Anti depressants for hot flushes?

[RunMummyRun68]

Was taking conti 7 patch but was reacting to the glue. Doctor wanted me to try a different method

Citalopram. Anti depressants when I'm the happiest person in town! But of course I listened and took the prescription to the pharmacy

Pharmacist was surprised as she hadn't ever heard of this. So now I'm worried and may end up googling. Any advice of experiences?

@RunMummy - to be fair to Citalopram it might give you more energy at first. I think it made me sleepy from the start but it definitely did towards the end. But everyone's physiology is different so maybe it does make some people bouncier. Fluoxetine makes me a little bit sharp tongued which I'm not usually. Makes me wonder if any of us actually have personalities or whether we're just an accumulation of responses to our own body chemistry

Im on it have been for over a year and has helped Im on a low dose and still occasionally get flushes but miles better than before - suspect they also help my overall mood

I know many women who take it for hot flushes as, like @weebarra we have all had breast cancer, we're forced through the menopause (I was only 33) and can't take HRT. It does work. But why would HarT not be an option for you?

No reason I couldn't try other types but the patch was too itchy. Huge rashes everywhere

For women who have had BC ADs are a way of controlling hot flushes.But HRT does a lot more than control hot flushes. It benefits your bones, so even when and IF you stop you will have 'more bone in the bank'. When your bone density falls off as you age, you are still better off than if you'd not taken it. It also protects against heart disease, pelvic floor decline, colon cancer and possibly dementia. Go back and ask for a different type of HRT, either oestrogen gel or tablets. ADs can have just as many if not more side effects than HRT and they only control flushes, nothing else.

Exactly Queen! I absolutely agree!

It would be good to have thoughts on how to deal with the menopause for those of who can't take HRT. I do keep asking my oncologist and the menopause clinic, but all the studies on people who've had breast cancer have had to be halted early!

Wee there are a lot of schools of though regarding hrt.
As for cancer I don't know, it is too complicated, it depends on the type of cancer, your age, your extra risks etc.
What about tibolone? It is a steroid, it doesn't contains estrogen, it mimics estrogen.

After a recent false BC alarm I am less inclined to give HRT a try. Stuff to do that isn't take HRT:

Bones: strength activity, impact bearing activity, get plenty Vit D, prevent falls

Heart disease: healthy weight, healthy diet, keep active, don't smoke, minimise alcohol

Pelvic floor decline: exercises almost anyone can do

Colon cancer: same as heart disease, plus eat fruit+veg (high fibre)

Dementia: Same as colon cancer, plus keep blood pressure down, do things to stay mentally active, minimise major injury risks