The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Hot flashes and night sweats

Jobi
Jobi CSN Member Posts: 211
edited April 2012 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi, Ladies,

It's me again. Tomorrow is my second round of Taxol. Since my last update, I have gotten more pain in my neck, back, and pelvis. I would still take this any day over the nausea that came with A/C.

Anyway, I am having a terrible time with hot flashes and night sweats. I keep waking up covered in sweat; then I get cold. I did tell my doctor about it. She didn't have much to offer - other than "deal with it." Any suggestions, advice?

Thanks!

Dorene
Like Care

Comments

  • Penny67
    Penny67 CSN Member Posts: 65
    #2
    Hot flashes are no picnic
    I can tell you that I had the same thing after I started chemo. I would wake up so wet that I would have to change my clothes. I think I was averaging about 50 hot flashes a day and they weren't mild. Things did start to quiet down was I got closer to the half way point in my chemo. I have been finished with chemo since December 14, 2011 and I am having about 10 hot flashes each day. Since I have been taking tamoxifen the hot flashes have increased a bit so we'll see how bad they get. I know that my doctor told me I could go on a low dose of Effexor (an antidepressant) to help with them if they were too much for me to take. I guess as the weather warms up here in WI I will see if my hot flashes also warm up.
    Like Care
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna CSN Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #3
    HotFlash
    Dorene... I feel for you. I remember going through night sweats when I was on chemo. The doctor didn't offer any suggestions for me too. If it's any consolation, they do decrease when off the heavy drugs. I am on Tamoxifen and I still get them. But the intensity has decreased, what a relief.

    Hang in there.
    Like Care
  • Jobi
    Jobi CSN Member Posts: 211
    #4
    Penny67 said:

    Hot flashes are no picnic
    I can tell you that I had the same thing after I started chemo. I would wake up so wet that I would have to change my clothes. I think I was averaging about 50 hot flashes a day and they weren't mild. Things did start to quiet down was I got closer to the half way point in my chemo. I have been finished with chemo since December 14, 2011 and I am having about 10 hot flashes each day. Since I have been taking tamoxifen the hot flashes have increased a bit so we'll see how bad they get. I know that my doctor told me I could go on a low dose of Effexor (an antidepressant) to help with them if they were too much for me to take. I guess as the weather warms up here in WI I will see if my hot flashes also warm up.

    I was so relieved when I
    I was so relieved when I read your post. The number of flashes that I experience a day is pretty high, and I didn't want anyone to think I was exaggerating. I am on a low dose of Pristiq which is also an anti-depressant, but that doesn't seem to be working. I will start praying for cool air for now!

    Thanks!!!
    Like Care
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile CSN Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #5
    Hi, I have hot flashes from
    Hi, I have hot flashes from surgical menopause, but had them before the surgery naturally. My breast surgeon recommended I take Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E supplements. I take the last two of the day closer together for night sweats. Mine can be just horrible. I also keep an ice pack in bed and a water bottle half frozen with ice and the rest water. have a ceiling fan that I run at night too. Fans really seem to help me.

    There are lots of things to avoid eating or drinking to help not get hot flashes. The only three I can think of off hand are caffeine,alcohol and spicey foods.

    I also take Black Cohosh, but it is not good for estrogen positive cancers. I was hormone positive but my doctors said it was ok in my particular situation.

    There is a wonderful website called hystersisters.com that has thousands of women talking about menopause on there. Lots of tips and advice.

    I had a hot flash at the vet the other day that my whole body was sweating...had sweat dripping down my legs, clothes were damp...

    I hear you on the uncomfortableness. I sleep with a light blanket, cotton pj top that breathes and is light and I am still doing the covers on, covers off and get cold cuz I am wet and the house temp is at 63.

    Sweating along with you....
    Like Care
  • AMomNETN
    AMomNETN CSN Member Posts: 242
    #6
    cinnamonsmile said:

    Hi, I have hot flashes from
    Hi, I have hot flashes from surgical menopause, but had them before the surgery naturally. My breast surgeon recommended I take Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E supplements. I take the last two of the day closer together for night sweats. Mine can be just horrible. I also keep an ice pack in bed and a water bottle half frozen with ice and the rest water. have a ceiling fan that I run at night too. Fans really seem to help me.

    There are lots of things to avoid eating or drinking to help not get hot flashes. The only three I can think of off hand are caffeine,alcohol and spicey foods.

    I also take Black Cohosh, but it is not good for estrogen positive cancers. I was hormone positive but my doctors said it was ok in my particular situation.

    There is a wonderful website called hystersisters.com that has thousands of women talking about menopause on there. Lots of tips and advice.

    I had a hot flash at the vet the other day that my whole body was sweating...had sweat dripping down my legs, clothes were damp...

    I hear you on the uncomfortableness. I sleep with a light blanket, cotton pj top that breathes and is light and I am still doing the covers on, covers off and get cold cuz I am wet and the house temp is at 63.

    Sweating along with you....

    Add Me
    I too have hot flashes and night sweats. They started about 1-2 months after I started chemo. Came on full force when I started Tamoxfen. My onc said there wasn't much to do since I was estrogen+. He did say they would be worse if I wasn't taking Celexa(antidepressent). That boggles this poor brain. I wear as little possible. I wear light weight clothes and short sleeves a must. I try to drink more water. I have a ceiling fan going at night, plus another fan that blows on me. I'm just starting to have the night sweats are starting to ease a little but I'm at about 20+ a day tho. If you find something that helps please let me know.

    Janie
    Like Care
  • sdukowitz
    sdukowitz CSN Member Posts: 250
    #7
    I am having terrible time at
    I am having terrible time at nights with tamoxifin also ... wake up soaking wet with sweat I dont have them as much in daytimebut wear a light tank top under everytthing and jusr keep changing that if i have to at work i keepa gel icepak bythe bed and apply it to back if neck at night if needed its the pits but i am ginna try to stay on for 6 months to see if it gets worse ive been on tamoxifinsince Dec 2011 fan on low at night cotton sheets hope something will bring you relief soon! Sue D.
    Like Care
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 CSN Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #8
    sdukowitz said:

    I am having terrible time at
    I am having terrible time at nights with tamoxifin also ... wake up soaking wet with sweat I dont have them as much in daytimebut wear a light tank top under everytthing and jusr keep changing that if i have to at work i keepa gel icepak bythe bed and apply it to back if neck at night if needed its the pits but i am ginna try to stay on for 6 months to see if it gets worse ive been on tamoxifinsince Dec 2011 fan on low at night cotton sheets hope something will bring you relief soon! Sue D.

    I feel for you Dorene. I
    I feel for you Dorene. I have had terrible night sweats for years. The hot flashes during the day have just about stopped. Fans are a good way to relieve them and light clothing or layers because you need to take them off quickly when "they" hit. I would say that they are the worst thing for me personally because I never get a full night's sleep. I don't have any good answers for you, except maybe hang in there like I do, and keep hoping they will pass.
    Best of luck from another "soaker"
    Hugs,
    Wanda
    Like Care
  • camul
    camul CSN Member Posts: 2,537
    #9
    Hi Dorene
    I have had hot flashes since having a total hysterectomy at 30, and honestly the night sweats started about the time I started getting a period. They got worse with chemo, and the week that I get the Xgeva shot.

    Two funny stories. First time was when my father died. We stayed at my grandparents in Wisconsin. My sister and I slept on the sun porch. I woke up to 2 uncles laughing (I was 17), it was August, humid and I had no fan. I stripped down in the middle of the night. They were teasing me that they couldn't tell if it was me or my brother (I was very flat chested)!

    A few years ago, I went on a girls weekend and we shared rooms. I forgot to tell them I get night sweats and strip sometimes. They all got a kick out of it. Now that they are getting hot flashes with menopause, they understand!

    But the fan does the most for me.

    Good luck.
    Carol
    Like Care
  • jne66
    jne66 CSN Member Posts: 26
    #10
    My doctor put me on
    My doctor put me on gabapentin(neurotin) and effexor (venaflaxin) what a difference! Still have hot flashes but more bearable and greatly reduced. I was er positive also. There's no need to suffer . I'm lucky my onc is a women and my nurse pea roomer is a breast cancer survivor. There are alternatives. Find one that works for you. Lots of luck Jne
    Like Care
  • jne66
    jne66 CSN Member Posts: 26
    #11
    Sometimes I hate spell check
    Sometimes I hate spell check nurse pea roomer should have been nurse practioner Lol !
    Like Care
  • Kylez
    Kylez CSN Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #12
    Bella Luna said:

    HotFlash
    Dorene... I feel for you. I remember going through night sweats when I was on chemo. The doctor didn't offer any suggestions for me too. If it's any consolation, they do decrease when off the heavy drugs. I am on Tamoxifen and I still get them. But the intensity has decreased, what a relief.

    Hang in there.

    I am so sorry Dorene. I
    I am so sorry Dorene. I hope that they start decreasing very quickly for you.


    Hugs, Kylez
    Like Care
  • DebbyB
    DebbyB CSN Member Posts: 86
    #13
    Peppermint Oil
    A friend gave me a great tip. A couple drops of peppermint oil on the back of your neck. It helps and you smell good. It's a win-win. :)
    Like Care
  • Jobi
    Jobi CSN Member Posts: 211
    #14
    DebbyB said:

    Peppermint Oil
    A friend gave me a great tip. A couple drops of peppermint oil on the back of your neck. It helps and you smell good. It's a win-win. :)

    Thanks!
    Thanks everyone! I have been trying some of the things you have suggested! I appreciate all the tips!

    Dorene
    Like Care
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 CSN Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #15
    Jobi said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks everyone! I have been trying some of the things you have suggested! I appreciate all the tips!

    Dorene

    I hope some of the tips help
    I hope some of the tips help you Dorene! Let us know if anything works. Isn't there something that starts with an E that some take. I can't think of it right now.


    Hugs, Jan
    Like Care

Discussion Boards