I have been suffering from night sweats for almost a year now, and they are getting progressively worse. I wake up almost every hour drenched -- PJ's and sheets. My fiance' says that when I have them my body feels like it is on fire if he touches me. I'm at a loss as to what to do or take next. So far I've been taking multi-vitamins, extra calcium, Barlean's "Essential Woman" oil (flaxseed, evening primrose, isoflavones), and nothing is working. If anything, they are getting worse. I'm also on Zoloft, and my doctor increased this, as higher doses have been documented to help with hot flashes. At this point, I don't have day-time hot flashes (thankfully!) -- but I am so exhausted from my nightly interrupted sleep I feel like a zombie Any suggestions??? Thanks, Susan

Hi Susan and welcome...this is a great place to be if you are a woman! Have you read the info here on the website about hot flashes? What you are describing sounds exactlly like what I've been through. I go through phases...they will get better for awhile, then I go for a couple of months having 10-12 sweats a night.

Some suggestions:

Have a fan next to the bed that you can easily switch on and off. And wear cotton only when you sleep...it cools off much more quickly than synthetic fabrics. Start out with a sheet only, but have several layers of think blankets available. Unfortunately, you're going to be playing quick-change artist for many nights!

Read about Dearest's experience with Revival Soy products...for some of the women here, they make a dramatic difference with the flashes.

Does your gynecologist know you are suffering like this? I would suggest calling her/him and having a full blood panel done. A low dose of hormones might make you feel much better.

And finally...just ride it out...it does get better eventually...

I look forward to getting to know you better!

Robin

I'm having a really tough time getting enough sleep because all of a sudden I am waking from overheating at least 6-10 times per night. I throw off the covers, put them back on. adjust the temp....it's causing me to feel exhausted the next day by afternoon. I am hoping it will disppear in a few months or so, I have found a lot of symptoms during peri come and go, some never come back. You could try the chillow which might help. I use an overhead fan but think I might try a tabletop fan as well

I have to say this has been my worst season yet with night sweats and hot flashes. I think it's because of the summer heat. I wake up every night in a sweat and during the day I flash more than in the winter or even spring.

Why? When will it end?

I've been going through practically the same thing for almost a year....couldn't take it so I started the Climara Pro patch a week ago....I gave up on waiting for it to pass.....I hope it works.

Hugs,
Karen

I tired something new last night. I had my fan running and my ac running but I kept a mister next to the bed. Everytime I woke up with a hot flash, I sprayed my body and I think it cooled me down faster, allowing me to get back to sleep a bit sooner than I normally would. I still woke up about 6 times, but I think I spent less time tossing and turning trying to get back to sleep. The combo of the fan on wet skin caused a chilling effect quicker than just pullling off the covers. Might be worth a try. I bought this little hand mister at BJs wholesale club.

sueproducer:

One of the many remedies I have tried over the course of this peri nightmare is Remifemin. The symptom I was most interested in having alleviated wasn't. But, the hot flashes which I, too, only experience in the evening and at night almost disappeared.

Good luck!

Hugs,

Pookish

Dear Susan,

Welcome to Power Surge.

I understand so well what you are going through. I used to awaken 5 or 6 times during the night drenched in sweat. Hormones seemed to make the problem worse for me. Interestingly, the sweats have all but stopped since I started taking thyroid medicine (Synthroid).

Please let us know how you are doing. We all worry about each other.

Best,
Marcy