Hot flashes and how to beat them: A personal experience

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Kohinoor
Kohinoor Member Posts: 18
edited October 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Dear all,

I am 46 and I've been having hot flushes for as long as I can remember - ever since I was in my early thrities, if my memory serves me right. I would wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat when my husband would actually be complaining the room was too cold!

I've tried everything from putting the A/C on the lowest temprature possible to sleeping in my undies. Nothing worked. The only thing that has really worked is excercise. I discovered that if I break out a good sweat early in the day, the dreaded hot flushes do not make their midnight visit and I have a peaceful night. Also not eating anything at all at least two hours before going to bed at night keeps hot flushes at bay. Keeping a well hyderated system helps a lot too.

I don't have a clue why these tricks work and no one seems to know either. I would guess they regulate core body temprature.

When I was prescribed Tamoxifen for my BC I thought that would be the end of me! If I already have hot flushes, what would life be like with Tam! My hot flushes have not worsened since I've started taking it provided of course that I exercise in the morning, do not eat at least two hours before turning in and drink plenty of water - up to three litres a day.

I hope you find this helpful.

Regards.

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Comments

  • Zillsnot4me
    Zillsnot4me Member Posts: 2,687
    edited October 2014

    Thanks for the advice. Mine seem to be lessening but have increased exercise. Will try to pay closer attention. Love no more meds required! Thank you!

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  • Bounce
    Bounce Member Posts: 574
    edited October 2014

    Sorry to ask this but if you drink 3 litres a day is it possible that you are flushing the Tamoxifen out?

    Does anyone know if drinking too much can decrease the effect of medicine?

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  • Kohinoor
    Kohinoor Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2014

    Hi Bounce,

    Drinking large amounts of water cleanses the system and helps flush out all the toxins. No one ever mentioned anything about water diluting the medicines one takes. On the contrary, all drugs are chemicals that ultimately need to be flushed out otherwise they accumulate in the body - in the liver to be precise - and have an undesirable effect. Water is really the best medicine out there. It detoxifies the system, regulates core body temperature, helps accelerate the metabolism, suppresses the appetite and helps to maintain a healthy body weight. So ahead and drink up. The downside is the number of trips to the loo! 

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  • RaiderGirl
    RaiderGirl Member Posts: 419
    edited October 2014


    Hot flashes and insane night sweats since stopping HRT and starting Letrozole. I mean the soak the sheets with sweat nightly

    . This week the MO rx'd  Efexsor 37 mg daily. The sweats have reduced a great deal practically overnight and so have the hot flushes .

    Next big thing is to test the side effects. I use to take a much larger dose of this med 15 years ago before menopause. I took it for anxiety and depression but I stopped because I had sexual side effects that I deemed unacceptable > Nearly impossible to O no matter the arousal.

    I am told that wont be a problem now because I am different and so is the drug and the dose.

     I hope my choices wont be unable to pop or  afraid to combust into flames.

     

     

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  • Kohinoor
    Kohinoor Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2014

    Hi Bounce,

    One of the major side effects of Tamoxifen is blood clots. Clots can form anywhere in the body and they could be fatal. Blood clots are formed when the blood is too thick to circulate freely. Water helps to thin the blood and reduce the probability of clots. So actually you NEED to drink plenty and plenty of water as long as you're on Tam. Discuss this with your doctor and ask if you need to take any blood thinning medication as well. All depends on your risk factors. Talk with your doctor but please stay very hydrated. 

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