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Will hot flashes, panic attacks end?

Page last modified on: September 9, 2009
Question from Lindel: Will I get past these silly hot flashes and panic attacks? They are ruling my life.
Answers —Patricia Ganz, M.D.: The answer is yes. Very few women have persistent hot flashes for the rest of their lives. Women who are experiencing menopause may have these symptoms for a 2 or 3-year period of time. Ten to 15 percent of women may have hot flashes and sweats for an indefinite period of time. However, you can talk to your physician about medications to control your symptoms during this time.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: There are some medications that can help with both hot flashes and panic attacks. In my practice, I have taken care of a number of women who experience both symptoms. They have had a good response to medications like Effexor (chemical name: venlavaxine) or Paxil (chemical name: paroxetine). Talk to your doctor about the possible use of such medications. I have been quite impressed by the ability of these medications to ease panic attacks, in particular, and hot flashes, second.

Editor's Note: Paxil is known to reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen. If you are taking tamoxifen, talk to your doctor about alternatives to Paxil. For more information, please visit the Breastcancer.org Tamoxifen page.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2001, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Quality of Life. Patricia A. Ganz, M.D.,Marisa Weiss, M.D., answered your questions about how breast cancer can affect physical, emotional, social, and sexual aspects of your life.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Patricia A. Ganz, M.D.Patricia A. Ganz, M.D. is a medical oncologist and a professor in the schools of medicine and public health at UCLA, and is director of the division of cancer prevention and control research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center there.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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