THE BEST treatment for hot flashes: ICE WATER

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Shortcake_husband
Shortcake_husband Member Posts: 5
edited October 2018 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Sorry for the infomercial subject title, but had something I would love to share with all you women suffering from hot flashes, whether from Tamoxifen, or natural menopause.

My forty-three-year-old wife has been suffering from Tamoxifen-induced hot flashes for seven years now. Trying to help her out, I researched ways to decrease the effects of hot flashes. None of the suggestions seemed to work well, and included things like cutting out coffee (really?!!), wearing less, and even sticking your head in the fridge!

What we found works the very best is simply to sip some ICE WATER. The relief is close to instant, and is many times more effective than any other remedy. I don't know why it works so well, but I'm guessing it's a combination of lowering her core temperature and tricking her hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature. My wife brings a Contigo travel mug (a good, non-leaking mug) full of ice water to work, and she sips it throughout the day when she gets hot flashes.

I hope this super simple tip helps some of you out. We know that's it's helped my wife out immensely. Hot flashes just plain suck!

A bonus tip: I bought my wife a fan and a little remote switch to turn it on very easily. She can now easily turn it on with the press of a button whenever she is feeling warm. We have two fans set up this way: one in the bedroom and one by the TV. The remote switch I bought is called the Etekcity Wireless Remote Control Electrical Outlet Switch.


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2018

    Dear Shortcake_husband,

    Thanks for reaching out and sharing the tip. We appreciate your taking the time to write. The Mods

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  • Shortcake_husband
    Shortcake_husband Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2018

    Thanks, Mods! My wife often says how useful the ice water is, and we were both just the other day saying we wish we could share the tip with the rest of the world. Then I remembered this site when I started researching Tamoxifen side effects today.

    And thank you for the site!!!

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  • Vslush
    Vslush Member Posts: 183
    edited October 2018

    Thanks for the tip... I will definitely try it!

    Vickki


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  • LoveFromPhilly
    LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,308
    edited October 2018

    I will try this! Thank you!!

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  • Shortcake_husband
    Shortcake_husband Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2018

    Vicky and LFP, hope it works for you as well as it works for my wife! Take care!

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited October 2018

    hello all yes it really helps at the suggestion of my dear dad God rest his soul he told me stick my head in his drug it did work but I now keep bottles of cold water in drug and it helps a lot. Even after treatment done I still do it. Thank God I am now a 24yr Survivor WE are stronger than we think. Hang in there All. idc stage 2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo (adriamycin cytoxin 5fu) before and after. Lmast got married 2nd for husband and I then 7wks rads 5yrs Tamoxifen.

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  • Shortcake_husband
    Shortcake_husband Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2018

    Glad to hear that the cold water works for you, Msphil!

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited October 2018

    Thanks for the tip. I will try it.

    I only get a couple of flashes a day as I take Efexor. Has your wife tried it? It is very effective.

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  • Shortcake_husband
    Shortcake_husband Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2018

    Hi Racy! Let us know if the ice water helps.

    My wife did try Effexor, and it did help with the hot flashes, but it caused her to gain weight quite rapidly, and we also read about it being extremely difficult and traumatic to get off of Effexor. Luckily, she didn't have too much trouble getting off Effexor and she suffers mild withdrawal symptoms. Please be careful with Effexor and make sure you are fully informed about the side effects.

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