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Hot Flash Forum!

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Comments

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited July 2013

    Mine are worse since it's summertime....but still if I eat strickly healthy they are less frequent.  I have told my hubby not to ask me any questions when I am flashing...I cannot think straight...and I might bite your head off.  I know not to make any decisions based on how I am feeling those few minutes because when it is over then I am back to normal.  I think I have paid my dues..time for these things to be OVER and OUT!!  I wonder how that will feel...to never have another flash...aaaahhhhhh...party time!

  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 749
    edited July 2013

    hi linda  - nice to "see" you.  I read your pointers about a clean diet.  I am having a tough time in the summer with all the treats around because the kids are home from school.  I know thats not a good excuse but i will use it :)

    i will get back on track in sept, i dont want to be on any more meds since i take tamox and am on lupron so i need to do this naturally

    what do you guys take as supplements to help? does anything natual help (and can be taken w tamox)

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited July 2013

    My DR warned me against supplements.  I would take Black Cohosh, but not recommended.  And really, I doubt it would make a dent.  I have nausea and a little panic too, just as you do.  They say no caffeine or alcohol.. no chocolate.  I don't really drink, I do have one coffee in the morning, and I have cut out choc.  And then the other day I had just a square of chocolate.  HF before I finished eating it.

    Typing this right now with an icepack shoved into the prosthesis pocket of my bra.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited July 2013

    bobogirl and rozem,  I don't take any supplements for hotflashes...nothing works..for me anyway.  Bobogirl, I know what you mean about eating something that triggers a flash...just as I am about to swallow that last bite..I feel it coming on..LOL...and it seems like when I have to pee I have one...so strange. 

  • Rosesark53
    Rosesark53 Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2013

    So, so, so glad that I am not the only one who gets miserable from horrible hot flashes!! Thought I was just having perpetual menopause. I also never have to wear a coat, I can't take the heat of having a heater on in the car. I had to get plyers to turn all the ac vents to blow on me to sleep. We have ceiling fan on high and I sleep with sheet only.during winter I just use a small throw to cover up in bed. Hubby freezes all the time. My hot flashes for some reason will come on about 2 min after starting to eat dinner too.. You can literally see my face, then ears get red. I feel so hot inside that I have the feeling of wanting to run from it. Going out to eat, I carry a couple paper towels to mop my face!! Oh, and to top it all off, I wear a breast form!! Nothing like that rubber stuck to your skin with heat. I have to keep a paper towel between form and my skin as it just makes me wet. Anyone who has hot hand syndrome?? Hands stay so hot I cant rest my face on them. People say its as good a hot pad!!

    am taking arimidex for bc
  • GrandmaV
    GrandmaV Member Posts: 1,045
    edited August 2013

    Rosesark, that sounds so miserable.  I'm sorry you're having all that, but so glad you're hanging in there with the arimidex.  Are you almost done with your five years?

  • Rosesark53
    Rosesark53 Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2013

    I have about a year and a half of hot misery,...lol!!! I am unable to take my bra off at home, as being middle age 56, because then I sweat under the breast I have left, as it not perky anymore, plus the weight of it feels uncomfortable with no bra. Cant wait to get recon, eventhough I know it will be a tough journey. It was 109 degrees yesterday where I live.

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    Good lord! Now that's a hot flash Rosesark!  Now we are talking!  :)

    I had a 35 minute-long hot flash this weekend, while I was running errands with the kids.  It got to the point where I thought I'd get lost on the way home!  Pulled over and got a cold coffee.  I totally get them right when I start eating, and then I'm not hungry.  I also get a whopping one first thing in the morning.  P.S.  I'm 43!  Been having them for 18 months..

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited August 2013

    Roseark,

    I can totally empathize with you. You talk about using paper towels when you go out to eat - I can't leave the house without a cotton hand towel! I have to be careful what clothes I wear too, nothing too fitted otherwise everything ends up stuck to me. My hair is growing back so at least I don't have the wig to deal with any more, but what hair I have gets soaking wet and starts dripping. Talk about embarrassing! The summer is hot here too so going anywhere other than the beach is a big deal for me. I love the sun, but this year I'm looking forward to a cold winter.

    Nicky

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    Nicky -- I now have an ice pack tucked into the mx pocket of my bra.  :)

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited August 2013

    Bobogirl,

    Sounds lovely! I have fans set up all over the house. Poor dh has an extra duvet on his side of the bed - I don't use any covers. I used to make ice for drinks, now I just use them to cool me down......

    Nicky

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    Your husband must comply with the new climate!  He can always put on something cozy..

    I used to love super-hot showers.  I fear I will never have one again!

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited August 2013

    Me neither! I'm constantly changing the thermostat on the shower. Drives everyone else mad! At least I don't have to spend a fortune on heavy winter clothes. And the hearing bills will be less this year. I'm the only one in the house during the day. I'll just have to remember to turn it back on before the rest of the family get in! And I could be on tamoxifen for 10 years.... Oh well

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    I can't imagine ever turning on the heater again.  Just looked at a sweater on the Eileen Fisher website that I love, but then I realized -- I can't wear a sweater!  What am I thinking?

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited August 2013

    Definitely! Stick with short sleeves tees!

  • Rosesark53
    Rosesark53 Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2013

    Just so hubby could relate to an inkling of my breast form being hot, I got one of my old cotton cup towels and made him a halter top. I then slapped that silicone baby to his chest and said feel the weight of that baby, and let me know if it gets too warm for ya!!! He got about 15 min till he complained about it being hot on his chest...aaawww poor baby, I carry that all the time I told him. Just put a paper towel behind it!! here's a towel to mop your face with too when I up that heater to give you a good feel of that too. Big wimp!!

  • NickyJ
    NickyJ Member Posts: 372
    edited August 2013

    Haha!

    Great idea Roseark! Nothing like walking in someone's shoes to make you feel more sympathetic. I hope he appreciates a bit better what you're going through

    Nicky

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    Ahahahaha Roseark!  Am going to pee myself laughing.

    I am going to do that to my DLLP this very evening.  I can hardly wait until she gets home.

  • Rosesark53
    Rosesark53 Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2013

    Bobogirl, I'm going to a bad influence on you. Hopefully they can relate. If it didnt steam when he took a shower,I would lock him in for a bit, then when he got out the ac would be so "sweet"!! Forgot today I had the paper towel in my bra behind my breast form and it was showing at the top. At least he brought it to my attention. But I guess ppeople would have looked at me like the old lady they saw who stuffed her bra!! I know my sister did! It growing up,!!/p>

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    You are making me pee myself laughing.  You locked your husband in the bathroom!  You are one of those bad girls I've heard so much about!

    I am working right now with an ice pack tucked into the mx pocket of my bra.   This is one of the greatest and smartest things I have ever done.  

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited August 2013

    To all, we all have discussed chemo/ anethesia brain. We now can call it anesthesia/chemo/drug brain. This article is in AARP magazine. It discusses the drug classifications that can cause memory loss. It describes why each drug class can cause memory loss. It gives specific names of drugs. It gives alternative drugs that can be substituted. I would suggest reviewing it with your prescribing doc if you have concerns regarding any of your meds. I also suggest you put it in your favorite places on your computer. Also, printing it off for future referrence if you have a printer. Please, pass this on to other BCO friends, friends etc. ;) sassy

    www.aarp.org/health/brain-heal...

    Haven't been here much in alongggggg time, but this artcle is a MUST SHARE type with those I care aboutWink

  • Rosesark53
    Rosesark53 Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2013

    There was a lady my dh worked with who made the neck scarfs you put in water and they swell and keep you cold? Anyway she made a circle of material with the same bead stuff in it and it fits really well in bra, and isnt real thick so doesnt show. I just had to have her make me 2 because by the time I got half way across town, the heat of my body warmed the cold right out of it. I keep them in a freezer bag in the fridge. Well, its in a bin next to the vegies actually. Didnt want them just sitting on the shelves. Looked like blue cookies!!

  • vwbordelon
    vwbordelon Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2013

    Oma's, I start radiation in a few weeks. Can you please send me cream regimen?

  • DebsandShez
    DebsandShez Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2013

    Would love to hear of any alternative therapy for early onset of menopause, my sister is struggling with the hot flashes and everything else that comes with it.  No oestrogen allowed.

  • lifelover
    lifelover Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2013

    All of sudden after almost 2 years on tamoxifen my hot flushes have gotten worse.  Uggghhh!!!

    I take 150 mg of Effexor (Venlafaxine) and 900mg of Neurontin (Gabapentin).

    Should I be asking for more Effexor?  I don't think I can take much more Neurontin as it makes me very loopy already at 900mg.

    I'd be grateful for any advice.  I almost want to stop the tamoxifen but I won't.

  • mnsusan
    mnsusan Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2013

    I've tried to eliminate triggers and it seems to be working. I havent had any liquor for about six months and I've cut waaaay down on sugars. My hot flashes are fewer and less intense. I'm missing my jelly beans but its worth it for a better nights sleep.

  • ReneeinOH
    ReneeinOH Member Posts: 232
    edited August 2013

    Wow--I can't believe I haven't seen this thread until now.  I really haven't had a good night's sleep since they started me on Zoladex in April (followed by Tamoxifen in May).  They put me on Effexor, which has helped a bit, but I guess the dosage needs to continue to be increased (I'm at 75 mg).  I had reconstruction surgery last Friday, which I looked forward to so I could get some sleep!  The pain meds didn't knock me out as much as they did w/the MX.  I also stopped taking those a couple day after since they make me constipated. 

    lifelover, my onc said I can go up to 275 mg on Effexor.

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    MN Susan -- I, on the other hand, want to have a beer right now :)

  • lifelover
    lifelover Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2013

    MN Susan, alcohol, coffee and sugar are my triggers as well.  I try and limit these as much as possible.  Difficult with alcohol but I limit the times I have a drink during the week.  Coffee - I only have my morning cup.  Sugar - I'm using Stevia as a substitute where I can.

    Renee, yes, it's time to get my Effexor increased from 150 to the next dose up - to 225mg, I think.

    Is anyone out there using Gabapentin (Neurontin) to help with the flashes?????

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,083
    edited August 2013

    Sometimes anything hot is a trigger for me.  Not just spicy, but hot.  Sometimes I sit down to dinner, take a bite, and instant hot flash.

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