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Diannes48's avatar
Diannes48
Member
12 years ago

Thrown into Menopause

When i was diagnosed with cancer a year ago i was already experiencing some menopause symptoms (minor) and when discussing treatment doctors had told me if i wasnt in menapause already it was likely treatment would throw me into it.

Wow did it ever almost straight away i was getting the dreaded hot flushes, and not just a few times a day, these go on all day and night every few hrs, its so tiring, the type of cancer i have i cannot take hormone replacement so i just need to deal with it. i laugh about it because i have to, i find myself all night long - blankets on, blankets off, sleeping is not much of an option and its amazing how little sleep you can live on, i find myself with my head in the frezzer or out the back door on frosty nights lol and i carry a fan everywhere i go, i am no longer embarrassed and when i ask the kids to grab my fan they have learned to be quick about it or look out.

I have tried natural products but nothing seems to help, my Doctor has suggested an anti-depressant but i am not keen as i am not depressed just HOT and i don't want to rely on an anti depressant as this will go on for many years.

I keep a face cloth in the fridge and this helps but i can,t bring that with me when i leave the house, i have the aircon on full cold even on a the coldest day and its bad luck if i have passengers lol they have learned to also deal with it and say nothing, its lucky i can laugh at myself otherwise i really would be depressed and need those tablets but i refuse to let it get to me.

I would like others thoughts or advice, as  i am sure i am not alone in this.

Must go feel a hot flush coming LOL

Fatigue
hot-flushes
menopause
side-effects

10 Replies

  • Diannes48's avatar
    Diannes48
    Member
    12 years ago

    Wow thats interesting, i have not thought about alternative medicines but i will.

    Thanks for the advice

     

    Di

  • Diannes48's avatar
    Diannes48
    Member
    12 years ago

    Yeah a damp face cloth is great i put it in the fridge then take to bed with me

    Thankyou

    Di

  • Diannes48's avatar
    Diannes48
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi,

     

    Thanks for the advice, thats funny he wears a beanie, the things they put up with for us, he must be a lovely guy to do that.

    Di

  • Blizz's avatar
    Blizz
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Diane I really feel for you Power surges are the pits Like Donna since surgery I am hot at night even without a flush The one leg out of the bed is an oldie but a goodie or I find something cold on my wrists helps You will find a way to overcome them Good luck Debbie
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago
    Ooh,you got the hf's real bad! I was like that 4 years ago when I went onto Tamoxifen.I relented and took a VERY low dose antidepressant called Endep 10mg( usual dose is over 75mg)and it really helped me.It has no apparent side effects(for me)and easy to come off it at such a low dose.I don't know how it works but it is effective against the hf's- not 100% though.Now it's not to be confused withEffexor- I tried that first and I was like some drooling zombie! Gee,I sound like some druggie peddling drugs.I just couldn't stand the hf's every 15mins day n night. Tonya xx
  • mgndam1603's avatar
    mgndam1603
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thats interesting I find at night I am always hot even when not flushing. I live in Melbourne and even in the middle of winter have the fan going all night, my poor husband sleeps with a beanie on LOL.

    Donna

     

  • Diannes48's avatar
    Diannes48
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Donna, yeah i do pretty much the same hopefully mine will settle soon, i don't drink alcohol so thats not a worry, yes a fan does help but once the flush is gone the fan can get awfully cold at night but i guess we just do what we need to , thanks for the tips

    Take care

    Di

  • Diannes48's avatar
    Diannes48
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Robyn,

    Thanks, yes i drink lots of water and try not to stress, i also wear layers which helps

     

    Di

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Dianne,I have been having hot flushes for 7 years now...so before I got BC.I am on Tamoxifen,and just recently my flushes got really bad.Like you,blanket on,blanket off,fan always at the ready,and sleep with a fan going all night ,next to our bed.I blogged about them a couple of times,and even counted and recorded how many I was having,in the hope that I would see a pattern! The only pattern was lots!!! However,just lately,( the last couple of weeks) they seem to be reducing in frequency! I dare not say it out loud Incase they hear me and come back!!!!I was offered the same anti depressant as you,but I have no intention of taking it.For me it's just about staying cool,wearing layers so I can throw somethi ng off quickly,drinking COLD water to cool your core temp,and not stressing! Take care and stay in touch.xoxRobyn