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justjude_gw

Anti-depressants for hot flashes?

justjude
19 years ago

I went off HRT (Femhrt) in early June and suffered a terrible summer with hot flashes and night sweats. Woke 6-8 times a night with sweats, then had a hard time getting back to sleep. Needless to say, this affected my mood. By early September I was a basket case: hot flashes, depression, irritability. My prescription was still good, so I went back on the HRT without even calling my doctor.

I had an appointment with her today (this is about 3 weeks after going back on the HRT) and she suggested I consider a low dose of anti-depressants; she has had good luck treating her patients with anti-depressants for hot flashes. She also refilled the prescription for the HRT, leaving the decision up to me.

What she prescribed was Effexor, 75 mg/day. (The dosage for depression is 150 mg/day.) Has anyone been treated for hot flashes with a low dose of anti-depressants? What should I be considering as I make this decision?

I have a family history of heart disease and stroke, but no breast cancer. I have osteopenia in my hips and spine, for which I took Fosamax but am now switching to Actonel.

Judy

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