HOT FLASHES - Please help!!

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Cosmogirl
Cosmogirl Member Posts: 30
edited February 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Please, if anyone is in the same position, HELP!

Since chemo (3 x Fec, 3 x Dolcetaxel) which finished end of March 2016 and then starting Tamoxifen in May 2016 my hot flushes have become unbearable. I am having them every 15 - 20 minutes and they are so severe that my clothes are soaking wet.

When at home I am constantly changing clothes and drying them. I have 4-5 sets lying around or hanging up drying and it's just a continuous cycle. When I go out, which is rare, I have to take a towel to wipe my face and I need a jacket, snood and hat to warm me up once I have had my first one as I get so cold between flushing as my clothes are soaking wet.

I have stopped going out, other than to appointments as it is just so uncomfortable and embarrassing.

I feel sick because the flushes are so intense.

I have tried Accu-studs but they just come off because my flushes melt the sticky plasters. I have got a Lady-care Magnet which I have been wearing for 6 weeks with no change.

I don't drink caffeine, alcohol or eat chocolate.

I am at a complete loss where to turn next. No one seems to be able to help and no one I speak to seems to have the same problem!

If any one can help I would be eternally grateful, this is ruining my life!

Many thanks in advance!!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    Hi Cosmogirl,

    We're so sorry you're having this uncomfortable side effect. We're sure others will be by shortly who have experienced the same and can offer some advice.

    In the meantime, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Menopause Symptoms: Hot Flashes, for some great tips on how to manage hot flashes naturally, and also some medications that may be able to help that you can ask your doctor about.

    We hope this helps and that you're feeling better soon!

    --The Mods

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited February 2017

    Cosmogirl,

    I have no advice for the hot flashes, beyond the standard ones: don't wear synthetic clothing as it traps the heat and won't wick away the moisture, stay hydrated as you are losing fluid through the sweat, and if you are sweating a lot (sounds like you are) try some sports drinks in case you are low in sodium.

    Whenever I get them (almost every night, and feel like stripping when I do), I am gladdened by the thought that they are a signal that my body is becoming estrogen depleted, and since I'm ER+, that's a good thing.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited February 2017

    Yes, there are meds as the mods mentioned that may help. So ask your doctor. I managed the hot flashes naturally partly because they were great for clearing a clogged nose during hayfever season. As for textiles, cotton or linen were the best for me. Other things that helped me: loose clothing, no turtlenecks or scarves, no hats, a cool bedroom, no pillow under my nape, letting food or drinks cool down before consuming, exercise.  I always had a fan handy to cool me down when I indulged in coffee, alcohol, chocolate or spicy food. Also had one near my bed. Have you tried a chill pillow? 

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  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited February 2017

    I found using a chill pillow really helps with keeping them at bay at night. Since using one every night, even in winter, helps so much. My Onc gave me a prescription for an antidepressant med which he said is very successful in stopping the hot flashes, I got it filled but have not taken it yet as the hot flashes have diminished some. Maybe this would be a good option for you to try since it sounds like they are affecting your quality of life.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited February 2017

    I find that keeping things off the back of my neck helps. I cut my hair short and when it grows out I notice the flashes more.

    BUT. Sweating constantly is another thing. If you're miserable maybe it's time to move on from tamoxifen? Your profile mentions exemestane -- did you have the same problem with that? If not then maybe a different aromatase inhibitor is the way to go.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited February 2017

    not stage IV, but am on arimadex. In the beginning the hot flashes were awful. My MO prescribed Effexor, and that did help. Call your MO, they can help.

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited February 2017

    Cosmogirl - I feel for you. I was on Zoloft (antidepressant) for years and had to change to Effexor because of interactions with allergy testing. Effexor changed my life, I barely get one or two hot flash a day.

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  • Lovinggrouches
    Lovinggrouches Member Posts: 530
    edited February 2017

    Effexor helped me tremendously along with a head cooling pillow and turmeric!!!

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  • jobur
    jobur Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2017

    Another vote here for Effexor (venlafaxine).  Sounds like those damn flashes are affecting your QOL big time. If your mo is like mine, you probably get a big shrug when you complain about hot flashes. Talk to your doc and insist on getting some prescription help. You need and deserve it!

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited February 2017

    I also took a very low dose of Effexor (venlafaxine) which helped my hot flashes tremendously.  Also think of how effectively your estrogen depletion is just starving to death those little er+ cancer cells.

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  • Cosmogirl
    Cosmogirl Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2017

    Thanks everyone.

    I rand my pharmacist today to see if I could change brand of Tamoxifen to Teva, she informed me that is what mine is. She then went in to say that Tamoxifen is a cheap drug and thats why it is widely used.

    She said to ring my Oncologist and request to change onto something more expensive (Letrazole) or something similar.

    I rang and spoke to secretary who is going to get back to me tomorrow. Hope to get it sorted before spring arrives.

    Thanks again everyone.

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  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 3,607
    edited February 2017

    letrozol is not an expensive drug at all, so that is not the issue. but pushing for a solution is very important and changing drugs is one possibility.

    >Z<

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  • Sue2009
    Sue2009 Member Posts: 228
    edited February 2017

    Effexor, not only helps w/hot flashes, help w/depression. Changed my life too Linda

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  • Cosmogirl
    Cosmogirl Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2017

    Hi everyone

    Firstly, thank you for all your messages.

    Secondly, I have found a cure. I was taking Gabapentin last year and stopped it a couple of months ago. As I keep a diary of when I start, change or stop medications, I looked over my meds chart and realised that they had come back when I stopped the Gabapentin. I went to my GP yesterday and he said that Lady Care Magnets will not at all and I was right to think it may have been the Gabapentin.

    I took one @ 6pm yesterday, another @ 11pm . Then one at 6am today. My flushes have been few and mild since last night. I also managed to sleep through without the sheets being soaked.

    My wonderful wife flagged it up to me about the Gabapentin. I had stopped taking it because I thought it was just to stop the pain signals to my brain and now that I am on a Fentynal patch I didn't need it anymore. My wife said yesterday that it was for pain as well as my hot flushes and that is when I looked back over my pain/meds chart and realised she was absolutely right.... as always lol.

    I have scrapped the Lady Care Magnet and feel great today. Not one flush has made me wet since I started the Gabapentin yesterday. The flushes that I have had, probably 5 or 6, have been mild and passed very quickly without me being soaking wet and then freezing cold.

    I can increase the Gabapentin gradually until the are non existent.

    I am going out for a meal on Saturday, I was dreading it but now I am looking forward to it as I feel amazing!!!

    So happy I could scream.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited February 2017

    Great solution! I want to scream with you.

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  • Cosmogirl
    Cosmogirl Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2017

    Happy

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited February 2017

    Woo hoo!!!

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited February 2017

    YEEEE HAAAAA, I'll join the happy screamers too

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  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 3,607
    edited February 2017

    YES!!!!!

    Hot Flashes have been driving me insane. I am hoping I found my solution. Will let you know in a couple of weeks if it is true.

    >Z<

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  • mirryp
    mirryp Member Posts: 41
    edited February 2017

    I take effexor, it helps somewhat. I couldn't live without froggs toggs cooling towels. I carry one with me at all times and have 2 that I alternate at night. I wear running clothes made of wicking material to sleep in. I also invested in a bedjet. Pricey, but amazing. It hooks up to a layered sheet and sends cool jets of air directly into pockets on your top sheet. I can't imagine trying to sleep without it. The hot flashes have been one of the hardest parts of treatment. I hope you find relief. Amazon has both items, but you can also find the towels near the yoga items at walmart. Non name brands do not work the same.

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  • Kjones13
    Kjones13 Member Posts: 1,520
    edited February 2017

    awesome! Just saw this post and was going to mention gabapentin! I take it also. I am only taking 300mg at night. I think I will increase it as I am now on arimadex and zoladax. I remember my nurse saying some crazy numbers in the thousands of mg for a max dose! Yay for deugs

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  • Cosmogirl
    Cosmogirl Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2017

    Yep, you can increase Gabapentin. I used to be on 3600mg per day and am now back up to 600mg in the morning, 600mg at lunch and 300 mg in the evening.

    Hope you find your Happy Point, I think I have. Will keep an eye on it over next few days but at the moment I am not having any flushes at all.

    In 4 days I have gone from literally dripping wet every 15 mins, to freezing cold and shivering.... a constant cycle all day and night AND NOW.... today, not a single flush.

    If you are increasing Gabapentin, make sure to do it slowly and be aware it has made me extremely tired but that will settle down in a week or two if I remember it correctly from the first time around.

    Good luck everyone

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