 days I had a major step up in my hot flushes, plus intestinal discomfort. After 12 days I stopped this drug and my hot flashes returned to normal which for me is about 3 or 4 at night, plus 2 or 3 during the day.

It is an older age group that are the largest users of PPI and also in the case of men, victims of PC.

If you are a user of PPI medications, have you had any experiences like mine ?

[mrscruffy]

Been on them for quite a few years, don't have that problem. However. I haven't had a hot flash in years

[dhccpa in reply to mrscruffy]

Same here on both counts.

[Gs-rider]

I used PPI (omeprazol) in periods while on Lupron. I found no correlation between hot flashes and PPI use. Doesn't say there aren't any but I just did not notice that.

[janebob99]

A relatively low-dose of transdermal estradiol will stop hot flashes. Private message me for more information on dosing, references, etc.

[Leigh2350 in reply to janebob99]

I may have confused some people. My hot flashes are well controlled just with antihistamines, but the introduction of PPI medication made them quite bad. Discontinuing the PPI restored my normal low level of hot flashes

Watch out for this flare-up if your are on ADT and are subsequently prescribed a PPI.

[janebob99]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Voodoo33993]

I have non genetic PC & was taking Omeprazole for about 1 year. Two doctors said I needed to take it indefinitely. However, I stopped taking it. I was diagnosed with PC a couple of years after stopping Omeprazole. There is a class action lawsuit against the makers of zantac for causing PC. Although these two drugs may be made differently they are intended for same purpose. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who's been on Omeprazole for any length of time who has non genetic PC. Thank you & keep on fighting.

[dhccpa in reply to Voodoo33993]

I've used famotidine and cimetidine. Are they in the same category?

[Voodoo33993 in reply to dhccpa]

Yes dhccpa, they are both histamine inhibitors according to Wikipedia. All three are histamine inhibitors according to Wikipedia. Zantac (ranitidine) contains an impurity called NDMA. This impurity is what causes cancer. Don't know if the other two inhibitors have this impurity.

[dhccpa in reply to Voodoo33993]

Not that I've seen. I usually take for a month, rotate off, and start a different type the next time.

[Leigh2350 in reply to Voodoo33993]

The problem with the PPI drugs is that if you stop taking them you get a bounce in stomach acids for up to a fortnight after. This leads to the drug being prescribed again. The manufacturers actually advise they should only be taken for a month.

As I said in my original post, PPI is the third most common medication taken in New Zealand, beaten only by heart medication and pain killers. I don’t know the statistics in USA.

[dhccpa in reply to Leigh2350]

Mostly OTC here. I take for one month, then rotate out for at least a month.