Welcome to the forum Josh although I'm sorry to hear about your friend's diagnosis and the side effects they are currently experiencing.

If it's o.k may I ask what type of cancer your friend has? Maybe if you edit the title of your discussion to include the name of the cancer your friend has it will make it a little bit easier for our members who have been in a similar situation to find it when searching the forum and then reply sharing their advice and experiences with you.

I also wanted to let you know that I have referred your post to our nurses. They are specialist cancer nurses so they might be able to give you some tips on how to make the night sweats more manageable for your friend. The nurses do not work over the weekend but they will be able to reply next week.

Wishing you and your friend all the best, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator 

Hi Josh,

I had this problem and not just at night when I had hormone treatment for prostate cancer. I was told by my doctor if it got too bad there was something he could give me but as I dont like taking any more meds than I really need to I put up with them. In fact I turned it into a contest with my dear wife and I was at one stage way out in front both for regularity and severity. All I heard from my wife was, "Now you know what we women have to put up with". I was on hormone therapy for two years and it finished over four years ago but I still get the odd hot flush every now and then, Brian.

Hi Josh

I suffer with night sweats though not linked to cancer. Also offered help through medication from my GP but decided this was not the route for me.  When I get them (sometimes a couple of times during the night) I use a fan (hand held rather than electric) to bring immediate relief and then use very ice cold water (but not an ice pack) to soak a flannel in which I use on my forehead.Luckily now they are beginning to lessen in severity. I hope the treatment your friend may be having brings good results and that the night sweats become less debilitating over time. Wearing very light cotton clothing can help a bit too.  All the best. Jules54

Hi Steph, 

Thanks for the reply. He has liver cancer. Thanks for passing on my details. I look forward to hearing back from the nurses. 

Hi Joshhw82,

Thanks for posting. The moderators have asked us to post a reply.

It seems like the other people on here have given you a few good ideas for your friend to try and I am not sure if I can add much. Our website has some information about this which you can read here. 

It is a good idea for your friend to talk to his doctor about these sweats or, if he has one, a specialist nurse. Depending on what is causing the night sweats they may be able to give some advice.

I hope that he gets some assistance with this.

Kind regards

Deborah

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes, I know what you mean - Sometimes you don't want to take any more drugs that you don't have to. I think we are going to try a natural solution as well. i was searching on google a and I found a gel cool pillow that I think might work. It's from a specalised company that caters to cancer patients so I think it will work. I've added the link in case you are interested.

Hi Jules, thanks for the reply. Yes, we are going to try the natural route as well. We also thought about the ice pack but I suppose that wouldn't be very comfortable. Thanks for your wishes and I also hope you are well. I posted about but we are going to buya gel pillow pad. I think it will be less severe then 'normal ice'. I posted above but here is the link as I think it might be useful for you. 

Thanks again 

Thanks for the link, very thoughtful of you.  Hope it works for your friend. Jules

Hi Josh. Thanks for sharing that link. I've also recently discovered Live Better With. They are great. I found it very easy to find useful products. I'm just curious how did you find out about them? Thanks Claire