Hi ladies, I’m doing well so far on tamoxifen, it has been 2 full months. I am experiencing hot flushes and have become quite a sweaty person. I want to change my clothes and shower twice a day. I feel like my pj’s smell.I’m using a crystal deodorant for my underarms but wondering if there is such a thing as an all over solution that isn’t a spray deodorant? Is there such a thing as a deodorant soap? I’m not finding an answerwith Google today!

High @Mightystar,Bloody awful isn't it? So gross at the beginning. I used to sleep on a towel, no PJ's and the fan flat out summer or winter. I discovered cool towels which helped a lot. I had tins of Dove deodarant everywhere. Near the bed, in the lounge, in my handbag etc. I found it better than all the pretty smelling ones and used it about 10 times a day. Under arms, up the back and down the front of my shirt etc. Lux passionate shower gel its got a really strong perfume in it. I guess it all worked, because either I didn't stink or everyone was too polite to say anything. LOL. Is there a particular reason you don't want to use a spray deodarant?On the plus side, it does back off after the first year.

@Mightystar - after my own treatment - I thought I'd become quite 'pongy' as well!! I used Gamophen Soap for a while afterwards (I've always loved the smell of it - it used to be considered a 'surgical soap' for sanitising hands before medical procedures - my Dad used to use it in his Dental Practise!) It should be in chemists & has (what I believe to be) a lovely scent. You used to be able to get it in supermarkets.I'd always meant to try this home-made Coconut deodorant - but never got around to it. I just used Roll-Ons instead! (Yeah, lazy, I know!)Maybe give it a go? (I should too!!) All the best xxx Do it Yourself Coconut Oil Deodorant with just 3 ingredientsIngredients1/4 cup baking soda1/4 cup cornflour or arrowroot powder5 - 6 Tablespoons coconut oil (sit it in a bowl of hot water to 'warm up' first - as at room temp, it can be a solid) (Mixing the coconut oil, cornflour, and baking soda in a bowl. The coconut oil mixes easier when it’s a warm liquid as opposed to a cool solid.) TIP: If it’s too hard to mix easily, use your fingers, and the warmth of your hands will liquefy it, making it easier to use. Put the deodorant into a small wide mouthed jar, and take a small amount onto your fingers and rubbed it into your underarm area. In really hot humid temps, it may be soft - but being at room temp in most places, it should be 'firm' It has a really distinctive sweet Coconut Smell & is popular with those wanting a natural deodorant. How to make coconut oil deodorant: Step one: Put the coconut oil (warmed), cornflour, and baking soda in a bowl. Step two: Stir well to combine. Step three: Move the liquid to a clean jar for storing. The verdict Since coconut oil is a liquid in heat and a solid when cool, the consistency varies upon temperature, but it works equally well regardless. There has been no problems with the oil staining clothes. There are a million and one variations on this recipe all over the web. Some people use more or less of the ingredients, some people just use coconut oil alone, and some include things like essential oils for fragrance. The coconutty, tropical smell as-is, is best. Test it on a small area first - as some people complain that the baking soda and/or cornstarch gives them a rash in certain quantities. If you find that, maybe increase the amount of coconut oil. Here's another one, slightly different .... https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/green-beauty/homemade-deodorant

@Mightystar yes the hot flushes are just awful, I am about 10 months in and must say that I have started to get used to them, even though as the weather is warming up I feel like I’m getting more sweaty now. I like other ladies have mentioned just carry a deodorant spray with me everywhere and have found that wet ones/ wipes are a good thing just to freshen up if your out or at work. I also find a really good body scrub/loofah really seems to revitalise your skin from that stinky sweaty feeling

My oncologist has just put me on very low dose Oxybutynin for the hot flushes. Half an hour after taking the first dose the hot flushes stopped. I’ve just had my first two nights sleep without waking up from being too hot.

The tamoxifen was causing my hot flushes. This is the study the oncologist referenced when prescribing the Oxybutynin: https://www.ascopost.com/issues/january-25-2019/oxybutynin-for-managing-hot-flashes/

Tamoxifen sweats! How do you manage your smell?!

kezmusc
Member
6 years ago
@LMK74,
Don't you just love it when doctors tell you something doesn't cause the side effects your getting when you bloody well know exactly what it is. ???? I had severe brain fog, couldn't think stratight and most days couldn't remember my own name. Their answer, on no its not the Tamoxifen. Go off it and was vastly improved, on it again shocking. Same as you, a quick google and lots of people having the same problem. I guess it's just all in our head and they know better right? Phooey
iserbrown
Member
6 years ago
@LMK74

Sad to read your side effects, how debilitating! Have you tried or considered a Physio for Bladder?

This link is Melbourne based but gives good information
https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/continence-information/urinary-incontinence

Otherwise I found this for Brisbane

https://activerehab.com.au/services/continence/womens-health-continence/

Hope the info helps and you get some strength back again in this area

Take care
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
@LMK74 I'm so sorry Lisa. Letrozole/menopause has irritated my bladder but nothing like that. You poor thing. Sending you a big hug, K xox
LMK74
Member
6 years ago
Hi ladies, I have been taking oxybutynin/ditropan for 5mg twice a day for around 9 months. I'm on it for OAB/overactive bladder thanks to arimadex and zoladex and being forced into menopause. It does help with hot flushes but there is a down side for me at least. I'm chronically fatigued all the time, my brain is like fog to the point I can't think straight. Severe dry mouth. Told my oncologist this and she said it's not that. I disagree as if you read user reviews of this drug it's a common side effect. Obviously everyone reacts different but I took myself of it for a week and guess what? Some of that foginess lifted as did some of the tiredness and dry mouth. If I don't take it I piss myself and wake up in the night wet. I hate what breast cancer has given. At 45 I feel like an old lady.
I'd be interested to know how anyone else taking oxybutynin feels since on it.
Cheers Lisa
Pinkcloverss
Member
6 years ago
If you're going to get deodrant go onto the nourishedlife website and try out no pong deodrant paste or black chicken. Both very effective however if you have sensitive skin choose the sensitive skin option. It is however a paste but the bicarb kills the bacteria that causes odor!
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
Oh yes @arpie, I sure am (10 - 15 a day). I'm attempting to enrol in the QUE trial so can't mess with anything at the moment. Howevet if for any reason I don't qualify, and at the end of the trial, I will be speaking to my oncologist about it. They are brutal and I am utterly fed up with them. Almost two years of them now. I am OVER it...
Sydneygal
Member
6 years ago
The tamoxifen was causing my hot flushes. This is the study the oncologist referenced when prescribing the Oxybutynin: https://www.ascopost.com/issues/january-25-2019/oxybutynin-for-managing-hot-flashes/
arpie
Member
6 years ago
@kmakm - this Oxybutynin sounds interesting that @Sydneygal has just mentioned ...... are you still getting those hot fluses as regularly as last year?

@Sydneygal - welcome to the forum! It is tips like yours that helps us all help each other xx . Feel free to put a new thread up, telling us your story to date .... we all have a story to tell.

take care & all the best xx
Sydneygal
Member
6 years ago
My oncologist has just put me on very low dose Oxybutynin for the hot flushes. Half an hour after taking the first dose the hot flushes stopped. I’ve just had my first two nights sleep without waking up from being too hot.
JulieVT11
Member
6 years ago
@Mightystar yes the hot flushes are just awful, I am about 10 months in and must say that I have started to get used to them, even though as the weather is warming up I feel like I’m getting more sweaty now. I like other ladies have mentioned just carry a deodorant spray with me everywhere and have found that wet ones/ wipes are a good thing just to freshen up if your out or at work. I also find a really good body scrub/loofah really seems to revitalise your skin from that stinky sweaty feeling