I really think i am going crazy....My doctor took me off of birth control pills 3 months ago(taking them for breast tenderness) I had been on them for 7 years and haven't had a period in 5 years. I'm now 51. so after 2 weeks of no BCP i started to have terrible hot flashes that seem to last all night and all day. I feel terrible and i can't sleep. I went back to the DR and he suggested Effexor anti depressant pills 37.5. and increase after 2 weeks to 75mg. Well i took them for 7 weeks and i had every side effect possible. He then switched me to Prozac 10 mg. and they seem to be the same. I don't know what to do?????? i just feel terrible and i'm sure i'll go nuts soon. I'm afraid to take estrgen because of the side effects. Are birth control pills different that estrogen? I need advice soon. Any suggestions????

ME TOO HON! I CANNOT TAKE ANY AD - THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE TERRIBLE FOR ME. I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING THAT REALLY WORKED FOR MY HOT FLASHES - 'MENO SENSE' MADE BY LORNA VANDERHAEGHE. CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE. I WAS LUCKY - THEY HAD THESE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AT MY LOCAL HEALTH FOOD STORE. WITHIN 7 DAYS THE HOT FLASHES WERE CUT BY AT LEAST 80%. GIVE IT A TRY - WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE? lol LOVE PRINCESS P.S. WEBSITE: www.hormonehelp.com

MenoSenseTM
Contains herbs that can halt hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, lower cholesterol, improve vaginal dryness and much more.
hot flashes
sleep disturbances
irritability, nervousness and loss of concentration
night sweats
vaginal atrophy or dryness
leg cramps
menstrual abnormalities
Daily Dosage: Two capsules at breakfast and two capsules at bedtime.

FORMULA:

Each Capsule Contains:

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) Extract 4:1 ......... 100 mg
Dong Quai is an effective treatment for the symptoms of menopause, especially hot flashes, as well as painful menstruation, lack of menstruation (spotting but no full blood flow), and will relieve too frequent menstruation (more than one menstrual cycle per month). In menstruating women it is also recommended for treating infertility.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) Extract 10:1 ..... 80 mg
(0.6% Acubine) Vitex, is effective in the balancing of hormones and has been traditionally used for the treatment of menstrual abnormalities, PMS, and menopausal complaints. It is especially important for women who are estrogen dominant with conditions including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, fibrocystic breasts and to improve the progesterone to estrogen ratio.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) Extract 1:1 .. 80 mg
(2mg of triterpene glycosides measured as 27-deoxyacteine) Black cohosh is the most researched herb for the treatment of the symptoms of menopause and replacement for standard hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progestins). Effective in the treatment of the following perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms: hot flashes, profuse perspiration, headaches, heart palpitations, depression, PMS, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), sleep disturbances, vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vagina causing painful intercourse), vaginal dryness, nervousness, irritability and loss of concentration.

Gamma-oryzanol (ferulic acid) .............................. 75 mg
Gamma-oryzanol isolated from rice bran oil is used for the treatment of hot flashes and to enhance pituitary function and promote endorphin release by the hypothalamus thereby improving mood. Not only is it a very effective substance for alleviating menopausal symptoms but it also lowers triglycerides and total cholesterol.

Hesperidin ............................................................. 75 mg
Hesperidin, a potent flavonoid, improves the vascular system and our capillaries thereby improving cardiovascular health and reduction of bruising. It has also been shown to reduce hot flashes and night time leg cramps.

Vegan Friendly hugs, princess google 'meno sense' and read up on it!

YOU could also try omega3 good for hot flash.s and mood or try Remifemin Sold in all pharm. LOL I,m still searching for help

Hi Nana,
Some type of bioidentical, transdermal estrogen along with oral micronized progesterone (Prometrium) would be a lot safer for you to take than birth control pills. Why don't you ask your doctor if he/she will prescribe a low dose patch like Climara or Vivelle or Estrogel or some other cream or gel. It's pretty tough to go right from birth control pills to nothing if you are in full blown menopause! You can also get bioidentical hormones from a compounding pharmacy, but it's a little harder to find a doctor who will prescribe them.
Good luck and I hope you are feeling better!