Hot Flash Forum!
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You would think we would lose weight from all this extra work our bodies are doing heating us up, sweating, then cooling us back down. But so far I am seeing no signs of *that* SE!
;-)
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Renn-That is one side effect I could live with! I have gained 15 pounds since my first surgery 7 months ago. Lack of activity and menopausal symptoms are definitely not helping...
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I have also gained somewhere between 15-20 pounds since my ooph and starting Femara a year ago. It really doesn't seem fair, since I've never eaten less sugar nor so few carbs in my whole life! By all rights, I should have *lost* 15 pounds, eating the way I am.
But admittedly I've been pretty soggy on the exercise front since the ooph. I had the old-school big incision surgery, and then a pericardial effusion that made me feel wimpy. Then my white cell counts tanked and I had to stay home all winter long until they improved... all through the holidays and my 50th birthday and everything... and yeah, by then I was down in the mullygrubs for sure. I think that's when my motivation flew the coop. And here I am a year later slowly morphing into the Stay-Puft Marshmallow mascot. It's aggravating to get dressed because nothing fits anymore.
Waaaaah.
Oh okay, I'm done whining. Thanks.
I really need to get on the elliptical every day in December to keep it under control over the holidays. Will somebody come push me?
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Lulubee, I'll push you if you push me! I have been good, actually have lost weight, but just started tamoxifen and am having a problem with ejection fraction, so am very tired and don't feel like moving.
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::puuuuuush::
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Thanks! Going out to walk the dog now
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lulubee- Oh man; I have my ooph next week and do NOT want to gain any more weight. I am already in my "big pants" and they are getting tight. I have been eating pretty well and have started walking after reading on the "Anyone want to post their daily exercise" thread. They are pretty motivating over there; you should check it out.I think my body is just having a hard time recovering from 3 surgeries in the last 8 months, not sleeping at night and these stupid hot flashes/night sweats and is not happy.. Tomorrow it will be cold and rainy so I am getting on my elliptical...let's DO IT!
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Ladies, I just got back from a 90-minute hike.
Consider this your PUSH! ;-)
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Just wondering... is there any correlation between upping your intake of green tea and hot flashes lessening? Maybe it's just been a happy coincidence, but that's been the trend for me these past couple days.
Also, my dermatologist recommends that I take green tea extract (as opposed to drinking cups of green tea) for the little wart-like bumps I have on my legs. They're benign, but she watches them anyway (had melanoma a couple years, so we're vigilant about my skin). I don't know much about supplements and all that, so I've been hesitant to start taking the green tea again now after my B/C DX.
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OK, I tried this somewhere else but it didn't go well so......here goes:
I am NOT a paid spokesperson but when I find something that works for hot flashes I like to share.
After hysto in 2004 I was on hormone replacement until BC diagnosis in 2007. After that just "handled" hot fllashes. Finally found Macafem on the web and used it for about 8 months. Worked pretty good but have now found Amberen and it works great! May have 1-2 mini flashes a day but no more night sweats and regular temp is more regulated.
Hope this info helps someone. Namaste'.
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Hi all, I remember thosedreaded Hot Flashes, I had them so bad that when I was at my parent,s house my crazy Dad(God rest his soul) would get tired of me complaining so he would say "Go put your head in the freezer, and guess what it really worked, as my sisters under me started menopause, I told them to also do the same. God Bless. I,m now 17 yrs cancer free(Survivor,Praise God) and I still remember like yesterday. (idc,stage 2, 3 nodes, chemo,L mast and then 3 more months of chemo after, total 6 months, then I got married then 7 wks of rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen. msphil
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Hey wrsmith2x, I'm so glad you found something that works for you! I see that you are triple negative, which opens up some of these possibilites for you, and that's wonderful.
I just wanted to mention that anyone who is hormone positive or on AI's should be wary of using these formulas. The Amberen web site has a warning that it is not to be used with any drugs that alter hormone balance.
You have to be careful, too, if you have no ovaries for these formulas to work on in the first place! I looked into Maca right after my oophorectomy and was told that it works by manipulating the ovaries and therefore would not be helpful to me.
Thanks for sharing... it's good to let people know what helps, and everyone has to do their own research for their own peculiar set of issues!
::sigh::
Back to fanning myself...
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Hot flashes and nightsweats were horrid for me when I was on both tamoxifen and lupron. I had to take an anti-depressent for night sweats and high-bloodpressure meds. for hot flashes. This helped a little. Fans, standing on the porch outside while it was snowing, cold beverages, cold washclothes, melatonin, etc. This time has passed and although I still experience some hot flashes it is nothing. However, you all can get through it with humor and a good support system. Who said global warming was from fossil fuels?
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Ah well, the Amberen was a nice try!! I encouraged wrsmith to tell us about it here but I didn't see the note about cancer, good that you found it hillck.0
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I am thinking about moving my bed outdoors for the winter. Or perhaps across country. There is a man in my bed who insists on snuggling while I sweat. He then gets mad at me for wanting "space". I will give him space alright.
If you ladies find a remedy for the night sweats, bring it on. I have money $$$$.
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cycle - I assume you have the foot of the bed standing remote controlled timer equipped electric fan - yes? I depend on it every night.0
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cycle_babe...LOL! I'm still laughing! I know it's not really funny. But thanks for the levity!
My flashes have been soooo much better with the cold weather! Loving it. Still have my nightly flashpoints, and all the covers are off (despite a freezing room), but i seem to "come down" from them quicker than during the hotter months. I have not turned my fan on in a week! A-MAZ-ing.
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I have a question on the women who have posted about taking high blood pressure meds for hot flashes. Do ALL high blood pressure meds help with hot flashes or is it particular ones. And if you don't have high blood pressure, I am assume you are on very low doses as to not lower your blood pressure if it is normal?
I was put on a high blood pressure medication a week before my oopherectomy w/hysterectomy, and I notice that my hot flashes are more like flushes. For a few days my nightsweats were severe, but I increased my evening primrose oil and they've subsided. I still hot flushes, but are extremely bearable.
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cinnamonsmiles I tried Clonidine (AKA Catapress-old BP med), and from what I understand, it's how it works that MAY decrease hot flashes. It seemed like it worked at the beginning, but then, not. I do not believe that all BP meds can have this effect. That's all I've got..sorry.
cycle_babe I too got a good chuckle from your post. I can definately relate. It takes about 3 minutes of spooning to set off a hot flash. ONLY good if you need to warm up
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Well it is good to know that I am not alone with these hot flashes and night sweats.
Wenweb, you also made me laugh. Perhaps we should write to the tamoxi people and suggest that they add to the warning label "spooning not recommended".
Omaz, you betcha, I have three remote fans including the ceiling fan. I drive my husband crazy with the wind.
Agree that it is better in the winter, I can strip and go outdoors for a very quick cool down. I have actually used a bowl with ice cubes, water and a wash cloth in the summer months. I do not like being sweaty unless it is from a good workout.
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Cycle-babe, you crack me up!!!! Welcome to the group (if I haven't done that already). I work with a whole bunch of people who are doing all kinds of research on cancer therapy, cancer drugs, how cancer occurs, etc., but NONE of them are working on the HF issues.... maybe I need to make some not-so-subtle suggestions for how they could win a Nobel prize!
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Hey y'all, I'm absolutely loving my Cool Nights jammies from Soma. They're made especially for night flashers-- moisture-wicking fabric, big open necklines, silky soft, and sooo comfy. I sleep so much better in them that I find myself hurriedly laundering them in the morning so they have time to dry by evening. I've given all my other cool weather jammies away!
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OK Soma is definitely on my christmas shopping list now. Carroll recommended their bras and now you guys with the jammies. I think I need to check it out...
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Just found a link on hot flashes that might be of interest: http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/570671
I have communicated with Dr. Loprinzi about chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and have discovered he is very involved in several areas of research that affect breast cancer patients.
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Linda - Interesting article. I was offered megace and effexor but decided against them.0
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I wear Soma bras, too -- they are the only ones I've worn since reconstruction. Their Nadine with "Vanishing Edge" is the most comfortable bra I've found for my repositioned lat muscle area.
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Thanks Lulubee, I will check that one out. I am looking for a bra with a strap that will not irritate my lymphedema near my shoulder.
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Ginger, some of the Soma sales associates have surprised me with their familiarity with reconstruction issues. You might ask if they have an associate who is familiar with lymphedema challenges -- who knows?
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UUGGHHHHH....had my hysterectomy and oopherectomy 11/29/11. i am not getting terrible make me dripping sweat hot flashes, but man, i am uncomfortable with a capital U. can i whine ladies?? my nights suck. i get so warm, i constantly wake up, am way too warm, throw off the covers, then freeze. days are warm warm warm. i have been keeping the house heat at 61-62 and if i am busy in the kitchen, i am wearing a tee shirt and underwear. my hot flashes sometimes make me ache and feel sick. i am taking vit e and evening primrose oil, am already on 2100 mg of gabapentin for pmps. we need to go to town today so i am getting black cohosh.
anyone else with this crap that can whine with me????
for a little funny...my hubby says to me while i am trying to figure out how to attach an ice pack to my neck....you should try the dog collar. i immediately say...it wont fit and i am NOT wearing a dog collar....if you want that stuff then go to the internet lol. he said noooo, the dog's cooling collar!!! well, i tried the cooling collar on as desperate as i was, but it was too small for me. if this stuff continues over summer, i may have to invest in a larger size for me.....
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My BC is estrogen positive and my oncologist recommended my not taking black cohosh. I had my hyster/ooph December 7th, and the hot flashes have been quite numerous. I take Ambien to sleep (for a variety of reasons) not sure how I'd get through the nights otherwise. I'm just thankful it's winter.
Hot purrs,
Jenn
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