Finally got my last two tubes out! & Now night sweats :(

CyndiJW
CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
in Breast Cancer #1
After three and a half weeks I finally got my last two tubes out today! My bi-lateral mastectomy with skin/nipple saving recon began on Aug 21st. I had four tubes put in & the first two were removed on "schedule"' about 8 days later. However, these last two just kept producing an amount above what my PS allowed before removing. Yesterday I called into the office & proudly read off my readings to their office personnel who made me an appt for today. I feel like a free woman. In only two days I can actually take a real shower again! Thats exciting!

I'm really looking forward to sleeping tonight without those tubes, but wouldn't you know it? Now I've begun having night sweats so badly (for the last four nights) that I wake up drenched & freezing at about 1:00 a.m. and have to get up to change clothes and regroup before I can even think about going back to sleep. I know that my hormone suppressing medication is probably the culprit (been on it for 3 1/2 wks now) but is there anything that can be done to help?

Any advice is welcomed. I have to start working again on Sept 25th & this is our busiest time of the year so I really can't afford to be either sleep deprived or to just go back to bed any old time I feel like it, like I've been doing off work.

I guess you have to take the good with the bad. :(

*Hugs*
Cyndi

Comments

  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #2
    Night sweats
    Yes terrible. I cannot wear anything in bed at all. Cotton beddiing only and had a big fan put on ceiling. The fan is brilliant but nothing really stops them. I cannot wear sweaters anymore and sometimes even a watch or necklace just irritates me. Effexor my Oncol tells me is the only thing that helps this problem but I dont see much difference. Sorry I hope yours aren't going to be as bad as mine.
  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #3
    Hey Cyndi
    Great news on the tubes and good shower in a couple days. I remember that so well after my surgery in May. Your last tubes were in a long time. The first thing I asked my PS before revision surgery was if I'd have more tubes and no was the answer:) I doubt we'll ever forget those tubes. My Tamoxifen is sitting on the counter. I'm promising myself to start it tonight. I know you're on another med, but I think they must all cause night sweats and insomnia. I wondered how long before it would start, and I'm guessing 3 weeks or so like you posted. Oh, how I dread that. I went through it three yrs ago when I came off HRT but only for one year. I'd have to get up and change the sheets in the middle of the night, then freeze. Plus, I keep re-reading all the side effects and a statement saying the med may or may not reduce my chances of avoiding cancer to spread, etc. I'm thinking, then why am I going to put myself through all this, anyway? I know I owe it to myself to give it a try though. I bought a personal purse fan at Target in the camping section yesterday on the advice of another pink sister. Get one before you have to go back to work! Hugs to you, Linda
  • sdukowitz
    sdukowitz Member Posts: 250
    #4
    I have the small electric
    I have the small electric fan on my nightstand and turn it in and off all night and also the battery operated purse size one I keep with me for work ...... some people change the time they take the tsmoxifin or other meds ... I take it at night and so far the daytime ones arent that severe for me...... I get flushed simetimes at work but thats the way it goes ....so I ignore it best of luck! Some say effexor may help but i dont want to take any more pills! Each person is different.... i hate losing sleep so i have to take a nap right after work most of the time ..... on a good note, it does get better, at least it did for me, after about a month of starting the tamoxifin Sue D
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #5
    sdukowitz said:

    I have the small electric
    I have the small electric fan on my nightstand and turn it in and off all night and also the battery operated purse size one I keep with me for work ...... some people change the time they take the tsmoxifin or other meds ... I take it at night and so far the daytime ones arent that severe for me...... I get flushed simetimes at work but thats the way it goes ....so I ignore it best of luck! Some say effexor may help but i dont want to take any more pills! Each person is different.... i hate losing sleep so i have to take a nap right after work most of the time ..... on a good note, it does get better, at least it did for me, after about a month of starting the tamoxifin Sue D

    Glad to hear it got better
    Glad to hear it got better for you! I was just talking to my husband about this sorry turn of events (after being so incredibly lucky to have caught my cancer and had it all removed with no rads or chemo needed) wondering if this was what I was in for for the rest of my life. So this gives me some hope. Also, I will try your tip of taking my pill right before bed because I have been taking it somewhere around mid-day. I would much rather have an embarrassing hot flash at work than lose half a nights sleep, waking up drenched in sweat every night! And I work from home most of the time, so less chance of hot flashes at work.

    Thank you for some hope!

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #6
    lintx said:

    Hey Cyndi
    Great news on the tubes and good shower in a couple days. I remember that so well after my surgery in May. Your last tubes were in a long time. The first thing I asked my PS before revision surgery was if I'd have more tubes and no was the answer:) I doubt we'll ever forget those tubes. My Tamoxifen is sitting on the counter. I'm promising myself to start it tonight. I know you're on another med, but I think they must all cause night sweats and insomnia. I wondered how long before it would start, and I'm guessing 3 weeks or so like you posted. Oh, how I dread that. I went through it three yrs ago when I came off HRT but only for one year. I'd have to get up and change the sheets in the middle of the night, then freeze. Plus, I keep re-reading all the side effects and a statement saying the med may or may not reduce my chances of avoiding cancer to spread, etc. I'm thinking, then why am I going to put myself through all this, anyway? I know I owe it to myself to give it a try though. I bought a personal purse fan at Target in the camping section yesterday on the advice of another pink sister. Get one before you have to go back to work! Hugs to you, Linda

    Thanks Linda, & I hope you
    Thanks Linda, & I hope you don't have these night sweats. We have a ceiling fan over our bed but don't normally use it. I will start, though, if the night sweats continue.

    Thank you for your support!

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • Haralee
    Haralee Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Try Wicking Sleepwear
    Hi Cyndi,
    I am a 10 year Breast cancer survivor. I started my company, www.haralee.com after the chemo threw me into menopause with drenching night sweats. We make comfortable wicking sleepwear here in the USA and give a percentage of every sale to breast cancer research.
    You will still get night sweats but you may not have to get up and change your clothes so you could get a better night sleep.
    Wishing you the best.
    Sincerely Cool,
    Haralee
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #8
    NOT on meds with sweats
    I am TNBC. I am not on any suppressing drugs but my night sweats have gotten totally out of control! I thought it was due to my infections, surgeries, etc.. but those are clearing up and healing and I am sweating like no tomorrow!
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #9
    RozHopkins said:

    Night sweats
    Yes terrible. I cannot wear anything in bed at all. Cotton beddiing only and had a big fan put on ceiling. The fan is brilliant but nothing really stops them. I cannot wear sweaters anymore and sometimes even a watch or necklace just irritates me. Effexor my Oncol tells me is the only thing that helps this problem but I dont see much difference. Sorry I hope yours aren't going to be as bad as mine.

    Roz,Are you still having
    Roz,

    Are you still having night sweats? How long has it been for you, and is it also due to your estrogen suppressing meds? I will see if the ceiling fan over our bed helps. Usually by the time I wake up it's too late: both me and my bedding are drenched. There is no gradual awareness that I am getting too hot.

    Thanks for your helpful advice. Maybe one of these things will help somewhat.

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #10
    Haralee said:

    Try Wicking Sleepwear
    Hi Cyndi,
    I am a 10 year Breast cancer survivor. I started my company, www.haralee.com after the chemo threw me into menopause with drenching night sweats. We make comfortable wicking sleepwear here in the USA and give a percentage of every sale to breast cancer research.
    You will still get night sweats but you may not have to get up and change your clothes so you could get a better night sleep.
    Wishing you the best.
    Sincerely Cool,
    Haralee

    Thanks, Haralee, I will look
    Thanks, Haralee, I will look into it if this doesn't improve soon. Tried the advice to take the meds at bedtime (I'd been taking it about mid-day) and I was able to stay in bed, mostly asleep, until 6:00 this morning. Quite an improvement over 1:00 a.m.!

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #11
    salls41 said:

    NOT on meds with sweats
    I am TNBC. I am not on any suppressing drugs but my night sweats have gotten totally out of control! I thought it was due to my infections, surgeries, etc.. but those are clearing up and healing and I am sweating like no tomorrow!

    Hi!:)
    I don't know what age
    Hi!:)
    I don't know what age you are but I began having night sweats and hot flashes, etc... In my early '40s totally unconnected to my issues with night sweats now. I was put on Premphase at about 44 yrs (but had my very first severe night sweat at age 40-41) due to bad perimenopausal symptoms. Finally was put on PremPro at about age 52. I am now 55. So, obviously my body is freaking out now with not just having my HRT drugs taken away from me but adding estrogen suppressing drugs on top of that!

    Since we've now had these cancers obviously HRT is quite out of the question. In fact. Some go so far as to say they may have contributed to us having cancers. I don't agree, although I will agreettyst once diagnosed, or found to be genetically pre-disposed it is much safer to get on estrogen suppressing meds. (I base my opinion on this to the fact that out of my grandmother, her sister, her daughter, my sister and me, all who have had breast cancer diagnosed post-50 yrs old, I was the only one to take HRT. My BRCA, btw, was negative, so I feel sure there are a lot more genetic indicators that have yet to be isolated & tested for.)

    Hope your night sweats go away or at least diminish.

    *Hugs
    Cyndi
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #12
    CyndiJW said:

    Glad to hear it got better
    Glad to hear it got better for you! I was just talking to my husband about this sorry turn of events (after being so incredibly lucky to have caught my cancer and had it all removed with no rads or chemo needed) wondering if this was what I was in for for the rest of my life. So this gives me some hope. Also, I will try your tip of taking my pill right before bed because I have been taking it somewhere around mid-day. I would much rather have an embarrassing hot flash at work than lose half a nights sleep, waking up drenched in sweat every night! And I work from home most of the time, so less chance of hot flashes at work.

    Thank you for some hope!

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

    Sue,
    Thank you for the
    Sue,
    Thank you for the suggestion to take my med later in the evening. Last night I took mine right before bed and actually was able to sleep most of that time. This may have just been a fluke, but it sure beats the last five or so nights prior waking up drenched at 1:00 a.m.! We'll see what happens tonight. I'll definitely try this again.

    Thanks!

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #13
    So sorry about the night
    So sorry about the night sweats but good news on getting rid of those horrid tubes! I hope you can get some relief from the night sweats soon. And, good luck going back to work!


    Hugs, Leeza
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #14
    jnl said:

    So sorry about the night
    So sorry about the night sweats but good news on getting rid of those horrid tubes! I hope you can get some relief from the night sweats soon. And, good luck going back to work!


    Hugs, Leeza

    Thanks, Leeza,
    I slept
    Thanks, Leeza,

    I slept longer last night than the previous 4 or 5 so maybe my luck is turning around for the better. Can only hope.

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #15
    CyndiJW said:

    Thanks, Leeza,
    I slept
    Thanks, Leeza,

    I slept longer last night than the previous 4 or 5 so maybe my luck is turning around for the better. Can only hope.

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

    Glad you were finally able
    Glad you were finally able to get some sleep. So, are you feeling better Cyndi?

    Hugs, Angie
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #16
    Angie2U said:

    Glad you were finally able
    Glad you were finally able to get some sleep. So, are you feeling better Cyndi?

    Hugs, Angie

    Well, another rough one last
    Well, another rough one last night so I called my Dr this a.m. He called in an antidepressant that may or may not help with the night sweats, we'll see...and also called in some Ambien to try to help temporarily. I just took it and am about ready to go to bed and hope for the best.

    Thanks for your concern. (I love this group!:))

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #17
    CyndiJW said:

    Well, another rough one last
    Well, another rough one last night so I called my Dr this a.m. He called in an antidepressant that may or may not help with the night sweats, we'll see...and also called in some Ambien to try to help temporarily. I just took it and am about ready to go to bed and hope for the best.

    Thanks for your concern. (I love this group!:))

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

    I had my ovaries removed in
    I had my ovaries removed in 11/11. I have had horrendous hot flashes. My surgeon suggested I take Vitamin E, Evening Primrose Oil, and Black Cohosh. I had to stop the Vit E because my blood level was too high and I guess due to other health issues, it is bad for me. Black Cohosh isn't recommended for women who were estrogen positive cancer.

    I have heard of one or two women being prescribed gabapentin for it, but I think that is rare and extreme considering the side effects from it.

    My significant other bought me a personal fan from Walmart in the camping section. It's a little fan on string to hang around my neck, works wonderful!!!!

    I find that fans work really good to cool me down.

    Always ask your doctors about any medications or supplements.
    I wish you the best in dealing with the awful hot flashes.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #18
    CyndiJW said:

    Well, another rough one last
    Well, another rough one last night so I called my Dr this a.m. He called in an antidepressant that may or may not help with the night sweats, we'll see...and also called in some Ambien to try to help temporarily. I just took it and am about ready to go to bed and hope for the best.

    Thanks for your concern. (I love this group!:))

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

    Hoping the antidepressant
    Hoping the antidepressant will help you Cyndi. Update us as to how you are when you can.


    Gentle hugs,

    Diane
  • hope4thebest
    hope4thebest Member Posts: 108
    #19
    CyndiJW said:

    Well, another rough one last
    Well, another rough one last night so I called my Dr this a.m. He called in an antidepressant that may or may not help with the night sweats, we'll see...and also called in some Ambien to try to help temporarily. I just took it and am about ready to go to bed and hope for the best.

    Thanks for your concern. (I love this group!:))

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

    Sleepytime
    Hi,
    I don't have the nitesweats symptoms, but wanted to comment that ambien was pretty strong and did not leave me with proper REM rest. It works for those desperate times, but be aware of the quality of sleep you actually get with it. Each of us are different, so I hope things work out with figuring out what works best for you.
    Aloha,
    Annie
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #20
    DianeBC said:

    Hoping the antidepressant
    Hoping the antidepressant will help you Cyndi. Update us as to how you are when you can.


    Gentle hugs,

    Diane

    Thanks, Diane.
    The last few
    Thanks, Diane.

    The last few nights I have been able to get about 5-6 hrs sleep straight through and I'm feeling a lot better due to more sleep. Just realized yesterday (Duh!) that I start back to work Tues not Weds of next week and this is a really busy time, THE busiest time of the year for me. That's going to be tough, but at least I can work from home.

    Night sweats may possibly be getting better or maybe I'm just sleeping through them, but when I wake up I am not drenched like I was. Not sure if the Lexipro is helping or taking the Arimidex right before bed helps or what. Whichever the reason, at least there is some improvement. Not ideal at all, but better than it was.

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #21
    hope4thebest said:

    Sleepytime
    Hi,
    I don't have the nitesweats symptoms, but wanted to comment that ambien was pretty strong and did not leave me with proper REM rest. It works for those desperate times, but be aware of the quality of sleep you actually get with it. Each of us are different, so I hope things work out with figuring out what works best for you.
    Aloha,
    Annie

    I have never taken or needed
    I have never taken or needed any sleep aides and believe me this was a last resort. The last thing I want to do is become dependent on Ambien. But I can't deny that getting 5-6 straight hrs of sleep beats waking up every hour or two, miserable, sweating & cold with what I called " restless arms". A weird & totally torturous feeling!

    I've only taken it for three nights now. Since the night sweats seem to have decreased somewhat in severity I am going to give it a go without the Ambien probably tonight to see how it goes. I was getting all weepy & feeling down - and run-down - there for a couple of days, which is not normal for me. But I think it was just from lack of sleep since I am feeling more normal now.

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

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