On March 2nd, due to extensive high grade DCIS, I had a mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy. 10 days later, when I was told they had cleared everything out and I would need no further treatment I developed a massive haematoma: my re-constructed breast quadruples in size, I was operated on and they drained off approx 2pints blood. I now understand that the loss of blood has left me anaemic which I am addressing with diet. What I am finding difficult, however, is that I have started getting terrible sweats. (I am 2.5 years post menopausal - and during the menopause years I had occasional night sweats). My scalp, face, underarms and groin area literally pour with sweat about twice an hour. My specialist said they had never heard of anything like it and had no explanation for it. Has anyone had a similar experience and/or any advice about how to control it?
Hi Checa
No answer for you I’m afraid, just a quick word to say sorry you’re having this bother. It doesn’t sound at all pleasant. Only thing I can think, and I have no experience at all, is that your body is adjusting to the trauma of the op and the swelling? Maybe the usual remedies for menopausal sweats might help though. Starflower, evening primrose, I think black cohosh is supposed to help. Might be worth a shot if your doc thinks it’s ok.
Best of luck with it.
Hi are you on any hormone treatments like Tamoxifen or Arimidex. I can smpathize with you as when i started Arimidex at age 53 I had the most dreadful sweats, down my back, down my face, my pants i could wring out and i used to carry a towel everywhere with me, also had such dreadful sweats at night that i had to change the bedding in the middle of the night. I carry a hand held fan everywhere with me and have a fan in every room! What helped me the most was chlonidine from the doctor and also fluoxetine, the clonidine reduced the sweats from 3 an hour to about 5 a day and the fluoxetine stopped the night sweats.
You could try sage, starflower oil, i tried all these at the beginning and still take the starflower oil. I was told that the sweats would disapear with time, i am nearly 2 years on and i now accept them as part of my life and don’t allow the 5 a day to get me down, the relief from 3 an hour is amazing.
Speak to someone about this your nurse, doctor, breast surgeon, nobody has to ‘sweat alone’ anymore in this day and age.
Hope you soon manage to get them down to 5 a day like me.
All the best
Suzy
Hi Checa
Our publication ‘Menopausal symptoms and breast cancer’ may help you, you can read it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/Menopausal_symptoms_factsheet_BCC18.pdf
The publication contains information about our helpline and other forms of support which may also interest you.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Lucy