hot flushes please help

I have the same problem.... :-( Very frustrating !!!! 

hi sillysam83 , yes lm really over the flushes, the primrose doesnt seem tto be working, lm  over telling the oncologist or doctors  , are you taking anything for the flushes?????  and do you find you bones are very sore to the feeling that like  my feet if ive been on them all day by night time they hurt like broken bones feeling   cheers robyn.

I have been on Tamoxifen for nearly 3 weeks. My onc also prescribed me Efexor 37.5mg (Anti-Depressant). She told me it helps with the hot flushes and the little snappy grumpy times that come with no more estrogen. It seems to be working so far although I have been getting a few more hot flushes in the last day or so. At least its winter and I get to step outside sometimes too cool off:) And I am tired a lot more. But so for...not too bad. My onc also suggested accupunture to help with any side effects I may get. I dont think I am at that stage yet, but who the hell knows when that or if that will happen. Good luck with it all girls

Tania XX

I have Effexor 37.5mg once a day for this.

 It is an anti dpresssant prescribed by my Onc. and the dose is low so it has not  affected my mental health, it has cut down the hot flashes measurably as I was in the same situation as yourself.

Speak to your team about it, and get is sorted a.s.a.p.

Cheers

Cheryl

I have been having hot flushes since March 2009 when I was a the end of my chemotherapy.  I had them 24/7 every 2 hours.  I could set my clock by them.  Thankfully over time they have decreased and now I can get 3 to 4 hours sleep a night then the hot flushes kick in about every hour or so.  I think I have just adjusted to disturbed sleep but it does get frustrating to be woken with hot flushes.  I chose not to take anything as my breast cancer was highly oestrogen receptive and all natural products contain some oestrogen.  As for prescribed medication, I am only on Femara.  I think the less you take the better of you are.  I hope that the flushes will lessen in time.  My only wish is to stay well and be free of cancer.

Those flushes etc.. can be terrible. Your body is doing things you seem to have no control over.

 I also had a hard time initialy, after the first chemotherapy.. way back in 1998. No one told me.it would be as bad.  I persevered, but I think.. try to get onto something early.

I did not try Endep, but I think they are quite good to reduce severity of flushing and other symptoms. 

 I am now on Zoloft, a seretonin reuptake inhibitor.

50 mgs.

I  might decrease to 25 mgs eventually. I am also on Livial, plus use an oesgtrogen pessary twice a week.

My severe flushes are gone now ( took a few years ) and then night sweats ( also ok now ), mood changes, ( ok ) irritability, creepy crawly skin, cognitive changes, low libido, dry vagina, urinary stmptoms ..etc etc... are manageable.

Good luck.. Kathy.

I get hot flushes but mine is from the chemotherapy induced monopause I have at the moment (cycle 5 done, cycle 6 - my last cycle - is due in 2 weeks), then I will begin tamoxifen.

You have to be careful with taking things for the hot flushes if you are hormone +ve becausesome of the natural therapies can increase your homones, especially your estrogen levels. Always ask your oncologist first, before taking anything even a herb or natural product.

I take nothing for mine and carry a facewasher or handtowel with me, for some reason my little bald head seems to get the worst of the hpt flushes and sweats so bad, as does my body, I HATE damp clothes and PJ's <YUCK> I remove my hats oten as they are too hot or get damp, so usually go bald indoors at home or out in public becasue it is cooler.

I also get bone, joint and muscle pains but they are also from the chemo and the neulasta injections the day after, last night was so bad I had to take extra very strong pain killers (morphine tablets) and a valium to get to sleep. They can give you medications to help with these pains.

I KNOW theya re annoying and hope they get better for you soon

Hi robsue,

I was diagnosed 28/4/12 with 27mm ductal insitu carcinoma (L) breast.Stage 1.  I have had 2 biopsies, two surgeries. No sentinel nodes affected and good clearance was gained with surgery. I opted for breast conservation surgery and accelerated radiation(3 weeks at higher doses) as was offered to me by Professor Boyages.I have just finished radiation, with little inconvenience to me except for loneliness, I am from the Central West and had radiation at Macquarie University Hospital at Epping. The only change I have noticed is my nipple texture has changed, thicker and darker. And all credit must go the radiation technicians, as I have a very defined area of slightly pinkish skin, testament to their accuracy!! I am also taking Tamoxifen. My Dr. recommended I take Remifemin(available at Pharmacies) to manage the hot flushes. I have been taking 2 in the morning and 2 at night. It is a German formulation of Black Cohosh. I have found this very effective. I started menopause at 40 and soon after had a total hysterectomy for migraines, which worked. I am now 52 and may only have 1 - 2 hot flushes a week. When I was 40 it was an event every night of broken sleep, changing sheets, dooner on dooner off repeat. I had a friend who described her hot flushes as MOMENTS OF EMPOWERMENT, I nearly hit her. I only feel empowered now because I hardly get them, and I am not sleep deprived. I would even go as far as to say Remifemin saved my marriage. As far as I am aware it is not hormone based. Might be worth asking your Dr.

Best of luck,

Slightlylopsided xx