Hi AnnMarie...

Although we all have alot of the more common general meno symptoms, each of us can experience them somewhat differently.  My night sweats/hot flashes are no more, due to being on bio-identical HRT, but, when I was having them, they didn't especially always wake me up.  I would experience them differently at different times.  Sometimes I would already be awake, for who knows what reason, sometimes they would wake me up, sometimes I wouldn't wake up at all, but know I was soaking wet.  Mostly, for me, my sleep was not good sleep... I would toss and turn, get warm, then cold, and, generally just not sleep well.  I have now been sleeping like a baby for the past several months.

Hope this helps some, and I am sure there are many other women here who can also give you their input about how meno symptoms/hot flashes/night sweats have affected them.  :)

I gave up Aspartame in an experiment to see if it would affect my anxiety level at all.

It's been nearly a month, and I'm happy to report that the anxiety has lessened some, and I no longer have drenching night sweats.  Of course, it could be due to my taking soy again, but even with the soy I was still having minor sweating.

I do feel better after getting off the NutraSweet.  

I'm now using Splenda, which is made from sugar but has a molecule removed, so it's low/non caloric.  So far, not having any problems with it.

hi everyone i think i have one answer to our meno problem. i went to wallmart last nad bought a bigger fan. i still wake up and sweat but i have a big fan to cool me off. the only problem it sounds like a wind tunel in my bedroom..but if i'm cool i don't care, joy

Lol, Joy... I do think you have found an answer, and it's such a simple one, too.  :biggrin:

Ullienne,Good for you getting off the aspartame. I lived on it for years.... I now have anxiety, high b/p andn plenty of meno symptoms. I would not be surprised if aspartame was responsible for some of them. My sister is going to a chinese accupuncturist who is also a herbologist and she told her to never use aspartame again - it was poison! I'd also be careful about using any other sweetner unless it was sugar. ( and of course we know that doesn't really do us any good either!)

Suzie

Hi.I have night sweats which sometimes are followed by chills. To reduce the sweats I keep the bedroom window open a bit, wear a long cotton t-shirt, sleep with a sheet over most of my body and a blanket over my feet. Some days this is not enough so my husband offered to turn on the ceiling fan very low. Quite helpful.

I also have hypothyroidism which has some similar symptoms as perimenopause. For a year I thought I had peri but it was the thyroid. Supposedly the thyroid problem is leveled off. Now if I could only loose the weight I gained.

During the day I get a few hot flashes. Then, I can have hours of the chills. Not just feeling cold but chilled internally. With goosebumps and a flash of a chill. Makes you feel like you are coming down with the flu.

Its nice to be able to write about your problems then read and see that others have similar symptoms.

I've had breast cancer when I was 37 so I cannot take any fixes with estrogen. Must be natural. Tried some soy powder in fruit smoothie drinks. I'm also trying to take Vitamin E, 2 tablets at 400 mg each.

Black cohosh seems to disagree with me - get strong palpilations.

Any other ideas? I'm going to try exercising or at least doing the treadmill as I've read exercise helps.

joy264834think I'll get a personal fan for my desk at work!

i don't know if this is a fluke, but the past 4 nites i've taken a calcium citrate supplement about 1/2 hour before bed.  i haven't had nite sweats and when i wake up i fall right back to sleep.  it's good for the bones, so it's a double bonus!

Norine,I also take calcium citrate at night, but I still get night sweats fairly often . It seems to depend on the time of the month, but not always. Glad that the calcium works for you. You're right in saying that it's good for the bones. Very important at this time of life!

Suzie

I know that  carbs and hot beverages of any kind, and chocolate will set me up for night sweats a few hours later.  And soy in any form increases my flashes and sweats, so have given that up.  I will try the calcium citrate, though.  Maybe that will help.  Thanks to you all for sharing some ideas.

I'm the mom of Gypsy, a black teen-age cat.

Try taking it around 8 or 9 pm...even it it doesn't help the sweats, it's good for the bones.  good luck!

I thought I read that an article from the NY Times suggesting that Soy Isoflavorins (sp) increased breast cancer risk but to take Soy in food or drink, like Soy Milk, etc... or maybe it was Dr. Weil's site.....

Anyone know if soy in pill form is OK along with natural progesterone cream and if there is a particular brand of soy preferred.  Some brands have added calcium, mag, etc. milk thistle, etc.  

Or if better to just add through your diet?

There was an article that just came out on Monday, to the contrary...

More Evidence Soy Guards Against Breast Cancer Mon Jul 8,10:45 AM ET By Richard Woodman

LONDON (Reuters Health) - Women eating a diet rich in soya products are 60% less likely to have "high-risk" breast tissue than women with the least soya in their diet, scientists said on Saturday.

 "Our findings considerably strengthen the hypothesis that soy consumption protects against breast cancer development," said researchers at the National University of Singapore, Cancer Research UK and the US National Cancer Institute.

Scientists have previously suggested that soya intake might contribute to the low rates of breast cancer in countries like China and Japan but research has proved inconclusive.

The latest research--reported in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention--combined data from two studies of Chinese women in Singapore.

The first study focused on women's eating habits, including their intake of soya, while the second used mammograms to classify women according to the density of their breast tissue.

After identifying 406 women who took part in both studies and adjusting for energy intake and other potential confounding factors, the scientists found that soy protein intake was inversely related to high-risk tissue.

Other research has shown that dense tissue is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

"This research shows for the first time how the amount of soya a woman eats may have an effect on breast tissue and in turn may potentially reduce her risk of breast cancer," Dr. Stephen Duffy of Cancer Research UK said in a statement

Soy is a rich source of plant oestrogens, which are known to protect against breast cancer in animals.

SOURCE: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2002;11

CJ, I also saw a news broadcast a couple of days ago about this recent study that Mary has posted about here.  I also wanted to address your question about taking soy in pill form.  If you will look through the old posts on the Revival Soy message board, you will see where Dearest addressed this in the past few months.  What I remember about it is that pill forms of soy are not anywhere near as effective as other forms.  You will find the details in her post... I just cannot remember it all.  I really don't think there is a problem with taking soy along with progesterone... many women who post on these message boards do, including myself.  Good luck to you.  :)

Hi everyone,I havne't had a period in 50 days . The last one I had was only spotting that went on for 16 days. The last 3 0r 4 nights I have been having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I have been waking up 2 or 3 times with night sweats again. I hadn't had any for awhile. I stopped taking my don quai capsules several days ago - maybe that was it ? or maybe that means my period is coming. It's so hard functioning all day with only 3 or 4 hours of sleep. I started the don quai again today. Maybe that will help with the night sweats. I've also heard many women find releif with black cohosh, but it seems like whenever I take that it bothers my stomach .

Suzie

Hi, Thought I would try posting here as I have posted 4 times now on different subjects but not one reply.I would just like to make some new freinds to converse with, that are going through this awful menothing.jennimarie.

Hi Jennimarie!!   I am sorry no-one has replied to you, we are a very friendly bunch on here, so you have just been unlucky, you will get replies eventually I'm sure. Just visit the various boards, chip in from time to time, and you will be welcomed and soon feel at home. I felt like a stranger at first, especially as I am English and the vast majority here are American. I stopped feeling a stranger in next to no time, and now post almost every day!! Nice to 'meet' you

Hi Beth,I'me from England too!I felt like a child does on Christmas morning when I saw your response this morning.Thanks for suggesting that I just keep chipping in. I suppose the reason I am impatient, is because I go from one symptom to another almost everyday and this board is so informative (and very funny at times!)I did post on the Introduce Yourself board, so could I ask you to read that ? It will give you an idea of my  'symptoms'. It's funny, but just your response to me and I don't feel like a stanger so much, thank you.I shall definitely keep "chipping in" now and hopefully enjoy this board to the full. Can I ask what part of England you are from? I live in Norfolk.Once again, thank you.jennimarie.

Hi Jennimarie After replying to you on here I 'saw' you on the Introduction Board so did find out that that you are also English! I live in York. You are so right about the number of symptoms, lots of us have many, and you will find most of us frequenting lots of different parts of the boards. It does help to talk, there is a lot of brilliant info on the site, and always people here to help and advise on these discussion boards. Did you feel a little as if you were butting in on private conversations when you first posted? I did, and even said once, 'I hope you don't mind me butting in' I was soon put at ease by the friendly people here, everyone is free to join in with discussions and have their say, The more the merrier really, more interesting that way. ;)If you visit the Current Events board, the thread entitled 'Life in other countries', or something like that, you will feel at home. There are a couple of other English people who sometimes join in there, and Barbie, who is British and living in Argentina. We have fun on there, talking about different ways of life in each country, and I give them 'English' words to guess, and they try to fox me with Amercanisms! Come and visit!

Hi Jenimarie I'm english too and I come from the south west, so you are not alone as gemini has already said she guessed that I am english pretty quick. I am new to the boards too and am already wondering how I managed before I met everyone here, to say I thought I was going bananas is an understatement!!!!!!! soooooo reassuring to know that I'm not, I would never have believed I could meet such a warm caring group of women all willing to share their experiences and worries. They have all helped me so much already and I hope I can help some too. luv jenniffer

Hi Jennifer, Jennimarie, Gemini,

I'm also English.  I'm from the Midlands and have lived in Brazil, New York and now New Jersey. How wonderful to find ya'll here.  I have visited this site almost daily since I joined about ten days ago.  Although I haven't posted much mail, I have read many of the boards.  Expect to hear from me soon.  Nice to meet you.:biggrin:

Hi English girls!!! I did wonder about your name ,Britmom, now I understand!! Isn't it funny how we are all congregating on this Night Sweats board, it's hardly our incredibly hot weather that causes it, is it??!! ;)See you all around the boards!

Hi English girls,

I miss Cadbury's flakes, walnut whips, potted meat ( I used to live in Nottingham), wine gums and Lardy cake.  Oh, and washing powder that actually whitens your clothes.  What do you miss??

Can this be construed as starting a new topic?

I know, I'm sillly.  

Britmom, yes,this will definately be construed as starting a new topic!! :oSo.......... go to Current World Events, to the bit called 'Aspects of life in dfferent countries' It is fun there, and you can discuss Cabburys' flakes without messing up symptom boards!! See ya there

Hi everyone, I have been reading all the posts, and I noticed only Vickie mentioned taking "natural bio-identical hormones"...I am assuming Vickie that you mean something like bi-est and natural progesterone, compounded by someone like Pete Huesman?  When the scare came out abut HRT I quit taking my 1/2 2.5 bi-est subligual nightly, and when we moved from CO to LA (don't know if stress or change of climate had anything to do with it), but I started getting some night sweats and trouble sleeping.  I take supplements drink revival, use natural progesterone cream (which I was not using reguarly).  The last few nights were night sweats about 2:30 a.m. and I believe 4:00 a.m. So I decided to call Pete and go back on the bi-est, I had a few left, but he is shipping me a new order.  I just started back 2 nights ago, so hard to tell yet if it is helping.  I had heard and read, that if you got off  estrogen eventually symtoms would disappear.  Now this morning I was watching the To-day show and a doctor was saying "get of all HRT", it does cause breast cancer.  No-one is mentioning if the "natural HRT, eg. bi-est is included in this.  I would appreciate some feed back.  Now I just don't know what to do.HELP!Chris

Chris, there have been studies showing even our own estrogen can increase breast cancer risk (which is why early menarche and late menopause are risks in themselves--more years of exposure to estrogen). However, there is a risk to everything and you must compare the relative risk of taking HRT to having a decent quality of life now, in my opinion. Also, taking it for just a couple of years only slightly increases the risk.

I figure, I am taking a big risk getting on a freeway everyday. There are risks in eating unhealthfully and in not exercising. Everything has to be calculated.

Hi Chris...  Yes, I take biest and progesterone and have been getting them from Pete for about a year and a half now.  I am still night sweat free, as well as free from most of my other symptoms.  :)   I think everyone knows my opinion of most know-nothing-about-menopause doctors, lol, especially tv docs.   I agree with Wordgirl about each of us having to weigh the risks against the benefits and decide what we feel is best for ourselves.  :)  

Hi, I too tried several things for my sweats, and not sleeping at nites, using valarien root right now, it's ok, but sometimes still cant sleep, get up every 2hrs. to go to the bathroom, using black cohosh for sweating, helps some what. Just had a hysterectomy a few days ago, need to find something for me that works.

I never wake up because I am sweating but I wake upin the morning soaking wet. Since my total abdominal hysterectomy on 05-01-02. Is this to do with hormones or healing any ideas, tired of changing my sheets every day. Never had any problem with this before.

Update 5-21-02 doctor changed HRT and that has corrected problem.

(Edited by DARLAJTR at 10:12 pm on May 21, 2002)

Hello,I a'm sorry u are going through so much pain! I to had a total hyst 3 yrs ago and ever since my hyst i have dealt with terrible night sweats. I myself can not just go on just any kind of stuff to help with my night sweats as i a'm on medication for having seziures. I a'm glad i fount this site it has so much good info on it. I a'm now searching up on the revival soy bean product. I a'm hoping this helps. Are u on anything to control your hot flashes?

Soy might really help you, also check out the info on natural progesterone cream.  

Hi all I had tons of night sweats but after a very short period of being on revival soy it stopped dramatically in my case I had to change my pj's 4 times a nite. i would be completely soaked lie i took a shower. getting up all the time to change was real nerve racking. No more of that . that is what helped me for this certain problem love darling

Wow, I thought i was alone with all the symptoms i was having till i read alot of these. My night sweats come and go all night long every 1/2 hour not to mention the terrible itching i have at night all night long as well. I had a full hyst 4 yrs ago and have dealt with this ever since. Now it seems like i a'm getting a new symptoms as far as being very irittable on most anything that comes my way.

Wow, I think we all thought we were alone on this one! I don't have the sweats on a regular basis. It is wake up, throw the covers off and you are soaked clear through......get cold...wake up enough to go change.....lay a towel on the wet sheets and try to go back to sleep! Miserable! Then there is the waking up several times to pee! What fun this is. Between the snoring of my husband, peeing & the sweats or the insomnia....I wonder when I ever get any rest! I'm glad we have this site to relay our complaints & also the things that help! It helps just knowing you aren't alone!.

hey good one jimi -----i never thought of it like that. i have not had any more nite sweats because i am on revivalsoy but if i do i will remember what u said. i better get on the ole treadmill more.lololooooooolo:D:D:D

i spoke too soon -----I have not had any nite sweats for a year and then bam ----here they are again. like jmi said think of it as detoxifying:P:P:P:P:P darling

Hey darling - yep, my body is detoxing again as well. Never say never.

LOLOOOOLOLO hufff and pufffff and huh and ohhhhh and oh no not again. nooooooooo. i can't say what i want cause i even got censored on one of my posts and yes I love the Lord dearly but even Jesus got angry once in a while and thru out the money changers out of His house (the church). yes there comes a time when enough is simply ENOUGH and i want it to STOP(((((())))))))((()()()()() Nowwww PLEASEEEEEEEE:mad::mad::mad::o:o:( but thanks to jimi teaching me about the positive side of it I can calm down now.LOLOLLLOLOLOLOOLLLL:D darling

Jimi, I like that word, detoxing! LOL I just had 4 nights in a row of detoxing, and now my period is here. So far I get them only before my periods, but I wonder when that will change......

Yes, I 'detox' just for a few nights before my period too, Jan! Hope you are feeling calmer now, Darling, I liked all those cross faces in your post!! Hope everyone is feeling cooler and calmer soon!

Now i am told to stop revival soy because i am starting a new treatment. my sweats have gradually been increasing. revival soy shakes helped for 1 year but then my peri has gone into overdrive and i need something stronger. I am now working with dr erika. I will keep u all posted on my results. love darling:o:o:o

The reason i am to stop the revival soy is because they don't want the hormones to conflict with each other to see how the new treatment is doing. some people probably can do both.--- i do not know. what works for one does not always work for someone else. sometimes we have to try different things. why things quit working for some of us is a mystery to me. i highly recommend all of the experts on powersurge and their treatments. we all find what works best for us thru trial and error. I am soooooo thankful for this site. love love love u allllllll :D:o:o:P:P:P darling

Hi girls~~I was just reading my post from back in May..all about my night sweats stopping..well guess what jimi~~I've been detoxing for 5 nights now!! I love that idea of detoxing..suddenly makes these awful nightsweats a good thing~thank's for that suggestion...my only problem like so many of you is "I WANT TO GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP" I'm just keeping the faith that someday a good nights sleep will be possible..Hugs To All~~finola

Has anyone ever taken a wash cloth,ran it under water,stuck it in the freezer and then put it across their neck/shoulders when they go to bed?It's so cold and feels SO good and makes it easier to get to sleep(especially if you're like me,as soon as i get under the covers,i start sweating)...then if you wake up at night sweating,just go grab another wash cloth out of the freezer.It gets your bedclothes wet,but they'd get wet anyway from sweating....try it some time,it feels pretty good.

I didn't know this,but i just read in a magazine that putting a frozen washcloth,or one dipped in ice water on your neck helps relieve worry and anxiety.....the cold temperature constricts blood vessels and slows circulation to the head,decreasing activity in the hippocampus(the brains stress-storing region).Now i understand why putting a frozen washcloth on my neck/shoulders helps me get to sleep.

the magazine article suggests using a washcloth at any time of the day you feel stress/anixety,not just at bedtime.

I've always found using a cold washcloth on my inner arms and around my neck to be very helpful in treating the sweats (they don't always happen at night) But, the cold water on the inside of my arms always cools off my whole body immediately. During the summer months, I'd also wet my hair with cold water - that always worked to cool me off immediately and until it dried. Then, I'd wet it over again. Also, check out Power Surge's Menopause Survival Tips.

I am sorry if I'm repeating anything that someone else may have put. I've just discovered your site, and do I need reassurance. I have started having really bad night sweats, the flushes during the day are managable. Does alcohol and spicy food make these dreadfull things worse. Any help I would be grateful. New member from England.

I feel a little stupid writing this,but i would like to know if anyone else has experienced this.......ok,i am used to having night sweats,the kind where i am totally drenched and my hair is wet,but last night i woke up around 3 and i was so soaking wet that it actually scared me,i stuck my hand under my pajama top and in between my breasts was like a little swimming pool....so much sweat that i could feel the liquid run over my fingers and my hand.The back of my hair was totally drenched and was dripping ...like i had just washed it or something.I got up to get a drink of water and looked in the mirror and my pajamas had huge wet spots,like i had spilled a glass of water on them and i felt sick to my stomach.I sat on the couch for awhile and i kept getting these INTENSE hot flashes....they were so powerful they were like waves through my whole body,like the waves of fear during a panic attack.I just kept having them over and over for about a half hour....and i felt like i could throw up.......it scared me so bad(but not in an anxiety/panic way)that i brushed my teeth and combed my hair in case i needed to wake hubby up to take me to the hospital.I felt like "something" was very wrong with me,food poisoning or maybe the flu...i'm not sure...i finally went back to bed and for about the next hour i was SO cold i was shivering...until i finally went to sleep.Now today since i got up,i keep having hot flashes over and over.It was a scary experience.....anyone else have this?I guess what scared me most was such a HUGE amount of sweating....nothing like i have experienced before.