Hi, everybody. I haven't posted for a while because I've been dealing with the wound left after my umbilical hernia post-surgical abscess. After 12 weeks it's gone from golf-ball size to smaller than the opening in a drinking straw- but this has been a trip!!!

Anyhow, so many of my meno symptoms are gone or much better - but I'm convinced that I'm one of those people who will have hot flashes into my seventies. They're not severe, so it's okay. However, I've noticed that this upper back pain that has been bothering in the evening for months...well, ten, even twenty minutes after the back pain starts, I'll get a hot flash. Sometimes my chest feels tight...and then ten minutes later, a hot flash. There has to be a hormonal link.

Anyone else get back pain or chest tightness with a hot flash?

Helen

Hi HB: Good to have you back! I'm so glad you are feeling better! I have searing upper back pain every day---so bad I have to lie down in a hot bath..but it is often accompanied by a vicious hot flash. I've seen many doctors for the pain and been told it is due to stress (we scrunch up our shoulders instinctively), and because my back and shoulders are very tiny but my bosom is very large (DD). I haven't had a period for 19 months and my hot flashes are worse than they have ever been. In fact, I'm writing this now because I was laying in bed watching TV with my DH and all of sudden, I broke out in a the mother of all flashes. My husband felt the skin on my back and was shocked--it was very hot to the touch. I'm walking around now trying to cool off.

The upper back pain thing is hard to deal with--I've taken painkillers, huge amounts of motrin, even tried those heat-patch thingies (but they bring on flashes, it seems.) I may opt for a breast reduction (my insurance co. has agreed to pay for it but I've backed out because of other pressing life issues and the fact that I'm just plain ole scared to go thru the recovery...)

I guess I didn't help much, except to sympathize...hang in there!

Dear HBT
Am fairly new to this Forum but have found it to be a wonderful support system.Am a cheater,as still take HRT at age 57 so no more night sweats for me!Having said that living here in Middle East am sweating from the heat as Air Conditioning agrevates Sinus problems.
However,have started to get a lot of relief for backpain with the stretching exercises in Yoga.Am pleased that you are recovering from your surgery but if you have been lying on your back for a while this could also have contributed to back pain.Anyway best to get it checked by your Doctor.
Good luck ,my friend
Love and Blessings
Elizabeth

Helen -- I wonder if you could tell me how you knew you had a hernia - symptoms, etc. I'm having problems with my stomach. Certain ways I turn, roll over and bend over bothers me.

RoundRobin -- I was considering breast reduction. I would think it could help me tremedously. Anyway a lady I worked with had it. She had been in a car accident and had to have sinus surgery. She said the sinus surgery was more painful than the breast reduction - just some good info for you!


Thanks!
Tori

Hi HBTeach,

This is one of my symptoms. I get a "burning/searing" back pain. Last year I ended up in the ER with it, it was so bad. The docs ruled out gall bladder and a back injury. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine. However, I get the hot flashes shortly after the pain sensation. I think it is hormonal.
I walk, eat properly, take vitamin supplements, use the stick on heat patches and take tylenol. They gave me some tablets with codeine in for the worst episodes, but I hardly ever take those, trying to manage things my own way. I would like to take a yoga class, but there isn't one here in this little tiny town. I don't get the back pain regularly ... it seems to be sporadic. Just like peri.

Be kind to yourself, HBTeach!

I hope you have a pain free day.

janeann