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Frankie Shannon
Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi,I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in May of 2010 had surgery in July 2010 for Bilateral Mastectomy & 2 Lymph Nodes removed from each side i am 68 and so far am Cancer free i am on Tamoxifen and Gabapentin for the hot flashes which only subsides them and did not have reconstructive done i figured at my age didn't need the girls any way.I still get fatigued but thats from both the meds.Any one have any suggestions on what else to take for hotflashes.
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Comments

  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #2
    no advice
    No advice on the hot flashes but some of the other sisters may have some. Just wanted to welcome you.
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #3
    My breast surgeon told me to
    My breast surgeon told me to take Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil to help. I have heard the anti-depressent, Effexor works for some ladies,too. I am sure more will come forward with more information for you.
  • ManWithaMission
    ManWithaMission Member Posts: 497
    #4
    New to Network
    Hello Frankie! Sorry to meet under these curcumstances,but this is the best place to be for support. I tryed Vitamin-E for the hot flashes when I was on Tmoxifen and it seemed to help a little. But,now I'm on Famera and it doesn't seem to help any. They are almost a constant thing and HOT! My wife thinks it's funny that I sit around the house most of the time with no shirt on. I also choose not to have re-constructive surgery done, although I still miss my left breast. I still get the strangest looks when I'm at the pool,though?LOL!

    I will also be looking for something for hotflashes here, so I hope you get alot of advise. Sincerely, a Pink Brother, Robert

    ((((HUGS TO ALL)))
  • ManWithaMission
    ManWithaMission Member Posts: 497
    #5
    New to Network
    SORRY. Double click.
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #6
    ManWithaMission said:

    New to Network
    Hello Frankie! Sorry to meet under these curcumstances,but this is the best place to be for support. I tryed Vitamin-E for the hot flashes when I was on Tmoxifen and it seemed to help a little. But,now I'm on Famera and it doesn't seem to help any. They are almost a constant thing and HOT! My wife thinks it's funny that I sit around the house most of the time with no shirt on. I also choose not to have re-constructive surgery done, although I still miss my left breast. I still get the strangest looks when I'm at the pool,though?LOL!

    I will also be looking for something for hotflashes here, so I hope you get alot of advise. Sincerely, a Pink Brother, Robert

    ((((HUGS TO ALL)))

    Thanks Robert if i here
    Thanks Robert if i here anything i'll let you know
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #7
    ManWithaMission said:

    New to Network
    Hello Frankie! Sorry to meet under these curcumstances,but this is the best place to be for support. I tryed Vitamin-E for the hot flashes when I was on Tmoxifen and it seemed to help a little. But,now I'm on Famera and it doesn't seem to help any. They are almost a constant thing and HOT! My wife thinks it's funny that I sit around the house most of the time with no shirt on. I also choose not to have re-constructive surgery done, although I still miss my left breast. I still get the strangest looks when I'm at the pool,though?LOL!

    I will also be looking for something for hotflashes here, so I hope you get alot of advise. Sincerely, a Pink Brother, Robert

    ((((HUGS TO ALL)))

    Thanks Robert if i here
    Thanks Robert if i here anything i'll let you know
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #8
    laughs_a_lot said:

    no advice
    No advice on the hot flashes but some of the other sisters may have some. Just wanted to welcome you.

    Thanks

    Thanks
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #9
    ManWithaMission said:

    New to Network
    SORRY. Double click.

    I've taken tamox
    I've taken tamoxifin for 2 years in Dec.I don't have hot flashes.Thank Goodness. Really no major side effects. I can't wait till I am finished taking it but something makes me think there is something else I will be taking after tamox.My friend was on tamox and something else after that.A total of 10 years.She said she wishes there was another pill and she hates meds as much as I do. I guess we feel we aren't protected once we don't take anything.


    Lynn Smith
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #10
    Triggers
    Frankie,
    You may want to look for triggers of the hot flashes too. Then you can prevent some of them.
    I also put clary sage oil on my pillow at night. Just a drop or two helps. Instead of having 3 or more I am down to 1 sometimes 2 at night. I carry folding fans around also and have an electric fan at my desk at work.
    I did try effexor but it made me feel weird so I am less apt to try too much else.
    Hope this helps some,
    Cindy
  • Nana C.
    Nana C. Member Posts: 108
    #11
    Effexor
    Effexor helped my hot flashes right away. I started on a really low dose. When I had my hysterectomy my doctor upped the dose, with all that effexor helped.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #12
    cinnamonsmile said:

    My breast surgeon told me to
    My breast surgeon told me to take Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil to help. I have heard the anti-depressent, Effexor works for some ladies,too. I am sure more will come forward with more information for you.

    I know that Effexor has
    I know that Effexor has worked for some of the pink sisters. Also, I want to welcome you to the site!


    Hugs, Diane
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #13
    Nana C. said:

    Effexor
    Effexor helped my hot flashes right away. I started on a really low dose. When I had my hysterectomy my doctor upped the dose, with all that effexor helped.

    What helped me ... effexor of course, as
    well as limiting my sugar and caffeine intake.

    All I can say is 'Thank Goodness its, Winter'! I am so much more comfortable.

    Good luck .. and please consult your doctor.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #14
    mamolady said:

    Triggers
    Frankie,
    You may want to look for triggers of the hot flashes too. Then you can prevent some of them.
    I also put clary sage oil on my pillow at night. Just a drop or two helps. Instead of having 3 or more I am down to 1 sometimes 2 at night. I carry folding fans around also and have an electric fan at my desk at work.
    I did try effexor but it made me feel weird so I am less apt to try too much else.
    Hope this helps some,
    Cindy

    Just want to say WELCOME
    Just want to say WELCOME Frankie! I don't have hot flashes, but, it looks like those that do have given you some good advice.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #15
    jnl said:

    Just want to say WELCOME
    Just want to say WELCOME Frankie! I don't have hot flashes, but, it looks like those that do have given you some good advice.


    Hugs, Leeza

    Thanks for the welcome Leeza

    Thanks for the welcome Leeza
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #16
    VickiSam said:

    What helped me ... effexor of course, as
    well as limiting my sugar and caffeine intake.

    All I can say is 'Thank Goodness its, Winter'! I am so much more comfortable.

    Good luck .. and please consult your doctor.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    Welcome Frankie!
    I feel your pain with these %$#@& hot flashes. The others have some good tips but short of Effexor ( haven't tried it yet) nothing has helped me.
    Vicki Sam is so right about winter helping but the night sweats don't care if it's 100 degrees or 50!

    Wishing you a short run with them and try some of the suggestions. Hope they help.

    Welcome again!
    Hugs,
    Wanda
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #17
    Lighthouse_7 said:

    Welcome Frankie!
    I feel your pain with these %$#@& hot flashes. The others have some good tips but short of Effexor ( haven't tried it yet) nothing has helped me.
    Vicki Sam is so right about winter helping but the night sweats don't care if it's 100 degrees or 50!

    Wishing you a short run with them and try some of the suggestions. Hope they help.

    Welcome again!
    Hugs,
    Wanda

    Yes i am loving winter now
    Yes i am loving winter now which was not my favorite season before I don't know if i get night sweats as the Gabapentin i take lets me sleep all night thanks for meds.Hugs to you also Frankie
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #18
    Frankie Shannon said:

    Yes i am loving winter now
    Yes i am loving winter now which was not my favorite season before I don't know if i get night sweats as the Gabapentin i take lets me sleep all night thanks for meds.Hugs to you also Frankie

    Hi Frankie :)
    My oncologist
    Hi Frankie :)
    My oncologist also suggested vitamin E to help with the hot flashes. They helped tremendously, and then i had a complete hysterectomy 2 months ago and since then my hot flashes have gotten terrible, but I was told to expect that & they will subside in about a year.
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #19
    Heatherbelle said:

    Hi Frankie :)
    My oncologist
    Hi Frankie :)
    My oncologist also suggested vitamin E to help with the hot flashes. They helped tremendously, and then i had a complete hysterectomy 2 months ago and since then my hot flashes have gotten terrible, but I was told to expect that & they will subside in about a year.
    *hugs*
    Heather

    I'v never had a hysterectomy
    I'v never had a hysterectomy but have had the hot flashes for over a year now and my onc.said they have know idea how long they will last could be for the rest of my life dread the thought hugs Frankie
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #20
    no suggestions...just wanted
    no suggestions...just wanted to say I have been on tamoxifen for 3 1/2 yrs...no side effects to speak of until May-had to have hysterectomy-but hot flashes were slight..only night sweats (pretty bad) NO fatigue from med or radiation...

    I HOPE YOU get some suggestions here, which I am sure you will

    Denise
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #21
    Frankie Shannon said:

    I'v never had a hysterectomy
    I'v never had a hysterectomy but have had the hot flashes for over a year now and my onc.said they have know idea how long they will last could be for the rest of my life dread the thought hugs Frankie

    Frankie: I call my warm slow flashes
    VERY mild not even worth mentioning post hyterectomy in May..

    Denise

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