Hi All,

I have been looking everywhere for information on the hot flashes that come with treatment.

Does anyone have any information? How to control or get rid of them? Will they just go away? I have them every hour, 24 hrs. a day.

I have been waiting since Jan. for them to go away. I am sure someone out there must have gone through this?

Thanks...... DM

Dear DM- My first reaction to your post was to wonder if you are male or female and then how old you are? If you are female and 40 or above- the hot flashes may just come with the territory If you are male, well, I can't help. Amy

Hi Jam,

Yes, I a female.... Ha ha.. I think I know what you are saying but I have already gone through that. It was my understanding that going through treatment may have brought it on.

So if it is the same the fix is the same. Is that what you are saying?

Thanks.... Diane

In my experience [non-cancer related] the fix is just outlasting the hot flashes Have you considered asking a very knowledgeable GYN if the cancer treatment brought this on and if there is any relief he can think of? If one has never had a hot flash, it's very hard to relate to. That's why I go to an older female GYN. Good Luck, Amy

Diane, as a 43 year old female going in, my periods were normal. However, right in the middle of chemo/rad treatment my periods completely ground to a halt. I pretty much figured they either stopped due to the rapid weight loss or that my body simply pushed itself into early menopause. While it freaked me out, I did realize that my priorities to worry about, this would probably be near the low end of my list. It was surprising to me, that they returned about four months later. Now, of course, it seems like my body wants to make up for lost time. Heavier, longer and more unpredictable periods -- again, these could all be related to pre-menopausal issues. About a month ago, I started on thyroid medication to even out my thyroid, and I'm hoping that some of this will even out.

At this point, it's hard to determine exactly what causes my symptoms. Yes, I have hot flashes from time to time. I also have this horrible acne outbreak that seems to worsen once a month. It could be pre menopausal or just due to the medications I take (Iressa gives me some real skin issues)

My cancer docs have encouraged me to go forth to a GP and do my regular physical stuff now. This includes all the fun crap of Pap, Mammogram and physical exams women just love.

Jen

Hi all....

Guess What?? I found out that it was my thyroid ! It had completely shut down. Due to treatment.
My guess is radiation, since my throat was mainly the target. I was tested and just started pills 2 days ago. Will post again and let you know how things are going.

So I am very hopeful my torture of the hot flashes & chills will be over...!! I am sure I will be able to recover much faster with much needed rest.

Thanks for all your input and help.
Diane

Brainstorker,

I had the same experience with no periods for several months, then extra heavy ones for aboout a year (sometimes three in two months, with very few days in between). Now I'm going through a regular menopause with hot flashes - and yes, i had something like hot flashes right after the radiation, only I was so sick that they just seemed like a minor part of the general misery.

My regular Dr. sends me to all possible tests, pap, mammograms etc. - somehow she seems to blame herself for my cancers, although I keep telling her that she saved my life, sending me directly to the ENT the first time she saw the bump on my neck.

I am a great believer in testing - PET, CAT, (dog?)

Leena

Hi to all,

Went back to Dr. nothing has changed in 2 weeks so we are uping the dose. I am sure I will see some changes this next week. I am so excited !!

I do think that everyone should ask their Dr. if the Thyroid should be check after treatment is finished.

Ok, will let you know as soon as something changes......

DM

Ok, I am back...

I am sure you thought I was lost or something.

Here is the up date. Thyroid pills are now working and I am starting to feel better. I am getting more rest and not so tired all the time. My MD is checking Thyroid every 30 days to make sure of dose needed. I am so glad something is starting to work! I am still amazed at how awful your thyroid can make you feel.

I do have a question? I have pain or aces in my bones off and on. Does anyone else have that? I am hoping it will go away in time. I thought it might have to do with Thyroid?

Next week I go for 6 mo. CT scan. So I am slowly getting there.

Diane

Actually the NCCN oncology practice guidelines state that a TSH test is to be performed every 6 months for persons receiving radiation in the head and neck area. A baseline TSH test should have been taken before you started treatment as well.

If you had IMRT your thyroid function may recover.

The thyroid is a "master regulator" gland and affects the entire endocrine system and virtually every cell in your body.

See: http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyfunction.html