Forum Discussion
Hot Flushes
I am not coping very well with these darn hot flushes.
Hardly getting any sleep as I am woken every two or so hours in a pool of sweat.
I am on Tamoxifen.
How does anyone else manage?? my Doctor suggested anti depresants and Temazapam sleeping tablets but have only opted for the sleeping tablets thus far. They dont seem to help that much and I dont like to take them all the time.
Fatigue makes eveything seem sooo much of a drama it drives me nuts.
I have heard that acupuncture may help, has anyone else tried that.
Any reflief ideas that anyone has would be greatley appreciated.
15 Replies
Hi Pauline
Hot flush really not affecting me from the Tamoxifen... however, the mood very down, feeling sad and bone ache.
I still have hot flush, couple times a day, quick come quick gone. It happened in the mid night too.
I had bone scanning and all healthy and good fit. I take walk every morning to catch up with regular exercise. I feel sad lately. I started the tablet since 30Sep... I believed that was because of this, I feel sad, I can tear anytime now. I kept chatting to people and not leting myself feeling alone.
I think I still new to the tablet, I need to let my body to cope with it...and they'll work well together.
Take care
Hi Pauline
Hot flush really not affecting me from the Tamoxifen... however, the mood very down, feeling sad and bone ache.
I still have hot flush, couple times a day, quick come quick gone. It happened in the mid night too.
I had bone scanning and all healthy and good fit. I take walk every morning to catch up with regular exercise. I feel sad lately. I started the tablet since 30Sep... I believed that was because of this, I feel sad, I can tear anytime now. I kept chatting to people and not leting myself feeling alone.
I think I still new to the tablet, I need to let my body to cope with it...and they'll work well together.
Take care
I was having lots of trouble taking AIs. One of the worst symptoms was vaginal and vulval atrophy resulting in constant urinary tract infections therefore on antibiotics all the time. My new Oncologist put me onTamoxifen and things are now back to normal in that department. However, as with just about everyone else on this drug the hot flushes and emotional state was out of control and I started wondering why I was on the same dose as someone perhaps twice my size and does my system actually need full dose? I had so many unanswered questions! So I asked my Oncologist if there had been dosage studies done on these drugs. He said "No, not in drug company's interest". As the side effects were becoming debilitating and realising I would probably stop taking them he suggested we experiment with the dosage. He explained how people's enzymes are different etc. I now only take 3 Tamoxifen a week and while I still have hot flushes, they are manageable and my emotional state is now stable. My Oncologist believes it is better to take some than none! This may not be for everyone and your Oncologist well disagree. Good luck..
I was having lots of trouble taking AIs. One of the worst symptoms was vaginal and vulval atrophy resulting in constant urinary tract infections therefore on antibiotics all the time. My new Oncologist put me onTamoxifen and things are now back to normal in that department. However, as with just about everyone else on this drug the hot flushes and emotional state was out of control and I started wondering why I was on the same dose as someone perhaps twice my size and does my system actually need full dose? I had so many unanswered questions! So I asked my Oncologist if there had been dosage studies done on these drugs. He said "No, not in drug company's interest". As the side effects were becoming debilitating and realising I would probably stop taking them he suggested we experiment with the dosage. He explained how people's enzymes are different etc. I now only take 3 Tamoxifen a week and while I still have hot flushes, they are manageable and my emotional state is now stable. My Oncologist believes it is better to take some than none! This may not be for everyone and your Oncologist well disagree. Good luck..
- I do know that fish oil and evening primrose are fine.Of course soy products and also black cohosh are not fine.Its a real hit and miss thing isn't it? I think we just have to keep on trying different things.I reckon that if you can sort out the sleeping stuff,well you can cope better during the day.There is nothing worse than a bad nights sleep.Cheers Robyn
- Thanks Robyn you are a legend. I actually ordered a chillow today two for one cant wait for it to arrive. Yes I had heard that remifemin is a no no. Do you know if evening primrose and fish oil are ok to take?
Don't take remifemin if you take Tamoxifen.xxx oh and one other thing,you could try a chillow pillow or a cooling pad for your mattress.
Don't take remifemin if you take Tamoxifen.xxx oh and one other thing,you could try a chillow pillow or a cooling pad for your mattress.
I found that Remefemin (can be bought at the chemist, no prescription) got rid of mine altogether, however not everyone can take it as it apparently mimics a hormone. My oncologist recommended it for me.
I resorted to a cold wet (and wrung out) tea towel laid out over my chest and stomach in bed at least helped me fall asleep, a bottle of water beside the bed and a fan on also helped a bit.
I found that Remefemin (can be bought at the chemist, no prescription) got rid of mine altogether, however not everyone can take it as it apparently mimics a hormone. My oncologist recommended it for me.
I resorted to a cold wet (and wrung out) tea towel laid out over my chest and stomach in bed at least helped me fall asleep, a bottle of water beside the bed and a fan on also helped a bit.
