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Andrea Barnett Budin · 07-26-2012, 03:37 PM

Hello Mary Jo!

Was just wondering where you are. Didn't notic your posts, though I have been sporadic myself lately.

Effexor caught my eye. As I had an awful experience with it. I know some have had fab results. Not me. I was confused, shaky, weird feeling. So much so, I posted on the blog thing I found. I was with the group that wanted it to be removed from the market.

I had/have awful hot flashes, just as you describe. Horrid. Shaking hands is dreaded. Clammy. Cheek kissing or people touching my arm and (I think) recoiling. I love hugs and kisses!

So now I take Evening Primrose Oil. I take 1300. I add 500 mg if need be. Helps enormously. I am ER/PR-, and my onc said it was okay to use Progesterone Cream. 25 days on, 5 days off.
And I take Ativan at night, which is marvelous. Can't take that by day (though wish I could) cause it makes you drowsy. Good for sleeping, not for living...

Hope this is helpful. This was me all day. Now I am far more ...

Feel good! You deserve that! Sure hope this helps you.

Andi

07-26-2012, 03:37 PM	#11
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Finding the comfort zone Hello Mary Jo! Was just wondering where you are. Didn't notic your posts, though I have been sporadic myself lately. Effexor caught my eye. As I had an awful experience with it. I know some have had fab results. Not me. I was confused, shaky, weird feeling. So much so, I posted on the blog thing I found. I was with the group that wanted it to be removed from the market. I had/have awful hot flashes, just as you describe. Horrid. Shaking hands is dreaded. Clammy. Cheek kissing or people touching my arm and (I think) recoiling. I love hugs and kisses! So now I take Evening Primrose Oil. I take 1300. I add 500 mg if need be. Helps enormously. I am ER/PR-, and my onc said it was okay to use Progesterone Cream. 25 days on, 5 days off. And I take Ativan at night, which is marvelous. Can't take that by day (though wish I could) cause it makes you drowsy. Good for sleeping, not for living... Hope this is helpful. This was me all day. Now I am far more ... Feel good! You deserve that! Sure hope this helps you. Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...