Anyone finding hot flushes and sweats worse with Arimadex

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I took Tamoxifen for two and a half years before being put on Arimadex two weeks ago.

I did get hot flushes with Tamoxifen but they lessoned with time.

I just cannot believe the intensity of hot flushes and sweats I am getting with Arimadex and feel so much worse. It just seems one big hot flush 24 hrs with the odd break!

Wondering if anyone else has found this and has any advice that would help me to cope.

Thanks

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Hi greenbean

here’s the link to the BCC publication ‘Menopausal symptoms and breast cancer’ which you may find helpful whilst you await replies:

breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/treatment-and-side-effects/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/17/

Best wishes
Lucy

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Hi,

I have been taking Arimidex for just over 4 years and find the flushes/sweats really unpleasant. What does make them more tolerable is the antidepressant I am on called Venlafaxine. I know it probably doesn’t sound ideal but antidepressants are a recognised treatment for hot flushes and believe me, they work. I still get them but not near as bad. Maybe have a word with your GP?

I was on tamoxifen but only for about 6 months at the start of the treatment so it’s hard to remember what the sweats were like but I’m pretty sure the flushes are worse with Arimidex.

Hope that helps,

Sheana

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Thank you Lucy the info was very helpful

Sheana many thanks for your reply, I am seeing my GP next week so will have a word about the meds you mention

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Hi,

Sheana, your history sounds like mine re the hormone treatment. I too had tamoxifen for 6 months but was struggling big time and was swopped to arimidex with zoladex jabs as I’m not menopausal. This was just over 2 years ago. 12 months ago I was at the end of my tether with the hot sweats/anxiety attacks/moodiness etc and wanted a break. Too risky for me as I was 100% ER+ and PR+ and have bone mets. Oncologist and surgeon prescribed prozac (fluoxetine) for me and whilst this doesn’t work completely, it does help and I do get a reasonable night’s sleep and am back to my calm self again! Blessing all round! I tried to come off them but was so horrid again and even hotter, I went back on them as I feel it’s the lesser of 2 evils. Discussed at last checkup and I’m staying on them as long as it takes… Venaflexine could be an alternative for me too.

Good luck!

Liz