I was advised to try magnets (sold in Boots) to control my hot flushes which I’ve had since chemo and now that I’m on tamox.
Haven’t really had a full nights sleep for months with hot flushes but since using the magnet only 5 days ago, haven’t woken in the night and any flushes I have had haven’t been as intense as before.
Not sure if this is coincidence or if the magnets work - has anybody else tried them.
You put them inside your knickers for 24 hours plus, they’re very discreet and you just forget they’re there.
Would be interested to hear what you all think if you’ve tried them.
Hi Jude I’m not sure if things have changed since I was looking into the magnets for hot flushes but in the NICE guidlines it says
“Soy (isoflavone), red clover, black cohosh, vitamin E and magnetic devices are not recommended for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer.”
Thanks for that info Mel, I will check it out with oncologist - will be really upset if I can’t use them as you state, as I’ve really noticed a difference!!
Ah well, back to the hot flushes!!
thanks for all advice Ladies.
I spoke to my bcn yesterday, she knew of the NICE report but she was informed that there was no evidence as to why not to wear the magnets and as I’m seeing oncologist in July she said if it’s improving symptoms wear until then and bring up the matter.
The Daily Mail reviewed them today with other products for combatting hot flushes and only gave them 2/10 and said no idea how they worked so must be placebo effect.
All I know is that I now get a full night sleep!
Even if it’s short lived then it will have been a nice interlude!
I was told to try the magnet but it made no difference and it was very inconvenient as it interfered with my laptop at work so had to take it off then anyway. I am now trying evening primrose on my oncs advice.
I started wearing my magnet just over a year ago as when I first started Tx I had horrendously itchy skin (like ants were crawling inside me) - googled this problem and bought a magnet in desparation as all my GP could do was prescribe anti-histamines and aqueous cream.
The itching stopped completely within a week. Whether this is a co-incidence or not, I’ll never know, but something happened.
I then read a post on here somewhere which raised concerns about teh NICE guidelines so I contacted my Onc. He re-iterated there’s no proof either way as no long term studies have been done on this, but advised me to stop using it for a while to see if it made any difference. I stopped for 2 weeks, the itching came back so I’m still using it.
It may well be that it intereferes with my hormones, but quite frankly if it means I can carry on taking Tx then that’s the risk I’ll have to take. The alternative is to stop taking Tx and expose myself to any associated risks that come with not being ‘protected’.
i was at a study day earlier this month on menopause after cancer and one of the discussions was in the treatments including the magnet and there is no evidence to suggest it interferes with hormones but it has been found not to work… so if you find it helps you then there isnt any contra-indications of using it.
even red clover isnt contra-indicated medically as isoflavins have been found to have no adverse effects on breast tissue and for all those who are into diet stuff the cultures where they have high intake of isoflavins actually have lower incidence of breast cancer… you can get it naturally through some food like chick peas.
black cohosh however isnt recommended as it increases oestrogens.
no benefits from vitamin E. evening promrose, oil, sage, multivitamins, natural progesterone gel, lavender, or dong quai.