I have thermoregulatory dysfunction (a broken human thermometer normally regulated with the pituitary gland) and it's making me crazy! Profuse persperation similar to hot flashes several times daily and throughout the night. The cause seems to be because I'm a breast cancer survivor and post menopausal. The cure? "Deal with it". Well, other than taking sponge baths 25 times a day, how else can I cope with this? Serious and informative answers only please.
2006-08-28 13:40:40 · 6 answers · asked by Decoy Duck 6 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I should have said I was told to 'cope with it'. Thank you everyone for such great info! And "Imaka" the sites you gave helped a lot. Will try the MacaActive route. I'm saying a special prayer for you and your husband.
2006-08-28 14:13:26 · update #1
Is it because of the breast cancer that you can't do hormone replacement therapy?
Here is what I found ....
In women unable or unwilling to take hormonal therapies, several nonhormonal alternatives have been evaluated in small controlled and uncontrolled trials. Oral and transdermal formulations of clonidine are moderately effective in reducing hot flashes. Results of studies evaluating venlafaxine, paroxetine, and gabapentin suggest greater reductions in hot-flash frequency and severity compared with those of clonidine. Fluoxetine appears to display a modest benefit compared with paroxetine, although no comparative trials have been conducted. Most women studied in these trials had a history of breast cancer, and many were taking concurrent tamoxifen. All of these agents were fairly well tolerated.
These links have some good information. Take care of yourself. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. My husband is fighting cancer now.
2006-08-28 13:53:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bless your heart for going through that!
First, congratulations on being a cancer survivor!! You are blessed, indeed, for that doesn't happen often enough in my opinion.
My own thermometer is "off" from the standpoint of the "normal" core temp of 98.6. Mine is and has always been 96.8. I've often wondered if that's the reason I'm cold-natured.
About 2 years ago I began experiencing the hot flashes and night sweats of peri-menopause, along with other symptoms too, of course.
For numerous reasons I had a complete hysterectomy in January of this year, and the only thing my GYN gave me afterwards was low-dose estrogen that I will take for a few years, then be weened off them in order to transition into a normal menopause.
Since my surgery, and with the estrogen, I have not had any further hot flashes or night sweats at all.
I certainly don't have the thermoregulatory dystfunction (that I know of), but it sounds to me like you need to speak to a doctor that can help you pinpoint the specific cause of your symptoms, i.e., whether it's the thermo. dysfunction or a post-menopausal issue. Once that is determined then a proper course of treatment can be decided on.
However, every woman is different, and our bodies react differently to all things. I can share my experience, but what works for me may not work for you and vise versa. If you're going to a doctor currently that is telling you "deal with it", then my advice is to find another doctor. This is not something you should have to "deal with", and there are ways to help you with this issue.
Best wishes to you.
2006-08-28 14:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by CoasterCrazy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flax seed and soy milk, sounds odd but I had the same problem last year for similar reasons. I was told by a therapist to drink three glasses of soy milk a day (this was easy for me because I drink lots of milk and just had to switch over). Soy can be purchased flavoured (strawberry, chocolate, etc) and sweetened or you can buy it plain and you can disguise the taste with honey and nutmeg. You can drink it hot or cold. The flax is even easier, just buy a whole grain bread that has flax seed in it. I found that drinking the soy and eating two slices of a flax seed bread helped me a lot. It took a couple of weeks before it kicked in but it really did help. Also it's cheap so if it doesn't work you won't be out a whole lot of money and it's healthy.
2006-08-28 13:54:15 · answer #3 · answered by Lynn K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your dr. but try Remefemin or a cream you can put on a few times a day that contains progesterone. Good luck!
2006-08-28 13:44:43 · answer #4 · answered by cdlmeup4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tater Tot bath
2006-08-28 13:44:03 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
people that are goin through menopause can get meds to control it but bein that u r a cancer survivor(yay)ask ur dr if its safe
2006-08-28 14:17:24 · answer #6 · answered by nena5271 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋