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Andrea Barnett Budin · 08-18-2007, 11:52 AM

HELP. I THINK I'M ON FIRE. My hot flashes began at age 40 when I was perimenopausal and 10 yrs before bc. They have continued past menopause (age 47) to now (almost 63!). I drip from the nape of my neck, down my back, covering my entire scalp (and hair) as if I just got out of the shower. I feel like I am on fire. With a fever of 105. Trapped in the Guatemalean jungles. Stifling hot. I live in sleeveless everything w/as much a/c as I can muster. I have a Brookstone fan I tote everywhere!

Nighttime -- I am fine. I think that is from Ativan, or generic Ambien. Which obviously I don't ant to take during the day.

With approval from my oncological nutritional expert I do take Black Cohash Extract, Evening Primrose Oil, Isoflavones from red clover. My doc says plant estrogen is like a millionth of the strength of regular estrogen and is safe. I've been taking these since '98, and as you can see from my signature (ER/PR-) and NED since '99 -- this definitely is helpful and works for me. Most *regular* oncs fear all this and do not recommend it. I am that desperate, and have absolute approval from my NY onc/nutrition man who I trust and respect. I also take Effexor to help w/the hot flashes. All combined gives me a degree of relief. Truly the only thing that worked totally was estrogen, which I was on for 6 mnths prior to bc -- so obviously that is not a viable option. I'm just doing the best I can. I have decided it all comes down to QOL. I was using ice cubes on my wrists in in my palms for a while there, clammy and miserable at all times. Now, I am better. No great, but better.

I also tried using self-hypnosis to rid myself of the cycle of getting the hot flash, FEARING an all out break out of perspiration and thus actually bringing it on. This worked w/my 2 yrs of horrible back pain AND CURED ME, but I have failed w/regulating my body temp.

Any secrets any one has out there would be greatly appreciated to relieve my 22 yrs of suffering, along w/many others apparently. I FEEL LIKE I'M MELTING... ANDI

08-18-2007, 11:52 AM	#5
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Hot Hot Hot HELP. I THINK I'M ON FIRE. My hot flashes began at age 40 when I was perimenopausal and 10 yrs before bc. They have continued past menopause (age 47) to now (almost 63!). I drip from the nape of my neck, down my back, covering my entire scalp (and hair) as if I just got out of the shower. I feel like I am on fire. With a fever of 105. Trapped in the Guatemalean jungles. Stifling hot. I live in sleeveless everything w/as much a/c as I can muster. I have a Brookstone fan I tote everywhere! Nighttime -- I am fine. I think that is from Ativan, or generic Ambien. Which obviously I don't ant to take during the day. With approval from my oncological nutritional expert I do take Black Cohash Extract, Evening Primrose Oil, Isoflavones from red clover. My doc says plant estrogen is like a millionth of the strength of regular estrogen and is safe. I've been taking these since '98, and as you can see from my signature (ER/PR-) and NED since '99 -- this definitely is helpful and works for me. Most regular oncs fear all this and do not recommend it. I am that desperate, and have absolute approval from my NY onc/nutrition man who I trust and respect. I also take Effexor to help w/the hot flashes. All combined gives me a degree of relief. Truly the only thing that worked totally was estrogen, which I was on for 6 mnths prior to bc -- so obviously that is not a viable option. I'm just doing the best I can. I have decided it all comes down to QOL. I was using ice cubes on my wrists in in my palms for a while there, clammy and miserable at all times. Now, I am better. No great, but better. I also tried using self-hypnosis to rid myself of the cycle of getting the hot flash, FEARING an all out break out of perspiration and thus actually bringing it on. This worked w/my 2 yrs of horrible back pain AND CURED ME, but I have failed w/regulating my body temp. Any secrets any one has out there would be greatly appreciated to relieve my 22 yrs of suffering, along w/many others apparently. I FEEL LIKE I'M MELTING... ANDI __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...