I have just finished AC and am moving on to Taxol and have been having hot flushes for about 3-5 weeks and my doctor has offered to prescribe me Effexor or Diazepam to help cope with hot flashes and the sleep disruption they cause. I really want want to sleep properly or I will not cope mentally but am wary of anti-depressants. Would love to hear experiences positive and negative

@Jailbirdstreet Hey there! I too was offered at the end of Chemo Effexor which is widely used to treat hot flushes not actually as an anti depressant. I tried on 2 occasions unsuccessfully, it made me incredibly dizzy and nauseas so couldn't take it. I'm now 18 months post chemo and the hot flushes yeah theyre there but I wouldnt say are horrendous, maybe Ive just got used to managing them LOL. Yes I still wake all night long flicking the covers off and on, off and on. Something I found helped is Melatonin which is over the counter and natural to aide with sleeping. Hugs Melinda xo

Hey @Jailbirdstreet, I too have been prescribed Effexor but have not taken it. I play throw the blanket as well but still manage to get enough sleep to keep going. I like the idea of Melinda's Melatonin - and I reckon I'd personally be up for giving that one a shot before the Effexor. BUT if I was finding everything difficult due to lack of sleep I wouldn't hesitate to take the Effexor. Wishing you all the best. Xx

I was given Effexor years ago for depression after the death of someone close to me. It was the worst drug I have ever been given. I experienced dizziness, headaches and problems with my sight. I was only on it for a month but the withdrawal was absolutely awful. Now after BC I suffer severe hot flushes - every 20 minutes some days. My oncologist offered me Effexor but I flat out refused. Then when I was getting severely fatigued from lack of sleep due to the hot flushes my GP gave me Endep which is a sleeping pill (but it might also be an anti depressant). I took half a tablet at 7 pm and had the best night sleep. I too hate taking medications. The good thing about the Endep is that I can take it only when I need to get a decent sleep - unlike anti depressants it doesn't have to build up in your system. I took it twice last month and haven't had to take it this month. I am happy that it's there if I need it. Good luck.

@Jailbirdstreet each person reacts to drugs differently. You may find that the anti depressant may help you through a bad patch you are going through. You do not have to take them forever. Not all anti depressants are the same some are tolerated better than others.If sleep continues to be a problem then maybe a short term solution of tablets to help your body cope is not such a bad idea. I did not like taking anti depressants but they helped me some time ago in the past

melclarity said: @Jailbirdstreet Hey there! I too was offered at the end of Chemo Effexor which is widely used to treat hot flushes not actually as an anti depressant. I tried on 2 occasions unsuccessfully, it made me incredibly dizzy and nauseas so couldn't take it. I'm now 18 months post chemo and the hot flushes yeah theyre there but I wouldnt say are horrendous, maybe Ive just got used to managing them LOL. Yes I still wake all night long flicking the covers off and on, off and on. Something I found helped is Melatonin which is over the counter and natural to aide with sleeping. Hugs Melinda xo

Doc recommending anti-depressant or sleeping pill - experiences?

TonyaM
Member
8 years ago
I was a drooling zombie on Effexor. I then tried low dose Endep(10mg) and it really helped with hot flushes and sleep and no apparent side effects.
Hulos
Member
8 years ago
Hi, i was on endep some years ago because i couldn't sleep due to having tendonitis in my wrist , it was the best 10mg (the lowest dose), once a day half hour before bed time. It helps to relax muscles and helps to sleep.
Tennille
Member
8 years ago
I have been on Effexor for 5 years to manage the symptoms of the hormone treatments. I have never had an issue with it but like most drugs like these it will take time for your body to adjust. Start on a low dose and see how you go. If it works its worth it.
Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
I was put on escitalopram for depression and it wasn't that I couldn't sleep, I was sleeping 14 hours a day! Nausea and diarrhea while i was on it and yes dizzy and disoriented BUT after 5 weeks on it I tapered back on the dose and now am off it and my sleep pattern is normal. Well normal apart from hot flushes every time I stir in bed. You just get used to it. I have a fan going, yes even in winter and have a doona which is easy to flick on and off. It doesn't seem to kill you if you fall back asleep with the doona off and wake up near frozen, just pull the doona back on and back to sleep you go lol.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Ive been on Endep they actually use it for Fibromyalgia it blocks the pain stimulus in the brain. I didnt have it for depression.
Jailbirdstreet
Member
8 years ago
I am never a great sleeper TBH and I have a good range of coping strategies. I'm also aware at my age there's a strong chance I'll just go into menopause so I have to think long term. I think I'll try a few other things and keep that in reserve
Jailbirdstreet
Member
8 years ago

fairydust said:

@Jailbirdstreet each person reacts to drugs differently. You may find that the anti depressant may help you through a bad patch you are going through. You do not have to take them forever. Not all anti depressants are the same some are tolerated better than others.
If sleep continues to be a problem then maybe a short term solution of tablets to help your body cope is not such a bad idea. I did not like taking anti depressants but they helped me some time ago in the past
Jailbirdstreet
Member
8 years ago
That's exactly what I am dreading. Thank you! I will ask about Endep.
Jailbirdstreet
Member
8 years ago

Nadi said:

I was given Effexor years ago for depression after the death of someone close to me. It was the worst drug I have ever been given. I experienced dizziness, headaches and problems with my sight. I was only on it for a month but the withdrawal was absolutely awful. Now after BC I suffer severe hot flushes - every 20 minutes some days. My oncologist offered me Effexor but I flat out refused. Then when I was getting severely fatigued from lack of sleep due to the hot flushes my GP gave me Endep which is a sleeping pill (but it might also be an anti depressant). I took half a tablet at 7 pm and had the best night sleep. I too hate taking medications. The good thing about the Endep is that I can take it only when I need to get a decent sleep - unlike anti depressants it doesn't have to build up in your system. I took it twice last month and haven't had to take it this month. I am happy that it's there if I need it. Good luck.

Nadi said:

I was given Effexor years ago for depression after the death of someone close to me. It was the worst drug I have ever been given. I experienced dizziness, headaches and problems with my sight. I was only on it for a month but the withdrawal was absolutely awful. Now after BC I suffer severe hot flushes - every 20 minutes some days. My oncologist offered me Effexor but I flat out refused. Then when I was getting severely fatigued from lack of sleep due to the hot flushes my GP gave me Endep which is a sleeping pill (but it might also be an anti depressant). I took half a tablet at 7 pm and had the best night sleep. I too hate taking medications. The good thing about the Endep is that I can take it only when I need to get a decent sleep - unlike anti depressants it doesn't have to build up in your system. I took it twice last month and haven't had to take it this month. I am happy that it's there if I need it. Good luck.
Jailbirdstreet
Member
8 years ago
I have heard of melatonin I forgot about that. I think I would rather try that + boring old diet and exercise first