Gabapentin

Hi Louise My Onc recently changed me from Effexor to Gabopentin solely to try and manage my hot flushes. My flushes started by the start of the 3rd chemo cycle and were the one thing that I felt was going to do my head in. I was having up to 20 a day and walking up 6-7 times a night. Chemo, mastectomy, radiotherapy were a breeze in comparison. Effexor did nothing for me, but Gabopentin has reduced both the frequency and intensity of the hot flushes and I'm sleeping better,still wake up but this has also reduced to 1-3 times each night. The normal dose is 3x daily, but I was advised to start slowly with 2x and increase to 3 after I had adjusted to any side effects. I didn't have too many SEs but have stayed on 2x daily as when I tried 3 I get very drowsy which doesn't combine well with work. My BNC felt that if 2x had had a success impact then just stay with that. Definitely not suicidal, but don't forget the drug manufacturers have to list both the common and not so common SEs. Stephanie

Hi Dot,

How are you?  Long time, no speak :)

So far I have been remembering to take the Gabapentin and it doesn't seem to be disagreeing with me.  But at first I had a dull headache for the first 3 or 4 days.  They seem to have subsided now though.  I'm not too sure about the effect on the hot flushes yet as I find that I have about 10 days of really bad ones around the time of my period and for about a week after.  The next one isn't due for another week so I guess we will find out soon!!

I'll post back if the Ethical Nutrients Hot Flush Fix is ok to take....someone else is trying this and said that it really works but I'm not sure whether it is safe for us hormone positive girls.  I am not seeing my oncologist for quite some time so I'm hoping that someone else can ask about it soon.

Take care,

Louise x

Hi Louise, I was put on Gabapentin for hot flushes, by the menopause clinic.  It did seem to control it, especially at night time. But only reduced it during the day, I still got them. The problem I had with Gabapentin is if I forgot to take it I had a massive migraine for 2-3 days.  When discussing with my GP he also said they are used for people with epilepsy and for people suffering with intense pain.  I then became worried if I had pain would this medication mask it as it is used a pain reliver. After doing my research, some people actually had trouble coming off the medication.  Which is what happen to me, I actually had to get the doctor to prescribe 100 mg tabkets instead of 300mg tablets.  I have now come off them and suffered quite a few headaches coming off them. But this is for me and some people have no problems coming off them at all.  Of course though my hot flushes have increased again.

Let me know how you go with the naturopath, now looking for a new alternative. 

Take care

Dot x

Hi Louise, I was put on Gabapentin for hot flushes, by the menopause clinic.  It did seem to control it, especially at night time. But only reduced it during the day, I still got them. The problem I had with Gabapentin is if I forgot to take it I had a massive migraine for 2-3 days.  When discussing with my GP he also said they are used for people with epilepsy and for people suffering with intense pain.  I then became worried if I had pain would this medication mask it as it is used a pain reliver. After doing my research, some people actually had trouble coming off the medication.  Which is what happen to me, I actually had to get the doctor to prescribe 100 mg tabkets instead of 300mg tablets.  I have now come off them and suffered quite a few headaches coming off them. But this is for me and some people have no problems coming off them at all.  Of course though my hot flushes have increased again.

Let me know how you go with the naturopath, now looking for a new alternative. 

Take care

Dot x

Thanks Mona.  I'm in Perth so that's a bit far for me to go.  I'll keep acupunture in mind though :)

Breast surgeon suggested some women have had hot flushes reduced by ..acupunture and gave me dr alipman 9888 3239 glen waverley area as possibility; im not a huge fan of this treatment but thought i would keep it up my sleeve if i find myself overly bothered by hot flushes

Thanks Angela. It does help to get some feedback.

I've been doing a bit more research today and it looks like it doesn't work for everyone (reducing hot flushes).  I've decided to go to see a Naturopath who is quite well known for being very good.  I thought I might see what they suggest and then run everything past my oncologist before I decide.

It's all very confusing!  I would love to have my old self back...but chemo is that gift that keeps on giving!!   Anyway, we'll see what the Naturopath says.....stay tuned :)

Thanks Mel!  It's hard to know what to do....I hate the hot flushes but I'm not sure that I want to take any more pills!!  Maybe I'll give it a go and see if it works for me :)