Hot flashes worse when you're sick?

TraciInLA
TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Most of you know I've been on Tamoxifen for about 18 months -- the only side effect I seem to have from it is hot flashes, and, thankfully, I've been able to keep them very manageable by taking Vitamin E (with my doctors' blessing).

Last Friday, I got hit with a nasty tummy bug/food poisoning thing, and was sick as a dog -- on top of all the usual symptoms (I'll spare you the details), my hot flashes were just out of control, every few minutes, it seemed.

I'm just fine now, and the hot flashes are back to normal, too. The same thing happened about a month ago, when I had a bad cold.

Just curious if anyone else's hot flashes explode when they're sick? Any idea what would cause this?

Inquiring minds and all that, :-)

Traci

Comments

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #2
    I can't answer your
    I can't answer your questions about hot flashes and being sick, but ask your doctor about evening primrose oil for hot flashes, too. That's what my surgeon started me on as well as vitamin e when I was planning to get my ovaries removed. I never did get the surgery because the stupid surg tech who assists her FAILED to have me sign ins. paperwork 31 days in advance of surgery (never read the whole thing and ASSUMED it didn't apply to me cuz it was cancer related) and called to tell me the AFTERNOON before the surgery the next morning it was cancelled.I got fed up with the surg tech since this was not the first time she F*&_ED up with my care so my surgeon, infortuneately was fired as well.
    Anyway, since I still experience mild hot flashes anyway, I still keep taking them.
  • grams2jc
    grams2jc Member Posts: 756
    #3
    I'm pretty new to Tamoxifen...
    but I have noticed more hot flashes if I am tired or having a little bit of an icky day, thankfully knock on wood I haven't had a bug yet in the 8 weeks I've been on. It also seems that I have the nuclear ones at church, boring homily maybe?

    Jennifer
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #4
    grams2jc said:

    I'm pretty new to Tamoxifen...
    but I have noticed more hot flashes if I am tired or having a little bit of an icky day, thankfully knock on wood I haven't had a bug yet in the 8 weeks I've been on. It also seems that I have the nuclear ones at church, boring homily maybe?

    Jennifer

    LOL, Jennifer!
    Okay, so I need to ask my minister to offer a really boring sermon one Sunday, then a scintillating one the next, so I can test out your theory?

    And (in the interest of scientific accuracy, of course), I guess I need to bring all of you Tamoxifen ladies with me -- she'll know how interesting her sermon is (or isn't) by whether or not we're all sitting there fanning ourselves?

    :-) Traci
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #5
    Yes, when I've been
    sick and when I get stressed.

    I can have up to 4 hot flashes an hour and since I'm Estrogen positive, can't take a thing!

    I'm really hoping once I get off Tamoxifen, they'll subside.

    But I think when you're physically sick, it just compounds the hot flashes. I had about 2 sinus infections and felt them worse during that time.

    Then when I'm sitting in a meeting and tensions run high, ugh...I break out in a hot flash.

    Look forward to the day when they are NO MORE :D

    Hugs,

    Sylvia (glad you're feeling better)
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    sea60 said:

    Yes, when I've been
    sick and when I get stressed.

    I can have up to 4 hot flashes an hour and since I'm Estrogen positive, can't take a thing!

    I'm really hoping once I get off Tamoxifen, they'll subside.

    But I think when you're physically sick, it just compounds the hot flashes. I had about 2 sinus infections and felt them worse during that time.

    Then when I'm sitting in a meeting and tensions run high, ugh...I break out in a hot flash.

    Look forward to the day when they are NO MORE :D

    Hugs,

    Sylvia (glad you're feeling better)

    I am a walking talking sprinkler .. and I am not on
    any hormones! Go figure, my Oncologist states that I will have hot flashes for another year!

    When I get tired, sick or outside temperature gets over 80 degrees, my 'hot' flashes intensify. I continually change clothing daily -- and try to stay away from salt and sugar --trigger foods that increase 'hot' flash frequency.

    So yes, hot flashes will increase with illness, even more so if you were running a fever. Makes sense to me, then again, I am not a doctor - even tho I play one at home.

    I hope your are felling better, and able to enjoy your beautiful sunflowers!

    Vicki Sam
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #7
    I think all of have triggers
    I think all of have triggers and, as you figure them out, things tend to get a lot better. Here are some of my triggers: NSAIDS (aleve, advil, motrin), fatigue, alcohol and caffeine. I can't find info about NSAIDS and hot flashes, but it happens to me consistently--maybe because all of the NSAIDS make me a little tired.

    I also gave up and bought a nice quiet window unit AC at Sears (even though I have central air). What's the point of keeping the entire house 5 below at night? ;-)

    Here are triggers and tips listed at breastcancer.org:

    "alcohol
    caffeine
    diet pills
    spicy food

    hot food
    hot tubs
    saunas
    hot showers

    hot beds
    hot rooms
    hot weather
    smoking

    Hot flash survival tips
    Dress in layers, so you can peel off one layer after another as you get warmer.
    Don't wear wool, don't wear synthetics, and be wary of silk. That leaves cotton, linen, rayon, and more cotton. (Look at the bright side: You'll save on cleaning bills, and you can stop worrying about moths.)
    Avoid turtlenecks. Stick to open-neck shirts.
    Keep ice water at hand that you can sip to cool down your insides.
    Where possible, lower the thermostat. Maybe it's time for a decent air conditioner or a ceiling fan. Or maybe you'd prefer one of those little hand-held battery-operated fans or the foldable kind you flutter in front of your face. You can find perfectly adequate paper fans for about a dollar.
    Wear cotton pajamas or a nightgown. If you perspire a lot at night, your nightclothes are easier to change than the sheets.
    Use cotton sheets only, not synthetics.
    Get a bigger bed if you and your partner are on different heat planets but you still want to stay in close orbit.
    Take a cool shower before bed.
    Try a mild medication like Tylenol
    Arrive at meetings early so that you can get the coolest seat.
    Use your freezer liberally. A number of women talked about opening the freezer at home (or in the supermarket) and sticking their head in when a hot flash hits."

    http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/menopausal/facing/hot_flashes.jsp
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #8
    Traci
    CC gave you a great list of what to avoid and what to do about hot flashes. I've been suffering from them since I was 47 to the point of going on hormone therapy. Since having BC I've tried a few antidepressants that all seemed to make them worse instead of better. I saw my onc last month and he said if I can stand them I'm better off not taking any drugs. So, for now I just grin and bear it. Sometimes just looking at the thermostat or someone bundled up makes me break out in a sweat! LOL I have central air and still use an overhead fan and sometimes a portable fan. Last night I woke to a wet nightgown. Just can't win!
    {{hugs}} Char
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #9
    cahjah75 said:

    Traci
    CC gave you a great list of what to avoid and what to do about hot flashes. I've been suffering from them since I was 47 to the point of going on hormone therapy. Since having BC I've tried a few antidepressants that all seemed to make them worse instead of better. I saw my onc last month and he said if I can stand them I'm better off not taking any drugs. So, for now I just grin and bear it. Sometimes just looking at the thermostat or someone bundled up makes me break out in a sweat! LOL I have central air and still use an overhead fan and sometimes a portable fan. Last night I woke to a wet nightgown. Just can't win!
    {{hugs}} Char

    I dont find the hot flashes
    I dont find the hot flashes awful since treatment i dont tolerate extremes of temperature thoug cold or hot. But I get hot flashes from THINKING about hot flashes. so it would not suprise me if illness makes them worse.!
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #10
    cahjah75 said:

    Traci
    CC gave you a great list of what to avoid and what to do about hot flashes. I've been suffering from them since I was 47 to the point of going on hormone therapy. Since having BC I've tried a few antidepressants that all seemed to make them worse instead of better. I saw my onc last month and he said if I can stand them I'm better off not taking any drugs. So, for now I just grin and bear it. Sometimes just looking at the thermostat or someone bundled up makes me break out in a sweat! LOL I have central air and still use an overhead fan and sometimes a portable fan. Last night I woke to a wet nightgown. Just can't win!
    {{hugs}} Char

    I dont find the hot flashes
    I dont find the hot flashes awful since treatment i dont tolerate extremes of temperature thoug cold or hot. But I get hot flashes from THINKING about hot flashes. so it would not suprise me if illness makes them worse.!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #11
    sea60 said:

    Yes, when I've been
    sick and when I get stressed.

    I can have up to 4 hot flashes an hour and since I'm Estrogen positive, can't take a thing!

    I'm really hoping once I get off Tamoxifen, they'll subside.

    But I think when you're physically sick, it just compounds the hot flashes. I had about 2 sinus infections and felt them worse during that time.

    Then when I'm sitting in a meeting and tensions run high, ugh...I break out in a hot flash.

    Look forward to the day when they are NO MORE :D

    Hugs,

    Sylvia (glad you're feeling better)

    I think when you're sick,
    I think when you're sick, everything is worse, even hot flashes. Happy to read that you are better now.


    Hugs, Diane
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #12
    Traci I find that mine get
    Traci I find that mine get worse when im sick, and when I get really upset or stressed they seem to flare up too!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #13
    CypressCynthia said:

    I think all of have triggers
    I think all of have triggers and, as you figure them out, things tend to get a lot better. Here are some of my triggers: NSAIDS (aleve, advil, motrin), fatigue, alcohol and caffeine. I can't find info about NSAIDS and hot flashes, but it happens to me consistently--maybe because all of the NSAIDS make me a little tired.

    I also gave up and bought a nice quiet window unit AC at Sears (even though I have central air). What's the point of keeping the entire house 5 below at night? ;-)

    Here are triggers and tips listed at breastcancer.org:

    "alcohol
    caffeine
    diet pills
    spicy food

    hot food
    hot tubs
    saunas
    hot showers

    hot beds
    hot rooms
    hot weather
    smoking

    Hot flash survival tips
    Dress in layers, so you can peel off one layer after another as you get warmer.
    Don't wear wool, don't wear synthetics, and be wary of silk. That leaves cotton, linen, rayon, and more cotton. (Look at the bright side: You'll save on cleaning bills, and you can stop worrying about moths.)
    Avoid turtlenecks. Stick to open-neck shirts.
    Keep ice water at hand that you can sip to cool down your insides.
    Where possible, lower the thermostat. Maybe it's time for a decent air conditioner or a ceiling fan. Or maybe you'd prefer one of those little hand-held battery-operated fans or the foldable kind you flutter in front of your face. You can find perfectly adequate paper fans for about a dollar.
    Wear cotton pajamas or a nightgown. If you perspire a lot at night, your nightclothes are easier to change than the sheets.
    Use cotton sheets only, not synthetics.
    Get a bigger bed if you and your partner are on different heat planets but you still want to stay in close orbit.
    Take a cool shower before bed.
    Try a mild medication like Tylenol
    Arrive at meetings early so that you can get the coolest seat.
    Use your freezer liberally. A number of women talked about opening the freezer at home (or in the supermarket) and sticking their head in when a hot flash hits."

    http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/menopausal/facing/hot_flashes.jsp

    Thank you Cynthia!

    Thank you Cynthia!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #14
    Heatherbelle said:

    Traci I find that mine get
    Traci I find that mine get worse when im sick, and when I get really upset or stressed they seem to flare up too!
    *hugs*
    Heather

    Thank you, all
    Want to thank all of you for your responses, and especially you, CC, for the great information.

    We, too, have a separate air conditioner in the bedroom -- my girlfriend (who threatened many times to use my apartment as a meat freezer, because of how cold I kept it to combat the hot flashes) bought it and had it installed before I even moved in!

    Traci
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #15
    TraciInLA said:

    Thank you, all
    Want to thank all of you for your responses, and especially you, CC, for the great information.

    We, too, have a separate air conditioner in the bedroom -- my girlfriend (who threatened many times to use my apartment as a meat freezer, because of how cold I kept it to combat the hot flashes) bought it and had it installed before I even moved in!

    Traci

    Traci glad to see you smiling
    I missed your initial post, but gad to know that you are much better now.
    I got hot flashes from thinking about something? If I get a flash I change the subject of my thoughts.
    Hugs
    I still do not have your e-mail, I have HR question, and both you and Cindy do not give us personal info.
    Hugs
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #16
    New Flower said:

    Traci glad to see you smiling
    I missed your initial post, but gad to know that you are much better now.
    I got hot flashes from thinking about something? If I get a flash I change the subject of my thoughts.
    Hugs
    I still do not have your e-mail, I have HR question, and both you and Cindy do not give us personal info.
    Hugs

    Glad to hear you're feeling better
    I never thought about it until you raised the question but I noticed that any time I'm feeling a little queasy I get a hot flash. Now that can be a problem for someone with motion sickness! I also notice that when I get overheated during the day they flashes get worse in the evening. All this got worse after chemo and has stayed that way with the Femara. I've even been sitting in church and left little puddles on my choir folder. (Sure gald the choir isn't wearing robes this summer!) There's been a lot of good info shared here - thanks for bringing it up!
  • thaios
    thaios Member Posts: 1
    #17
    Build a strategy against hot flashes
    Hey,
    Nice you are ok again
    I think you should build a strategy to fight against hot flashes before they appear and not only to fight them when they appear.By avoiding the triggers that were mentioned on another answer in your post,and by doing some gym program like yoga or aerobics can take better control over hot flashes and their severity.

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