Forum Discussion

melp27's avatar
melp27
Member
14 years ago

remifien (sp?)

hi all

been taking remifien for a few days now. my oncolgist suggested i try it because ive been having hot flushes since xmas. He isnt sure if ive hit early menopause because of chemo. those of you who are taking it how effective is it?? how many weeks does it take to start working. ive heard it could take up to a month to give any relief!!!

obviously it wont work in five minutes but im not wanting to wait a whole month if thats how long it could take to have any relief... no night sweats but its just at the annoying stage! im usually a bit impatient. seeing oncologist in three weeks so will see how things are going then.

4 Replies

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    I think you have to take Remifemin for a few months before you see any effects.I tried it years ago and it didn't help-even after a few months.I'm on Tamoxifen which has increased the hot flushes so now I take a very low dose antidepressant called Endep 10mg which really helps.If you are not on any medication then it just might all  settle down after a few months from stopping chemo anyway.In anycase,you've got nothing to lose trying Remifemin. Good luck with it cos those hot flushes are the pits.

                                             Tonya xx

  • melp27's avatar
    melp27
    Member
    14 years ago

    hey chris

    Im 27 years old. i dont have them as reguarly just every 15-20 minutes maybe. well hope it doesnt take as long as it did for you for me to get relief. i might get impatient too.

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Mel, just wondering how old you are? Hope you don't mind me asking. I'm 53 and have been having hot flushes for about 7 years. I might try the mild anti depressants soon if there is no natural releif, as I am really over them and am so sick and tired of constantly stripping off and fanning myself. Love Chris xx
  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Mel, Before breast cancer I took remifemin. It took a full 8 weeks to notice any effect, but then it was great. No more hot flushes for about 8 months. I had been having them about every 7 to 10 minutes at their worst, so I was impatient for relief. After 8 months, they started to come back, and so I doubled my dose, with a Dr advise. Eventually I did get some more relief, but it wasn't great. I then tried Promensil, but do not think I had great results. Finally absolute frustration sent me to HRT, so after a normal mammogram I started a low dose HRT. I had a wonderful 3 months of no hot flushes, and then I discovered I had breast cancer. Being ER + I can no longer use it or any of the other things either, so am back to having horrid hot flushes again, though maybe not quite as bad as the days before HRT. Good luck. It is worth giving it a try, as you may get good relief. Just expect that it may take a little bit of time. Love Chris xx