hot flushes

[chas2008]

my wife in her mid fifties was originaly on HRT, she was then diagnosed with breast cancer, obviously she has come of the HRT and had a course of chemo/radiotherapy but ever since she has been suffering with hot flushes, at the moment in this weather anything up to 100+ a day..even the doctor couldnt believe it.Shes has tried all the so called natural remedies but none really make a great deal of difference..its really getting her down any suggestions?..hypnosis maybe ?

[Eve]

I got a dehumidifier from Argos which you can put water in and cools me down nicely.

[ethandron]

there's very little she can do to stop them, but like all us ladies, she'll learn to live with them. also, they'll settle down and not be nearly as frequent or as 'hot', mine started exactly the same as your wife's - 100's in a day but changed over a period of time to maybe 1 or 2 an hour. if she wears loose clothes, tops with a low neckline and no sleeves, no socks, tights or shoes (open sandals instead), she will learn to deal with them so they don't worry her so much. the other thing is to avoid stress, it's a well-known trigger for lots of ladies (difficult for her at the moment i would imagine). i doubt very much hypnosis would help otherwise all us ladies of a certain age would be there like a shot!! it's while her hormones are fluctuating that the flushes occur, once the hormones have settled down (and that's individual to everyone) she'll feel so much better. give her my best wishes in her fight against breast cancer, i have my fingers crossed for her.

[chas2008]

thanks eth, the hypnosis was a long shot just ran out of ideas
...the problem is she isnt dealing with them, it seems to have been going on for months and the mood swings are something else..

[ethandron]

does she use the computer herself? if she does, get her to have a look at 'healthboards' (or you look for her). they have an alphabetical section of all health problems, and forums for each of them. i found their 'menopause' one very helpful in that you can exchange views and problems with ladies going through the same thing. it doesn't stop the symptoms (and i know the mood swings can be appaling for her and you) but it certainly helped me just to sound off to others in the same situation, and she may pick up some tips on how to deal with many aspects of menopause. there are actually 35 recognised symptoms, most of which she would probably never associate with it, i didn't. she will get through it, it's just very difficult when it first hits, especially for your wife being not in the best of health and dealing with all that too.

[chas2008]

no, ive tried hard to get her to, even with the breast cancer she wouldnt really seek help via the net..I tried my hardest and gave up in the end, but i know talking with women in similiar curcumstances could be helpful or at least knowing shes not alone...and you are right the mood swings are hell for me to ! ...gets so stressed out over the smallest issue..

[Bathsheba]

Ah, poor lady- I really do feel for her! Just tell her it's something that's got to be gone through, and the flushes will lessen in time.
The trouble with HRT is that although it's great at stopping the symptoms, all it does is "pauses" the menopause, so unless one stays on it for life (bad idea!), it's not a solution.
Can't offer any advice re the mood swings, as I'm on antidepressants, so i don't suffer from those, but just stock up on plenty of fans for the house, and little portable ones for her handbags!
Good luck xx

[beejaybee]

Has your wife tried SAGE tea ? It can be made with dried sage or fresh.

[bednobs]

could she still have acupuncture with her ongoing treatment - i heard that was quite good

[cruella]

Hi chas,
So sorry to hear about your Wife. I hope she is on her way to recovering from her illness.
I too am in the same position as your Wife and for more or less the same reasons.
After I had my surgery, I was taken off HRT.
I was not too bad at first but when it finally left my system, I have been suffering terribly.
Some people think that it is a minor irritation, but I can vouch, it is NOT!
I don't get the mood swings, but the hot flushes can seriously make you feel ill.
I have to say, My Husband is very understanding when he sees what I go through. I also work which does not help.
Some say it gets better, but that is not the case for me. My GP is unable to help with any medication, fans don't help at all.
So, tell your Wife she is not alone. Not that it will help her, but I would do anything to go back on HRT again. That is how bad I feel too.

[chas2008]

my wife had actually come of HRT about 18 months before being diagnosed with breast cancer with no problems. it seems either the radio therapy or my likely the chemo seems to have kickstarted whatever causes these flushes back into action again...

[funnygirl]

HI Chas, the hot flushes are horrible having suffered and still suffering them myself.

I have tried everything and nothing really works. I have tried all the tablets, black cohosh, menopace, yam tablets. I am currently trying oil of evening primrose on my doctors advice, but it is early days yet as I am still having the flushes.

For me the night time is the worst, sheet on, sheet off!!
And because it does disturb your sleeping patterns, you do feel very very tired.

[cruella]

chas,
Just a thought. Is your Wife on Tamoxifen.
If so, then hot flushes is a really bad side effect of that drug.

[chas2008]

no, not part of her treatment, wrong type of cancer

[cruella]

Just a thought as that med can cause all sorts of side effects.
As you said, it could possibly be the chemo.
I just wish her all the best anyway.

[chas2008]

thanks cruella