I had breast cancer a while ago.  I have EXTREME hot flashes and everyone knows when I have one.  It's constant and embarrassing.  I can't take hormones because of the breast cancer and they say I can't take even the over counter drugs they advertise.  Anything out there that helped any of you? I can't drink milk so soy milk is not a solution.  Tried just the soy beans but they got old real fast.  Thanks for any advice you can give.
134854
im going through that myself i dont no of anything yet bc of the cancer its hard to find anything
223731
Your mom's doctors are limited in what they are permitted to do, under existing FDA and AMA guidelines. There ARE, however, dozens of safe, effective, and affordable alternatives that WORK. Try a visit to www.cancertutor.com and be prepared for a "rude awakening" about the "real" world of medicine. If you do a little searching, you'll find that your mom's condition may very well be completely reversible, with alternatives.
481479
My mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and had a mastectomy.  I needed to know a lot of information in order to be able to help her.  I found these websites very useful:\n\nwww.breastcancer.org\nwww.getbcfacts.com\n\nThese sites are very  informative and they will give you the information you need.\n\nThank God, now days treatment of BC has advanced beyond imagination.
75395
Have you tried talking to her about this? Is she aware that things have changed?  You both may want to talk to her doctor to see if you have any options on a medical point of view.  You may have to make some changes as to the way your sex life used to be while she is going through this. Let her know how much you love her and how she makes you feel and let her know that even though you don't understand what she is going through you are there for her. I think it is wonderful how you described your feelings for her. You also may want to do some research on menopause. It doesn't effect every woman the same way. If she is having hot flashes she may want to try Remifemin, which is over the counter. Of course, she should ask her doctor about this first. If he says it is okay to try and she would have the need to use it you can go to their website and they will send her a free sample. I believe it is enough for at least 2 weeks. It really helped me.  Good Luck to both of you.
130133
You really should talk to your doctor about that. The hot flashes should diminish while you're on the hormone medication, and you have to give it time to work with your body. Four weeks might not be enough for you, give it some time but ask your doctor too. Premarin is a very good med but there are others out there too if this one isn't working for you. And bear in mind, a hysterectomy, regardless of when you had it done, is going to cause tremendous hormonal changes. I had a partial hysterectomy and even I get flashes all the time. I hope it works out for you!
634755
My first love was really thin and very bald - and I thought he was super hot. But he also had incredible confidence which probably made him so attractive. So there are plenty of women with tastes that don't obey mainstream media! You should turn off the TV, too, and work on developing your own talents.\nI'm 28 and I've dealt with depression & anxiety attacks since I was 11 and I am not a big fan of antidepressants (though I've seen them work for some). Last June I tried a super healthy diet called macrobiotics and for the first time in 17 yrs I spent over 2 weeks (now a full year) without depression. That diet is recommended for cancer patients and people who need to cleanse their body. I know it did wonders for my nervous system. It's a lot of work, but I'm now emotionally balanced & no longer so agoraphobic.\nAbout you trying to gain weight: I have to agree about getting your thyroid checked. Also you may have to resort to counting calories and adding 500 per day - try this calculator:\nhttp://www.hpathy.com/healthtools/calories-need.asp\nI would also recommend the book "Body for Life" - although I don't think their diet is good for the long term (my immune system suffered). The book has pix of thin guys that bulked up.\nIf you really want to get up from under, you can do it! Be kind to yourself :)\n\n(And coloryst may be onto something: I'm a Cancer & for 6 yrs I've lived w/ a Capricorn who used to be self-loathing.  We're now engaged & still crazy about each other - he's skinny, too).
319423
I think you should discuss it with your doctor... There probably are estrogen pills you can take, but be aware of the consequences.
84632
Black Cohosh and Red Clover are popular herbal remedies which help some women with hot flashes during the menopause. You should be able to buy them from larger pharmacies, or from health food shops. If you're having a lot of problems with the hot flashes as well as other menopausal symptoms, see your doctor, who can prescribe either hormonal treatment to help, or give other medication such as clonidine which will help with the flushes.
548530
Sounds like perimenopause, the runup to actually going thru the no-periods change. I'm in the same boat! Try snakeroot (Eleuterococcus) and soy isoflavons to help with the sweats and mood swings, they really do help a lot.\nNot much fun, esp. on those days that you can burst in to tears if someone just looks at you. Speak to your gynae soonest. The younger you start your periods, the younger you stop. I started this at about your age...not pleasant. Best of luck.
62854
There are several different options if you want to go natural. The first link below is to Puritan's Pride, an excellent website for vitamins and herbs. I know Black Cohosh is good for you when you lack estrogen. The other link may be helpful too. There are also foods rich in estrogen and some that take away your estrogen. The second link will give you a full list of both. Hope it helps. God bless!
251509
Are your hot flashes worse a week before your period?  I started getting hot flashes when I was 37.  I take wild yam and I haven't had any problems since.  Be sure to get one that is a standardized extract.
498434
I suggest French Vanilla or Bavarian Cocoa Meal Shake.  Many times people lose their appetite and have problems keeping food down during chemo.  Folks have been very successful tolerating these meal shakes.  Key ingredients are milk protein, vitamins, minerals and calcium.\n\nHope this is helpful and feel free to contact me with questions.
539243
I found that porridge helped mine. Scott`s porage oats, not the ready brek sort. I don`t have cows milk anymore, instead I have sweetened soya milk. In fact it`s much nicer on cereals, inc the porridge, and you can`t tell in cooking. Now drink earl grey tea (no milk) and black coffee. Don`t eat yogurt`s, cottage cheese, and mayo can upset. Horlicks was also a culprit. I found that dairy was the main cause, and by a process of elimination I cut things out completely or cut down on them. I don`t take any meds though. Worry and anxiety can aggravate it as well.
298962
I have researched something called DMSO. My grandmother has cancer also, and she is not doing very well, but at this point she won't take DMSO, she is stubborn. Please research it and get her to try it. I really believe it will help!!
246994
As a cancer nurse, I can not emphasize strong enough even MEN get breast cancer!!  I'm not saying you have cancer, but I would make an appointment to get it checked out, especially if you noticed changes.  It is most probably a mammary gland or lymph node, but I'd get it checked out to find out what it isn't.  Your body is going thru changes related to puberty, so it could be a hormonal thing. Yes, even men go thru hormonal changes too. You could also have your mom look at it, I know it sounds ickey, but (she probably knows how to do a breast exam on herself) she could touch the areas in question on you and she could give you insight on what is normal. If that grosses you out to much, just tell her you need an appointment with your Dr.
391734
Well, you probably should get to the doctor.  I know it's scary but the earlier you detect a cancerous growth the better -- it can be removed, you can receive treatment and you can recover faster.  But, what if you don't have cancer?  Then all of this worrying yourself and stress will be for nought.  That is why it is best for you to see a doctor.  Do you have a family doctor?  Someone you feel comfortable with?  How about starting at school and discussing these things with the school nurse?  You're old enough to have a gynecologist -- do you have one yet?  Well, before you make yourself crazy with worry... really, talk to someone and see a doctor about your symptoms.\n\nAs for your issues.  Maybe those lumps in your breast are actually breast development.  I can't remember how long the "buds" stage was supposed to last but... it sounds familiar. When you say that they feel small, sometimes larger and sometimes sore, have you noticed the soreness and size change around PMS time?  Maybe it's very normal.\n\nBlood in your #2.  Is it a lot of blood?  You may have developed an ulcer from worrying yourself so much.  Blood in the stool is often a sign of ulcers.  You may also have simply BM issues and have irritated your um, bum.  There are tests that I think you can buy from any pharmacy (I think that you have to ask the pharmacist because they keep them at the counter) -- but there is a test you can buy to test your #2.  I think that you send a sample (like a dipped sample or smear sample) to a lab on the package and they can make basic, early colon cancer determinations.  Ask your local pharmacist.  \n\nThroat cancer?  I don't know anything about this except that you should see a doctor.  I suspect that you have a touch of hypochondria going on here and that you may have psychosomatically given yourself some symptoms that are simply worry-symptoms.  For the cases of throat cancer that I've heard of, I think that the people were very heavy smokers. \n\nBecause you have had cancer in your family, it is good and prudent to be aware of the genetic odds of it traveling in your genes.  However, I caution you about getting too worried about these issues without getting professional advice.  Mind over matter -- *think* yourself healthy and your body will respond.
185619
I'm feeling ya, girlfriend!  I had my first hot flash a few weeks ago, and I'll be 39 july 1!  My mom went through it early, and we both got our periods early, so it's not that unusual.  However, if your family doesn't have a history of this, then see your gyno!