swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 24, 2016 16:08:26 GMT -5
ladies, every had them?
I am dying here. someone help me!!!
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Aug 24, 2016 16:23:24 GMT -5
Have a cold drink
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Aug 24, 2016 16:24:34 GMT -5
Think of them as power surges and blow a fuse.
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kittensaver
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Post by kittensaver on Aug 24, 2016 16:31:30 GMT -5
This is not immediate help (sorry) but this book pretty much saved my life:
www.amazon.com/What-Your-Doctor-About-Premenopause/dp/0446673803/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472073182&sr=8-1&keywords=what+your+doctor+may+not+tell+you+about+premenopause
Seriously. Get the book. It has a TON of good information - including resources for non-hormone replacement types of treatments and therapies.
As you probably know, most doctors believe hot flashes are caused by dips and surges in hormone levels as the reproductive parts of your body begin to slowly shut down. So balancing them out/smoothing them out while this process goes on is key to staying comfortable.
I started growing borage and put it in my water (kept a pitcher in the frig) and also added it to my tea while the bag was brewing. If you don't have time/energy/space/desire to grow it, you can buy it in capsule or liquid drop form(s). There are several other herbs highly recommended for hot flashes and you should probably experiment to find which one(s) work for you; this one just happened to work well for me. Black cohosh is another recommended herb; also evening primrose.
Oh - and headstands/shoulder stands. Lots of them. Or at least lie on your back, scoot your bum as close to a wall as possible, and spend at least 20 minutes each day with your legs up the wall. Something about reversing the flow of gravity on your body seems to ease hot flashes.
Good luck and I feel for you!
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milee
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Post by milee on Aug 24, 2016 17:27:13 GMT -5
Call your sister! Sheesh, you have an expert in the family - take advantage of it.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Aug 24, 2016 17:40:08 GMT -5
My sugar metabolism changed during peri-menopause. It may not be true for you, but I found cutting down my sugar intake basically got rid of my hot flashes. I might have increased my intake of soy products a bit as well.
www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/hot-flashes/articles/tips-about-sugar-hot-flashes-and-night-sweats.htm
I unfortunately don't remember the couple helpful books I read. Hope it improves soon for you. Oh, and I don't have to be as careful with sugar now as when I was going through the worst of it. HTH
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Aug 24, 2016 17:44:34 GMT -5
I started taking a B complex vitamin (It has all of the different B type vitamins). That helped me immensely.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Aug 24, 2016 17:53:06 GMT -5
Keep some cold drinks, like water, in the fridge at work.
At home, I'm a big fan of popsicles & ice cream, but then of course you have to worry about weight gain.
Good luck. I'm still getting hot flashes, & they are NOT fun.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 18:03:38 GMT -5
I though they'd go away once menopause was finished, but they didn't. I'm 63 and I still get them. They're minor most of the time; I just dress in layers so I can take something off.
Two places that are deadly for me: in a car with sun load and no ventilation, and in a gym that's too hot and has no air circulation. The latter gets the hotel a ding in my TripAdvisor reviews.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 18:08:08 GMT -5
I used to have them at night ("night sweats"). I found that the best thing to do was to get out of bed and move around. It took 5 minutes, and I was usually back under the cover freezing.
I had them working but not as bad. Again, I would get up and move around. I usually asked, "Is it hot in here or me?" The guys always agreed that it was "hot in here." I'd turn the a/c down until I got over them.
I haven't had either in a few years. So they do go away sometimes. The places that @athena53 describes would strike me as just places that are hot. I am thinking of hot flashes as places where everyone else is fine, but you are in hell.
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countrygirl
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Post by countrygirl on Aug 24, 2016 18:30:27 GMT -5
I've 70 never really had them had a hysterectomy and was put on premarin which I still take. I ran out of premarin for a few days one time and I guess that was what I started to have went back on it quickly and never stopped.
I would likely go to the doc and see if premarin would help but that's just me.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Aug 24, 2016 18:44:18 GMT -5
Sorry to hear you are uncomfortable, Swamp. I don't have much useful advice. I experienced a hot flash early on and didn't like it, so I decided not to have any more. Interestingly, I never had another one. I did, however, have cold flashes, which were (and continue to be) equally unpleasant and not as susceptible to the power of positive thinking. (Cold flashes are like hot flashes only, you know, cold).
You can try deciding not to have another one and see how that goes. It can't hurt (unless it leads to cold flashes).
I have read that thinking of cooling influences (snow, a cool breeze, a fan, etc.) can be helpful.
Hope you can find something to make you feel better.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Aug 24, 2016 20:29:53 GMT -5
Sorry.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Aug 24, 2016 20:56:06 GMT -5
Some things to try. Estroven Energy, Mexican Wild Yam, a multi-herbal supplement aimed at menopause/hot flashes.
If these are sweat gushing while you are out, excuse yourself to the restroom and carry a dry wash cloth with you to towel off.
Mine have not been bad because of the above. I also am able to know what time one will show up. I have not had them at night where my sleep is disturbed. I already have bad enough nights without them.
Chin up! When it's 30 below zero, a hot flash is a good thing. Think of all the blood flushing your skin on the inside out.
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finnime
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Post by finnime on Aug 24, 2016 22:01:03 GMT -5
Like childbirth, actual experiences occur in a very wide range.
Mine were awful for years. I started with Premarin, then just went without after a couple of years. Many flashes per day, often several per hour, leaving me drenched, during the worst of it. It's like my thermostat broke and I was never comfortably warm; just warm to hot to suffused with menopausal heat. I broke out sweating at the bank, at work, while watching tv, while driving (DH was astonished at my sunglasses fogging up in the car.)
What helped:
Fanning my face. Very dear friend gave me a USB port-powered tiny fan to run off my laptop, which really worked well.
Drinking cold beverages.
Not touching anyone or anything when heat strikes. Just move away, spread your hands and fingers and turn to the AC.
Wearing very lightweight clothing all year, with layers if needed for snow season.
Sleeping with no blankets, just sheets, and all-cotton very lightweight night gowns.
Expecting no matter what to be crazily hot at any time. Carry sheets of paper for impromptu fans. Warn your kids that you get hot flashes, and are not rejecting them/their hugs. Also any husbands hanging around.
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skubikky
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Post by skubikky on Aug 25, 2016 5:55:42 GMT -5
Swamp... First, if you're due for your annual check-up with your Gyn, talk to him/her about it. Before you take ANY supplement or vitamin or whatever, get to your doctor FIRST...please.
You want to be assured that it's pre-menopause...which it probably is.
The increase in exercise you've been doing is one of the best things for it and of course your overall health.
Hang in there kiddo....
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Aug 25, 2016 7:12:21 GMT -5
I found that drinking a Gatorade everyday helps me. Something about dehydration and trace minerals may be in play.
Mine are worse at night, especially after alcohol.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Aug 25, 2016 7:20:18 GMT -5
I never found any way to avoid them or make them better, other than take off clothes or kicking off the blankets.
What was worse for me was the insomnia. I rarely got more than 2 or 3 good nights of sleep during that period.
The good news was, at least for me, the insomnia and hot flashes stopped. I think the whole thing drug on about 5 years, but then that was it.
Sorry! Stupid hormones!
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Aug 25, 2016 8:44:13 GMT -5
This thread is really making me look forward to getting older...
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rob base
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Post by rob base on Aug 25, 2016 8:45:37 GMT -5
isn't a hot flash when a hot guy "flashes" you?
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Aug 25, 2016 13:12:42 GMT -5
This thread is really making me look forward to getting older... I'm not getting hot flashes. But the mood swings with PMS is god awful now. I'd rather have my dumb-ass non-ovulating ovaries over this. I pretty much want to punch my husband over things that normally I'm fine about. Even things I was fine about as of 8am this morning are pissing me off.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Aug 25, 2016 13:20:11 GMT -5
This thread is really making me look forward to getting older... I'm not getting hot flashes. But the mood swings with PMS is god awful now. I'd rather have my dumb-ass non-ovulating ovaries over this. I pretty much want to punch my husband over things that normally I'm fine about. Even things I was fine about as of 8am this morning are pissing me off. yep. Ive gotten a cold of cold flashes. But the mood swings are way worse, at least so far.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 25, 2016 13:36:38 GMT -5
Along with peri menopause, you might have an under active thyroid. A simple blood test will determine for you whether your thyroid isn't pulling its weight.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 25, 2016 13:43:09 GMT -5
Along with peri menopause, you might have an under active thyroid. A simple blood test will determine for you whether your thyroid isn't pulling its weight. I'm already on thyroid meds. It is not pulling it's weight.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Aug 25, 2016 14:17:57 GMT -5
I bought a tower fan that I call my hot flash fan. I turn it on high & stand directly in front of it. In winter I stand barefoot on the cold concrete that usually offers immediate relief. Someone told me soy is also helpful but I never got around to trying it.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Aug 25, 2016 14:25:38 GMT -5
LOL....I just picked up 3 months if my Prempro for $246 and it is worth every penny.
I was having hot flashes from hell, and this is the only thing I've tried that has worked. When they started, I was soaking not only my pajamas, but my bed linens in sweat. They took me off of my hormones while I was sick, and when I was in rehab, the night sweats took off again, so they gave them back to me (I think that the staff complained that I was keeping my room too cold at 58 deg in Jan!).
Last winter I stopped taking them, sweats started up again so will wait another year and try again.
I've been on them since 2010.....this has gotta stop soon, right?
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 25, 2016 14:25:45 GMT -5
Along with peri menopause, you might have an under active thyroid. A simple blood test will determine for you whether your thyroid isn't pulling its weight. I'm already on thyroid meds. It is not pulling it's weight. Maybe you need a dosage tweak? Also, you're not talking about night sweats, right? Cuz for those I'd get a Lyme test.
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hsclassic
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Post by hsclassic on Aug 25, 2016 14:44:36 GMT -5
My doctor recommended, and I started late last year, Relizen. It is a supplement from Swedish flower pollen extract. The first 3 months are not expensive - after that, $50/month. Best $50 I spend every month. Kept my "warm waves" (my term) in check. (Plus they just sent me a $10 VISA gift card as a thank you.)
That, plus a small tabletop fan I got at Target recently keeps everything in check....at least for now.
And, yes, my TSH went nuts and I just had my Synthroid dosage changed. Not sure if they got me to the right dosage yet, but I'm better off with higher dosage and will have no hesitation to call and ask for higher dosage if I feel things get out of whack at any time. The increased Synthroid is helping with other issues I'm now blessed with living with. UGH!
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Aug 25, 2016 14:51:19 GMT -5
I didn't have a real problem with hot flashes during that age of my life ...... but the few times I did have one I would drink ice water. Cooled me off from the inside.
Since I finished chemo I've had more problems with it. The chemo wrecked my internal thermostat so I get one about once a week. Again with the ice water.
Hope it doesn't get worse as I get older.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 25, 2016 15:02:44 GMT -5
I'm already on thyroid meds. It is not pulling it's weight. Maybe you need a dosage tweak? Also, you're not talking about night sweats, right? Cuz for those I'd get a Lyme test. I was just tested.
I get both day and night sweats. Yesterday was brutal during the day. I was fine at night.
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