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Acupuncture for fatigue/hot flashes?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008

Question from Rita: Any data on effectiveness of acupuncture in combating fatigue and/or hot flashes?: Answers —Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.: I'm not familiar with the bulk of the data on acupuncture. I know there's an NCI-sponsored clinical trial gathering patients right now evaluating the effects of acupuncture on fatigue.; Tish Knobf, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., A.O.C.N.: There have been a couple of trials with acupuncture for hot flashes and there are conflicting results. So, some studies suggest there may be a benefit and some studies suggest there is not any benefit.; Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S.: If your hot flashes are severe you may want to talk with your doctor about trying Effexor (chemical name: venlafaxine), which though it's an anti-depressant, has been proven to reduce hot flashes in women on hormone therapy. There's a wonderful section on breastcancer.org about practical solutions for managing fatigue, hot flashes, and other hormonal therapy side effects.

On Wednesday, January 16, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Fatigue During and After Treatment. Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D., Tish Knobf, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., A.O.C.N., and Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. answered your questions about ways to keep up your energy, how nutrition can affect fatigue, and how exercising can help.

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

Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. is a registered dietitian in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Tish Knobf, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., A.O.C.N. is the American Cancer Society associate professor of Oncology Nursing at Yale University. She participates in various research programs that focus on cancer recovery and exercise, risk factors for cancer, and symptoms before and after cancer therapy.

Lillie Shockney, RN., BS., M.A.S. Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. is the administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.