Hot Flashes!

LauraLC

Hot Flashes!

LauraLC

I just turned 55 & started having hot flashes 2 weeks ago.  My blood work in Feb indicated I was menopausal.  Is there anything I can do since I can't take estrogen?  I thought I was lucky and was going to miss out on them!

Layla2525

You should consult with your doctor to see if it would be ok for you to try some herbal remedies. Other than that,good diet and exercise keep them down but nothing would really stop them except the old horse estrogen from the dr and we cant take that since we are er and pr positive. I have had them for 10 yrs and they were almost gone away but the Femara made them come back with a vengeance and I just have to live with it. Taking my sweater off and on all day,tossing and turning all night. Guess I am used to it after taking the Femara for almost a yr. Its better than getting BC again! Anybody out there get hot and cold flashes? I get super hot like I can go outside in 50 degrees and be hot then I get super cold like I can be in 80 degrees and wear a sweater. Is it hot flashes or the hormone med?

runnermom1956

I haven't even started the Arimidex yet but the hot/cold flashes are driving me crazy! I had a total hysterectomy in 2003 at which time I was put on a transdermal estrdiol patch..as I went into surgical menopause at that time. I was wearing the patch up until DX in Feb 2013! Never stopped to think maybe that caused the BC..Dr never told me to go off..anyway I am ER/PR pos..and took that succker off immediatly..BOOM! Hot flashes from hell..cold sweats..uhg. and I hear when I go on the Arimidex it gets WORSE?? yes...better than BC for sure..but maddening.  

I start my first infusion today..TC 4 cycles..after taht I get to got on the Arimidex..lot's of funs tuff to look forward too.

Have a great day and stay cool...or warm..pick one that applies! LOL

runnermom

cinnamonsmiles

I had hormone positive breast cancer. My breast surgeon had me take Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E supplements. I had to stop taking the Vit E because my blood levels were too high and it is bad for some other condition I have.

I recently realized that I didn't have EPO in  my daily pill box (I had ran out and not realized it when I was filling up my daily pill box). So I learned that EPO works for me because I couldn't figure out why my hot flashes were getting worse again!!! EPO doesn't work for everyone.

As always, check with your doctors when you are going to take something.

runnermom1956

thanks Cinnamon..I do take EPO and Vit E but bc I started chemo today I wasn't sure if I should take all the supplements I usually  take so I only took my Multi v for today. I asked about all the supplements I have been taking but didn't get a clear answer on whether any of them would interact or make the chemo less effective so I didn't want tot ake a chance.

thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

runnermom

Skigirl72

Hi, I'm 41. Has anyone heard of black cohosh? I have a script for Gabapentin. My MO says it helps, but, I'd rather not put MORE chemicals in me.

runnermom1956

Hi Skigirl..I have tried BL Coh and it workd when I was premenapausal with the hot flashes and night sweat. I was also given Nuerotin by PCM and refused it) I am now 56 and have since been thru hysterctomy and surgical menopause and take evening primrose oil but do not take the BL Co any more. Sorry if this didn't help much.

hope you feel better without chemicals

runnermom

Skigirl72

I took one (half the dose) of the Nuerotin last night and it was awful. Dizzy and still no relief from the flashes. So, I will ask about the Black cohosh and EPO. I think Vit E is on the no no list for chemo. Thanks for the input.

Timbek2

You should not take black cohosh with tamoxifen. Go to drugs.com to see the interactions. I don't think drs do a good job of explaining this.

Skigirl72

I will look that up. Do the hot flashes ever subside? I sure hope my body is going to get used to the hormone changes.

cinnamonsmiles

Black Cohosh should not be taken by anyone with er/pr positive breast cancer whether you are on Tamoxifen or not.

LauraLC

Thanks for the advice----I will look into Evening Primrose Oil!

msphil

I took herbal remedies( black cohash) worked great for me. msphil(idc, stage2 ,3 nodes, L  mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen) 19 yr this year SURVIVOR(Praise GOD)

cathyann

I'm 53 and have had hot flashes for 5 years now.  The night sweats are the worst.  I have to leave something out for me to change into during the night because I wake up soaked right through everything.  I go from one minute (during the day) having a hot flash and the next cold because I'm "clamy". 

I do find that if I'm having a hot flash, to drink a very cold glass of water and it does help it subside.

Can someone tell me what is Black Cohosh?

Skigirl72

Here is a link to info on Black Cohosh. I was told its a no-no during chemo and those with ER/PR ++...

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BlackCohosh-HealthProfessional/

I have been taking Ativan at night and it does seem to help. I am sleeping mostly through the night.

boobuddy

sorry you are going through this I just wanted to say I also was on the estrogen for years then when I got dx I stopped immediately drs orders and I was told to stop all other vitamins except a multi everyday when I was going through chemo.I had AC/T for six months then six weeks rads and five yrs tamoxifen which ends in August 2013.I have tried so many things for the hot flushes but honestly nothing has helped but ask your doctor as some women do get some relief from other pills that don't have estrogen.Good Luck.x

melmcbee

I Istarted having hot flashes in the recovery room after bmx. I dont know why that is. Then chemo put me in menopause. I tried the vit e per my onc and it helped some but I was taking so much of it that I got a gi bleed. Anyway I stopped the vit e and started taking neurotin for theneuropathy from chemo. I didnt realize it at the time but it helped with the hotflashes. I also constantly have cold water around to drink just because i crave it ever since I was on chemo. So that may also help. I do notice that if I eat sugar I will have a hot flash. Hugs to all. Oh im 43 yrs old

lifegoeson

I was taking birth control pills to control my peri-menopausal hot flashes when I was diagnosed at age 52.  I stopped the pills immediately and I haven't had my period since.  It's been over 4 years now and I still get hot flashes daily and the worst night sweats.  I blame the pills (partly) for my cancer so I don't take anything for the hot flashes now.  I hate the hot flashes but it's better than cancer.