|
|
Post by sunnyd on Dec 14, 2015 2:43:43 GMT
Ugh! I've lived 48 years sleeping 8 hours minimum through the night, completely comfy and cozy without waking up in the middle of the night. Then mid October hit & I suddenly CAN'T SLEEP, awake for 2 hours, sleep 1 hour, repeat & I'm exhausted to the point that I'm not functioning 100%. I'm having what I guess are hot flashes, only at night in bed, multiple times every single night, wake up hotter than hell. I've NEVER been hot a day in my life until this. I've always been cold natured with a space heater under my desk, even in the summer.
I can't do this. I NEED TO SLEEP. Is there anything I can take with minimal side effects? I don't want to take HRT or anything addictive like sleeping pills. Do I need to go to the Dr or is this completely normal? Do you think this is a sleep issue or a menopause issue? I haven't had a period for 3 months.
TIA!
|
|
georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846 
|
Post by georgiapea on Dec 14, 2015 2:46:12 GMT
Premarin will help you.
|
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Dec 14, 2015 2:58:42 GMT
It sounds like it is in the range of completely normal menopause symptoms.
You don't "need" to see a doctor, because it's not an illness, the issue is how well you do or don't cope with these symptoms. For some women it isn't not too disruptive and the choose to ride it out, for others it affects their quality of life and they do choose to see a doctor and elect to have some sort of hormone replacement to help to reduce the symptoms.
It's a personal choice and all depends on how you feel and how you want to handle it.
From what you wrote it does sound like you are not coping well with the reduced sleep and that this is impacting on your ability to function during the day. That suggests you should probably see a doctor and discuss what treatment options are appropriate for you.
Do you have any friends who have already gone through this and know a good doctor who specialises in menopause symptoms, or a women's clinic you can go to?
|
|
flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
|
Post by flute4peace on Dec 14, 2015 3:09:19 GMT
My Mom had pretty good response to Vitamin E.
|
|
lisa62
One Post Wonder
Posts: 1
|
Post by lisa62 on Dec 14, 2015 3:10:22 GMT
I had this problem a couple of years ago and started taking some supplements and vitamins that helped. The one that seems to help the most is called DIM Plus. I get it from Amazon.com The brand I usually get is Nature's Way DIM-plus - Estrogen Metabolism Formula -- 120 Capsules
from Nature's Way. I also use natural estrogen and natural progesterone from Amazon as well as Estropause.
I find that I sleep better if I exercise regularly and sleep with either a fan blowing on me or I have a window open nearby. My poor husband freezes but he just piles on covers. ☺️ Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
Post by gritzi on Dec 14, 2015 3:12:11 GMT
My OB/GYN recommended Black Cohosh to help with hot flashes. He said to follow dosage directions and take for one month. He said that one will either see a significant change, or no difference at all. He said to continue if hot flashes lessen, and to discontinue if no change after one month.
|
|
|
|
Post by zztop11 on Dec 14, 2015 3:44:43 GMT
Order some flat ice packs online (the kind that physical therapists use) They work great. Get several. Put one on your head when you sleep, one on your back. It really cools you down and since they are flat they are comfortable to use.
|
|
suzastampin
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,587
|
Post by suzastampin on Dec 14, 2015 5:03:02 GMT
I read to restrict carbs and white sugar to lessen the occurrence and the severity. I've been doing it and find when I slip up I know it.
|
|
camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,976
|
Post by camcas on Dec 14, 2015 5:07:41 GMT
there have been reports of black cohosh causing serious liver damage in some peolpe-please dont take it
|
|
|
|
Post by RiverIsis on Dec 14, 2015 5:37:59 GMT
Ugh! I've lived 48 years sleeping 8 hours minimum through the night, completely comfy and cozy without waking up in the middle of the night. Then mid October hit & I suddenly CAN'T SLEEP, awake for 2 hours, sleep 1 hour, repeat & I'm exhausted to the point that I'm not functioning 100%. I'm having what I guess are hot flashes, only at night in bed, multiple times every single night, wake up hotter than hell. I've NEVER been hot a day in my life until this. I've always been cold natured with a space heater under my desk, even in the summer. I can't do this. I NEED TO SLEEP. Is there anything I can take with minimal side effects? I don't want to take HRT or anything addictive like sleeping pills. Do I need to go to the Dr or is this completely normal? Do you think this is a sleep issue or a menopause issue? I haven't had a period for 3 months. TIA! I had to double check I didn't write this post. The difference for me is mine started with a virus DH brought home from work. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 0:34:51 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2015 12:55:45 GMT
My doctor prescribed a low dose of Prozac and it helped the night hot flashes immensely. It's an alternative to hormones and safer (in his eyes)
|
|
|
|
Post by kellapea on Dec 14, 2015 13:01:37 GMT
I read to restrict carbs and white sugar to lessen the occurrence and the severity. I've been doing it and find when I slip up I know it. This is the #1 thing that helps mine too. |
|
|
|
Post by Karmady on Dec 14, 2015 13:07:57 GMT
I read to restrict carbs and white sugar to lessen the occurrence and the severity. I've been doing it and find when I slip up I know it. This is the #1 thing that helps mine too. Me too!! This is a natural process that we all go through. ETA: I believe it's a menopause issue. |
|
|
|
Post by kkooch on Dec 14, 2015 13:09:00 GMT
I take one flaxseed capsule a day and that does the trick for me. My sister also takes one a day and I believe it has been working for her.
I notice that if I skip taking it that night is hell so it is definitely working for me. I worked with a woman who had them bad and took one in the AM and one in the PM. They are also good for the heart so nothing to lose by taking one.
Good luck, nothing worse!
|
|
keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,277
|
Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Dec 14, 2015 13:34:35 GMT
It sounds like it is in the range of completely normal menopause symptoms. You don't "need" to see a doctor, because it's not an illness, the issue is how well you do or don't cope with these symptoms. For some women it isn't not too disruptive and the choose to ride it out, for others it affects their quality of life and they do choose to see a doctor and elect to have some sort of hormone replacement to help to reduce the symptoms. It's a personal choice and all depends on how you feel and how you want to handle it. From what you wrote it does sound like you are not coping well with the reduced sleep and that this is impacting on your ability to function during the day. That suggests you should probably see a doctor and discuss what treatment options are appropriate for you. Do you have any friends who have already gone through this and know a good doctor who specialises in menopause symptoms, or a women's clinic you can go to? My choice has been bio-identical hormones. |
|
|
|
Post by FLA SummerBaby on Dec 14, 2015 16:00:22 GMT
This could be me. Except I am 1 year older  but I have developed this horrible habit in the past week of waking up at 3 or 4 am! And then no more sleep for me....it is AWFUL. It does not matter how tired I am, what time I go to bed, etc. It is like this is the new acceptable wake up time. I need this to change!!!!!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by sunnyd on Dec 14, 2015 17:17:37 GMT
Oh crap, seriously, no carbs or sugar? Those are my very favorites. I'll have to decide if sleep is really a priority or not, lol. Thank you for all of the ideas & empathy! I'm due for an annual gyn visit so I'll definitely be talking to him about this. In the meantime, the flaxseed suggestion seems to be the easiest so I'll pick some up at target tonight. I'll explore the other ideas as well & see what the dr. suggests. I've never taken medicine of any kind except for an occasional ibuprofen, not even birth control & side effects scare me to death. It helps to know that this is normal & that I'm not alone. Thank you again!
|
|
|
|
Post by papercrafteradvocate on Dec 14, 2015 17:20:02 GMT
MagOx. My allergist recommended it for muscle cramping and said it would help with sleeping and if I ever had hot flashes!!!
Man does it help me sleep!!
|
|
Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Location: Big Sky Country
|
Post by Montannie on Dec 14, 2015 17:31:49 GMT
My doc gave me a low dose of Trazodone. Helps to sleep through the flash, or if you do wake, to be able to fall back to sleep. It's an anti-depressant. You don't have to take it every day for the sleep thing, though, so at most I take it a couple times a week to "catch up" on sleep.
|
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on Dec 14, 2015 17:52:07 GMT
I can't take HRT because of a previous stroke. After my hysterectomy and ovary removal, my doctor recommended Estroven, which is a natural hormone supplement containing Black Cohosh and soy isoflavones, both of which can help reduce hot flashes.
ETA: I had occasional night sweats right after my surgery but after taking Estroven for a couple weeks, I've never had another one. <knocking on wood> So either I'm one of the lucky people who doesn't have any menopause symptoms, or the Estroven works for me; it's cheap enough for me to buy that I'll keep taking it.
|
|
MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,386
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
|
Post by MDscrapaholic on Dec 14, 2015 17:55:01 GMT
My OB/GYN recommended Black Cohosh to help with hot flashes. He said to follow dosage directions and take for one month. He said that one will either see a significant change, or no difference at all. He said to continue if hot flashes lessen, and to discontinue if no change after one month. I tried this, it didn't help me. |
|
|
|
Post by hopechest on Dec 14, 2015 19:09:41 GMT
Acupuncture!!!
I had those symptoms from IVF...my acupuncturist worked on them and they were MUCH better
|
|
|
|
Post by gritzi on Dec 14, 2015 21:19:25 GMT
MDscrapaholic , that's too bad  My Dr said that it will either help or have no effect. Hot flashes are far from fun!!
|
|
|
|
Post by lisae on Dec 15, 2015 2:49:47 GMT
I was your age when I had night sweats and would wake up every night at 1:30 for at least 2 hours. I switched to a "clean"-er diet. I cut out soft drinks completely - haven't had a sip in 3 years. I greatly reduced foods with preservatives. It worked.
|
|
LouWho
Full Member
Posts: 109
Jul 9, 2014 0:52:15 GMT
|
Post by LouWho on Dec 15, 2015 4:01:17 GMT
Please do your research before deciding to use Premarin. It is really abusive to horses. |
|
|
|
Post by PNWMom on Dec 15, 2015 4:11:06 GMT
I took low dose Effexor when I was in chemical (temporary) menopause from chemo. Like 25mg. Much lower than the dosage used for depression, etc. I went from a billion hot flashes a day to maybe 2 or 3. Took it for a few months with no side effects that I could tell
|
|
|
|
Post by bdawnb on Dec 15, 2015 4:11:30 GMT
I resisted hormones for a long time but finally gave in and and use HRT when lack of sleep and hot flashes got to be too much. Wish I had started them months earlier.
|
|
|
|
Post by beaglemom on Dec 15, 2015 4:57:56 GMT
I am not near menopause (currently pregnant). But I was having similar issues and I did a round of Whole30 (no sugar, grains, wheat, alcohol, dairy for 30 days) and saw a huge difference in my sleep and my hot flashes. I had talked to a doctor about 10 years ago about the hot flashes and was told I was going through early menopause (with no testing done) needless to say three healthy pregnancies later she was wrong. I think it is all the other crap. I know I sleep so much better the closer to Whole30/paleo I eat. I was/am a huge lover of good bread, chocolate, and other things. But after 30 days of not having them the cravings aren't so bad and you feel so much better. I am very much looking forward to doing another round after this pregnancy, because at the moment the thought of veggies makes me sick and I want them so bad!
|
|
|
|
Post by FLA SummerBaby on Dec 15, 2015 16:45:04 GMT
beaglemom -- I have done 3 rounds of Whole30 this year (for many reasons, but primarily was hoping for sleep benefits) and I had many successes but better sleep was not one of them. Glad to hear you had success in that area though. 
|
|
|
|
Post by sunnyd on Dec 15, 2015 19:11:13 GMT
Thanks again for all of the helpful suggestions! I bought vitamin E, flaxseed oil & melatonin. I took the vitamin E & flaxseed oil with dinner & melatonin an hour before bedtime. Maybe a fluke but l slept better. I still woke up every couple of hours but was able to go back to sleep each time. It could be because I was so exhausted from the past several nights of not sleeping. I'm hopeful though!  |
|
but I have developed this horrible habit in the past week of waking up at 3 or 4 am! And then no more sleep for me....it is AWFUL. It does not matter how tired I am, what time I go to bed, etc. It is like this is the new acceptable wake up time. I need this to change!!!!!!!!
My Dr said that it will either help or have no effect. Hot flashes are far from fun!!
