I was recommended to try acupuncture by someone who found it had really helped her with menopausal hot flushes and night sweats - and after over two years on Arimidex I am getting increasingly fed up with these - particularly the night sweats and seriously disturbed sleep.
I’ve only had one treatment so far (and no difference ) but I was impressed by the therapist and am intending to stay for a whole course- 6 treatments I think.
Yes, and unfortunately it didn’t work for me. It was actually recommended to me by my Oncologist who said that anecdotally he had heard it worked well. So, I’d say worth giving it a go.
Elinda x
I tried it. I had three sessions. The first worked really well, the second helped a bit and the third had no effect, so I think it’s all a bit hit and miss but it’s certainly worth a try.
I have acupuncture for joint pain and it has also minimised my hot flushes, especially at night, it is worth trying, I also feel I have a lot more energy.
Hi there
Yes I had a series of acupuncture for hot flushes as I am on tamoxofen. It was offered by my cancer hospital. It took a while to work but has reduced the intensity and frequency of my flushes especially at night.
I now use little mini pads on my legs which have a very very fine needle which activates the right point and that keeps the flushes at bay. I also have regular top ups. I would say give it a go because it can work successfully and put you out of that misery. Best of luck.
Thank you everyone for your comments.
I am not a sceptic where acupuncture is concerned - in fact I worked as a nurse in an acupuncture clinic over 40 years ago & saw some very good results.
However- it hasn’t worked for me. I have now had 4 full sessions and regretfully have to report that there has not been an iota of improvement and the acupuncturist doesn’t think it would help to have anymore! I still have hot flushes and am also £132 lighter! I guess it was worth a go but I rather suspected from the beginning that any treatment would have a hard time counteracting the power of Arimidex - and my acupuncturist herself - who is very experienced and highly qualified, tends to agree with me
I do think acupuncture may well relieve menopausal symptoms but I just wonder how it could work when put up against an aromatose inhibitor. I’m interested in what you have written Beckyboobah & pleased that it has helped you.
I can cope with the flushes in the daytime but am so fed-up with the disturbed sleep. Do other people find that they keep nodding off in the daytime because they have not had ‘good’ sleep at night? My biggest comfort has been my bedside fan which I often leave on all night : chillows didn’t do it for me but light layers of bedclothes ( not a duvet) seem to help .
Hi,
I had accupuncture as part of a post chemo fatigue trial which worked wonderfully for me and had the bonus effect of damping down my hot flushes.I initially had a course of six and I got benefits from the first one. I now go back every 4 to 6 weeks for a top up. I have put my fans and chillow away something I could not haveimagined before the treatment.
Jane
we have used accupuncture and chinese medicine for years to help recover from some quite serious conditions. The guy we used works in some National Health hospitals and his treatment has helped us enormously.
I have also recently been to our local chinese centre for smaller problems and have to say I was not that confident in their approach or in the work they did. I now think you need to look into the credentials of the doctor. I suppose anybody coud set up a chinese clinic.
I have just had my lumpectomy booked in for june 21st and am planning to go back to our old doctor for a course to build my system up before the op and if I need radiotherapy I will use hime to help with the side effects of this.
Our breast clinic has an accupuncturist attached to them, but I think i will stick with the guy I know.
So yes, I would say go for it, but see if your hospital can recomend someone.
I’d also heard from a couple of different sources that acupuncture could help with this problem and may be more beneficial if treatment is started ahead of the actual symptoms manifesting themselves (sort of heading them off!).
I’m lucky enough to live near a Haven centre so have so far had 3 sessions (4th tomorrow) and doubly lucky that they’re all free, so even if they don’t work I haven’t lost anything.
My monthly visitors stopped just before FEC 4 and so far I haven’t been troubled with flushes or night sweats - so, you never know, the treatments might be working for me.
Hi
Yes i too just wanted to mention that they will give you them free at the Haven. At least you can get an idea of if it works for you before you have to start paying. I have suffered with bad night sweats on chemo so I am due to start a course of this before i go onto Tamoxifen in a few weeks time. Hope it works.
i have been using a local chinese clinic to help with a couple of minor problems. But when i found out I had a cancerous lump I made an apointment with the practicioner the family had used for years (he has moved furthur away) I went to see him yesterday and it was like the difference between visiting the GP and seeing a consultant. More expensive but so much more effective.
So i would say it is important to find a good practicioner. I think if i had to look again I would choose someone that is involved with the National Health if you can. They will have done all the checks. See if there is anyone attached to your local hospital.
If you can afford it, then it is certainly a good idea to visit before the treatment. They can strengthen your body in preperation for the onslaught of drugs and just give you the edge you need.