Acupuncture for hot flushes
Acupuncture for hot flushes Has anyone tried this with success? I have been suffering frequent strong flushes on Arimidex. My onocologist recommended Evening Primrose Oil, to no effect whatsoever despite taking 3 grams daily (3 times the standard dose). Now in desperation I am paying for acupuncture, administered by a private GP who specialises in this treatment. Apparently a standard preliminary course of treatment comprises 6 sessions. I have had 4 so far, with needles stuck in my lower legs and forearms, to no effect. Last session had needles in the lower back, beside the spine (oo-er!) with fizzing electrodes added. There has been possibly some minimal effect, i.e. a reduction in frequency.
Can anyone add any knowledgeable comments on this topic?
Acupunture I have had ten sessions free at the Holistic Centre attached to the hospital.
I have five needles put in each ear for 40 minutes
I still get hot flushes but I am more aware of what triggers them and so am able to take control better. For example whenever I am in a area with no ventilation or wearing certain types of clothing.
The best part is the room is dim and she plays sea and dolphin music tapes which sends me off to sleep.
Also I now have undisturbed sleep for 8 hours every night with no hot flushes waking me up.
taking Arimidex Hi JPoet
I have heard that some people benefit from taking the tablet in 2 halves, one morning and one evening. You could try it an see
Blondie
Hi jpoet… I’ve been taking Arimidex since March 05. The flushes & night sweats were dreadful for about 6 mnths, but then things seemed to calm down.
I can honestly say I’ve been sleeping well for the last 3 months, and no problems during the day. I’m not sure why this is (haven’t seen my onc since July), but perhaps if you’re able to give yourself a little more time things will improve. I do hope so.
Sarah
— —hi,
like chrissie i get auricular acupuncture at our holistic centre (i think we go to the same one, chrissie ) and i have found it to be very successful so far.
Apart from anything else the whole treatment is very relaxing and that alone is worth it - but my flushes have practically gone too!
I say anything is worth a try!
Love Carol
Carol Are you at James Cook.
Finished my ten sessions of acucpunture but now get ‘top ups’.
In January I get a magnet inserted into my ear to help me give up smoking.
I am really looking forward to giving up smoking but the alcohol intake over xmas may take longer to eradicate and the diet is just on permanent hold for now.
My email address is on my profile.
xx
— —chrissie - yes james cook - i couldnt find your e mail though,
Carol
Update Thanks for suggestions/comments, etc.
With regard to the Arimidex there would be no point in even trying to take it in two halves as the tablet is so tiny! I have tried taking it at different times of day but that does not seem to help. Also I have been taking it for 5 months now so I don’t think there is any prospect for improvement, as any diminution of side-effects would have happened long before now.
I have now had 6 acupuncture sessions, originally starting with lower legs/feet and wrist on non-mastectomy arm: no result. Eventually moved to lower back, and with electrical electrodes stimulus. This seems to be having some effect as the number of flushes has reduced from about 12-16 daily to about 8. Also the intensity of some of them has abated, whereas previously they were all very strong indeed, so I am cautiously hopeful, and will give it a little longer. However, if I don’t get significant success after a few morer sessions I think I shall have to give in and ask to be prescribed Venflaxine. Then no doubt I shall need drugs to counteract the effects of the counter-agent, etc. etc.!
NB: I asked the doc. about auricular acupuncture and he said he found in his experience it was helpful mostly for addictions. (I had previously read about it being used in prisons and I believe it is quite well-documented for this purpose.)
Carol My email was on my profile but I was told to take it of by the moderators.
Will email them to find out if they will send it to you.
Sorry to hijack this thread but they have stopped us all contacting each other.
Chrissie
Chrissie tell me more about the magnet!
Auricular Acupunture Auricular acupuncture is used as a treatment for many ailments as the ear has over 200 acupuncture points.
Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma
Back Pain, Colitis, Depression
Hay Fever, Addictions,
Headaches, Hiatus Hernia
Indigestion, Insomnia, Migraine
Obesity, P.M.S. Sciatica, Shingles
Sinusitis, Stopping Smoking
Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, M.E.
Different points on the ear are used for individual compliants.
Somewhere along the line of helping with my hot flushes, the nurse must have hit the right spot for my tennis elbow as it has lessened the pain better than any medication has in the past.
Chrissie
Thanks Chrissie for your interesting post. My “tennis elbow” has been an old enemy for many years. In fact I have to be careful to keep the forearm rotated in the appropriate way or the hand goes numb very quickly due to the pressure at the elbow: I often wake up with a numb hand. [After my mastectomy op, which took well over 2 hours, I woke with a completely numb hand due to the position in which the arm was kept strapped - and it remained like that for 2 days : I was SO worried, as I thought a nerve might have been severed!]
I am going for treatment again tomorrow and shall discuss the idea of auricular acupuncture with the GP who attends to me.
Success with acupuncture I have been taking tamoxifen and having zoladex injections for 2 years. The zoladex gave me terrible hot flushes and night sweats. I tried acupuncture and found it has helped me enormously. The chinese doctor tends to put a lot of needles in my head, sometimes at the base of the neck, and at various places such as my wrists, knees, ankles and feet. I am on the 3rd doctor now ( I think they obnly stay here a year ) and they all have had a slightly different approach but it continues to help by lessening the problems and so helping me to sleep. After the acupunture they give me a massage which is great. If possible I go every week and notice it when I miss a session - say when I am on holiday. I now get an excellent rate as I must be ther longest serving customer! The company is called Herbmedic and they seem to have shops all over the UK. website is www.herbmedic.co.uk. The other complimentary approach I have adopted is an Aloe Vera drink which I take daily - it bucked me up after all the cancer treatments - and again helps me sleep better.
Thinking about the ideas about timing of tablets. My doctor recommended that I take my tamoxifen tablet with my evening meal. I still get a hot flush about 30 - 60 minutes after taking it but then my system seems to calm down!
Hope the above helps
Janet