hot flashes

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astormycello
astormycello Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Hello :-) I was diagnosed with stage 2b breast cancer in 2009 and had 9 months of chemotherapy. I am almost a three year survivor but I am finding the hot flashes unbearable. I cannot sleep, my glasses fog up, the windows of my car fog up when I have a hot flash, sweat drips off me, this happens every 40 minutes and has done so for the last two and a half years. I was diagnosed when I was 41 and was thrown into early menopause...I have been silently suffering for two years but it is getting worse.. wake up feeling sooo sad and don't know what to do...twice I have told my oncologist I can't cope and I have told my local GP over 4 times.....my oncologist told me to cope with it and my GP laughed......can anyone offer a suggestion?....I have to work full time and am exhausted...I know I am blessed as I am a survivor but I really can't stand this anymore...no one tells you this when you are diagnosed, they just rip everything out and pop you on these tablets and then you are left to fend for yourself.....an anyone please offer a cure for this?

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  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 633
    edited January 2012

    Im 45 and know what you mean but thankfully dont get the flashes quite as often as you. I sit under a ceiling fan and just turn the air con on whenever possible. Are you on arimedix or one of the other hormone treatments? Theres a separate area in the forum where they discuss methods and how to get thru the side effects. That thread may be of huge assistance to you.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited January 2012

    wow, I can totally relate and am very sorry your MD didn't offer any solutions. For many women Oncologists will prescribe Effexor, which I am on at 37.5mg. Its actually an antidepressant and I am at the lowest dose. For some reason, it helps alleviate hot flashes. Mine were as bad as yours are and after 8 weeks on the Effexor XR I am 95% hot flash free. Now I only get them when I drink alchohol. Please ask your Oncologist. Good luck to you.

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  • minxie
    minxie Member Posts: 484
    edited January 2012

    I know that miserable feeling, oh how I sympathize with you... I was having those killer hot flashes about twice an hour as well. Seriously, they just suck the enjoyment of life right out of you. It's no way to live and your GP has a lot of nerve laughing about it, especially if he hasn't experienced it.

    I tried Effexor but it made me feel horrible. My onc has me on Clonidine, a blood pressure medicine which has helped some with their hot flashes. You have to take it for 12 weeks before it starts showing results, but slowly, slowly, I'm seeing things start to improve! Good luck, you shouldn't have to suffer like this!

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  • powder1958
    powder1958 Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2012

    I had breast cancer in 2001, lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation.  I was thrown into periomenopause, and now think I am finally in menopause.  These hot-flashes are the worst, I have had them 10 years now, and feel even though the chemo maybe saved my life, it has also sucked life out of me.  I cannot get rid of them, cannot sleep @ night without an ambien.  And I also feel sick when I get them.  I have tried everything, I even pleaded with my doc. to get on bio identical hormones to see if that would help, even though I am not supposed to have them, its like if I live a shorter amount of time, but have quality of life, thats better for me.  I am single with no children, so I am trying those.  I did do acupuncture for awhile and that really helped, problem was expensive to go 1-2 times a week.  So on low dose of progesterone and a estrogen cream you but down on your vg.  That really brings back the libido!   I feel horny as an 18 year old.  I do not know what the answer is, seems like this gets swept under the carpet and is not really addressed by the medical proffesion. 

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  • DFC1994
    DFC1994 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    I lost my last ovary and was put into instant menopause in Dec 2009,4 weeks after my bilateral mx.. The hot flashes were unbearable.I can't take much meds due to DVT and genetics blood clotting disorders.I recently read over at Hystersisters.com about braggs organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in it for hot flashes. I bought a bottle about 3 weeks ago and my hot flashes are down from a dozen or more a day to 2 or 3. I mix 2 tablespoons in a little water and drink it twice a day. so far so good.

    It's worth a try to see if it helps you.it sure has made a difference in mine.

    Dee

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