Medication

Hi, I started zoladex during chemo in October (my 2nd cycle) and had really intense hot flushes and night sweats at first that were made much worse with each chemo cycle. Things began to improve after I stopped chemo, though they had been really intense, with flushes every 20 mins 24/7 and a lot of anxiety with them, then chills afterwards. I started exemestane in March and didn't notice much of a difference with flushes.

I can honestly say that they have significantly improved and I barely notice them during the day now, They are way less intense and I don't get the anxiety or chills any more. Night sweats are down to about one every 2-3 hours, which I find very manageable.

I have done things to help though: I dress in layers so I can take something off during the day, I have a hand held fan that is useful too. I also take a sage supplement and have recently started taking apple cider vinegar and I think things have improved again since taking that (I also think that is helping with the joint pain).

I have found the night sweats a bit more difficult but seem to have finally found a solution that works for me. I have a chillax pillow and a fan. I find that if I can cool off enough quickly, and to the point of getting cold, then I can get back to sleep and don't get another for a couple of hours or so. When I had the winter duvet on, I found I couldn't get cool enough (even with throwing it off, which I still do with the summer duvet). 

I think the flushes are getting better anyway, but I definitely find all these things help to manage them.

I find they get a bit worse when I drink alcohol or something stressful happens. I also found they got worse during radiotherapy so I think anything that stresses your body makes them worse, but then they improve again.

I am hoping mine will continue to improve and fade away to nothing, especially as the exemestane didn't make any difference to them. I figure the zoladex has put me into a sudden menopause, which is much more intense than a natural one, but I'm hoping that means that symptoms will last for less time! That's my theory anyway.

I found exemestane has given me sore joints and muscles, but that wears off quickly with activity.