I see Gabapentin, aka Neurontin, typically prescribed for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain), or more so nowadays, any type of pain. Anyhow, it has also been prescribed by some doctors to relieve the hot flashes associated with menopause (although this use was advised against by the FDA in 2013 ). Anyhow, this is another study showing how acupuncture will benefit hot flashes. In this research, acupuncture was used specifically on patients who had “treatment-related hot flashes”. This means that patients were taking pharmaceutical medications such as Tamoxifen and Arimidex (because they were diagnosed with Estrogen-Receptor Positive (ER-Positive) breast cancer), which results in hot flashes.
NOTE: See that the direct link to the MedScape article above does not work unless you log into MedScape unfortunately. But you can search for the title above on MedScape and find the article easily (or logging in anyway will take you directly to the article).
Alliance for Natural Health Article:
Popular Antidepressant May Promote Breast Cancer
NOTE: There are many natural and safe alternatives to both depression and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, including Acupuncture! See my other blog entries (click on tags for depression or menopause).
Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects from Tamoxifen, Arimidex
Finally research shows that acupuncture will treat menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats, and in this case, specifically the side effects of Breast Cancer drugs!
Isaac Eliaz, M.D., is an Integrative Oncology specialist. He is a Licensed Acupuncturist and integrates Chinese Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine with allopathy (our common ‘western medicine’). He is the founder and researcher of EcoNugenics, a nutraceutical product company known for anti-cancer products (PectaSol (Modified Citrus Pectin or MCP) and BreastDefend).
Research shows MCP to be effective in many types of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer. See his various websites for more details:
Dr. Eliaz’s Clinic
Dr. Eliaz
EcoNugenics
Breast Cancer Guide
Prostate Cancer Guide
EcoNugenics products are sold at Heavenly Herbs and Acupuncture.