|
Post by PEAcan pie on May 20, 2016 3:56:35 GMT
ugh... I will be turning 48 in a few months and I am getting a lot of hot flashes! What is considered normal? I have at least three a night and now they are occurring during the day! I am either super cold or burning on fire.
I plan to make an appointment to see how I can manage these because they are really a major nuisance! Is it normal to have so many in a day (5-7)?
ugh any tips or tricks to relieve them? Anyone taking medicine? Thanks... as I just had one and now I am shaking cold.
|
|
|
Post by gale w on May 20, 2016 4:12:54 GMT
I get them too, but only once in a while so far. I'm 50. I'm really hoping to avoid taking hrt.
ETA: by once in a while I mean for a week or two every couple months or so. I turn on the ceiling fan when I get hot and keep a quilt handy for the inevitable cold that comes soon after. Also I keep ice cold water (for drinking) handy.
|
|
|
Post by shaniam on May 20, 2016 4:13:30 GMT
No advice but I'm right there with you. I'm 47 and either cold or burning up. Nothing in the middle.
|
|
|
Post by femalebusiness on May 20, 2016 4:17:29 GMT
Wait for about ten years and it all will pass. Hot flashes are the worst thing that EVER happened to me. I was dripping wet for years. You have my sympathy.
|
|
|
Post by PEAcan pie on May 20, 2016 4:23:30 GMT
Yikes 10 years So embarrassing I was at a hibachi dinner and the stranger I was speaking with next to me watched me start sweating profusely. So over this already
|
|
|
Post by femalebusiness on May 20, 2016 4:28:43 GMT
I swear I almost became a recluse for a few years. When I say dripping I mean I looked like someone hosed me down. It was just so embarrassing. Nothing but time stopped it. Sorry I can't be more positive but then not everyone has it that bad. I know a few people who never had one hot flash.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 6:40:17 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 4:31:36 GMT
ugh... I will be turning 48 in a few months and I am getting a lot of hot flashes! What is considered normal? I have at least three a night and now they are occurring during the day! I am either super cold or burning on fire. I plan to make an appointment to see how I can manage these because they are really a major nuisance! Is it normal to have so many in a day (5-7)? ugh any tips or tricks to relieve them? Anyone taking medicine? Thanks... as I just had one and now I am shaking cold. By the time I was in full-blown menopause, 25 hot flashes a day wasn't unheard of. Being hot-natured to begin with, it was true torture for me. Add in the fact that I live in Florida? Holy hell, there's not much worse than hot flashes in 100 degree temps, let me tell you. It's been 8 years since my peri-menopause began (at an early age - 43) and the hot flashes slacked off a bit around year 5. I started taking iCool about that time and I don't know about anyone else, but I swear they saved my life (and the lives of those around me, lol). I now have the occasional hot flash followed by a cold flash. Or vice-versa. They are short-lived, but it's odd. Even in tropical temps, I keep a flannel shirt on hand at all times. I am freezing for 5 minutes, burning up the next 3 minutes and then right as rain for awhile. Until the next cold/hot flash cycle, of course. All I can say is get ready for a wild ride. Every woman's menopause journey is a little unique, but they all haywire. L
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 6:40:17 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 4:41:44 GMT
I swear I almost became a recluse for a few years. When I say dripping I mean I looked like someone hosed me down. It was just so embarrassing. Nothing but time stopped it. Sorry I can't be more positive but then not everyone has it that bad. I know a few people who never had one hot flash. When I was in the worst part of having hot flashes, we were visiting my ILs out of state. My MIL's menopause - according to her - had been very mild so she didn't have much sympathy for my hot flashes. She was also at that older age where she was always cold, so she kept her house in the mid-80s. In September. High humidity levels. Oh.My.Gawd. I still do not know how I survived that week. I had sweat pouring out of me like a soaker hose on high and my MIL would just look at me, smile and ask if I was "having one of those hot flashes?" L
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on May 20, 2016 6:12:41 GMT
I'm very thankful I haven't had many at all. I'm 53 now. I know some friends who've had success with diet type adjustments - like reducing caffeine and alcohol. There are also some natural things which might help - soy products? black cohosh?
My symptoms overall have been pretty mild. Don't know whether I'm just lucky or whether my long distance running has helped.
|
|
|
Post by gar on May 20, 2016 6:27:44 GMT
Yes, I'm sure it's normal - if not mild actually! Sorry Investigate dietary changes that you can adopt as I know that a lot of people swear by those to help with all sorts of menopausal symptoms. Add things like flax, lentils, kidney beans, fennel which are high in phyto-oestogens to replace what your body is no longer making.
|
|
|
Post by newfcathy on May 20, 2016 11:46:45 GMT
I went into full mp at 53, now at 57, this has been a tough year for hot flashes. My sister suggested vit E, I tried it for a few months, but it was still bad, I switched to Black cohosh a few weeks ago and it seems to be improving
I do go to with an ice pack each night. That started with a hip/butt issue while I am reading but with lights out I am hugging that thing!!!
|
|
|
Post by mimi3566 on May 20, 2016 12:00:48 GMT
Every woman's journey to menopause is different so what's normal to some is not to others and visa versa.
You're GYN can offer you several options, but please do your research before deciding on which road you choose.
I opted to just suck it up and go through the journey naturally and avoided any HRT's even though my hot flashes had gotten to the point of embarrassment and at times, felt like I was going to die of heat exhaustion.
I started with the hot flashes about 8 years ago with them being relatively mild to them escalating to the point that I was just hot all damn day long and had brief moments of cool flashes as I referred to them. I can say that over the past 6 months or so they have not completely gone away, but they are occurring fewer and less severe most of the time. I have also noticed that if I control my refined sugar intake it helps too.
|
|
|
Post by myboysnme on May 20, 2016 12:02:09 GMT
The good - no more periods and all that goes with them. No more money on tampons and pads. No more cramps No more trying to figure out if you will be having it when you are planning something
The bad hot flashes especially at night moodiness and agitation while your body adjusts to a new norm dry, itchy skin
The ugly
Hair on your chin and upper lip Hair on your breasts Sagginess sets in
Recommendation for hot flashes - buy a small fan and take it with you.
|
|
|
Post by Patter on May 20, 2016 12:58:22 GMT
I was getting SO moody and irritable that I finally had to do something. I was also retaining way too much water. Ick! My hot flashes are short lived but boy I get HOT. It's like my blood pressure sky rockets for a few minutes then it goes away. It happens at all times during the day. At night I sleep with a fan literally blowing on my face. It sits on my night stand. Hubby set it up for me. I also started taking Estroven about 2 months ago. Best thing ever. My irritability is gone thank goodness. I didn't like not "being me." The hot flashes are less now too. So for me right now with Estroven, it's tolerable. I also started taking "water away," and it too is helping. Yeah!! I get both items from Amazon.
|
|
|
Post by ~Sherri~ on May 20, 2016 14:21:43 GMT
I am 50, will be 51 in October and started Peri-menopause about 3 years ago. It has been over a year since I had a period. Yay!! I get occasional hot flashes, mostly at night. So far they are mild, I just throw back the sheet and then cool off. I will get some during the day if I am somewhere that is hot. Then I look and feel like I just came out of the shower. I don't remember my Mom having issues with hot flashes, but she got cold very easy.
I have more issues with the irritability than anything. And it is usually DH who gets the brunt of it. But he tends to do things that push my buttons.
|
|
|
Post by melodyesch on May 20, 2016 14:35:44 GMT
I'm not there yet, but my coworker was miserable for months with really, really bad hot flashes coming one right after the other. She ended up getting some sort of patch that goes on her hip and her life completely changed. So I would ask your doctor.
|
|
|
Post by femalebusiness on May 20, 2016 16:31:17 GMT
The good - no more periods and all that goes with them. No more money on tampons and pads. No more cramps No more trying to figure out if you will be having it when you are planning something The bad hot flashes especially at night moodiness and agitation while your body adjusts to a new norm dry, itchy skin The ugly Hair on your chin and upper lip Hair on your breasts Sagginess sets in Recommendation for hot flashes - buy a small fan and take it with you. You nailed it!
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on May 20, 2016 17:40:16 GMT
I can't take hormone replacements because I had a stroke previously; my doctor recommended Estroven after my ovaries were removed. It's a natural supplement that contains Black Cohosh and Soy Isoflavones. I had night sweats for a week or so right after the surgery when I started taking it but after that I didn't have any more at all. If I forget to take the Estroven for a few days, I'll start feeling 'hotter' off and on again. Is it just in my mind?? Not sure; but I think it helps and it's a small price to pay for it even if it is just the placebo effect.
Estroven website, FYI
(eta: I could never give up my Diet Coke, so if caffeine causes hot flashes to be worse, then Estroven is pretty strong, lol!)
|
|
miyooper2b
Full Member
Posts: 331
Location: Central Indiana
Jun 27, 2014 15:38:05 GMT
|
Post by miyooper2b on May 20, 2016 17:57:51 GMT
I started having hot flashes about the same age as you are now (I'm 53 now) and were mostly at night. I tried to fight it for a couple of years but things got progressively worse. I wasn't sleeping well, had brain fog and could turn into a witch at the drop of a hat. It was really starting to interfere with work and the family. My doctor suggested Black Cohash but that didn't seem to help me so I finally asked him about HRT. Luckily, I am at low risk for the side effects. HRT has been a godsend for me. My doctor says I can stay on it for another couple of years and then I'll have to come off. I am hoping the worst has passed by that time.
|
|
|
Post by ScrappyGlue on May 20, 2016 18:30:31 GMT
I'm 42 and getting lots of hot flashes!!! My mom went through the change early. I go see my favorite doctor (NOT) next month and that will be something I'm going to talk to her about.
|
|
oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
|
Post by oldcrow on May 20, 2016 20:28:36 GMT
I started having hot flashes about the same age as you are now (I'm 53 now) and were mostly at night. I tried to fight it for a couple of years but things got progressively worse. I wasn't sleeping well, had brain fog and could turn into a witch at the drop of a hat. It was really starting to interfere with work and the family. My doctor suggested Black Cohash but that didn't seem to help me so I finally asked him about HRT. Luckily, I am at low risk for the side effects. HRT has been a godsend for me. My doctor says I can stay on it for another couple of years and then I'll have to come off. I am hoping the worst has passed by that time. I have two sisters on HRT and have been for 10+ years and every time they try to go off it the symptoms return full force. It was not an option for me due to DVTs so I just lived with it for about 3 years and now except for some night sweats I have no problems.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 6:40:17 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 21:01:24 GMT
I turn 47 next month and figured it's coming soon.
Is the age you begin something that is passed down through genetics? I ask because I'm adopted and don't have all my family history.
|
|
zztop11
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,537
Oct 10, 2014 0:54:51 GMT
|
Post by zztop11 on May 20, 2016 21:10:02 GMT
I have a great tip for helping to manage the hot flashes. 1. Before you go to bed, fill large water bottle mostly with ice and cold water. Have it next to you all night so that when you wake up and are having a hot flash, you can drink cold water. That will help. Also you can take the bottle and put it on your neck. That will cool off your body. 2. Get a cooldana. You can find them many places but here is one link. www.thewarmingstore.com/cooldanna-cooling-bandanna.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw6_q5BRCOp-Hj-IfHwncSJABMtDai3n2gRAyTaoQIpXAhz_5aEhoZOrqmnpNZGHbMHL60ZBoCIOjw_wcB They are a life saver. Having the cold on certain points on your neck helps to cool off your entire body. 3. Take a large ice filled with cold water, water bottle EVERYWHERE you go. Every time! Having access to freezing cold water really helps. 4. Buy 3 of these types of ice packs. Again there are many places to get them from online. I just chose the first site I came across. www.isokineticsinc.com/category/pt_rehab_pt_coldpacks/product/sg_packs Make sure to get the largest size that they have. This allows you to put one under your pillow case and one on your back when you go to sleep. They will stay cold for the longest time. You need the 3rd one because when you go to work in the morning, you can use that one behind your back while driving. Be careful, they stay cold for a long time and you don't want to get an ice burn. Be sure to put something between you and the product. I swear by this type of ice pack. They are fabulous. hope this helps.
|
|
|
Post by duchess on May 20, 2016 21:27:48 GMT
I was having at least one hot flash an hour and they were bad. I couldn't sleep, irritable, just plain miserable. I work full time and couldn't live like that and went to my dr and am on a HRT. I know, I know they are supposed to be bad for you. But one hot flash an hour was absurd. I was either dripping with sweat and then the shivers started, then the heat, then the shivers. Can't and wouldn't live like that.
I still get some warm flushes but mostly when I'm stressed and sometimes at night. But I am on the lowest dose possible and don't want to go stronger. I can live with what I have now.
|
|
|
Post by birukitty on May 20, 2016 23:58:42 GMT
Hot flashes are the worst! I've had them for 4 years now. I hate to tell you this but what you are experiencing now are just the beginning and are very mild.
Do your research as to hormone replacement therapy before you see your doctor to see what options are best for you would be my advise. Personally I didn't want to go with conventional hormone replacement therapy because of the cancer risk. While it is very low I still didn't want to risk it. There is something called bio identical hormone replacement therapy that does not carry the cancer risk because they are identical to your own body hormones. I did try that through my Integrative Medicine doctor but sadly for me it caused an increase in migraines. I've had migraines for the past 36 years. I think if I stuck with it they would level out but it just wasn't worth the extra two or more weeks of pain that it would have taken. More and more doctors now are offering this therapy which is great.
So, I turned to what my doctor recommended which was Evening Primrose Oil. I take 2,600 mg. a day and it really seems to help. The brand I'm taking currently is bioTE Medical. I buy it from my Intergrative Medicine doctor's office but you can probably find it online. Recently he switched brands and I only took half the amount by mistake for two weeks. The hot flashes came back with a vengeance and I was having them once every 40 minutes or so. It was horrible. Not that I'm back on the correct dose they are far fewer and I'm feeling a lot better.
People with hypothyroid should not have much soy products as soy is reported to make the hypothyroid symptoms worse. Just thought I'd mention that for those of you taking or thinking of taking the Estrorven. I'm not sure if soy isoflavones would have the same effect but I'm not willing to risk it-my hypothyroid is bad enough.
Debbie in MD.
|
|
nopeaq
Junior Member
Posts: 89
Jun 27, 2014 12:15:06 GMT
|
Post by nopeaq on May 21, 2016 0:01:41 GMT
Every month I hope that it has begun. A few hot flashes and a general increase in nighttime temperature but still waiting. *sigh*
|
|
|
Post by PEAcan pie on May 21, 2016 3:48:40 GMT
such great info thanks everyone! I just had two within a 30 minute span. My son ran and got me ice packs and that helped. I am miserable! Will have to do something.
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on May 21, 2016 11:07:47 GMT
Sorry I can't be more positive but then not everyone has it that bad. I know a few people who never had one hot flash. I'm very thankful I haven't had many at all. I'm 53 now. I went into full mp at 53, now at 57, this has been a tough year for hot flashes. I'm 55 and I've had two-three isolated incidents of waking up in a sweat over the last year. I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. And in the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm going to be one of the lucky ones. Why not? Somebody has to be.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 6:40:17 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on May 21, 2016 11:44:12 GMT
I turn 47 next month and figured it's coming soon. Is the age you begin something that is passed down through genetics? I ask because I'm adopted and don't have all my family history. There is a genetic component but even if you know your family history you can deviate from your mom several years. Or, she may not recall precisely when she went through it. It is the peri-menopause stage that is the boogabear. Menopause is AFTER you have been period free for 12 months........ Even after you are period free you may still have random hot flashes. My mom does and she is mid 70s.
|
|
edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,631
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
|
Post by edie3 on May 21, 2016 11:52:38 GMT
I was having a hot flash and my DS came up to hug me. He said, Mom, do you have a fever?
Welcome to my world!
|
|