Hot flashes

The chemo I took has put me into menopause. I am getting hot flashes about every half hour and it's driving me nuts!

I keep a bean-bag cold pack in the freezer to apply to my head when they come or I step outside where it's cold. I've also resorted to carrying a fan.

Is anyone taking anything to mitigate the flashes? Any ideas on coping mechanisms?

Thanks,
Merridith

Merridith,

Sometimes chemo can put us into TEMPORARY menopause (if you were already pre-menoapusal prior to chemo). I was temporarily meno, until about 4 months after chemo. Then my onc put me on Zoladex. Side effects weren't so bad in the beginning, but my hot flashes have become a lot more frequent these days. I sweat like a pig! :-( I'd like to hear input on this, too!

And I'm thinking of switching from Zoladex to Lupron. This way, I wouldn't have to go into the cancer clinic to get the shot. We could perform Lupron at home, correct?

I was with you sweat like a pig during and the first couple of months after chemo. Was past menapause when I got the cancer. Each time I have gone off the chemo the hot flashes went away this time has taken about 2 months. Haven't found anything that has worked during chemo. Hugs, Sandy

I told my Dr. that I had made it through chemo and surgery but I thought the hotflashes were going to kill me. He gave me megace the first time around and it seemed to work. I came out of menopause 4 months after I finished chemo. But they put me back into with my mets and I haven't been able to come back out. My radiation Dr. gave me a med called belamines'. it worked on the second round. But the next time around neither drug would help, so he gave me a small does of effector, it's an anti depression. Sometimes I think it works and other times not. My friends buy me hand fans which I carry and use all the time. But I fell if I can't get any sleep I can't heal. Patty H

Others can provide more info regarding meds for flashes. Chemo thru me into menopause which I was about to enter anyway, but mine were not as bad as what you describe. Caffeine was definitely a contributor and once I cut it out entirely, my flashes went away. My sister is perimenopausal and started having terrible flashes which were helped by an antidepressant. She won't give up her high octane coffee, tho, so she still has some flashes.
Good luck in finding a solution!
Jackie

Hi,

Vitamin E works for some women (800 i.u. is the recommended dose).

And as for Lupron, I'm pretty sure it cannot be self-administered. It's a long needle (sorry) that has to go deep into the muscle.

Good luck,
Jeff

Spoke to my onc about the hot flashes that I am getting every HALF hour. She offered me an anti-depressant that would mitigate the hot flashes, but at a cost. I would become dependant on it and have to wean myself off of it. That option didn't sound appealing.

I don't consume caffine (no pop, coffee etc). Hopefully this passes in the next few months as it has with others who responded.

Thanks for all your responses.

Merridith

I'm getting them, too, from both the arimidex I'm taking and the chemo. They are a real pain. My doctors recommend an anti-depressant called Effexor; it's supposed to be really effective in stopping the hot flashes. I'm trying to tough it out without taking it, but I keep considering it. I note that when I'm stressed, the flashes are worse. I am dressing in layers and have a fan under my desk at work. Luckly, the A/C here is set very low! Good luck!