Night Sweats Options

[Board Administra...]

Share with us your experiences with night sweats.

How often do they wake you up in the middle of the night? How long do they last? How do you treat them? Do they frighten you? What else do you experience during night sweats other than sweating?Do they ever bring on panic attacks?

[Carolyn Falcon]

I have had these off and on ( more on than off ) for the past 8 years.  At first I would wake up wet from the waist to the hips this would be in the mornings and  lasted for about a year then it stopped.  Then I started waking up once or twice in the early morning hours sweating under the breast and chest area.  This lasted about 3 years.  Now several times a week  I wake up wet around my neck, chest and back and sometimes my upper arms.  I never have this during the day and I have never had a hot flash that I know of.  I feel chilled when I wake up somtimes and sometimes I feel chilled during the day when everyone else is warm.  If I am worried or anxious about something I can count on waking up wet  with sweat. I am 56 years old and had a vaginal hysterectomy when I was 44, I still have my ovaries.  I  don't know if  what I am having is menopausal night sweats or if I have some dread disease  I am so nervous and scared I am afraid to talk to my doctor. I asked him once if he could give me something to help with menopause and he told me no. I have had a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer in both breast  so he won't give me HRT.  I am a wreak and fast becoming a hypercondriac I'm afraid.

[Lyndabelle]

I've noticed when I sleep, I sweat.  Even short periods of time.  Especially around my neck, chest, upper body of side I am sleeping on and head sometimes.  Even with a nap.  Any sleep. I have the fan going.  I don't think it matters how cold the room is, I just sweat when I sleep now.  I have noticed lately that I wake up after nightmares, badly sweating and with a stomach ache.  This is new and seems to come together as a package.  I don't know what causes what.  

[Snowbird]

Lyndabelle....G'morning!!

BOY!!  Can I IDENTIFY with you!!! Although my "night sweats" are easing up somewhat!!  YOU described them to a tee!!  It was getting so I didn't want to sleep...nap...doze off or WHATEVER!!  Knew I was goin wake up in a ~~~SWEAT~~~  Use ta think I always had a fever!! Hate to admit how many times I'd take my temp!! *Sigh*  It's when the nightmares started.....that scared me!! *Gulp*  Hated them with a passion!!  Oh yeah......the nausea...that too!!  For me...IT WAS a package deal!!  Has something to do with the SUDDEN hormones fluctuations, etc., etc. when one is sleeping!!  Aaaargh!!I have a fan in the bedroom.....bathroom.....livingroom and hallway!!  Plus....I have air-conditioning!!  Poor hubby....HE use to be the HOT one.........NOW it's ME!! LOL!Anyhow......like I said it is getting better.......at least this year!!  Sure hope the worse is over! :wink:

Take care!(((Hugs from a Canadian Gal)))Nancy

[Tina]

Quote: from Snowbird on 10:31 am on May 21, 2001[br]Lyndabelle....G'morning!!

BOY!!  Can I IDENTIFY with you!!! Although my "night sweats" are easing up somewhat!!  YOU described them to a tee!!  It was getting so I didn't want to sleep...nap...doze off or WHATEVER!!  Knew I was goin wake up in a ~~~SWEAT~~~  Use ta think I always had a fever!! Hate to admit how many times I'd take my temp!! *Sigh*  It's when the nightmares started.....that scared me!! *Gulp*  Hated them with a passion!!  Oh yeah......the nausea...that too!!  For me...IT WAS a package deal!!  Has something to do with the SUDDEN hormones fluctuations, etc., etc. when one is sleeping!!  Aaaargh!!I have a fan in the bedroom.....bathroom.....livingroom and hallway!!  Plus....I have air-conditioning!!  Poor hubby....HE use to be the HOT one.........NOW it's ME!! LOL!Anyhow......like I said it is getting better.......at least this year!!  Sure hope the worse is over! :wink:

Take care!(((Hugs from a Canadian Gal)))Nancy

Hi there Snowbird...well, I had my first night sweat...what fun!...LOL! :biggrin: Actually it wasn't too bad...just felt hot and slightly damp....hope they don't get any worse than this...if they don't...I can handle it. The daytime flashes are much worse for me than this was.....But I never count on anything in peri...just when ya get used to something...it changes...Have a great day Nancy! Luv ya.....

[Snowbird]

Tina...my meno-sistah!!GOSH!!  You too!!  Well thank God they aren't too bad!!;)Sounds more like the ones I get NOW.......hot and slightly damp....cuz....they can be miserable!!  Heck....I'd be awake most of the night.....wondering....."WHAT NEXT!!!!" :angry:Likya said, "never can count on anything in peri,"  is sooooo..true!! Argh!!Luv ya too...my friend!! Hope your day is terrific also!!(((Hugs from Snowy)))Nancy

[ShirleyH]

Has anybody found anything that helps with them? I have them everytime I go to sleep, all night long. No nightmares or any other problems. Shirley

[Dearest]

Check out the recommendations page for various methods of treatment. I haven't had a night sweat or a hot flash since I started using Revival soy protein with isoflavones three years ago. There are numerous things you can try -- natural, alternative remedies, such as evening primrose oil, Promensil (red clover), chasteberry (Vitex),  black cohosh, dong quai -- some women are helped my naturally compounded bio-identical hormones. You'll find references to many of these methods of treatment on the recommendations page of the site.  

[ShirleyH]

I have tried all the natural, prescription remedies! How about other ideas?

Shirley

[Aunt B]

Help!!!!!!!

Night sweats, day sweats, insomnia, help!!!  Nothing is working anymore.  Jeez this is not fun.  Having a bad day, bad week, ugh!!!!

:confused: :confused: :shocked:

[Snowbird]

Beryl!!  My Meno-bud!!

So Sorry to hear you're having a hard time with all these DANG, Flashes...Flushes...Sweats...Flashes and Sweats...Flushes and Sweats....Sweats with more Sweats!! Did I leave anything out??? Oh yeah....INSOMNIA!! Grrr!! I sure know how ya feel........It can wear a gal down.....even on a good day! :(Maybe next week will be better for you!! Lets hope!!  Your right about one thing...my friend....MENO is no fun!!:(Wish I could help.....I'm kinda whipped myself these days!! *Sigh*

Take care and God Luv ya...................

(((Hugs from a Hot, Warm and Tired Canadian Gal)))Nancy

[bonnieonline]

Hi everyone!  This is my first time on this message board.  Has anyone had any luck finding help for those DARN hot flashes?  (I'm 49 and not on hormone treatment ..yet..)Thanks!!!  (hey Aunt B...how did you post those cute little faces?)

[Jean]

Welcome Bonnieonline! Glad to "meet" you.

Nearly everybody who comes to these boards has hot flashes or has had them at one time! What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another person - it's a very individual thing. So keep reading these postings - and all the information on the power-surge site too - and you'll read about many differing methods of treatment.

Sometimes it takes patience and perserverance to find what will work for you! Good luck in your search - and keep posting! We all learn from each other.

Personally, I have found excellent results with natural progesterone cream. I've been on it about 3 or 4 months now, and I'm not having any flashes any more. Whew!!!

And those little happy faces are called "emoticons". When you are posting a reply, click on the phrase "Emoticons are enabled", a little window opens. Type in the code for the one you want!

[bonnieonline]

Thanks for the quick reply, Jean! :cheesy:  

[NancyV]

Hi,

I have had results with adding 2 mg topical estriol cream (compounded)  to the progesterone cream at 20 mg per day.

No flashes or sweats now....found the right combination for me for now.

[yankeekate]

Hi - where does one get the natural progesterone cream ? So far my night sweats have stopped with my use of back cohosh and soy, but I fear they may return since I'm only 47.  Hopefully, things won't get any worse but I'd like to be prepared.

[Patty]

I don't care what I swallow what cream whatever.  Machiavelli had it right, the end justifies the means.

Now the newest herbal thing does nothing.  Knockout a valerian/melatonin combo worked for awhile but my system probably got used to it.  Tylenol PM has Benadryl like antihistamines in it, it worked but it ain't a good idea.  Getting a prescriptionsleep drug from my internist, forget it I would rather ask him for cocaine.

estriol cream?  Why not?  I have the progesterone cream already.  

I'm self employed and I have not slept in 2 nights.  One night was the sweats, extra soy stopped that but I still have the damn insomnia.  

[jeanne]

Hi PattyWhile asking him for cocaine would only get you something to keep you awake, I do hope you reconsider asking for a prescription for sleep. I finally did and it regulated my sleep pattern a bit so that I did get a tiny bit better sleep. At least enough so that I wouldn't drag around all day. Other than that you can just wait it out since it gets better eventually, but I still advise a presription to use now and then when you feel you just HAVE to get some rest.Hope you rest well soon, hugs, jeanne

[Jackie]

Good Morning All,  It's me again.  Just spent another night with night sweats, which seemed to come every 20 minutes, along with headache, pounding heart, and an occasional heart flutter.  Had been taking Ambein before bed, but decided to take 2 Benadryl last night instead.  I realize I can't take Ambein over the long haul, but what am I going to do.  Have tried everything. Soy, magnesim, progestrone cream ( which was a nghtmare, and have ben on Premarin 0.3mg for about 3 weeks now.  Was on 1mg of Estradiol before that.

[Jackie]

Good Morning All,  It's me again.  Just spent another night with night sweats, which seemed to come every 20 minutes, along with headache, pounding heart, and an occasional heart flutter.  Had been taking Ambein before bed, but decided to take 2 Benadryl last night instead.  I realize I can't take Ambein over the long haul, but what am I going to do.  Have tried everything. Soy, magnesim, progestrone cream ( which was a nghtmare, and have ben on Premarin 0.3mg for about 3 weeks now.  Was on 1mg of Estradiol before that.  This has been going on to some extent for over a year.  I am now 55 and had a hysterectomy when I was 36, but they left one ovary.  Think I'm going crazy.  And now the headaches along with the night sweats.  Thanks for being there and listening.

[Patty]

JackieHow do you get up and go to work everyday????Has the medical community gone totally mad?

I only wish I had an answer or a suggestion or a something.  

Patty

[jeanne]

Hi Jackie , I know you don't want to take Ambien every night , but it seems to me that your rest is important and I would be taking it as often as I felt I needed it (according to doctor dosage , of course) This will pass , but in the meantime you need your sleep. I had such bad night sweats for about 3 years that I took a sleep aid whenever I needed it. I dont have them now so there is light at the end of the tunnel .

Hope it goes away soon, Will be thinking of you , hugs jeanne

[Jackie]

Hi Jeanne and Patty, Thanks for answering my post.  I am semi retired and only work three days a week, so that isn't a big problem.  Jeanne, what did your doctor give you for sleep?  My husband says the same as you, what ever works (with doctor's blessings of course) take it.  Thanks to both of you.

[jeanne]

Hi again Jackie ,

I was given Ambien 10mg . I didn't feel groggy the next day and i still get a prescription to use now and then.I also tried Amytriptilyne(sp?) , but that left me groggy for a little bit when i woke up.But if it isn't too bad I just take an over the counter sleep aid. Hope this helps ,hugs jeanne

[Jackie]

Dearest, You stated in an earlier post that you had not had night sweats since starting Revival three years ago, and I would like to know how long it could take before you start seeing results after starting Revival?  Also, is it better to drink Revival at a certain time of the day?  I have about 27 of the 34 symptoms of menapause and you will never know how much it mean to me to have you here. Thanks and God bless you.

[SharonLH]

Hello all.....I find this site and these boards to be most informative. Thank You!!!!!.....Well, last night i experienced what i believe to be my first night sweat. I woke around 2.30am, my gown drenched, my hair wet and just a gosh, why am i so hot with the air on and the fan on kinda thought. DUH!!! :biggrin:  Funny how i've had most of the other symptoms for several months now and have only just experienced a night sweat. I sorta thought that since i was having such a hard time with all the other ones that God granted me a little mercy concerning the sweats and hot flashes. HA HA.......I had been taking Activella for 2 months (until today). I started the Revival program and am hoping that with the soy and a few changes in diet and regular excercise, i can eliminate most if not all of these horrible experiences. You ladies are wonderful and I get such comfort here.  

[Kalanie]

Hi Jackie... I am 53, still having regular periods, have suffered with many peri symptoms for about 4 years now, with night sweats being one of my biggest complaints.  I have been to many doctors who have minimized my symptoms and refused to help me try to manage them.  Every single one of them have told me to come back when I stop bleeding before they will give me anything (and anything is usually Premarin). Up until now, I have been suffering with these terrible symptoms, which have been slowly increasing, with nothing to relieve them except Vitamin E (very minimal relief, if any).  Within the past 2 weeks, I have decided that enough is enough and have returned to Power Surge to update my education about menopause.  

After reading/catching up for hours and hours, I ordered Revival and contacted Pete Heuseman of College Pharmacy.  I knew of Pete from frequenting Power Surge several years ago, but, for some reason, I was hesitant to contact him back then.  

Today I am very glad I finally decided to become more proactive in managing my own health and hormones!  I have been taking the Revival, along with the hormones I received from Pete at College Pharmacy  (bi-est, progesterone, testosterone, dhea) for less than a week now, and I can say that I have not felt better in the past 10- 15 years!  I have not had one night of night sweats or lost sleep since I began taking these!  I don't care if it is the Revival, the hormones, or both together--  I just know that I am now feeling human and alive again, and it feels so good to have myself back!    :biggrin:  :biggrin:

(Edited by Kalanie at 6:12 pm on July 28, 2001)

[jeanne]

Hi Vickie ,Good for you! We have to be our own advocates with the medical society I'm afraid . I don't know why they are still in the dark ages , but slowly we are making headway I think. But until they all know the score most women have to do like you did and take matters into their own hands. Bravo Vickie :)hugs, jeanne

[Kalanie]

Hi Jeanne..Thanks for the bravo... I should have done this years ago.  I think I wasn't really convinced that I was peri or something, but the evidence finally got to be so overwhelming.  And, the doctors minimizing it didn't give me such a sense of urgency until the symptoms just kept on increasing.  I sure would like to think we are making some headway, but you sure couldn't tell it by the doctors that I have found!  One doctor even suggested that my continual night sweats were because I must use too many covers on my bed!  And another, when I was 50, acted like I was inappropriate in trying to discuss my symptoms with her-- SHE chastised me as if I were a teenager, saying that the average age for menopause in the US is 53, and basically told me not to bother her about it until then.  Another sarcastically asked me if I wanted Premarin or Prozac.

I have been thinking, for some time now, that something is going to have to give soon...with the babyboomers now entering menopause, there are just too many of us to ignore this issue any longer.  As for the multitude of doctors out there who either refuse to become better educated about menopause (I am sure many of you have felt like you could tell them alot about this subject), either because they are too busy or are just unwilling, I am sure the consequences of it will manifest sometime down the road.  I am just so tired of my symptoms being treated like they are separate parts, independent of the rest of my body!  

Again, thank you for the support... I sure needed that.

[Jackie]

Hi Kalanie,  Thank you very much for your reply. As you can see from one of my earlier post, my problems are a little different from yours in that I had a hysterectomy at the age of 36.  They did leave one ovary, which may or may not be producing.  I thank I will call Pete and see what he would recommend for me.  Also, I had someone tell me recently that soy is a form of estrogen and that if my estrogen level is too high that could present a problem.  Thanks for any feed back.