Does anyone have experience of a forced menopause through chemo (I am on FEC)? I have been suffering with frequent hot flashes and night sweats and wonder how long and intensive this might be. Any tips for reducing symptoms would be appreciated.
Maureen with the redhot face!
FormerMember
Oh yes Me too !!!! and still getting them now. I used to get the odd one before my treatment but now it's two or three a day. The night sweats are the worst.
hi again, found the solution!! i spray myself with water! it feels fantastic, i bought a spray bottle with a fan attachhment and it works perfect and i cool down really quickly. thanks guys.
clinical trial. well i have been offered this trial , though i dont actually know all the facts, they gave me a sheet on treatment, and side effects etc... but no clinical findings on previous patients that it has been used for, and it has been used in america, canada, and parts of europe, i attend christies at manchester, which is the only hosp that does it in u.k. it looks promising, sounds all well and good on paper, but does it work? are they being honest or using me as a guinea pig, ita all getting to much to cope with , does anyone have any info re-findings? or even heard of it before? would really like a friend in my area i could chat to, life a bitch for far too many of us. and many going it alone..
sorry to hear of your confusion/dilemma over your treatment. Sometimes I think we need to have faith in the professionals on these issues but I guess you asked them some questions on what the are proposing and why. I am not able to comment on this as I have one more chemo to go before startng my rads. As your post was in reply to mine on hot flashes not many people might see it and respond. Can I suggest that you enter this as a fresh blog (you can do this from your profile page) and it may reach a larger audience. Specifically seek out those with similar cancer type and as you say those in your area who may attand Christies. I am in the South East and attend the Royal Marsden.
Even though I have family and friends around me I think we all have feelings of isolation as we are the ones going through this and only others. going through it can begin to understand.
Try to stay positive maybe your MacMillan Nurse can help or chat it through again over the phone with your oncologist.
I was put into chem menopause 2 1/2 years ago. ZOLOFT. I know it's an anti-depressent, but it makes a HUGE difference. I go to a research/teaching hospital in the States. My oncologist there told me of this lovely side-effect of several anti-depressants. I have heard very little of this elsewhere, but it has worked well for me. I just take 50 mg a day. It doesn't make me at all "la la," but it does also help with the "keep a positive attitude."
If the cancer you have is hormone positve, the menopause is helpful to get rid of hormones that the cancer grow. Soy and other estrogen-like substances.... Really, don't feel that's a good idea.
