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hot flashes
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I'm about done. I have to sleep with 2 towels and wake up 5-6 times a night soaked or frozen. Hey, did anyone ever tell you that hot "flashes" (I want to laugh because it is NOT a flash, it is a TSUNAMI) are accompanied with chills? WTheEverlastingFUCK? I thought I was the only one, but hell, this is the new normal. I can't remember the last night I slept. I have started experimenting with soy milk and last night, for the first time, I only woke 3-4 times and was not completely soaked either time. They go on all day long, and I feel like I live in a sauna (well, I do, but when I'm inside I'd like to feel like I got out of it (I live in the tropics)). I can handle the daytime ones but I'm about to go wacko due to the nights. I've read about black cohosh and am looking into how to get it and last resort will be gabapentin. Hoping that soy milk is going to work though because I am at about a breaking point.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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Careful with the black cohosh--it has can cause liver damage.

No coasting in running and no crying in baseball
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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Been there, done that Kathy. Low dose birth-control pills (estrogen / progesterone) have stopped the hot flashes completely and caused me to sleep normally again. I take melatonin (another hormone) occasionally to endure a full night's rest.

Hope this helps!

DFL > DNF > DNS
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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i tried all the natural stuff. nothing worked. the night is definitely the worst time. i live in the tropics too. during the day, i used to work at a clothing store and the sweating was so bad, i had to be careful when touching the clothes i did not soak the items. now i use a low dose hormone patch. I tried the birth control pill and gained 8 pounds. My doctor is now telling me i need to go off the patch because i have been on them too long. i don't think so. apparently there is a risk for blood clots and other problems. i will take the risk, because at the worst of the hot flashes i was suicidal. seems extreme, but severe lack of sleep and the feeling of one's body cooking from the inside outside does crazy things to people. That is also the time i had to stop training for ironman races. hot flashes and ironman training do not mix.
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Re: hot flashes [Tri3] [ In reply to ]
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did not know. thanks for that! Last night I was up twice! I feel like I got a new lease on life and while I usually hate breakfast and don't eat until 10 am, 6:13 and I've already had my bowl of flakes and soy milk (started both at the same time so I'm superstitious to stop the cereal).

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [SallyShortyPnts] [ In reply to ]
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SallyShortyPnts wrote:
Been there, done that Kathy. Low dose birth-control pills (estrogen / progesterone) have stopped the hot flashes completely and caused me to sleep normally again. I take melatonin (another hormone) occasionally to endure a full night's rest.

Hope this helps!

Well, that is interesting. I had no idea they came in low-dose version and had not considered them as they always made me throw up (normal BCP). Thanks for the option!

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [timberdick] [ In reply to ]
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I hear you! I took the clothes off the line yesterday and had to hold teh basket far away from me so as not to soak the clothes.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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I forgot to add that I tried the HRT patch as well. However, as a triathlete, the swim time caused the patch to come off prematurely. I switched to the pill after that; it was also a little cheaper.

Weight gain did not happen for me, although I struggled with that when I took the Pill 20 years ago. Unfortunately, there is not much dosage variance, so it's one size fits all.

The good news is that hot flashes have stopped.

DFL > DNF > DNS
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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I am 42 and started with the night sweats several months ago. Add to that insane mood swings, the attention span of a 2 year old, zero sex drive, and insomnia, I eventually went to my gyn. She put me on an antidepressant, but that backfired in a day with over-the-top anxiety. We went with Low-orgesteral, a low dose bcp I was on for years prior to getting married and having two kids. It's been magical. Now I only sweat at night when I am on the off-week.

I've had 2 kids in two years and am now managing two toddlers. One other peri-meno side effect exacerbated by the recent deliveries is incontinence. No matter how many kegel's I did, it wouldn't help. And alcohol made it worse. I trained and ran my first 5k in 4 years in November, and found that I was having leaking issues when running downhill. Weird. The bcp has also helped the incontinence quite a bit.
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Re: hot flashes [jenbikerun] [ In reply to ]
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I am having the night sweats too. I alternate between burning and freezing and frequently wake up in the middle of the night in a lake.

The following have helped me: DH has set the thermostat at 66 degrees (it is freezing in our room), I also run the fan if it is humid, I take regular dose BCP (I am only 40 and my gyn is not convinced that I am menopausal), I use topical estrogen cream, and I am avoiding soy almost completely.
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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The complete inability to sleep, horribly embarrassing sweat fests at work, and a libido that was nonexistent finally convinced me to see an OB a few weeks ago, and ask about my options. He put me on a low dose estrogen/progesterone pill (the lowest dose available, I am told), and a compounded testosterone cream. I'm not competing until I can get my knee fixed, so I wasn't worried about testosterone being a banned substance, but given that you are competing, you might want to decline the testosterone. Since going on the pills, I am sleeping a ton better; I do not wake up in a pool of sweat, nor do I sweat through all of my work clothes during the day; my sex drive is even back. The only problem: I've gained 5 lbs in three weeks, while eating less and exercising the same amount -- about 12 hours a week. The weight gain correlates directly with going on the HRT.

I'm not sure that's an endorsement of HRT, but if your symptoms are driving you bonkers, which is sounds like they are, you might want to look into it. I just told myself there was no harm in seeing if it would work. Much as I am incredibly depressed about the weight gain, it is truly wonderful to know that I am capable of sleeping soundly, and I'm not running back and forth to the dry cleaners to have all of my work clothes cleaned, because I've sweated through them.
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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How long you been eating soy mik? you know it contains plan estrogens right? It may be contributing.

AP

------------------------
"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: hot flashes [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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AndyPants wrote:
How long you been eating soy mik? you know it contains plan estrogens right? It may be contributing.

AP

Well, here is the weird thing. I just STARTED the soy milk and it seems to be making a huge difference. I know it contains plant estrogens and I thought that was the reason for the help. More research needed obviously.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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I, too, keep towels by the bed to wipe the sheets dry so I don't freeze! I don't have hot flashes during the day so much any more but still have horrible ones at night. No meds for me-54 and am approaching 1 year of no period. But I have experimented with a couple things-increasing water consumption and adding lecithin capsules at night both seem to help. Also cutting back on carbs at night seem to lessen them.
I also keep a fan on.
I hate these things-miserable night and then working 12 hour days. Hard to train.
Try to really drink tons of water-I tend to average 4-5 liters a day and that doesn't account for the increase in the summer when training hard. It can then be 7+ liters.
I feel your pain, girl.
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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OMG, I am listening, b/c I listen to everyone going through this to gather as much knowledge as I can.

I recommend a female, OB who specializes in menopause. I know the current feeling du jour is au naturel amongst many, but this new OB I saw said the HRT study (which "scared" many) inherently was flawed b/c it tested a wide range of women from 50-80. Her belief was that if you're young, in you're 50s, no history of breast cancer, low dose HRTs have shown no problem. In the "old days" they'd just push HRTs on everyone who walked in the door, the 50, 60, 70, 80 y/o w/out thought.

You need to decide for yourself, and your quality of life, but a low dose bcp that might reduce the effects for awhile might be worth it.

And what someone else said, be cautious with black cohosh. Some evidence it helps, but also evidence of liver damage. I'd def. check blood work regularly, maybe use Milk Thistle as a supportive.
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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I still suggest the soy milk. Two cups a day. Works for me. You need to keep using it and over time it becomes even more effective.

In a nutshell, "...according to the most comprehensive study to date, eating two servings of soy foods a day may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. ...The interest in soy for hot flashes began when researchers noticed only about 10 per cent of Asian women experience menopausal symptoms. It’s been speculated that Asian women are less likely to have hot flashes due to their high soy consumption.

Soy protein contains isoflavones, natural compounds that can bind weakly to certain estrogen receptors in the body. In so doing, soy isoflavones might help compensate for declining estrogen levels that accompany menopause and offer some relief for hot flashes."
http://researchingmommy.blogspot.ca/...eer-woman-rides.html

I bought my own soy milk making machine and I make two batches at once to save on clean up time. Even with the cost of the machine factored in, one litre of soy milk costs around $0.30 versus $2.69 for store bought stuff. The fact that there are no additives is a welcome bonus.
Last edited by: karencoutts: Feb 3, 13 22:03
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Re: hot flashes [cayenne] [ In reply to ]
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I stopped wearing cotton to bed a long time ago. I wear running shirts so I'm not freezing cold and wet like cotton is. It really helps. I also don't have any heat on in my bedroom. I don't have a bed buddy other than my cat so that keeps it cooler too.

I'm back on low dose birth control because my periods were getting really heavy and painful. I'm turning 44 in March and my birth mother started menopause very early. IIRC she said early 40s. I get night sweats and I'm hoping low dose BC will help with that. I just started 2 months ago. It is definitely helping with my periods!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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Trying putting a fan at the foot of your bed to circulate the air.

Staying cool when the heat is on
FREE training call to Overcome Blocks and Fears when Racing on Wed, 2/13 register at http://expertsportsperformance.com/training
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Re: hot flashes [karencoutts] [ In reply to ]
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Well, I THOUGHT the soy milk was helping but apparently there is a fine line in my body as too much gives me diarrhea. Also experimented with drinking lots of water yesterday and last night was one of the worst nights yet. I'm really trying to go "natural" but having horrible workouts and these night saunas (have the A/C on all night) is getting tiresome. I'm going to dial back the soy a bit and continue the water for another month or so and then cave to low-dose hormones if I can't get some energy in me. I'm just about done after 4km of running and that's just not right. Oh, and thanks EVERYONE so much with all their tips.

BTW, we don't have artificial heat here unless we get in the car and turn it on and this winter has been mild enough I haven't even put socks on, let alone resort to car heat. :) You know it is a harsh winter when you're forced to wear socks.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


Last edited by: kathy_caribe: Feb 6, 13 5:36
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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Be careful about drinking too much fluid close to bedtime. In my experience, the full bladder makes me prone to waking and nightmares. When I wake up, my body furnace turns on and I start sweating and feel hot so I can't go back to sleep.

The soy milk seems to control the night waking.

(Also, being cold leads to nightmares).
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Re: hot flashes [karencoutts] [ In reply to ]
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karencoutts wrote:
Be careful about drinking too much fluid close to bedtime. In my experience, the full bladder makes me prone to waking and nightmares. When I wake up, my body furnace turns on and I start sweating and feel hot so I can't go back to sleep.

The soy milk seems to control the night waking.

(Also, being cold leads to nightmares).

YES! Every awakening leads to a flash. :) Will try drinking more in the am hours but that will cut into my coffee consumption and, well, not sure I want to go there. :)

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [JenSw] [ In reply to ]
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JenSw wrote:
I stopped wearing cotton to bed a long time ago. I wear running shirts so I'm not freezing cold and wet like cotton is. It really helps. !

I did this last night and I don't know if it was a "good" night or what (adding more soy, drinking water, yadda yadda) but I only needed the 2nd towel on 1/2 of my top and didn't thoroughly soak the bottom towel. I know I was sweating but I didn't get the horrific freezing I usually do. thanks!

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [Loren Fogelman] [ In reply to ]
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Loren Fogelman wrote:
Trying putting a fan at the foot of your bed to circulate the air.

I have a fan over the bed and run teh A/C all night (normal for our weather) but a fan pointed at me would make the freezing much worse, IMO. I think I wake mostly from freezing and not from sweating. Sigh. :)

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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One of my friends is a well-known doc that specializes in menopause and is releasing a new online mag called Menopause Magazine in a couple weeks. He's just waiting for the final approval from Apple. I'll see if there's any suggestions that may help.

Staying cool when the heat is on
FREE training call to Overcome Blocks and Fears when Racing on Wed, 2/13 register at http://expertsportsperformance.com/training
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Re: hot flashes [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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Here's the response from a leading authority on women and menopause:


There is a lot of info to share. To make it as quick as I can, treatment depends on expectations, preferences, and risk factors. At the beginning are lifestyle changes such as limiting caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol. Next comes the addition of exercise, drinking lots of water and yoga or tai chi. Then comes over the counter remedies like soy and black cohosh. Next non-estrogen prescriptions like gabapentin - a new version is coming out this year along with another one called paraxotine. Finally, estrogen.

So nothing short. I have a lot of info about many of these topics on YouTube.com/doctorseibel and other options on http://www.doctorseibel.com/menopause. My Menopause Magazine due out soon has an entire issue on estrogen safety and then articles on lifestyle and estrogen alternatives and these two new alternatives coming out this year. Factored in is her expectations, perspectives and risk factors. So not a simple answer but answerable with details and discussion.

Not a quick fix, but I hope it helps.

Staying cool when the heat is on
FREE training call to Overcome Blocks and Fears when Racing on Wed, 2/13 register at http://expertsportsperformance.com/training
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