My first ever perimenopause vent thread

I hate the hot flushes as well

Have you tried something like the 'chillow'? I didn't like it,  but I have friends  who swear by it. I have a remote control fan next to my bed and opposite my chair in the living room. That is the only thing  that keeps me comfortable in the heat we are experiencing here. I also carry a little battery fan in my handbag and just ignore the amused or irritated looks I get when using it!

'This too shall pass'. I wish it would hurry up, though!

I've had some good luck with Estroven. They make a nighttime version too. It might be worth a try!

I started perimenopause 10 years ago! Now I am into total "hot flash" and am only in my mid 40s. I also keep the remote control to the fan above our bed right next to me and use it as needed! At first my husband would beg me not to use it often. After hearing a conversation with his sister and sister in law, he better understood what we all go through. He just goes under the blankets and pillows without a single complain when I blast the fan!!

I recently got a gel pillow at Costco that I like,but that only takes care of my head. Someone told me they have them for the whole bed... I need to look into that!

The only plus to all this--- NO MORE periods!!

 Basically a cooling pad that you put in between your pillowcase and pillow. Sells at walmart for about $18. I keep planning on getting one. I've heard they work really well. 

My hot flashes got so bad that I literally was not sleeping because I spent the entire night flipping the covers off and on, off and on, off and on.

I finally saw my doctor and he was hesitant to give me hormones even on a short term basis because of my history with endometriosis and a few other risk factors. He did, however, prescribe a very low dose of Prozac and I have to say that it has helped immensely. I was skeptical at first and thought that it was helping a "little" but DH insisted that he saw a dramatic change. After about 3 weeks, I could say that I also saw/felt the vast improvement. Are all the hot flashes gone? No. But I would say they have been cut by about 80%.

I believe I'm on 20 mg per day (in the morning) which is half of the starting dose for depression. So at that dosage, there are very few side effects, but I get all of the benefit to resolve the hot flashes.

As a matter of fact, I just recently read a Mayo Clinic trial that also indicated that anti-depressants were just as effective as hormones in treating symptoms of peri-menopause.

Your post made me realise that my flushes have really subsided actually...I almost hadn't noticed weirdly   I'm about done with my cycle unpredictability though

That is very interesting.  Maybe that is why I only get hotflashes every once in awhile?  I will definitely bring it up with my OB/GYN.  Thanks for mentioning this.

How early did some of you start peri-menopause? I'm only 39, but I know age ranges can vary wildly. Googling symptoms, there are so many that it could be entirely possible that I'm entering. Or it could be a number of other things!

I don't monitor all my body stuff at all...but I feel like I've been in peri-menopause for several years now (I'm 52). BUT. OMG. Just started the hot flashes a few months ago. It is hell on earth.

I was right around 40 and then I had to have a hysterectomy.  She took everything except one very scarred up ovary.  The dr. and I are hoping to keep it for as long as possible so I don't have to take HRT.

I began this journey at about age 41. I had all the symptoms you can think of and it went on for 12 years. Finally tapered off to blessed nothingness for 10 years. Then when my dh died 3 years ago all the symptoms are back and I am once again living in the frying pan. Why I have no clue but perhaps just the stress of my dh's medical condition and in the end losing him.

Anyone else think they were symptom fee only to see it start all over again?

You might look into Soma's Cool Nights pajamas. The fabric keeps you cooler. I notice a difference on nights when I'm wearing these vs. a cotton t-shirt.