Hi. Diagnosed two weeks ago yesterday, can’t believe it’s only been two weeks seems so much longer. Daughter is currently in the middle of HSC, so I haven’t told family yet, which sort of makes it seem like it’s not real. I’ve been reading a lot of posts and like a lot of women, I was blind sided getting a call back from Breast Screen Australia, even then thought, nah, not me. One out of twenty, my odds are good. I’ve been to the surgeon and McGrath nurse and now need to make a decision.It would be so much easier if I could get a good nights sleep. As the tumour is hormone positive, I’ve had to go off my happy gel (Estrogel). For the past week the night sweets are back. Anyone with the same dilemma? Any suggestions? TIA

Thank you @JJM - I am going OK. But sadly, Breastscreen NSW still refuses to advise their clients of their breast density (altho Breastscreen Sth Aust and Western Australia do!) This really needs to be changed, as adding an Ultrasound to the screening for women with dense breasts, might pick up cancers a lot earlier.They can SEE that you have dense breast tissue when you have your mammogram .... and they KNOW that dense breast tissue shows as 'white', as does the tumour! 'White on white' = invisible!! If there is ONE THING to change re breast screening, this is it. We need to be told that we need additional testing to be more certain of no tumours.Check out this thread .... there are many of us who were not advised of their breast density ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/25725/dr-sandy-minck-has-advocated-for-dense-breast-tissue-women-to-be-advised-at-breastscreen-level#latest

JodieMaree said: Hi. Diagnosed two weeks ago yesterday, can’t believe it’s only been two weeks seems so much longer. Daughter is currently in the middle of HSC, so I haven’t told family yet, which sort of makes it seem like it’s not real. I’ve been reading a lot of posts and like a lot of women, I was blind sided getting a call back from Breast Screen Australia, even then thought, nah, not me. One out of twenty, my odds are good. I’ve been to the surgeon and McGrath nurse and now need to make a decision.It would be so much easier if I could get a good nights sleep. As the tumour is hormone positive, I’ve had to go off my happy gel (Estrogel). For the past week the night sweets are back. Anyone with the same dilemma? Any suggestions? TIA Hi Jodie. I was diagnosed age 39, 8 years ago. Needed full hysterectomy because I was BRCA2 positive (to reduce risk of ovarian). Weren't allowed any HRT and went insane with night sweats and hot flushes to a point I cried out for help.My oncologist prescribed 'Gabapentin' (Neuropentin) which can be safely taken at night. 1 tablet, 2 hours before bed, 300mg capsule. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsive medication (not HRT). It has an effect on the brain waves that normally would stimulate your body to create a flush. So it reduces the flushes and night sweats almost completely. I have been on Gabapentin for the last 8 years and it has given me back my sanity. Ask your Oncologist or GP about it. All the best.Rene

They have tablets that are not hormone based. The one I am on was designed for people with depression but after a time they worked out it also works to reduce hot flushes. So they put me on it. They are called Citalopram. Safe to use for hormone positive cancer. It has more than halved my hot flushes.

Whilst I am needle-phobic Acupuncture is often my first point of call for issues as many years ago it worked for symptoms of menopause - and I mean that I was like a waterfall and slept little !Since then it has helped with other 'lady' issues .....Worth a go.

Hi JodieMarie,I'm sorry you're suffering and about your diagnosis, it's so hard I know.I was taking HRT for many years as my menopause affected me so badly and I willingly went on the HRT, ....really wish I hadn't now.I stopped as soon as I was diagnosed with breast cancer caused from the HRT, that was back in mid September and I do sweat a lot more, but find doing a LOT of exercise does help, and I'm sure the acupunture would help.I hope it settles down for you soon, the most important thing now is to eradicate the cancer!xx

SUFFERING STOPPING HORMONE TREATMENT FOR MENOPAUSE

43 Replies

Blossom1961
Member
2 years ago
Sorry I wasn't on earlier. I was having a 'delightful' colonoscopy. Citalopram 10mg. It is actually used for mild depression but with a much higher dosage. The dosage for hot flushes is quite small and I actually halved it as it gave me mild nausea. All the best.
I was able to stop this medication after a couple months as my body had readjusted. I still get hot flushes but not near as many and very mild.
nicmaree
Member
2 years ago
@arpie thank you x
arpie
Member
2 years ago
Found it - but couldn't see the name of the meds ....
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/217762#Comment_217762
nicmaree
Member
2 years ago
@arpie thank you xx
arpie
Member
2 years ago
@nicmaree - I am pretty sure that @Blossom1961 put up a post re meds for Hot Flushes .... hopefully she will jump on soon & provide that info again, here xx
Cindi
Member
2 years ago
Hi @JodieMaree, the CBD & CBD+THC are medicinal cannabis oil, not easy to find a sympathetic doctor who will prescribe this, but there are some out there.
I think the CBD oil may have helped some what with the flushes as mine aren't quite so constant now, but my little battery fan is wonderful for cooling down when one comes on, I carry it in my handbag everywhere :smile:
Cindi
Member
2 years ago
Hi @nicmaree, I'm sorry your hot flushes are so bad, unfortunately I don't know of anything that stops them, maybe a visit to the menopause clinic ? Maybe the CBD oil helps? I think mine have become a little less ( I also had to go cold turkey after my diagnosis) ( not fun)
Are you in Crowsnest Sydney? the chemist I get my prescribed CBD oil from is a compounding one there at Crows Nest !
I have the CBD oil twice a day then at night an hour before bed I have a small dose of CBD with THC in it as that's better for sleep.
x
JodieMaree
Member
2 years ago
@cactusk, so happy you don’t need to have chemo. My results came back that chemo would only give me a 3% improvement, but radiation was 90%. Talk about “phew” lol. I wish I was only doing 15 sessions, I would be half way through by now.

I don’t know if they mentioned holding your breath during treatment or not, I can go 50 seconds now, could barely do 25-30 when I first started practicing. Ask about it at your mapping.

Time is weird at the moment, diagnosis seems so long ago, other days, seems like yesterday. Good luck with your treatment. Hope you get some relief with the menopause clinic. I’ve found the low dosage anxiety medication has helped me. Hasn’t helped with the hot feeling on my chest and side though from treatment.

@Cindi the hot flushes were doing my head in after stopping HRT. What is CBD oil?
nicmaree
Member
2 years ago
@Cindi I hadn’t thought about CBD oil? Do you only take at night to help with sleeping? I have to talk to some about these hot flushes. I permanently have one atm. I went cold turkey on hrt beginning November as soon as got BC diagnoses
Any other good suggestions on stopping hot flushes?
Cindi
Member
2 years ago
@cactusk,

I'm so happy for you that you don't need chemo!! :)

Good luck with the radiotherapy and at the Menopause clinic. I hope the clinic can help you.

I still get the hot flushes but the aches have gone since starting CBD oil thank goodness, and sleeping much better. ( most of the time) and I know I'm much calmer now.
But the hot flushes, I now permanently carry around with me a tiny electric fan in my hand bag!!

Is it really 10 wks, it doesn't seem like it and same for me, can't believe it was in September when I got diagnosed, so much has happened but it's gone by fast.

Lets hope 2024 is a better year.
x

Forum Discussion

SUFFERING STOPPING HORMONE TREATMENT FOR MENOPAUSE

43 Replies

Recent Discussions

Triple Positive HER2+

Feeling lost

Second Opinion

Inoperable

Recommendations-North Brisbane -Public v Private- Surgeons