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I became post-menopausal at age 43. I'm 52. I've tried synthetic hormone treatments to relieve hot flashes and all the miserable things that come with menopause. Nothing worked. I've been on a daily low-dose (20 mg.) of Prozac (fluoxetine). Keeps me "even" but...still, not effective for the hot flashes. I can't sleep, I've got low energy, my heart pounds with little exertion, and I sweat more than I ever did previous to menopause. I'd love a REAL good solution if anyone has one!
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Prozac is not much better than Effexor in terms of getting off someday. Here's what Eli Lilly says in the Prescribing Information:
"During marketing of PROZAC, SNRIs, and SSRIs, there have been spontaneous reports of adverse reactions occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability,insomnia, and hypomania. . . . If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate."
http://pi.lilly.com/us/prozac.pdf?reqNavId=undefined
I had good luck with low dose birth control pills for hot flashes, and there was no problem when I stopped taking them.
May 14, 2009 - 12:38pmThis Comment
If you have read anything I write you will know that I have had great success with bioidentical hormones, I also take supplements for adrenal support. A good naturopath can get you onto some good ones.
Good luck and please let us know what you find.
May 13, 2009 - 6:45amThis Comment
I am suffering from this symptoms since 1999 until present date (2012), and it is increasing every minute. I feel like I am gonna burst on fire. it is the worst thing a woman can have after menopause. Only one treatment help me in the past and it was the bio-identical hormones, but it was so expensive for me and the insurance don't cover it. Beside, the best doctor I found was in California and something happened and he lost his licenses. I have no clue, but he really help me thru with this horrible symptoms, and now I am getting it back again and very strong. My gyno wants to give me prozac which I refuse to take. I am going to find a doctor that follow the same line of treatment as the one I had in California. Most doctors that treat patients with bio-identical hormones use the estrogen instead, and it is not good. I need find a doctor that combines progesterone with testosterone plus some vitamins that works with. So, I am for bio-identical hormones replacement, but beware and research about the doctors doing it.
August 3, 2012 - 12:40pmThis Comment
Anon, I'm sorry you're having such a struggle with hot flashes. They can make us crazy, can't they?!!
We get this question from many women going through the same thing you're going through. Here are some threads you might be interested in talking about ways to minimize hot flashes:
https://www.empowher.com/community/share/menopause-natural-way
https://www.empowher.com/community/share/information-hot-flashes
https://www.empowher.com/community/share/treatments-hot-flashes
https://www.empowher.com/community/share/hot-flashes-and-night-sweats-resources
https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/can-you-suggest-any-natural-remedies-curb-hot-flashes
And if you're interested in trying bioidential hormones instead of synthetic:
https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/do-you-have-data-efficacy-bio-identical-vs-hrt
Have you considered trying bio-identical hormones? Can we find you some more information on that?
May 11, 2009 - 9:51amThis Comment