Hot Flashes (Pleeeeeeeeeease Help!)

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kmascaro
kmascaro Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone- my name is katie and i am new to this website. i am looking for some advise and support for hotflashes!! I am a breast cancer survivor of almost 5 years and believe me I am so greatful, but trying to resume a "normal" life again is seeming impossible. I would much rather of course have hot flashes than cancer!!! Even though my oncologist and I tried Effexor and Neurontin it just doesnt work. I am hoping for a miracle out there from someone who found something that can tame this heat!!!!!! Please if you are there help!

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  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
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    I have heard that there are some anti-depressants that actually work, however you need to do some research before you jump to one of those. Some actually interfere with cancer treatment which is a big no-no in my book. Most herbal remedies are also no-no's since they work because they have estrogen-like substances that also can promote cancer. In the meantime I suppose you have tried the different ways to minimize a hot flash. Stuff like wearing layers that peel off easily, wearing fabrics that wick sweat like coolmax. I understand that you can even buy nighties now made of the stuff. I have a ceiling fan that goes on all night that helps keep me cooler along with air conditioning. In the winter I love hot flashes: I can run to the bathroom without getting cold feet! Sipping on ice water during hot humid days helps in the summer. A wet washcloth for my face, neck and arms helps too. One article I read suggested keeping a bucket of water with a washcloth near the bed to shorten night sweats. Too much caffine tends to make them worse and I've heard that spicy food makes things worse too, but I like such things more than I detest hot flashes. I'll look and see if I can find an article on the anti-depressants. More later!
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
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    Okay, here's one article: http://ncctg.mayo.edu/news/20060228.html
    It was dated 2006 and at least sounded like they knew what they were talking about. Good luck!
  • hounddog
    hounddog Member Posts: 115
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    Hello my name is Marilyn I take Evening Primrose the geltabs for hotflashes you can get those at Wal_mart also 1000 mg of Vitamin E the soft gels.
    Marilyn
  • wrinkled
    wrinkled Member Posts: 1
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    Ditto on the Vitamin E. All I do is take 800 mils a day( at 160 lbs). That's 2 400 tablets. My oncologist recommended it and I no longer get hot flashes. My husband was breaking out in sweats at night so he started (he takes 3 tabs at 220lbs) and he no longer has night sweats either.
  • Irish_Girl
    Irish_Girl Member Posts: 9
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    hounddog said:

    Hello my name is Marilyn I take Evening Primrose the geltabs for hotflashes you can get those at Wal_mart also 1000 mg of Vitamin E the soft gels.
    Marilyn

    Hi Marilyn, My name is Patti, in RE:to these hot flashes, were they caused by hormome therpy?