Hot flashes!

BBK

I was dx w/ bc almost 2 years' ago, and have had a mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction, followed by 4 rounds of AC Chemotherapy. I was ER+, no node involvement, and have been on Tamoxifen for about 16 months. The chemo put me into early menopause (I'm now 45). The hot flashes have been intense from the beginning, and they're driving me crazy. I assume that the emotionalism that accompanies each "flash" (makes me want to cry every time I experience one) is because of the fluctuation in my hormone levels. I haven't had a period now since May. I'm just wondering if there are others out there having the same kind of experience with hot flashes as I am (they come every 20-30 minutes, round the clock, and last upwards of 4-5 minutes each...my whole body breaks out in a sweat with most of my flashes (sometimes, I just get hot; but, usually, I perspire, too -- all over). It wakes me up at night, so I'm not sleeping well. I can't take anything, as estrogen feeds my type of cancer, and my doctor wants me to stay away from any estrogen (including soy). I've tried vitamin E pills, but I really don't think they help. Anyone else out there struggling with the hot flashes and night/day sweats? Anything else I can try to alleviate them? Will it ever stop?!?!?! It's literally driving me crazy, and I'm not sure how many more of these I can put up with (not that I have much choice, I guess...). Any advice would be appreciated. I don't see my oncologist again until November 9th, but I'm sure going to talk to her about this! Thanks. Barb (in Maine)

seeknpeace

Hi!! Well, I had a bilateral mast. in Feb., with a tram reconstruct. In December of 2002, I had a total hysterectomy. So, from 12-02 until my diagnosis this year of bc, I was on hormones. The oncologist pulled me off of the hormones, and my cancer is est/pr negative. She allowed me to have a small dose of est every other day at first hoping to help me ween off. But, she wanted me off totally. She said that even though my cancer was not fed by the est., I am at a high risk to develop that kind too. So, I am suffering like you are.

Seems to me if I get upset, or flustered, or overly warm, it will cause one to set in. My entire head is drenched all of a sudden. And, clients are sitting in front of me, my face is beet red, etc. I feel like my hair is on fire.

I, like you, cannot take any natural things either. But, she gave me something called bellagaine, or something like that. It did not help me, but, it does help some ppl. I am already on a anti depressant, so, if that is helping, I would hate to see what I would be like without it. I am miserable, and the worst thing for me is that some women have hot flashes their entire lives. I really hope mine stop. I have between 10 and 15 a day.

If you find out anything new, please let me know. I would love to get some relief.

Jan

lisamm

Hi ladies. I'm in the boat with you both.I was dx w/bc in July of this year.Bilateral mastectomy in Aug. I had a hystorectomy at age 25.(37 yrs old now) I was put on HRT directly after my surgery due to hot flash's while I was still in the hospital recovering. I had been on HRT up till the day of BC dx. OC told me to go off immediately. Being ER/PR neg. mine too was fed by something other. (no family history of bc) Since my bc surgery on Aug.30 I have continuous hot flashes every single day,all day long. It drives me crazy also. As with you all,I hate it. They come on very sudden, in the most inappropriate times, as you both already know. With mine, they last about 5 min. my whole body sweats,legs,arms etc. I feel at times I need to change clothing. At my first Chemo treatment last week I asked my OC if there was something I could take to deminish these, he told me NO immediatly, then mentioned taking 800mg of vitamine E. Well, I've done that in the past too with no luck. Just didn't work for me. Being in treatment now they won't allow any herbs. I'm not a herb person anyway, but at one time I fought with my GYNO about getting off HRT because of the risks and she mentioned a few other herbs which I never tried. (black cohash or something like that and a few others). BUT, please don't hold me to that name, I have no clue about natural healing sources. If I were you I would definatly ask you OC about any other suggestions he/she has. Like I said, mine basically told me there is NOTHING AT FOR ME. I hope you find some relief soon.
Best of luck and hang in there.
Lisa

amelia

Barb, My Oncologist gave me a two week sample pak of effexor-xr to try, as they are very expensive and I do not have rx coverage. they worked like a mericle! I was having up to 50 hot flashes, bad ones, a day. Unfortunatly I cannot afford that kind of $ and had to stop taking it. That was a yr. ago and I am down to about 10 to 15 a day and they are not as bad. I can get through one without using a fan anyway. Hope this helps, Good luck and God Bless,Amelia

chessie

Yeah, I am also jumping in on this one. I have had flashes since chemo. I also have had a problem with chronic pain since being on Taxol. Anyway, the one med they have me on is desipramine, an anti-depressant which is also good for nerve pain, but has also helped with lessening the flashes. I still get them, but not as many. I believe they should do more studies about this problem. Some doctors don't realize how incredibly bad these hot flashes can make you feel. (I also have a huge wave of pain along with the flash as a bonus...)I really wish they knew more about this and how to stop it.

empenage

I would highly recommend acupuncture. I have heard some woman have alot of success with this. Although I have not used acupuncture for this problem, have for other problems related to breast cancer treatment, ie....sleeplessness, depression and crazy hormones. It worked wonders on me for these things. Good luck and don't be afraid of the needles...they are paper thin and you don't feel anything but relief.

Future

I too have had problems with the hot flashes while on tamoxifen. Tried Vit E, some prescribed meds but the best one for me is Effexor. If your insurance covers it or you can afford it, you might want to talk to your doctor about it. I still have hot flashes but not the same intensity. Also might want to keep a food diary and see if they increase with certain foods. I've noticed with certain foods I'll get more intense hot flashes. Don't know if others have had that experience.

cathdavis

Hi everyone. I haven't been on in a while so missed this message until today. I, too, have horrible hot flashes. Dx with BC in 2002, rt mastectomy, no chemo, est+ and am on arimidex which causes hot flashes. My are very sudden and intense just like the rest of you. It is sometimes very embarrassing! I was on paxil, didn't do any good. I also take E, but that doesn't help either. Recently the dr put me on effexor XR which has cut them down just slightly, but they are still a big nuisance. I don't sleep either because I am constantly waking up with these and having to change etc due to being soaked in sweat. Working hard, wine or coffee, nervousness, worry, hot weather or a hot room....all seem to exacerbate the problem. I read with interest the suggestions...I think I'm ready to try the acupuncture! Any other ideas out there? Thanks for listening....Cathy

SusanAnne

Future said:

I too have had problems with the hot flashes while on tamoxifen. Tried Vit E, some prescribed meds but the best one for me is Effexor. If your insurance covers it or you can afford it, you might want to talk to your doctor about it. I still have hot flashes but not the same intensity. Also might want to keep a food diary and see if they increase with certain foods. I've noticed with certain foods I'll get more intense hot flashes. Don't know if others have had that experience.

Hi Future. I was at a breast cancer conference this past weekend. A small piece of info I picked up was that you shouldn't be taking vitamin E while on Tamoxifen. It reduces it's effectiveness. Just something to check into.

Susan

DoubleKnot

Hello Barb,

The ONLY thing that I have found that helps me with the hot flashes, isn't an RX. It is simply cooling the body from the inside out. I just drink ICE WATER with small pieces of ice in the water. I put a small piece of ice in my mouth and then let it slowly slide down my throat. It might sound crazy to the rest of you, but it sure helps me and when you are having those darn hot flashes, it is worth trying anything that will work for you or for me. Just a suggestion for you. Something simple and not expensive. As I said, it cools the body from the inside out. Hope it helps some of you also.

DoubleKnot