Fluoxetine

[BlitzenandMikey]

Hi all
I went to see the GP regarding my menopausal symptoms and because I have had a diagnosis of breast cancer 10 years ago, she wants to contact my oncologist to seek her opinion. In the meantime she has prescribed 20 mg of fluoxetine daily. I have taken it for ten days now and it makes me feel nauseous and spaced out! Is this normal? Does anyone else take this medication for the sweats? I am sick of feeling rubbish day in day out. I’m exhausted from lack of sleep and just want to feel well again. I’m currently taking herbal stuff and sage drops. What if the oncologist rejects my request for HRT? In requesting a blood test this week to determine hormone levels too.

Thanks.

You might get used to the fluoxetine - it's worth seeing how it goes after a month. I take it for low mood although it's the same dose.

Was your cancer hormone receptive? I'm not allowed the pill or HRT due to cancer in the past and PEs in my lungs. The only thing they'll give me is a hormonal coil and even that took a LOT of persuading.

Sorry I cant give any better advice- hopefully the oncologist will ok it. In the meantime have you tried a cooling pillow? Argos do them, its also worth trying cotton night dresses and layers not a duvet on top. It gets better

Thanks Florence
Yes the cancer was hormone receptive, but I’m desperate and want to give HRT a bash if I can. I have got a cooling pillow. It works for a couple of hours, then it becomes warm?

I just want sleep and uninterrupted sleep at that. Then there’s the anxiety. I am hoping the fluoxetine will sort that but I’m impatient and want immediate results! 😦

I saw something on Twitter recently which was a quote by Prof Michael Baum- expert on breast cancer . He said there were no absolutes on HRT for women who'd had BC- it was more about quality of life and it didn't matter if the BC was estrogen + or -.

I am no expert on this but my advice is you might need to see / talk to more than one specialist. I know my meneopause gynae gives HRT to women who have had BC - in accordance with their oncologists .

Ultimately, you need someone very experienced who is willing to take your wishes into account.

I recently went to the Dr's to get HRT but both my Mum and Nan have had breast cancer so I was adviced against it.
I was offered medication that has a side effect of stopping hot flushing, one was a high blood pressure tablet which was unsuitable as I have low blood pressure and the other was fluoxetine. I reluctantly tried it and only lasted 4 days for the same reasons that you reported.
I am unsure of my options now... I would like to go to bed and wake up when it's all over!

It's worth sticking with fluoxetine for mood - I know its anecdotal, but its helped me massively.

I hope your GP/gynae comes up with a solution. Night sweats were terrible

Those pills do cause nausea, it does pass. I tried to think of it as morning sickness which comes and goes.

@SmartyPantsO

I don't want to speak out of turn as your GP knows your history and I don't.

However, I'm a medical writer and speak to/ am in touch with experts all the time.

It's worth being aware that there are more up to date guides re breast cancer in family and your own use.

The main point is that if two first degree relatives had BC ( that's a mum and a sister) at an early age ( ie before 45), it's relevant.

There is still no absolute cause=effect proof that HRT causes BC. The research being looked at now seems to show HRT may accelerate the growth of BC which is already there and which would appear in time anyway.

1:8 women get BC at some time- it's very common. It could be simply coincidence about your mum and gran.It doesn't have to be hereditary and only 5% of BC is because of the gene.

On balance, it's likely that your own family history is not relevant. Many drs would ignore it. GPs tend to be a bit out of date or not fully informed compared to specialists.

This is a long way of saying you have a right to say you'd like to try HRT (if you ever do) and are aware of the small risk.

I think some GPS are very out of date on this whole breast cancer HRT debate. It’s quality of life that matters surely, the here and now! I may get a recurrence even if I don’t take HRT, I may never! No one can predict the future.

I may stick with the fluoxetine for now, but I don’t want to be on it long term that’s for sure. I would also like to go to my bed and wake up when it’s all over!

You do get used to it but you have to give yourself about 3 months. I take duloxetine and that took at least three months before the nightmares and other symptoms stopped, it was hard work but it really saved my life in the end. I had a terrible menopause with awful panic attacks and depression, inability to function and without this I think I would probably have considered suicide.

Hi madcat
Wow this menopause really needs to be addressed doesn’t it? I have dry mouth with fluoxetine. I feel in limbo at the moment. Just waiting to feel a bit better.

Thank you @JinglingHellsBells... think I may go back.