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Effexor for Hot Flashes

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Posted 2/8/2022 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
I was having a heck of a time with hot flashes, especially at night. It was really interfering with my sleep. I mentioned it to my RO and he said that the anti-depressant Effexor has been shown to help some people reduce the frequency and severity of that particularly nasty side effect. I started taking it about 2 weeks ago and I have not had any hot flashes to speak of in about a week.

Anti-depressants are not for everyone. I have no symptoms of depression, and the first week or so they made me feel very weird (I don't know how else to describe it). To lessen the weirdness, I started taking them at night as they have the added benefit of making me tired. There are other SEs, most notably dry mouth, and some jaw tightness, but those have lessened to the point where they're hardly worth mentioning. I took 37.5 MG per day for the first week, and now I take 75 MG per day.

One more thing... I've been wanting to cut down on my alcohol use, something that has been difficult for me, and I now have zero desire to drink. I even went out to a couple of bars with my wife this last weekend to watch some live music, and I wasn't even tempted to have a drink! It's like a switch was flipped in my brain.

Just thought I'd drop this note to let you peeps know that this has helped me tremendously.

Best,
Mic
Posted 2/8/2022 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
that's great! i took celexa but it took a month before it had any effect.
Posted 2/9/2022 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Great to hear! I started with and still take 37.5. My hot flashes have greatly reduced. Bonus, my wife doesn't think I'm a dick anymore (well not as much).
Posted 2/9/2022 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
My aunt (very into homeopathic treatment) swears by Black Cohash for menopausal hot flashes. I'm sure would have no idea how it would for for us men on ADT. I'm gonna give it a shot. Stay tuned.
Posted 2/11/2022 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr. started me on 1/2 of a Oxbutynin Chloride 5mg pill and after 3 days the extreme hot flashes, (5-8 per day) have subsided to mild flush feeling 1-2 times a day. Stepping up to another 1/2 tonight and I feel confident that will get me through the night as well. No SE's noticeable to date.
Posted 2/12/2022 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Megace (megestrol acetate) is also effective for hot flashes. It is a hormone based med often used for women being treated for breast cancer as an appetite stimulant. So a bit of a double edged sword for someone on ADT, but some men find it useful. No other side effects.

And GoBucks, I have found that many Buckeye fans are real dicks……..but not you! Are you going to take Urban Myers back?
Posted 2/12/2022 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Geetarman,
My flashes settled down with time. Hopefully your flashes will too.

@JNF: lol! I suspect Urban Meyer will remain where he should be -- at home. Perhaps an occasional trip to the club for a lap dance. 🙂
Posted 2/12/2022 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
@JNF Woody was disgraced and is still legend. When you win a national championship and beat Meeechigan 7 years in a row you will always be warmly welcomed by the fans.
Posted 2/12/2022 3:35 PM (GMT 0)

GeetarMan said...
I was having a heck of a time with hot flashes, especially at night. It was really interfering with my sleep. I mentioned it to my RO and he said that the anti-depressant Effexor has been shown to help some people reduce the frequency and severity of that particularly nasty side effect. I started taking it about 2 weeks ago and I have not had any hot flashes to speak of in about a week.

Anti-depressants are not for everyone. I have no symptoms of depression, and the first week or so they made me feel very weird (I don't know how else to describe it). To lessen the weirdness, I started taking them at night as they have the added benefit of making me tired. There are other SEs, most notably dry mouth, and some jaw tightness, but those have lessened to the point where they're hardly worth mentioning. I took 37.5 MG per day for the first week, and now I take 75 MG per day.

One more thing... I've been wanting to cut down on my alcohol use, something that has been difficult for me, and I now have zero desire to drink. I even went out to a couple of bars with my wife this last weekend to watch some live music, and I wasn't even tempted to have a drink! It's like a switch was flipped in my brain.

Just thought I'd drop this note to let you peeps know that this has helped me tremendously.

Best,
Mic

I used Effexor for 6 months then switched to Gabapentin and have used it for the last 4.5 years. It does a great job at keeping the S.E. at bay.
Posted 2/12/2022 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I complained about the hot flashes and mood swings and my doctor prescribed megestrol. Haven't had a hot flash since I started taking it. I didn't make a connection to alcohol, but now that GeetarMan mentions it, I just up and stopped drinking a couple weeks ago and haven't had much desire for it since. And I was drinking pretty heavy for the last few years. No idea if the drugs are playing a role in that or not. It is easy to confuse correlation with causation. I stopped drinking because I had hit a new all time high on weight and didn't like it. Have lost 11 pounds since. Is it the no rum & cokes, the attempt at exercising more, or no late night snacking? Who knows? Probably a mix of everything. Best of luck on your journey.
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