My last period began Christmas morning (ha!, what a present), 44 days after my last cycle began. It ended Sunday. Monday I was fine. Then, Monday night, seemingly all night long, I was either hot or cold, nowhere in between. I became real hot and sweaty and had to throw the covers off to get cool. Then a few minutes later I became chilled and had to pull the covers back over me and snuggle against my husband to get warm. As I said, it seemed to go on all night. Then this morning when I got up I was very light-headed. Almost felt like I was walking sideways. I turned the heat up because I was cold (it was about 63 in the house), then had to quickly turn it off because I got too hot. This went on for about 45 minutes, along with the dizziness and some slight nausea, before I finally seemed to get going. Took my blood pressure, but it seemed okay, 122/80. This is the first time this has happened to me to this extreme. Is this somewhat normal for the rest of you ladies out there?

Oh brother, this was not fun for you at all. At age 46 i started this transition in a big way with the heat, then chills for quite some time. The dizziness and nausea as well. I am now on bcp's to control the hot flashes, etc. It has dramatically helped with the hot flashes/chills thing. I still have stomach issues, so the nausea is still hanging around at times and the dizziness comes and goes, but not as bad as before.

Yes, you are normal and I hope you feel better.

Thanks for your response 'enough' --

I too started the transition at about age 46. I turned 50 last month, and as I mentioned, I'd never had the hat flashes, etc. to the extreme that I had them the other night. I figure it must have had something to do with the end of my period and the fluctuating hormones. I've been so proud of myself, not having some of the really bad symptoms that some are having! But I guess it can't be all rosey all the time! Today, I feel much much better. Its always nice to know you're not going through something like this alone, and that there's a place like these forums to turn to.

Virtual, the hot flashes and chills are an indication that your estradiol is dropping rapidly. It's probably going up and down, not necessarily dropping and not rising. Hopefully your flashes will go away again for a while. Mine got so bad I begged the doc for estradiol, and she was not opposed to prescribing it to me even though I was not yet officially menopausal. Let me tell you, it was like a miracle. I got almost instant total relief. Now I might just get a little warm like maybe once or twice a day, usually first thing in the morning. You might want to consider estradiol supplementation if your flashes continue. I'm using EstroGel, so easy to apply.

Thanks for the info, Sandra. When I had my yearly exam, etc. a few months ago, the PA who did my pap gave me a lot of information about supplements, hormones, etc. She let me know that anytime I had questions she or someone in the clinic would be there to answer or prescribe, though she didn't push the issue. I'm not really into medications, etc. so am trying to do without if at all possible. But I've made a note of your suggestion in case I change my mind in the future! The dizziness has subsided and the hot flashes aren't as bad, but I've been having really bad headaches the past week. Hopefully it'll all pass soon!

Dear Ladies

Am definitely with Sandra on this one.I take HRT with estridol and yes it has got rid of some very bad symptoms and this is from a lady who has been Menopausal since age 39 and am now 57.As I have always said I wish I could be tough and go natural but unfortunately it does not seem to be.

My sister-in-law on the other hand was on the HRT for 3 years and weaned off very well.Each person is different.

I wish Luck and Happiness to you all
God Bless
Elizabeth

Boy, your post is exactly me!! Last night I went thru the same thing....got hot, tossed covers off...tossed and turned, then got VERY chilled...had to snuggle to husband to stay warm, just like you. Then got up and put on flannel nightgown and turned heat UP, then thought I'd die of heat when the heater came on....jumped up, turned it way down, flung open window (was in low 40's, so not THAT cold!)...bundled back up under down comforter and afghan on top of that...then repeated the whole scenario again later on in the night. My sleep has gotten so interrupted, I'm now sleeping too late in the mornings! argh!!!
Don't have the "walking sideways" thing..altho I was slightly dizzy a couple of weeks ago when I got out of bed.
Last 3 cycles have appeared pretty much on time, and been relatively normal..next one due this week. I haven't had the hot flashes and night stuff in MONTHS..and during that time I had normal periods. Seems I get the flashing when I don't have a period...so I'm hoping one does NOT show up this week. If it does...I will be very pissed off;;)!!!!!!

That was me last night. I am 50, periods are coming about every other month... I get the flashes mostly at night...about 8 of them spaced an hour apart.

I can deal with them, but just wonder if this is going to harm my health. I also get heart palpitations here and there throughout the day.

A few weeks ago I had something called an ocular migraine... scared the heck out of me and I ran to the doctor who assured me that it was nothing to worry about.

I am not taking a black cohosh supplement and hope it helps a bit.

Good luck to you.

Hi Georgie!

I could be wrong, but don’t remember reading that hot flashes do any physical damage to the body per se, but there’s no doubt that they can take a HUGE toll on us by robbing us of rest and sleep, not to mention the mental and emotional stress they cause. They were so bad with me a while back that I would have been bouncing off the walls- but I didn’t have the energy!

I hope the black cohosh works for you. I’ve heard quit a few women say that it helped them, others not so much. That’s the crazy thing about this menopause madness, everyone seems to react differently to EVERYTHING! Why can’t things be more simple?

I quit Premarin cold in December because I couldn’t handle the side effects, and when I did the hot flashes and night sweats hit me HARD! It was almost like they never really went away, but had been piling up in a ‘savings account’ and earning freaking interest! Luckily I found an herbal product that has really saved my hide. It doesn’t contain black cohosh, but it took care of the flashes and sweats very quickly, and really seems to have taken off the rough emotional edges.

Glad to hear that the migraine scare turned out to be ok. It’s always good to get checked out, especially when unfamiliar crap strikes you out of the blue like that.

Lisa

Dear'georgiehopper'

Agree with Lisa.Am fairly sure that hot flashes cause no physical harm but are very disturbing to your sleep pattern.Try to cut out all caffeine and sugary products.And then before you sleep warm bath and sip a cup of warm milk with a little honey

Try to keep the bedroom cool.Stick to cotton jammies and sheets.Have also heard from some of the other ladies here that Evening Primrose Oil can help the sweats.
God Bless
Elizabeth

OMG the night sweats!! I have written (please excuse the repeat!) that my comforter is far better traveled than I am. On and off, on and off, as I would drench through the sheets, and then feel so cold that I simply could not get warm. This would happen as many as six times a night. Then one night they just disappeared, to be replaced by hot flashes. Now they too seem under control.

Every day it is something new with me. But I am so grateful to have come so far that I cannot complain. I wish the same for everyone.

Smiles,
Marcy

What is BHRT? I am 37 years old, who just had a total hysterectomy on 2/19/09. About 1 week after my surgery these night sweats began, about 4-6 a night. I'm still recovering from surgery and cannot get a decent night's sleep as a result of these. I have no problems during the day at all and have been taking black coahash root for about 7 days. I cannot do hormone replacement for 3-6 months, because I had the hysterectomy because of severe endomedtriosis and what was left, will continue to grow with estrogen replacement. I would really like to do without hormones anyway as my sister is a breast cancer survivor which puts me at high risk. Any words of advice is greatly appreciated.

Dear "StaceyKate'
I hope that you recover well from your total hysterectomy.It must be pretty hard for one so young

BHRT are bio-identical hormones made up by compounding Pharmacists to repace the hormones your body is now deprived off which is why you are having the sweats and are unable to sleep.

You might be able to do without Hormones but you need to do your homework first and discuss all concerns with your Gyn.There are herbal supplements that can help.A friend of mine had a total hysterectomy in early fourties because of the endometriosis but I know she went on BHRT later and is doing fine.However,I have no idea if there is any history of cancer in her family..

I wish you well
Oh,and please keep us posted
Warm Wishes
Elizabeth