11 years of hot flashes!

Options
conniehar
conniehar Member Posts: 954
edited August 2018 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi -

I was diagnosed 11 years ago at age 39. Mastectomy, chemo, rads, Tamoxifen, Femara..... Every since chemo put me in chemopause, I have had hot flashes. I was on Tamox for 5 years and Femara for 5 years. I expected that maybe when that was complete (about 6 months ago), the hot flashes would stop. They haven't. I will say they are a bit better in the daytime but nighttime is just horrible.

Has anyone had hot flashes this long? Will they ever go away?? I did try an antidepressant once but it made me feel like I was in outer space so I stopped. Any other suggestions? I am grateful that this is my only annoyance but I need my sleep back!

Thanks!


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited July 2018

    Yikes 11 years! I had them for years but not that long. Absolutely brutal to deal with with constant interrupted sleep. Someone recommended black cohosh for hot flashes. Idk if it works or not. Worth a shot though. Also, I’m sure you know too much caffeine, alcohol, etc make them worse. Hot flashes can last for years and years. Ugh. What does your doctor advise?

    Diane
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2018

    Thanks Diane - I rarely drink caffeine or alcohol so that can’t be it. I have been telling my Dr every year that I can manage as I was just hoping it would go away after finishing Femara. I am going to see what she recommends this year as I just don’t want to deal with this anymore! Ugh

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kanga_Roo
    Kanga_Roo Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2018

    Connie, please let us know what she suggests...Id thought Id seen the last of hot flashes too until I went on femara. I tried Effexor, and that worked, but I felt like a stunned mullet, so I stropped taking it.

    Jackie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited July 2018

    I’m interested in what your doctor recommends too. I do drink coffee so I’m sure it’s the culprit for me. I do drink alcohol too but not very often.

    I’ll suffer with them I guess because I’m not giving up coffee. Fortunately, I don’t have them except once in awhile.

    Diane
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SavvySecrets
    SavvySecrets Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2018

    This is so common, it is almost to be expected! Antidepressant didn't do anything for me either (except to improve my mood)! After I complained enough about the flashes/sweats, my oncologist prescribed Gabapentin, 100mg, 3 x per day. After only a week on the drug, flashes and sweats have nearly stopped completely! Relief at last!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2018

    I think Effexor is what I was given as well - I could not take the way it made me feel either - hot flashes were better!

    I will let you gals know what is suggested. I won't be in to see the Dr until Sept though.... Good luck to everyone and thanks for the replies!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2018

    Interesting about Gabapentin! Thanks!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2018

    I had a total hyst/ooph in 2001, 9 years prior to diagnosis with breast cancer for numerous uterine fibroids and a surprise pre-malignant ovarian mass. I was 45 at the time. The hot flashes started within 24 hours, sometimes at the pace of one an hour. Chemo did not make them better or worse, and neither did Arimidex or Femara, and I still have them - it has now been 17 years of hot flashes, throughout the day and worse at night. I think some of us just get them as a permanent response to lowered estrogen, I have resigned myself to the situation. I’ve never tried any medication to mediate them and never really discussed them with any of my doctors, but have found that an anti inflammatory diet makes them less intense.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2018

    My hotflashes began when I started Tamoxifen at age 52. They were tolerable. When I stopped Tamox after the 5 year mark, I expected them to stop. My decision was not to go on an AI. It's 2 years since stopped the Tamox & my hotflashes have actually gotten a little worse. I'm 59 now. I'm not sure they will ever leave me. Just very medication adverse at this point.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nickel103
    Nickel103 Member Posts: 42
    edited August 2018

    11 years! You are a saint! After about 8 months on lupron and femara I was a complete lunatic. So many flashes and insomnia. My doctors really pushed Effexor which I never tried, but have heard can help minimally. I started gabapentin (300mg at night) and am down to about 2 flashes per day. Also really helps for sleep without making me feel drugged. I’d recommen trying that first. It’s not an issue to stop taking it like withthe Effexor.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories