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• December 30, 2012 2:53 p.m.

  Had breast cancer--two+ years ago, ovaries out too since I have the Brac Gene. I'm so burned out from hot flashes/soakings. Once every hour or two I am literally soaked with sweat--dripping wet. It pours off my eyebrows, down my back--if I rest my uncovered arm on a surface it leaves a puddle. I've tried the Gabapentin--it sort of worked or so and then stopped. I have to wear black cotton all the time to hide the sweat. It's just dawned on me that despite the doctors saying it should let up after a year, (It's been almost three), I'm beginning to think it will never get any better. It irritates me when I hear my friends complain about having hot flashes that occur once or twice a day and they get a little red in the face and worry that people might notice. Try pouring a bucket or water over your head and see how people look at you.

  - Robin

• December 20, 2012 12:13 p.m.

  Caith, I don't, thankfully, have cancer but I too have those severe heat problem's that you described so well. My doctor's also ignore them. So keep on yelling till they hear your! And sleep whenever you can, I do with ice pack's and fan's surrounding me. Turn the temperature down as low as you need, it's easier to add warmth and other's in your house can just deal with it. I did research on-line at NIH site and one answer may lie in adrenal gland function. Thank's for sharing at least I know I'm not alone.

  - Penny

• December 13, 2012 11:27 a.m.

  Gabapentin 300MG capsules x3 helps control my hot flashes. Make sure you are not taking any medications that may interact with this as it is an anti-seisure medication.

  - Vicki

• October 14, 2012 3:12 p.m.

  Thankfully, I am a seven year breast cancer survivor. Other than chemo and radiation I did not have any post cancer treatment. I am 69yrs and for the last 3years have had extreme hot flashes.(for want of a better term). Mine do not fall in to the normal range as I do not perspire. When I get into bed its as if someone plugs me in and I boil internally all night long. Its as if my cooling mechanism no longer works, my brain, eyes and whole body feel as if I am having a heat stroke and I am completely boiled dry. I drink water during the night, go to the bathroom frequently, get little sleep, am continually exhausted, feels as if my brain is going to come out of the top of my head. My doctors won't even give me a diagnosis, won't tell me what chemo I got, so over all my quality of life is terrible and to add insult to injury treat me as if this is all a figment of my imagination!! I am not really worried about dying and quality of life as much as possible is more important. I find the resounding silence of all the cancer organizations on this matter of hot flashes as a result of chemo rather puzzling and know that there are some clinical trials beginning. Given that so many of us are suffering because of this, it would be wonderful if more research could happen. vKXf5Y

  - Caith

• September 8, 2012 11:37 a.m.

  Thank you all for reassuring me I am not crazy. I am 62, have DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). Diagnosed in Feb 2006, had 2 surgeries and 33 radiation treatments. I was on Femara for 5 years and have been off for one year. I was also on Evista (have been off about 4 months). My flashing/sweating lasts a very long time, from head to waist. Someone mentioned grape seed extract. How would I use that? My oncologist only suggested "Healthy Woman" pills. Anything I have tried lasts for a week or 2 and then doesn't work. Grape seed extract sounds interesting. Do I put it in a drink or what? thanks.

  - Laura

• August 17, 2012 5:32 a.m.

  Dear all, it is a long time since I wrote my last post in this blog and by then I was more optimistic than today. I have to say that I keep searching for something to diminish my hot flashes which have been my company for two years by now. I tried every thing … food restrictions (no tomatoes, no cheese,…) remedies (Reiky, acupuncture, yoga or sports ) products (flax seed, homeopathy,...) or medicines ( Clonidine®, Venlafexine®, ...) some helped a bit, but NOT for long. The ones that worked better for me, produced side effects that were not worth wile the benefits, somnolence and the constipation were the difficult ones when taking Clonidine, which I think is the one best worked in my situation. Now I’m doing nothing but saving money in useless products, nothing seems to help. Sorry to disapoint!

  - Núria

• July 4, 2012 6:36 p.m.

  I have had hot flashes for 20 yrs nothing has worked. My Mother had flashes from 42 to 83 when she died, I have about 20 years left to go and some times I think life is not worth living, I have spent thousands of dollars on creams lotions and pills,been to an assortment of Drs, without results. Is there anyone out there, with anything new for me to try?

  - Mary

• June 28, 2012 3:05 p.m.

  Ask your doctor if the herb/vitamin Black Cohosh is ok for you to take. I take it (40mg) 1-2 times a day and it has really helped. I am not a big believer in vitamins or herbs but this works!

  - Tammy

• April 26, 2012 7:11 p.m.

  Cath - I also have ovarian cancer (3C) and began having hot flashes a couple months after completing chemo. So far they've been very mild but sometimes they feel kind of "prickly", like tiny needles; which really bothers me. I've tried to avoid just about anything that might produce estrogen because of my fear of a recurrence. Your comment about the green tea interested me and I did a search on hot v. cold: http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/iced-tea-hot-tea-and-antioxidants. I'm sure you could find even more information on the subject.

  - Sheila

• April 19, 2012 2:14 p.m.

  I have ovarian cancer and had hot flashes after debulking surgery: Felt very very cold for several hours, then very warm, with very bad sweats. Especially painful during the nightime (had to change pyjama and sheets....). Soy milk worked really well (contains natural phytooestrogenes). I take one glass a day and still have hot flashes but it's weaker. Problem is that with oestrogene sensitive cancer we are not supposed to take products containing oestrogens - so I asked to several doctors and as a general rule, recommanded to take only 1 serving a day. No supplements! I noticed that the hot flashes are triggered by drinking hot things, as said in the article. I learned to not drink my green tea when it's too hot - which is good because it contains more actives when infused for a longer time. Last: I had surgery 6 months ago and still experience hot flashes every hour.

  - Cath

• February 8, 2012 7:07 a.m.

  I am still having some hot flashes especially at night. I received 4 Zoladex shots back in 2009 after having prostate cancer. I would like to know if these flashes are related to the Zoladex or could there be somthing else causing it.

  - TED

• January 22, 2012 2:26 p.m.

  This recommendation for men experiencing hot flashes as the result of treatment of prostate cancer with LHRH agonists: By top Medical Oncologist Stephen Strum, a specialist specifically in the treatment of recurring as well as advanced, high grade prostate cancer, should be the one to follow: ““I am not a user of Megace in this setting since it is metabolized to DHEA and then to androstenedione and then to testosterone. When the PSA is in good control and the testosterone is low, I use Depo-Provera intramuscular injection 400mg ONCE and that usually eliminates hot flashes forever.”

  - Chuck

• December 8, 2011 4:36 p.m.

  This is for Jimmy (August 15,2011). After my prostate surgery I received Zoladex hormone shots for two years to stop the production of testosterone and I also experienced hot flashes. And after the last shot, the hot flashes were more frequent than before. But ten months after the last shot, they suddenly stopped and I haven't had a hot flash in two months.

  - Steve

• October 19, 2011 9:46 p.m.

  Hello and thank you! A few suggestions give me hope. I am currently on Femara , having tried all 3 drugs for estrogen positive breast cancer. I recently decided to get off the Effexor XR because I have been on it for 3 years and still having mega watt hot flashes. I have been trying acupuncture twice a month for the last 6 months. I always feel magnificent when the treatment is over and then, the dreaded HFs return. I have been given megace but am afraid to take it because one of the side effects is weight gain. Has anyone used it and can please comment on the side effects. TY and stay cool!

  - Sharon

• August 17, 2011 4:43 p.m.

  Well thank you jesus! I thought I was going nuts till I read your posts. I had 12 rounds of chemo, lumpectomy with 28 nodes removed, then 3o radiation treatments. I have sweat so much that I,m surprised I am not a prune. Through my clother, through my sheets, and so on. Neurontin made me so dizzy, tried it for a while, but couldn,t stand it. Somedays the water just pours down my body! I will lay off the tomatoes and citrus. Thanks for the ideas, good health to all!

  - Marina

• August 15, 2011 11:13 p.m.

  I guess I'm the only man willing to talk about hot flashes. I received Lupron shots for about 3 years(female hormone)to destroy testosterone. They stopped giving me the shots about 6 months ago but my hot flashes are as many as ever. I wonder if I would start taking a testosterone supplements would help?

  - Jimmy

• July 29, 2011 2:15 p.m.

  Hotflashes- I am 59 yrs old. I have been on Clonidine HCl 0.025mg 2 Tablets twice daily 12 hours apart since May/11. Also known as Dixarit. Reduced the intensity of the hot flashes that they were very very mild. To reduce further I also take flax seed mixed with my oatmeal 1 tbsp and 1tbsp mixed with yogurt at bedtime. I spoke to my pharmacist and family doctor as to what to do. They both suggested this. This medication is used to lower blood pressure, but in this very low dosage it helps some people with hot flashes. Iam one of the lucky ones. I hope this helps some of you. It does not work for everyone. My prayers go out to all of you.

  - Linda

• May 19, 2011 2:25 p.m.

  2010 was a bad year -- started with a heart attack and stint. Then in August I was diagnosed with Stage1 breat cancer -- had a lumpectectomy followed by radiation. 1 cm (80% invasive/20% DCIS).In January I went on Tamoxifen. I came off it in March. Here is the problem -- the oncologist wants me back on tamoxfen -- I have a 14-15% chance of recurrense over 10 years without Tamoxifen, and a 10% chance if I take Tamoxifen. The cardiologist says he will double up on the high blood pressure meds and can presribe something else for the high triglycerides. I hate taking all this medication. Is 4-5% worth it ... Coming off tamoxifen I now have hot flashes (which I never had before) and my hair has fallen out. I had this reaction when I came off birth control pills -- the hair came out. When I was on tamoxifen, my blood pressure went up, irregular heart beats and raised triglycerides, dry mouth, bumpy contacts, and a stiff neck -- plus trouble sleeping. A hemotogist/oncologist said if I decided to go back on the drugs, stay on them as they found woman who went off and on got cancer. He also said if you have your uterus and are over 65, you shouldnt be on Tamoxifen. The other three drugs cause high blood pressure, high chlorestoral. They also can cause bone loss. The worse thing would be to put up with these side effects and still get cancer. Is it worth it? 4-5%. I have to decide by the end of he month and am going crazy. Any opinions welcome.

  - Carolyn

• May 12, 2011 1:15 p.m.

  Megestrol or megace low dose 20mg stops hot flashes right away. It does have a few side effects but I took it for 10 years and I am still kicking! Just came off and hot flashes are back. good luck finding a Dr. that knows about it, my oncologist prescribed it. Now I can't find one who will perscribe!

  - Dolly

• November 11, 2010 12:46 p.m.

  My girlfriend was diagnosed with duct. carcinoma 2 yrs ago age 60, and has had chemo then surg. then radiation. The surg went well and the removal was done very well as noted by the Dr. The problem she is having is very painful sensations under the scar and under the arm ( 2 nodes were removed). Many test's have been done and no Cancer found. The pain has subsided sonewhat, but is still there. Has any one heard of this before and is there a remedy? Thanks. Boyfriend

  - Russell

• October 29, 2010 10:50 p.m.

  Neurontin works. Generic name: gabapentin. Get it in 100 mg capsules and take up to 3 as needed. Good luck! and blessings....

  - Karen

• October 21, 2010 11:13 a.m.

  Dear all, It is quite some time since I last posted a comment but I did not feel like complaining again. Today, I have good news, I have to say that I am feeling better the hot flashes that were annoying me so badly are diminishing and becoming more bearable. I don’t say I have any, but the intense ones are less frequent and the quantity of the mild ones had diminished from 18-20 the worst days to an average of 10-12 and that is almost a 40% improvement. The treatment I am following for hot flashes is a combination of everything: acupuncture (I’m on the 8 week of the 12 week planed treatment), ground flax seed 2 soup spoons every morning combined with the cereals, I eat few oranges and tomatoes, less cured cheese and I avoid spicy food as much as possible, I’m back to summing and walking, and next month back to work!. Also weather conditions in autumn are more favorable for hot flashes than were in August and myself, I feel better of my disease, it is 6 months since I stated Tamoxifen® and almost 10 since my last menstruation, it seems that my body is adapting to the circumstances, not fighting I would say.

  - Núria

• October 13, 2010 7:35 a.m.

  this i sdirected to Terri who asked if any nonbreast/uterine cancer survivors were suffering from teh hot flashes and night sweats? YES !!! I have Thymic Carcinoma,surgery and 28 sessions Radiation. The hot flashes during rad. were difficult but I think much of that was from the burning of the skin. It got better thought I could actually pack away my summer clothes this winter....was I wrong ! Not sure but they are back and almost worse than before. always walking around with wet hair, looks like I just got out of the shower.As another commented change clothes alot. I am very concious of what I wear when I do go to town . cotton...layers...hair clips !!! I can't stand it on my face or neck. I am taking several medications and 15 months later am still on prednisone for my lungs. I am seeing my family Dr. this week to discuss this and some of the stuff the "specialists" at mayo won't address. It isn't their dept.! That makes me HOT ALSO LOL but there has to be a bright side ??? some where???? doesn't there???

  - erin

• September 16, 2010 11:41 p.m.

  I went into menopause after taking tamoxifen. Nothing seemed to help, not vitamin E or B12 or green tea. Since I couldn't sleep I found sleeping pills worked best at night. After I stopped taking tamoxifen after 5 years the hot flashes subsided.

  - Emme

• September 2, 2010 12:44 p.m.

  After the mastectomy and chemo etc ...It was the hot flashes. I have tried Clonidine and Effexor but now the best is Neurontin . I started with 200mg 3x a day and apparently you can go up to 900mg a day. IT WORKS

  - Anne