Hot Flash Help

legaljen1969

Okay folks. Besides running a fan full blast, turning my air down to the point that the rest of my friends and family feel like they are in a meat locker, or wearing virtually no clothes (not particularly attractive or socially acceptable for work)- what have you found effective? Please know I am not going to consider anything here as "medical advice" but merely a starting point to have a discussion with my doctors on what may be best for me.
Maybe my body is mad that it was super hot out today with lots of humidity. Maybe it was wearing a mask for an extended period of time today. Maybe it was 50 minutes on the treadmill doing interval training, but the hot flashes are inhumane this evening.
I am open to things "to do" and things "not to do."

Kalee

I filled plastic bags with ice cubes, then put a thin towel around it and voilla...it helped an awful lot.

ChildOfGod4570

Oh, believe me, I sometimes think if they had hot flash in the dictionary, you'd see my picture! What helps me is drinking lots of ice water and sitting under a ceiling fan. At work, you can get one of those thermal mugs and fill it with ice water; those things stay cool for hours on end and don't sweat! Put a straw in it and nurse it as you work. At home, if you have access to a pool, taking a dip really helps. If you have a bathtub you can fill it with cool water as cool as you can stand it and soak for a little bit. If you are using an exercise machine like a treadmill or an elliptical, you can always see if you can set up a fan next to you while you work out. I did that when I had my hysterectomy in the middle of summer and couldn't go swimming for a month. HTH HUGS and God bless.

centered1

When I had a total hysterectomy for endometrial cancer, it through me into menopause, hot flashes and all. My GYN/ONC told me to take 2000 mg of flaxseed oil. It came in a gel cap and worked really fast for me...and it's good for you.

legaljen1969

@centered. Are flaxseed oil gelcaps easy to find? Where do you get them? The next time I am out and about I will have a look.

LiveWithCancer

I just suffered through them (and still do sometimes). I have a friend you never see without a paper fan that she fans herself with. I agree that drinking lots of ice-cold drinks, like water, is helpful. Wearing clothes that can be shed easily (a jacket over a sleeveless top, for instance) definitely helps when you think you're going to die from the heat...

I do some with essential oils and there are essential oils that are supposed to be helpful for hot flashes. However, those with breast cancer/female issues have to be particularly cautious with some of those as they may increase estrogen levels. Specifically, I was learning about clary sage as an oil that has an affinity to helping with problems such as PMS or menopause. It is supposed to be especially effective combined with geranium and mandarin ...

You might try coming up with a spray (maybe a hydrosol) that you keep in the refrigerator that you can spray on your face when a flash comes. I had some of those things you put in the freezer that I could get out and put around my neck when I was burning up.

Tell yourself that flashes only last a few minutes so if you can just hold on for a few, it will pass for awhile!!

legaljen1969

@LiveWithCancer, yes they only last for a few moments. It's been a little weird starting to get frequent hot flashes during the 'rona. LOL I live with a thermometer nearby. I take all of the normal precautions- mask, gloves, sanitizing. In my office there is usually just me and my boss and we work in different rooms so we don't have a lot of close contact. For some reason we became the drop point for UPS and FedEx for another office that has restricted entry to their office. I sort of wonder why we are allowing packages and we are not even permitted to go onto their floor. We have to put it on the elevator, let them know it is coming and they call the elevator up with their package. So now I have to glove and mask at work too. I worry I have been complacent and gotten the 'rona. So hot flashes come and if they stay for longer than a minute or two, the thermometer gets used.
Now, the summer heat is here so the hot flashes coupled with the 90% humidity is just fantastic LOL

I do find that drinking lots of ice water helps. My boss doesn't love it so much that I have to go to the bathroom a couple of times an hour. I told him it's either let me have the ice water and go to the facilities or take "casual day" to a whole new level that nobody is going to like.

centered1

legaljen, Any drug store has them. I hope it helps,

LiveWithCancer

@legaljen1969 - got a few giggles from your answer! Which is something since hot flashes are not all that funny !!!!

I didn't even think about the worry that the flashes would cause concerns about having the virus... Ugh.

That's just plain weird that you guys have to take the chance of getting infected by taking delivery of someone else's packages. Your life is less valuable than theirs somehow? And, are they sending your firm some $$ to pay for all of the inconvenience and time it takes to send their deliveries to them on the empty elevator? another Ugh!!!

jeallen

Chemo sent me into instant menopause and I had unbearable hot flashes 24/7. My oncologist prescribed Effexor “off label”. It’s technically an antidepressant, but it kills hot flashes and doesn’t interfere with other meds as most antidepressants do.

debbien507

My onc prescribed gabapentin/neurontin 300mg 4 times a day. It's cut the number of hot flashes per day in half. Also, point a stand fan with a remote control at yourself in bed. Instant cooling!

cllinda

They also have cooling pillows that have a section that goes in the frig so that it's cool to sleep on. It's wonderful.

legaljen1969

@Jeallen- I need to get in with a therapist anyhow for anxiety and depression, I am trying to get a new referral. I had one written back in November and, shame on me, taking care of my mind and mental health seemed like just "one more appointment" when all I was trying to do was stamp out the fire most in danger of burning me (cancer). I had so many doctors appointments, that taking time to see a therapist seemed the last thing I could afford to do. Now that my body seems in order, it is time to focus on getting my mind back in order. I may discuss the effects of some of the medications and see what I come up with.
I think the anxiety just escalates the hot flashes.
@Cllinda, I will check out the cooling pillows with a refrigerated section. Sounds amazing.
@debbien507- I definitely sleep with a fan pointed at me. It is about to drive my husband crazy because he has like 10 blankets on his side of the bed and is under threat of bodily injury if any of those layers of blankets come my way. My poor husband is freezing. If I am having a really bad night, I sleep in the guest room with a ceiling fan and a floor fan. It's like a polar vortex.

petieagnor

I didn't have hot flashes when I went through menopause. Everyone hated me. I've made up for it with my hormone inhibitor shot for Ibrance. I've found that if I put my bare feet on ice packs, I cool down quite well. Ice water helps & staying away from any caffeine & alcohol. We shouldn't be drinking much anyway, BUT, I do love a very cold lager after working in the yard. Thanks jeallen & centered1 for your suggestions. Now, I have something new to discuss with Dr.

legaljen1969

@petieagnor, thank you as well for suggestions. I definitely need to cut back on the caffeine. I am not a big drinker anyhow but do like an occasional glass of wine. I find that red wine definitely makes it worse than white wine, but I have pretty much sworn off all wine.
On days like today (when I was so stressed out I was shaking most of the day), I would have given almost anything to have a glass of wine with my dinner and later had a whine party with a friend. I am still "vibrating" and I have been home for 4 hours.