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Hot Flash Forum!

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Comments

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2012
    Linda - Let us know how it goes!
  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited February 2012

    tpup,

    Thanks so much for the information on Maca -- attached is a link I found --- I will speak to my MO about this for sure -- this will be of interest to those women that are saying that because of Temoxafin that they have no interest in sex as well as vaginal dryness, etc. 

    http://www.well-women.com/maca.html

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited February 2012

    Joanne 53.... thanks for the site....I checked it out and printed off the info.  WOW Maca root is a superfood!!!....

    www.well-women.com/maca.html

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited February 2012

    I certainly think it is something to look into -- I want to check with my MO though only because it "stabilizes hormone levels" -- I want to make sure that it isn't working against the Temoxifen.

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited February 2012

    There's a new study on the intro page about hot flashes

    AND they have Caner coaches now. They may have had them awhile and I missed it. Sound good.

  • CrazyKitties
    CrazyKitties Member Posts: 58
    edited February 2012

    I take 150 mg of effexor for my hot flashes---works very, very well for me. Before I used effexor I was having 10 hot flashes sometimes in one day. EPIC. BUCKETS. OF. WATER.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited February 2012

    CrazyKitties... love the name

    150 mg effexor sounds like a mega dose.....

    Effexor does help some but not others....I was one of the others....:-(

    so glad it is helping you

    I am trying the MACA Root supplements....

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited February 2012

    Linda54,

    You are going to try the Maca root?  I see me MO on March 14th so will ask him then what he knows and will let you know.  Be sure to let me know if you think it helps.  I have not started Tamoxifen but would like to know that I have something to help incase I get some of the SE that everyone talks about.

    Joanne

  • SuzB
    SuzB Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2012

    Chemopause am I. Like a underwater volcano. All that's missing is the steam coming off my head.

    Just started taking a product with "Bee Pollen Extract" as the main ingredient - will post in a few weeks to say whether it is taking effect or not.

    Must mention though that last night, I took my first green tea extract supplement (for me, drinking green tea is like sipping dirty dish water). Finished chemo nukes a few weeks ago. Might be my imagination but I know I slept like a zombie for 5 hours and not one erruption.

    Yeehaw!  Will post on that too ...

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited March 2012
    Let us know SuzB!
  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2012

    I had my ovaries removed with a hysterectomy last november 2011. HOLY CRAP!! I was good at first, tolerable hot flashes and night sweats but the last month or two have been getting soooo much worse. I am on the maximum doses for Evening Primrose Oil, Black Cohosh, and Vitamin E. I take 2100 mg/day of gabapentin. I can't take effexor. I didn't realize every spot of my body could sweat, arms, legs, feet, neck, torso, only thing not sweating are my fingers and toes maybe. I have even been using ice packs. The heat has been at around 60-62 (I had it down to 59 a few times too).Sometimes I get such a sick feeling from them. I am not looking forward to summer.Just looking for a place to unload.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2012
    cinnamonsmiles,   you definately have my sympathy.  When I have a "bad" one where sweat is rolling down my face and torso I feel sick too.  Hot flashes drain me of all energy while it is going on.  I am taking the blood pressure med clonidine.  It does help to keep my heart from beating out of my chest.  For the last few days I have been writing down everything I eat so that helps to eat healthy.  Yesterday afternoon I only got a little warm a couple of times. I truly think that processed foods trigger my hot flashes. I am trying my best to avoid processed foods. Mostly been eating all natural foods.  I have had hot flashes beginning with peri-menopause now menopause. Been in menopause for several years now....had hyster last summer. 
  • BouncingBetties
    BouncingBetties Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2012

    Isn't breast cancer fun? I had mild hot flashes with chemo and my Zoladex implants, but after finishing chemo, I started Tamoxifen...and while I'm having fewer hot flashes, they are much worse. I also find that I wake up right before one starts and do have the other issue at that time. I suffer from migraines and am on meds that don't mix with the antidepressents they recommend for controlling the hot flashes. I never planned to go through instant menopause at age 40 and I have to say, I'm not really enjoying it. I'm trying to be grateful that I'm alive, but I'd really like to sleep for a full night and not wake up dripping wet.

  • lulubee
    lulubee Member Posts: 903
    edited March 2012

    Seems like I remember reading up on Maca over a year ago when I had my oophorectomy, and discovering that it worked through the ovaries.  I figured if I didn't have ovaries it probably wasn't good for me to take it.  I could be remembering wrong... just saying... check it out thoroughly before you take it if you are ER+ and/or don't have ovaries...

  • Angel123
    Angel123 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2012

    I started taking Tamoxifen in early January. I took my pill at night and got night sweats virtually evey night after my third day on it. At first I thought I could deal with it but it really disrupted my sleep. I just switched to taking or in the morning, three days ago and no more night sweats! I was a bit concerned about hot flashes which I haven't had yet but if I do, at least I can sleep at night. So anyone suffering from the night sweats, think about taking Tamoxifen first thing in the morning. I don't know why I waited so long to switch!

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited March 2012

    Please all new people, start from page one, so many have offerred good ideas on mgt. you may  be missing something that will help.

  • jap62
    jap62 Member Posts: 993
    edited March 2012

    Aplle cider vinegar works 2 tbs twice a day

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2012
    jap62....   do you mix the cider with water to dilute it?.....sounds terrible but I will try anything.  I have been taking the Maca root capsules for a week now....so tonight I will start taking one in the AM and one in the PM...I wll let you know how it goes.
  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2012

    Linda 54, My MO app't was switched to this afternoon so will ask him about MACA -- I have a information sheet that I have printed off for him to see.  I have not started on Tamox yet but if and when the hot flashes hit, I do want to be prepared.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited March 2012

    Have not been to this site in awhile.  My hot flashes  come and go.  Over the last month or so seems they came to stay and have been really bad.  I have been going to acupuncture for some pain issues and it is working.  A couple of weeks ago i told them about the hot flashes.  So they adjusted the needles and it did seem better then got worse again but I skipped a week.  so last week I went and really my pain was fine I almost cancelled the appt but went and told them about the hot flashes and I don't know what she did but that night they started getting better and I only woke up once last night with a hot flash but no sweating and went right back to sleep.  My daytime hot flashes have almost disappeared.  I don't think I'll miss any more appts for awhile.

  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 465
    edited March 2012

    Starbeauty, had the same issue, I got the diagx of IDC so then I had to go off my bio id hormones cold turkey asap and the hot flashes were not bad, mild ones maybe once daily, then after the bmx and TE barbed wire ones, they sent me to the onc MO dr who put me on Arimidex and OMG, wake up at night soaking wet with sweat and smelling like one of those people from the 3rd world countries where they dont wear deodorant. I am showering and putting on the deo but wake up stinking to high heaven and then home from work my clothes smell awful! I get soaked and then of course I wake up cause then I start shivering from getting wet and cold at night. My quality of sleep is suffering and it is hard to get drugs from dr here in FL. I keep canned seltzer water in the fridge (La Croix) and when I drink something it feels like it is being poured on me instead of going inside when it passes by the TE so thats all I can do. Layer and peel clothes. Any help on TE pain? I got my first fill today and now instead of the porcupine on my chest,I got a backache and feels like an elephant on my chest,I can barely move and I have been taking Tyl with codeine #3 every 4 hrs. Guess I wont make it to work 2moro. I am not numb like I am supposed to be!

  • tpup
    tpup Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2012

    An update - I met with my regular MD for a physical. He was on the fence about the MACA saying it is considered a plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) and to be careful...most importantly he wants me to check with my ob/gyn before I continue taking it. For now I've stopped taking it during the day but take a dose before bed which helps keep the night sweats at bay. Has anyone else heard this from their doc(s)?

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2012

    I was going to speak to my MO but did not --- I will call the nurse and see if she can get some information to him and see what he says.  I am interested for sure -- I am not looking forward to hot flashes -- I start the pill on April 10th ---

    I have been investigating Bamboo pj's -- natural wicking fabric -- they also sell sheets and mattress covers -- might be worth it.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited March 2012

    Remote control stand fan at the foot of the bed with timer.  Saves me.

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2012

    I bought a remote control ceiling fan for my bedroom - had one in my former house - my ceiling is too low so will not go up -- darn, I guess I could really use it now. 

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2012

    greenearthbamboo.com

    drinights.com

    I cannot find any bamboo pjs on the Soma website.  I was looking at pjs on the above sites.

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited March 2012

    Layla------ your body is trying to get rid of "STUFF" I CAN'T DEFINE IT,  But did experience the bad smell one time. Toxic stuff getting out-----for me it was through my feet-----------had to throw out several pairs of shoes. It's so long ago I forget what I did and it hasn't reoccurred. Sorry, wish I could remember.  I live in Florida now and wear nothing but sandals. So, don't know if body is trying thy same thing -------no one's complained. Also, 2 dogs that had no interest in the feet. Dogs like stinky stuff

    Does though remind me of a storyfrom about pre 1980: Came home after a hateful day on my feet as a nurse. Wash my feet with soap and water. dried them. Layed a towel on the stairs. Put maple syrup on my feet. Layed my legs up the stairs and let the dog lick my feet. Some will be grossed out, but everything was clean. The dog loved it , I did too. The feet hurt so bad that was the resolution. Solved.

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited March 2012

    OMG- I told that story? can you imagine the pain that even caused me to think MAPLE SYRUP -never heard anyone doing it before or since-----------so LOL

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2012

    hillck - I did notice this but there are a few that said bamboo polyester -- not sure what that is so I am still going to look at them - the tags at the store on the garment might be more informative.  I am also going to check Bed, Bath and Beyond for the bamboo sheets, pillow protectors and mattress pad -- I would think they might have something.  Anything that will make my night easier will get my vote.

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2012

    hillck - thanks for the note on the cooling pad -- when I am in Florida I will be definitely going to Walgreens --

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