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?
Full Version: Night Sweats
Share with us your experiences with night sweats.
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.
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.
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
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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.....
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
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
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.
I have tried all the natural, prescription remedies! How about other ideas?
Shirley
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:
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
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?)
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!
Thanks for the quick reply, Jean! :cheesy:
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
Hi Jackie...
I think if you call Pete, you will find a very caring, understanding and knowledgable person to help you with your symptoms. At least it can't hurt to try. I am wishing now that I had contacted him several years ago when I first learned of him here at Power Surge... it may have saved me alot of hassles and problems a long time ago. Mostly, I could have avoided night after night of horrific night sweats for all these years! I have also heard that there can be problems if your estrogen levels are too high, but I think he might be able to clarify it for you. I do know that he has said it is quite ok to take the Revival with the bio-identical HRT. I think I have read here, also, that Dearest is taking Bi-est, along with her Revival. Good luck to you!
Hi Kalanie...."Too Many Covers" how funny.....where do they get these phrases from these doctors - or so called doctors....I was like yourself - one of many doctors said to come back when I dont have my periods and we will start you on HRT....thanks very much - so obviously I have never gone back.I am so pleased you had good results with Pete - after only a short time it sounds promising...we have to look around ourselves - ask questions from our friends etc, and not forgetting frequent this site for the best info. anyone could buy......Take Care - cause we all care:)
Hi Trish...
Yeah, the "too many covers" on my bed is the one that really got to me! I have found out, from other women at Power Surge, that I am not alone in having difficulty with finding doctors who are willing to help me with my symptoms just because I am still bleeding.
So far (about a week now) I am feeling so much better it's unbelieveable, thanks to Pete. Additionally, he has provided me with a list of doctors in my area (Seattle) that will work with him, so yippppeeeeee!
I really am thankful for this site! :biggrin: :biggrin:
My experience with night sweats: 7 years ago - before I had my ovaries out - they were more typical night sweats - I'd wake up once or twice with my chest totally drenched in sweat. That would happen about 2 or maybe 3 times per year - pretty manageable.Had my ovaries removed on June 7 - since then:more like hot flashes that occur at night - 5-7 episodes per night, lasting about 5 minutes each. Takes me an additional 10 -15 minutes to get back to sleep, which means I don't get much sleep at night!! Causing a REAL problem with hubby as I NEED to have the fan ON at night - this seems to keep me cooler in general and seems to help lower the number of flashes and the length of the ones I do get. However, hubby wants the fan OFF at night because he gets too COLD!! He is even suggesting separate bedrooms! What to do??I was taking Remifemin - about 8 weeks, but didn't see any difference in the quantity or severity of the night time flashes. 3 days ago I relented and started taking the dr. prescribed Premarin, 1.25. Haven't seen a difference in the flashes, but have seen a weight gain! Don't like that either!Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!Rhonda
Hello Rhonda - nice user name! I can really sympathize with you about your night sweats. They sound exactly like what I was having.
I think you're doing a great job of trying out various things, and giving each thing a couple of months trial before you give up on it. When you're feeling lousy, it's hard to be patient, but I think you're doing it right!
What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. So you have to keep trying until you find something that will work for you. There's lots of things to try, so don't give up! I'd suggest you keep a journal though, so you can accurately figure out what happened and when. It gets all very confusing sometimes.
Personally, I have found excellent results with a regime of natural progesterone cream and soy milk and an assortment of vitamins. I have occasional hot flashes and once in a while have a night sweat, but that's okay with me. It's the 5-7 per night that wears you down, right?
As for disagreements with your hubby - I feel very sorry for my hubby. Whenever I'm hot, he's cold and vice versa. We talk about it a lot, and we've tried various fans, window openings, cotton sheets (way better than any with even a tiny bit of polyester in them!). I actually roll out of bed and lay on the floor when I feel a hot sweat coming - that way the bed doesn't get clammy, my thrashing around doesn't wake him, and it's cooler on the floor and passes sooner. And I sleep naked.
Good luck Rhonda. Keep us posted with your progess. We all learn from each other.
Jean - thanks for your very understanding response! It is so much appreciated! I AM trying various things - I just really don't want to do the Premarin thing! I'm glad your hubby is understanding - that is such a BIG help. I've actually thought about laying on the floor, but the thoughts of laying on our carpet make me even hotter! I can't even begin to sleep naked because I can't stand sticky body parts touching sticky body parts - been that way for YEARS! I do sleep on 100% cotton sheets and wear hubby's cotton T-shirt and a pair of silky PJ bottoms (not very glamorous, but comfortable). It's been so long since I had a good night's sleep I can't EVEN remember what it is like! :(Thanks again for your encouragement!Rhonda
Hi Rhonda,I had night sweats so bad that I finally took the sleeping in another room for awhile . I was just wearing hubby out waking so often and this way he was fresh to do things I couldn't do when I was soooooooo tired from such poor sleep. We kind of made it a fun thing by surprising each other with nocturnal visits- heehee -was kind of fun. anyway tha sweats are over and we are back in the same room now. Hope that at least gives you hope that someday it will pass:)Hugs, jeanne
Hi All, Just to update. I did call Pete at College Pharmacy and he is sending me Biest to get me started. Sure hope it works. He said it should take care of the night sweats and palpitations. I'm really anxious to get it as the night sweat and palpitations are still a nightly thing. My doctor gave me samples of Sarafem, which is a designer name for Prozac, but decided not to take it. Blessings to all.
Hi Jackie!
Hopefully, relief is on the way from Pete! He got my scripts to me within 2 days of talking to him, and I have still not had a night sweat since (or any other symptom, for that matter). In fact, I feel so good I can hardly believe it. He also gave me a list of doctors in my area that will work with him on the bio-identical HRT, I have an appointment for next week, and am very excited for the possibility of just talking with a doctor who has some knowledge about peri. The doc who suggested it was "too many covers" is longggg gone. :biggrin:
Good Morning Everyone! I certainly do enjoy this board! It is nice to "talk" to others who are experiencing the same things I am - both physically and with their doctors!!
Can someone tell me who thei "Pete" is that everyone is talking about and what can he do to help me? I REALLY need some help!
Had a really miserable night last night - got stung by a wasp yesterday afternoon on the ankle, so in addition to the night sweats I was in horrific pain with the sting - I finally ended up taking a 25 mg. benedryl AND a 325 mg. percocet. It took an hour for the pain to ease off enough for me to even have the cover on my ankle!!
All your help and advice is SO much appreciated!Rhonda
Jackie mentioned a Pete at College Pharmacy. Put College Pharmacy in the search box and see what comes up. I noticed your name is NavyWifeArmyMom in it. My son is at Army Basic Training right now in Fort Knox Kentucky.
(Edited by Irish Rose at 9:17 am on Aug. 3, 2001)
Hi Irish Rose - my son also did his basic training at Ft. Knox. Then he went to Ft. Lewis, Washington and then to Korea. He is out of the army now and living in California - I am in West Virginia!Thanks for the info about college pharmacy - I will try that in a bit!
Hi Rhonda...
You can get information about Pete Hueseman and College Pharmacy if you go to the home page and click on "Menu" in the upper right corner. Click on "transcripts"... there is a list of PowerSurge guests there. If you click on Pete's name, it gives info about him, and if you click on "Read" to the left of his name, you can also read all of the transcripts of his guest chats here. You can also get a very good overview of many things from Dearest if you go to "Recommends" at the same "Menu" location. When you open that, you will be at a page titled, "PowerSurge Recommendations". There is so much information available here if you have the time to explore all of the links that are provided. I made the time, and am very glad I did.
I've been OK for about 10 days. I'm going to follow Jean's advice re: progesterone cream. Also will up the soy intake starting next weekend...
Looking for another gig now and I can't have distractions.
Hi everyone,
Just found , and joined, P-S and am I glad. Did a search this monring on night sweats and found you. I started peri about a year ago. The last week has been horrible. I can't sleep! Several times a night, I wake up sweating from the back of my neck to my waist. So, I throw the covers off and, a little while later, I'm waking up because I'm cold!!! Over and over again. I even tried Ambien a couple of nights. Helps a bit but not enough. 4 nights now and I'm exhausted. Had to leave work early cause I just couldn't function anymore. Got to find something to help. Heading to the recommendations board.
Hi all, Just to update. I recieved my prescription for Biest from Pete at College Pharmacy and took it for the first time yesterday. I had one of the worst nights of my life last night, so just goes to show, again, that what works for one isn't good for all. Had heart palpitations and sweats like never before and have decided that this just has to run it's course. Hope things get back to normal soon. My heart goes out to everyone going through this.
Hi Jackie... Maybe you might want to reconsider giving up on the Biest after just one night. My co-worker also just got her Biest from Pete a couple of days ago, and the first night the sweats still lingered, but she reports today that last night, for the first time in several years, she didn't have the night sweats. She is so delighted. I guess I was a little more lucky... my long bout with night sweats ended the very first night, and I still haven't had any. Additionally, I do know that Pete strongly urges women to be sure and give him a call to report how they are doing, so he can make adjustments if there is not at least a 65% improvement. You might consider giving him a call for more help before you abandon it. I just hate to see anyone continue to suffer with these symptoms.
Hi Kalanie, Thanks for your reply. I did call Pete the very next morning and he suggested that I change the times that I take the Biest. Decided tonight to just take half of one of the tablets and I am having internal shaking, palpitations, and sweats. Leaving in AM on a mini vacation, so will go back to my Estradiol until I get back then decide what to do. Thanks for your response and concern.
Hi Jackie...
I am sure very sorry to read that you are still having the symptoms, even with cutting the dosage. But, I am glad that you did call Pete for help with it. I hope you have a good vacation, and am keeping my fingers crossed for you that your symptoms stay at a minimum so you can have a good time.
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!
Too funny, Snowbird!!
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