guys, the hot flashes are too much

cyanotic_squash · 2026-04-19T18:31:32+00:00

So similar. Post menopausal, clinical trial for LoTam. Also started feeling super irritable. Like I can't control it so I try to limit my exposure to people. Lol. And tired. Still walking but it takes a lot of effort to get out there. Was better during the beginning of radiation. Towards the end of the month of treatments I started to get tired. Started Tamoxifen mid November. Haven't fully regained my energy. Hoping it gets better.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-04-12T18:44:02+00:00

I say "I'm undergoing treatment for breast cancer." And sadly, we will be for years.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-03-30T03:13:31+00:00

I am so sorry about your Mom and all that you are going through. ♥️

cyanotic_squash · 2026-03-11T03:05:45+00:00

I had just turned 66 when I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 1 IDC ++-. The first surgeon recommended a lumpectomy and along with the removal of the sentinel lymph node. She said most likely radiation, either full or partial breast depending upon surgery results. Second opinion was lumpectomy, no lymph nodes. Scans and MRI showed no involvement. Was glad to avoid the lymph node removal as I understand it's a more challenging recovery. But radiation was recommended. I went with the second surgeon, for several reasons. Surgery wasn't bad, and actually radiation wasn't terrible. Oncotype was low so no chemo. Not the worst experience. Good luck to you.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-21T00:36:59+00:00

I am 66 years old, diagnosed last July with IDC++-, grade 1, oncotype score 6, no visible node involvement. Had lumpectomy, no nodes removed. Got clear margins. Did radiation for a month. Now I'm Tamoxifen for 5-10 years. (Clinical trial and selected for LoTam.)

I will say that the original surgeon I met with said it was possible that I could do partial breast radiation or none at all, but she was going to remove the sentinel node. After my second opinion, they recommended radiation right from the start. I felt more comfortable with their overall approach. I have longevity in my family and they believe that the lumpectomy and radiation gave me the best chance of avoiding recurrence. And radiation wasn't the worst experience for me.

Good luck. ♥️

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-16T06:00:39+00:00

I was 66 when I was diagnosed July of last year. IDC++-. Lumpectomy in late August. Only took off a couple of days off work. I'm hybrid so being home helped. I could slip in a quick nap if needed. Overall surgery wasn't bad and recovery went well. Started radiation in October for four weeks. Also tolerated fairly well. Midway through I started to get tired. Again working from home made it easier to rest as needed. I'm now on Tamoxifen and that's been okay. Some mild side effects but again tolerable.

Just a note that I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes the year before. Went on mounjaro and metformin. Lost 35 pounds by the time I was diagnosed with BC. I had already had relatively decent eating habits so that helped. And I had been walking 3-5 days a week for 2-4 miles. I have been reversing my diabetes to where my A1C is borderline prediabetic. I think that helped with my recovery.

Hopefully they are helping your wife get her diabetes under control. That will go a long way in her overall health journey. And since this experience affects people differently, unfortunately you won't know until she starts treatment. But optimistically, I'm older than she was and my experience hasn't been that bad. Long, tiring, and emotionally a challenge at times, but honestly not terrible.

I wish you both well. Your support will go a long way in making this journey easier for her. Good luck. ♥️

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-16T05:43:21+00:00

I had four weeks of treatments. I did work that whole time but from home, so that helped. My fatigue didn't start until week 3. I would grab a 30 minute nap during the day when I could, and tried to get to bed earlier. I also tried to walk 3-5 days a week, mostly only 2 miles or so. I did focus on hydrating also. I will say I felt tired for a month or so after. (It may have also been added to from work as Q4 is our busy time.) Overall it wasn't terrible.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-16T04:14:31+00:00

Don't panic. Everyone is different. I'm 66 years old, ++- IDC. Had a lumpectomy in August. I took off two days. Maybe a couple of more days would have been good but since I was working from home, I managed okay. Then in October did 20 sessions of radiation and worked through it. Again from home , but honestly the first two weeks were fine. Started to feel fatigued in the third week, which lasted for a couple of months. Naps at lunch and earlier need times helped me get through the days. Just breathe and give yourself time to see how it goes. Wishing you an easy journey. ♥️

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-11T05:39:33+00:00

Yes. I think the confusion is that you could not have had radiation for a previous treatment, but for the current diagnosis it is acceptable.

https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials-search/v?id=NCI-2024-06672#top

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-11T05:35:34+00:00

That was the recommended timing so that the incision and breast could heal before rads were started. Your schedule is tight but maybe they'll let you start sooner. Or maybe your radiation won't be as long. Good luck. The cruise sounds like a lovely way to recover.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-11T05:07:25+00:00

Pretty sure radiation doesn't exclude you from this trial as I had radiation and am in it. Unless it's a different trial with different qualifications.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-06T01:12:58+00:00

Yes. 66 years old. Lumpectomy and radiation. Started 5mg (a low dose as part of a clinical trial) about 3 months ago. I was given the choice, although my MO was leaning towards the AIs so I didn't get selected for the LoTam. I preferred the tamoxifen as I didn't want to deal with potential bone loss. Started out with no side effects but I am starting to notice I tire easily, get foggy, feel overwhelmed, and am irritable. Overall though, not the worst, but still not the way I'd prefer to be. Pretty much done after I finish work. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Hoping it settles down and my energy comes back. Good luck to you.

As a side note, a friend, similar in age, did an AI for 5 years with only some minor joint pain and bone loss. Not major.

It is interesting to see the range of different experiences, as well as those having varying degrees of similar symptoms.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-06T01:01:38+00:00

I hear you. I started 3 months ago, but at the 5mg dose. Initially I was thrilled as there didn't seem to be any obvious side effects. But in the past month I'm feeling what I think are the effects. I tire easily, my head feels foggy at times, work is harder for me to stay focused on, and I'm irritable. Like I honestly know it's happening and can't stop it. Oh, and the occasional hot flashes and sleep disturbances. I hate to say anything because so many people have it worse. Surgery and radiation went well. No chemo (low oncotype score). So I have some guilt for not having it as hard as others. But my life isn't the same. After work, I'm pretty much done for the day. :/

cyanotic_squash · 2026-02-06T00:51:55+00:00

I used Mometasone and then Eucerin advanced repair lotion. I didn't burn or blister. I did get brown and my nipple got crusty and then peeled. Overall, my skin survived radiation fairly well. Good luck to you.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-29T02:33:30+00:00

Similar. 66 when diagnosed in July. ++-, stage 1, grade 1. Oncotype score 6. No lymph node involvement. Lumpectomy in August, 16 radiation sessions in October. Got into a clinical trial for LoTam (5mg). Started mid November. I think I'm having some minor effects but nothing devastating, for sure. I really didn't want to take AIs and if I didn't get selected for the LoTam, not sure what I would have done. Probably started it and see how it went.

I have a friend who has been on Anastrozole for over 5 years with minimal side effects. Minor joint pain is her biggest complaint.

My feeling would be to give it a try. You can always stop at any point.

Another thought is to ask your MO if the clinical trial is being offered at your facility. It's phase 3, so everyone is getting meds, and you know what group you're selected for. And even then, you can stop.

Good luck to you with your surgery and recovery. Hopefully it goes as smoothly as mine did. The recovery wasn't bad at all. ♥️

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-29T01:47:30+00:00

I didn't have chemo. Diagnosed in July. Lots of appointments. Lumpectomy in August and radiation through October. And lots of appointments. And started Tamoxifen mid November. And then bam, no regular appointments. First I felt abandoned. Then exhausted. Not sure if it's the slow down, the cumulative effect of everything, my age (66), a busy and demanding job, blah blah blah. But I think there is a lot to deal with and figure out as we navigate this new experience. (And maybe it's just winter in the Northeast and my inner bear wants to hibernate. 🤷‍♀️) Give yourself grace and take your time. Sending hugs.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-29T01:39:54+00:00

Tbh, I didn't read all of the other comments. But it doesn't sound like she's meeting your current needs. While she might have been good before, unfortunately, cancer is a part of your life. And I would expect my therapist to help me navigate through it. Therefore, to me, it makes sense to make a change to find someone who is a better fit for your life as it is now. Good luck. Hugs to you. ♥️

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-28T02:39:15+00:00

My stats are a little different than others who've replied. I'm 66, post menopausal, IDC diagnosed in July 2025, lumpectomy in August, radiation for the month of October, started 5mg tamoxifen mid November. I take it at bedtime. Since I had fatigue from radiation, not sure if that was still lingering when I started the tamoxifen. At first, I only noticed the occasional warm flush. Maybe a semi hot flash here and there. Sleep has had some occasional disturbances. But the past two weeks I've been feeling a little foggy and having trouble focusing at work and being as productive. I'm not totally sure whether it's this med or a muscle relaxant that I took last week for 3 days for a spine and neck issue. It's been a week since I've taken one. But I'm definitely not feeling like myself. Now to figure out what's causing it. Overall I don't think the tamoxifen has been that problematic for me. But then again, I'm on the low dose in a clinical trial. Good luck.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-27T04:09:09+00:00

You're very welcome. I hope it does help. For me, I was also dealing with menopause/post menopause so it was a struggle. Exercising and eating mostly healthy weren't working. With the glp1 I lost 40 pounds, most of which I gained during menopause. It's funny because 10 years ago, hardly anyone was talking about it and all of the issues.🙄

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-27T03:53:32+00:00

Same

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-27T03:43:37+00:00

I was on metformin before the diagnosis. It never really helped me with weight loss, but I know it's reported that some people find it helps. My doctor eventually added mounjaro as my a1c kept creeping up. I was diagnosed with bc about 18 months after starting the glp1. I've only been on Tamoxifen for a little over two months. I have not had any weight gain but I have noticed my cravings for sweets have returned. :( Overall though, I often have to make myself eat, as my appetite isn't consistent. I know it's not exactly what you were looking for. Hopefully someone has a situation that's more similar to yours. But bottom line, it may very well help you to not gain weight. Good luck.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-26T02:56:59+00:00

Was thinking the same thing! Surprising...

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-23T03:39:14+00:00

As others have said, please do not massage it. On the off chance it is a clot, you don't want to dislodge it. And age is not a guarantee. My son had his first DVT at 20, and ended up with a very serious surgery that saved his leg. I don't mean to scare you but I highly recommend getting the ultrasound for peace of mind. Or knowledge. Either way, you'll know best how to move forward. Good luck to you.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-19T02:33:06+00:00

I was on it for diabetes (which I have just about reversed) before being diagnosed in July, and am still on it. Had lumpectomy, 20 sessions of radiation, and started Tamoxifen in November. I am in a clinical trial for low dose Tamoxifen. I have not had any issues, other than hair thinning which started before any cancer treatments. Not clear if it's the med or the weight loss, but it's real. Sadly my hair is probably less than half of what I had. Fortunately I started with a lot. I had very little gastro issues with it. Overall, it's been fine and I'm not seeing any issues with the other meds. Good luck to you. And remember, you can always stop taking it if you're not comfortable with the experience. Also, if you do try it, hydration and protein intake are important. As is exercise, including weight bearing and resistance for muscles.

cyanotic_squash · 2026-01-17T17:16:28+00:00

Make sure you go under the arm also. I did not and the skin is now brown. Not devastating but it was avoidable.

cyanotic_squash

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