Forum Discussion
Hot Flushes
You might already think I'm a little strange, so this may remove all doubt for you! At the risk of sounding very weird I thought I would post about this subject and what I think has worked for me just in case it works or helps someone else!
First let me be clear that i have only had what I think of as fairly mild hot flushes (no redness or perspiration dripping). Now for the strange bit. I have always been a person who feels the cold. My hot flushes began while I was having chemo in winter last year. From that very first one I have actually associated the feeling of warmth spreading through my body as a good thing (told you I was weird!). Maybe this has had an affect on how my body responds physically to the hot flush. I kind of relax and feel positive about it rather than resisting or getting annoyed by the flush. Just the same I am getting one right now in response to the anxiety of what you will think of this post!
I have never viewed my hot flushes as a problem. I have never kept count (but i know i slept all night without being disturbed by any last night) or got upset by them. I have viewed them as a positive sign that the treatment (chemo and now tamoxifen) is working and stopping the estrogen that fed my cancer cells.
From a practical point I do try to dress in layers so I can remove them during a flush. I wear a lot of natural fabrics that 'breathe'. I have layers on my bed too so that I can just kick off a blanket without disturbing my sleep (or my husband) too much.
Well, maybe I've just been lucky to not have too bad a time so far with the flushes but maybe it does have something to do with how I have responded to them from the beginning. I feel the flush and almost welcome it as something comforting (like walking up to a warm, relaxing fire place), my breathing slows and I relax into it. The next thing it is gone. So I guess what I do is associate the feeling of warmth with experiences I've had where being warm was a good thing (warm relaxing bath, sitting by a campfire etc).
Feel free to dismiss this as utter rubbish but if it works for anyone else then I'll feel it was worth writing about. Take care and good luck with the hot flushes! Deanne xxx
23 Replies
Hi Deanne
You are so positive in what you say/think - not a surprise you have studied a bit of Buddhism and meditiation etc!
Great theory to just go with the flow and love the thought of accepting hot flushes as a positive - proof the treatments are working....I kept that thought in my mind too when I had chemo.
Mine are not so bad really and I feel like they have settled down a little. Just like Fiona said, I have also discovered that my body copes pretty well with medications - something I had no idea about before.
Now I just have to try and get a fabulous mindset like yours and I'll be almost perfect! (lol)
Cyber hug to you...Jenny
(p.s. Great to hear your arm responded beautifully with the treatment you had....fingers crossed it stays that way!)
- Well there you go who knew it was a theory! I have studied a little about Buddhism and meditation and really think a lot of this being at peace with things is a good way to live. I just think that stress had a pretty big part in my getting cancer in the first place, so I try not to stress about things I know I can't change. I really believe the way we think and our emotional responses can have a big impact on our health. The one thing we do have control over in this world is how we react to things. But as you say this is the result of my experiences. It's a process and I'm constantly needing to adjust as things change.
Deanne there is a new-ish model which is called 'acceptance theory' --so dont try to fix or change but just accept what is---this is quite recognised as a therapy technique so doesnt sound crazy at all. i did something similiar where i thought 'feels like (holiday ) in asian country which when im there i just 'go with ' the hot humidity--walk slower, drink more etc but in essence just modify continue on. I really enjoyed having hot flushes decrease--maybe once or twice a week for the last month or so ...but im not bothered if they come back either. Ive got this framework that its not too bad..for me..and it passes as you say...and dont make too many future predictions either. Someone said to me'hope they dont come back' and i said idont want to say things like that --maybe just welcome them back, or make a few adjustments..i dont want my energy or focus to be 'how about if they come back'. Of course this approach works for me with my experience but not wanting to minimalise any one else's experience-- bit like going to radiation with someones experienof 'mild pink' and i ended up with red raw...
Deanne there is a new-ish model which is called 'acceptance theory' --so dont try to fix or change but just accept what is---this is quite recognised as a therapy technique so doesnt sound crazy at all. i did something similiar where i thought 'feels like (holiday ) in asian country which when im there i just 'go with ' the hot humidity--walk slower, drink more etc but in essence just modify continue on. I really enjoyed having hot flushes decrease--maybe once or twice a week for the last month or so ...but im not bothered if they come back either. Ive got this framework that its not too bad..for me..and it passes as you say...and dont make too many future predictions either. Someone said to me'hope they dont come back' and i said idont want to say things like that --maybe just welcome them back, or make a few adjustments..i dont want my energy or focus to be 'how about if they come back'. Of course this approach works for me with my experience but not wanting to minimalise any one else's experience-- bit like going to radiation with someones experienof 'mild pink' and i ended up with red raw...
- Thanks Deanne, Not strange at all. Mind over matter eh. Will give it a try in about 20mins when the next one comes heheh. Best, Janina
- Thanks Deanne, Not strange at all. Mind over matter eh. Will give it a try in about 20mins when the next one comes heheh. Best, Janina
- Thanks for posting this.I have been reading some and they are very interesting.xoxRobyn
- Donna,how funny! That is exactly how I sleep.A rotating fan on all night,even if the temp is really cold,and one leg out of the covers! It seems to help a bit when it comes to getting to sleep.CheersxoxRobyn
Thank you so much Donna and I do hope that these get better for you.
Fiona x
I am green with envy, I wish with all my being that you stay hot flush free.
Donna
