menopause and breast cancer treatment

[Bubblebu]

Hi
I am going through breast cancer treatment which includes a medically induced menopause. (for any medics, to be precise, monthly zolodex injections and daily Letrozol tablets),
Both have been successful at terminating my periods. However the hot flashes and mood swings have been horrendous and the Letrozol strangely gives me hot flashes and very itchy skin (but almost like it is under the skin not on top of the skin as there is no redness/flakiness of the skin etc) especially at night which is really maddening and disrupts my sleep.
Can anyone recommend anything (for example herbal remedies / health shop supplements or other tips / products) which might help.

There are times when I really hate myself and wish I could just get a grip!
Any recommendations very much welcomed - thanks in advance.

Have you looked at taking Venlaflaxine (an anti-depressant taken in a very low non-theraputic dose). I take it due to similar symptoms whilst taking Tamoxifen and it literally has been a life saver - without it i would have had to stop taking the tamoxifen. It's not hugely well know with GPs but your consultant should have info.

thanks xmas. I will do a bit of digging on that. I have to confess I absolutely loathe anti depressants - I did take citralopram for a while but i do remember the side effects at the start being terrible and one day (unwisely) I stopped taking them. Then Iater I was prescribed mirtazapine because I could not sleep and all i can say is i just gave up because the first 3 weeks were so horrendous - literally sleeping all day (and most of the night) long and when i was awake feeling almost suicidal. Maybe just me but i gave up. so my research on that drug you mention I will do but a little reluctantly! However i am really grateful for your post thank you.

you take it in a minute dose so should have little side effects - i was very prone to nausea following chemo so i took anti sickness meds for 3 days but nothing else needed. I take 37.5mg modified release at bedtime. Check it out and you will see that it would have no effect for depression taken at that dosage.

thanks X that is really helpful i will look into it. chemo for me (6 rounds) made me v tired and nauseous on and off but i was rarely sick and i dont remember taking tablet form anti sickness (maybe something through the drip at the time of the chemo)

did the venla meds help with hot flashes? they are driving me crazy - one minute i feel cold and shakey next hot - and i dont have a temperature. ive been thinking i need to give up all caffeine but i am reluctant!

I take citalopram and have done for five years now after being in the same position as you. It helps immensely!

weebarra, i did take citralopram for a while but then gave up - i regret that but cannot face the initial side effects of starting again with it now esp with all the chemo drugs i have recently had

I had the worst hot flushes once I started induced menopause but I was able to have acupuncture along with lots of other cancer patients who suffered with this as a side effect.I was given this free by a charity connected to the hospital but if nothing available then I would say worth every penny.If was trialled as a treatment years ago and was so helpful it’s offered regularly now.I also still take venlafaxine as I was relatively young and do had early menopause then once I was off tamoxifen I had natural menopause 😂😂 but it was a breeze compared to the treatment induced one!
Venlafaxine has helped with sleep as well as helping me cope with anxiety.
Wish you all the best with your treatment

thank you molly that is so helpful - my GP has prescribed me venlafaxine so I will give that a go

Good luck with it all! And keep well xx

How have you got on Bubble?

My symptoms didn’t last long. Through chemo and about three months into taking Tamoxifen and then it settled.
What helped were very obvious things. A chillow. Avoiding too much highly spiced food. Swimming and exercise generally. Iced pineapple to suck.
I’ve found it better than a regular menopause that seems to drag on over several years for some women.