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Question for the "older" ladies - Men Beware!!

post #1 of 28
7/15/11 at 7:07am
Thread Starter 
Men... DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS!! IF YOU DO, THEN BEWARE!!!
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OK, I was just wondering how you dealt with night sweats and hot flashes. I do not want to take artificial hormones but it has gotten really bad. I wake up drenched in sweat. And during the day, I sometimes have to you a folded fan. Also, how long do they last? I haven't had a period for over a year now and was wondering if will ever stop.
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post #2 of 28
7/15/11 at 7:48am
Well, first let me tell you---I understand and I sympathize.

I"m a bit abnormal, I guess. When I hit peri-menopause at age 37 the night sweats and hot flashes started. My dr. put me on birth control pills for 7 years, and that did help. I think I had to change prescriptions 3x because they stopped working very well. I finally decided I'd had enough and quit taking the Pill.
I had my last period at age 50; 5 years later, I still have hot flashes, although the night sweats have decreased dramatically. The hot flashes seem to be directly related to my stress levels. Strangely enough, I can count on one to hit me as soon as I get out of bed in the morning, and usually just after I go to bed. The rest of the day they are random, sometimes as few as 3, sometimes as many as a dozen.

I have used some over-the-counter herbal supplements from time to time, but they didn't really seem to make any difference. I refuse to take HRT because if something can happen, it will happen to me, and I'm not willing to take that chance.

This is weird, I just had a hot flash start---and I'm not under any stress at the moment.

I wish I could help you, but every woman goes thru this differently. I hope you're one of the lucky ones who gets menopause over and done with quickly.
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post #3 of 28
7/15/11 at 7:48am
Each person will be different in that the night sweats and hot flashes could last for many years or just a couple. I just stopped having hot flashes and sweats. When I had the night sweats I would have to get up from bed and go stand on the cold tiles in the bathroom to cool off and wipe my face, neck and chest with a damp cloth.

I went back to HRT because it became too much for me. My cancer specialist told me that the 1% extra risk of breast cancer was not worth worrying about if it helped. My friend went on natural homeopath type products to help her but they didn't do anything for her.

I stopped taking HRT last year and I'm fine now. I ended up with a thyroid problem and now I'm just plain hot all the time. I set my air conditioning to 70 degrees during the day and 68 at night. The poor little old lady downstairs came in the other day and said it was cold in here.
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post #4 of 28
7/15/11 at 9:44am
I'm perimenapausal, so i get the worst of both worlds.

I sleep with a fan on low blowing across me, always, of course this makes for a very cuddly hubby when it gets chilly.
Same for the hot flashes, unless I'm outside or in the truck, I pretty much have to have a fan at hand 24/7.

Perimenapause started at 35 for me.
I have no family member to gauge myself against as my grandmother and mother both had complete hysterectomies in their early thirties.
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post #5 of 28
7/15/11 at 10:55am
Try cutting out refined food: oils, sugars, flours. Also avoid all artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors. I think it's all about the fuel we put in our bodies!

One of my sisters had a HORRIBLE time with menopause and she's still having night sweats, 19 years later. She was on birth control pills for 20 years, and when she went off, she went straight into menopause at age 40. But her diet is as terrible as can be, she loves cheetos and chips, chews 2 packs of gum a day, loves white bread, uses splenda all the time, etc. She pretty much lives off of the stuff I won't ever eat.

I'm trying to avoid diabetes which almost everyone else in my family has. I eat meat, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains, honey, maple syrup, and some dairy. I went through menopause at age 49-50, it lasted about a year, and I had what my doctor called "night-warmths." I'm not trying to rub it in but it was a breeze. I also lost weight during menopause!

Two sisters, same genes, different diets, and different outcomes. Hope this helps.
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post #6 of 28
7/15/11 at 1:40pm
I saw a show on the topic and have been following the advice for the most part ever since. Eat a good diet, and don't eat the majority of your food at night (a bad habit I used to have). Eat natural, unprocessed foods. Stay fit through exercise.

With that said, I occasionally fall into my old habit of eating snacks at night. Those seem to be when the night sweats hit me the hardest. I have a ceiling fan over the bed and keep that running all night long.

I had an issue with this when I was in my late 30's which lasted about a year then stopped. It started again a few months ago (last period for me was about a year ago). I'm with you - horrible feeling and I want them to stop sooner rather than later.
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post #7 of 28
7/15/11 at 3:18pm
I wanted to get through it without hormones because of breast cancer history in my family. I found that taking a vitamin E gel capsule just before bed helped me. Also, I learned the foods that triggered the flashes. They may be different for different people. Mine were spicy Italian, coffee, and chocolate. I also dressed in layers so I could remove some clothing. My hubby loved that part.
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post #8 of 28
7/15/11 at 4:31pm
You are all going to hate me....but whassa hot flash? Nightsweats have happened my whole life and only seem to be related to eating spicy food or ingesting small amounts of food I am allergic to. So, watching what you eat can help nightsweats somply because they can happen to anyone for assorted reasons, as to hot flashes, not a clue.
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post #9 of 28
7/15/11 at 5:05pm
The chemo I had in November killed my ovaries--so mega hot flashes. They've settled a lot, but still happen 5-7 times a day.

For nighttime, I now use a "Chillow" which is a thin, water filled insert for my pillow. It really helps. You can buy them online.
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post #10 of 28
7/15/11 at 5:15pm
I've never had hot flashes nor night sweats, but my best friend, who is 10+ older than me had them pre-hysterectomy. I hold read somewhere that Vitamin E is supposed to help, and she tried it, and said it lessened the effects. Now, since she's had breast cancer, her meds, even though she went through menopause before the cancer, cause hot flashes!

I also read that drinking some cider vinegar in a glass of water once or twice a day helps. I know that a TBL or 2 help with colds, etc., so there may be some medicinal value in the vinegar.

Some women can still have hot flashes after menopause; I know someone who does, though she stopped menstruating over 10 years ago. However, they are much less severe and frequent.

Perhaps wearing only natural fibers could help with the sweaty feeling?

Since my car's AC has died, I bought a couple of battery-powered fans to use in the car. I bought, just beacuse they were cheap (and DH's AC in HIS car is gone, too, so I carry one for that) small, "personal" fans. They clip on your keychain, and only take 1 AA battery. The first thing I though of when I saw them, "Wow! These might be great for women with hot flashes!" Might work, though!
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post #11 of 28
7/15/11 at 7:11pm
Since there seem to be enough ladies here who've been down that road, mind if I ask some questions on behalf of my mother? Thanks.

Last night we were babysitting my niece and nephew. My mom said she got really dizzy and her heart was pounding. Are these common symptoms of menopause too? I am trying to bug her to go and speak to her doctor about it, but she's being stubborn. She has also been having minor headaches almost daily.

I don't think she is having hot flashes yet...but some of the other more common(?) symptoms are certainly making an appearance. She is just over 50 now.

Some great advice so far though. I will pass it on to my mommy.
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post #12 of 28
7/15/11 at 7:43pm
That could be menopausal or bloodsugar related.
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post #13 of 28
7/15/11 at 9:53pm
I was looking thru a menopause site one time and they had over 50 symptoms that are related to it. Hot flashes and night sweats are only 2 of them. You can have heart palpitations, dizziness, severe mood swings, memory loss, bone loss, and on and on and on.

I'm avoiding the majority of them just by eating better and staying in better physical shape. You are what you eat plays a bigger role when you are "older".
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post #14 of 28
7/16/11 at 9:26am
Not sure we will get many men responding after reading the subject. But I am sure many OLD MEN will be looking.

I started to have hot flashes/night sweats two years (age 47) ago and have not had a period for a year and a half and it has been a nightmare for me too. I can always count on one to after a shower, major hot flash. Nighttime sweats have gotten so bad plus then you don't ever get a good night sleep. My short-term memory has kind of gone haywire too. I have tried everything over-the-counter. Estroven Nighttime seemed to help, but then stopped working. My gyne and I both agree about no HRT. What she did suggest is a blood pressure medicine called Clonodine (I think). But when I told my sister about that, she blew a fuse and wants me to go to a Naturopath. Although, my sister does have progesterone cream she uses on her arm and says it works very, very well. Also, there are creams called Phytoestrogens - a plant based estrogen - that is supposedly safe. I am looking into that. Arbonne makes one, my SIL in a consultant and uses that for her hot flashes. I don't want HRT and will try almost anything other than that at this point.

I do exercise everyday and have always done that but I think it helps. Also, eating a much healthier diet and taking better care of myself all around. Will be watching this thread closely for any and all suggestions
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post #15 of 28
7/16/11 at 10:24am
Have you tried any supplements such as an Omega 3 for women, black cohosh, and/or Evening Primrose Oil? Those might help.
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post #16 of 28
7/16/11 at 11:10am
I'll never understand why doctors prescribe birth control pills, which are estrogen, to control menopause symptoms. Many symptoms are caused by an abundance of estrogen and/or not enough progesterone, so that doesn't make any sense.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
...Although, my sister does have progesterone cream she uses on her arm and says it works very, very well. Also, there are creams called Phytoestrogens - a plant based estrogen - that is supposedly safe....
There's a very safe, very effective progesterone called Prometrium that is derived from yams.
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post #17 of 28
7/16/11 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephanietx View Post
Have you tried any supplements such as an Omega 3 for women, black cohosh, and/or Evening Primrose Oil? Those might help.
Yes, the first two. But not Evening Primrose Oil!!!! Thanks for the tip, will pick some up and give that a try.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SwampWitch View Post
I'll never understand why doctors prescribe birth control pills, which are estrogen, to control menopause symptoms. Many symptoms are caused by an abundance of estrogen and/or not enough progesterone, so that doesn't make any sense.



There's a very safe, very effective progesterone called Prometrium that is derived from yams.
Prometrium - got it. Will look for that at The Vitamin Store. They usually have everything. I did try that new product called I-Cool. My doctor recommended it. Did absolutely nothing to control flashes
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post #18 of 28
7/16/11 at 1:20pm
About these supposedly safe forms of estrogen: HRT is known to be risky because of its effects on the body, causing the body to continue to function in ways that are no longer natural for one's age. Right?

So if plant-based estrogens have the same effect on the body, how are they any safer?
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post #19 of 28
7/16/11 at 9:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sk_pacer View Post
You are all going to hate me....but whassa hot flash? Nightsweats have happened my whole life and only seem to be related to eating spicy food or ingesting small amounts of food I am allergic to. So, watching what you eat can help nightsweats somply because they can happen to anyone for assorted reasons, as to hot flashes, not a clue.
A hotflash is when you feel extremely hot all of a sudden. I normally have one of those paper oriental fans next to me to fan myself.

I just got some black cohosh today. I wanted to try it and when I went to check out, the gal behind the register told me they were buy one bottle and get one free! Of course I got another bottle! The sale just started today. So I got 200 days worth for $11.99. You just take it once a day.

Hopefully that will work. I do need to be patient and give it some time as it may take a few days or weeks to start working.
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post #20 of 28
7/16/11 at 10:32pm
When I started serious night sweats in my late 30's, my doctor prescribed some HRT meds at the time. They put me in my most psychotic state of my life, in a hide-the-knives-I-might-kill-someone sort of way. I will never again take HRT in my life.

My night sweats aren't as bad now as they were back then. I recall one winter when we lived in our old house (farmhouse built in 1884). The upstairs had no heat and it was below zero outside. The windows were so old and leaky that during a strong breeze, the curtains would bellow inward. DH went to bed with thermal long johns topped with fleece pants, hoody sweatshirt (which was over his head), heavy wool socks and mittens. We had flannel sheets, a heavy wool blanket and a thick down comforter. He'd get under covers and complain how cold he was. I on the other hand would be laying in a t-shirt on top of the covers with a towel under me to absorb the sweat. Yes, it can get that bad. I'm just glad I can look back and laugh about it now.
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post #21 of 28
7/16/11 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
Prometrium - got it. Will look for that at The Vitamin Store. They usually have everything.
It's by prescription, so you'd want to have your progesterone and estrogen levels tested. When one hormone is off, they all get out of balance, so it's very worth doing.
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post #22 of 28
7/16/11 at 11:33pm
Oh. How amusing. I think I just realized why my bedroom has been getting wicked hot wicked suddenly for no apparent reason at all in the middle of the night. *facepalm*

Guess I've some research to do!

AC
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post #23 of 28
7/17/11 at 4:57am
I can't help you. As I mentioned in the "old men" thread, I'm on HRT. Mine is a compound of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. I had a total hysterectomy at 24 years old and did start out with Premarin. But because breast cancer is so prevalent on both sides of my family, we felt that I was safer on the compound.
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post #24 of 28
7/17/11 at 7:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catkiki View Post
A hotflash is when you feel extremely hot all of a sudden. I normally have one of those paper oriental fans next to me to fan myself.

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Nope, no help at all, never went through that. Friends of mine tried explaining them to me. too, but I just cannot imagine them. In my case, everything just stopped working, so to speak, one month, normal period then nothing......no mood swings or anything.
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post #25 of 28
7/17/11 at 9:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sk_pacer View Post
Nope, no help at all, never went through that. Friends of mine tried explaining them to me. too, but I just cannot imagine them. In my case, everything just stopped working, so to speak, one month, normal period then nothing......no mood swings or anything.
You were so lucky in that aspect. My periods slowed down for a bit, then no period for a few months. Then I would have a heavy period, then spotting every couple of months. Now I haven't had one for over a year. I started off have just night sweats but now it is the hot flashes too. I am hoping the black cohosh works. I know it takes a couple weeks to see the results. Maybe I was imagining it but it seemed to be better last night.
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post #26 of 28
7/17/11 at 11:52am
I second Catkiki on sk pacer. YOU are SO lucky!!!!!!!! I wish it were so for me. I also have been suffering from hot flashes for a few years. I am going to try the Black Cohosh again like you Catkiki. I am off to Jewel/Osco and will pick some up. We can compare notes here and see if it helps I did try the Black Cohosh a few years back with not very good results, but it is worth another go.
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post #27 of 28
7/17/11 at 11:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Momofmany View Post
When I started serious night sweats in my late 30's, my doctor prescribed some HRT meds at the time. They put me in my most psychotic state of my life, in a hide-the-knives-I-might-kill-someone sort of way. I will never again take HRT in my life.

My night sweats aren't as bad now as they were back then. I recall one winter when we lived in our old house (farmhouse built in 1884). The upstairs had no heat and it was below zero outside. The windows were so old and leaky that during a strong breeze, the curtains would bellow inward. DH went to bed with thermal long johns topped with fleece pants, hoody sweatshirt (which was over his head), heavy wool socks and mittens. We had flannel sheets, a heavy wool blanket and a thick down comforter. He'd get under covers and complain how cold he was. I on the other hand would be laying in a t-shirt on top of the covers with a towel under me to absorb the sweat. Yes, it can get that bad. I'm just glad I can look back and laugh about it now.
The towel is a great idea!!!! But I turn and move so much, it would bunch up and make me even more crabby . I have to laugh at your story, because in the dead of winter, I will leave the window open a bit in below zero weather. Larry is all bundled up on his side of the bed under a ton of blankets and I am in a cotton t-shirt with just a sheet This was last winter. I am hoping to get this under control by the next winter
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post #28 of 28
7/17/11 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
I second Catkiki on sk pacer. YOU are SO lucky!!!!!!!! I wish it were so for me. I also have been suffering from hot flashes for a few years. I am going to try the Black Cohosh again like you Catkiki. I am off to Jewel/Osco and will pick some up. We can compare notes here and see if it helps I did try the Black Cohosh a few years back with not very good results, but it is worth another go.
The one I am taking is made by Nature's Bounty and is natural whole herb, 540mg once a day.
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