Do these ever end....I have night sweats and hot flashes every day for almost 2 years. I've tried various things but either it doesn't work or I get sick from what I take. I haven't had a period in over 2 years now. I have a terrible time sleeping, my anxiety is really bad. Everything changed 3 years ago for me in peri/menopause....everything.

Does this stuff ever go away...I need some hope!!!!

Hugs All.

Dear Kar4242,

I could have written your post, exactly. Two years post- the peri year before pure hel&, and hot flashes still ALL THE TIME- dripping through the night- interrupted sleep- ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The only thing that has gotten better for me is that I do not feel crazy anymore... - my mind has settled back down-- although health anxiety does creep its way in on a regular basis.

I long for the days when I felt like a million bucks....and I pray that one day I will feel that way again. Until that time, I pray, I exercise, and I keep plugging along- it beats the alternative! Some days are better than others....and on the really bad days I remind myself over and over that it is a bad day, not a bad life- it is all I can do.

Sending a warm hug your way- I get what you are saying.
Jonesy

Thanks Jonesy....I needed your exact words today. I pray to get through the day...I feel like crap so much of the time I'm finding it so difficult.

Yes! Kar4242 and Jonesy...they do go away!

I am almost 2 years post (August) and I now only get a night sweat every now and again...I do, however, get 'hot' but nothing like it was and am able to sleep better.

I think mine is almost certainly stress and anxiety related though....and my cortisol levels are higher than they should be, but I am addressing that with the help of Vitamin C, B complex, Omega 3 oil and an Adaptogen called 'Adreno Distress Guard'.

I too exercise like a maniac - well, almost anyway! and eat healthily....but there are some issues surrounding my relationship with my husband and our lifestyle that bring up the anxiety and stress and this is something that is hard to control, hence the night 'hotness'

I don't know what you two girls are taking and what your health status is, but night sweats are exacerbated by stress and anxiety...oh and too much caffeine and alcohol!!

have a 'cool' day today ladies!

caz

i know you dont want to hear this but my 82yr old mother still gets flashes !!! every now and then !!

Having hot flashes NOW....feel like I could pass out I am so hot. Got my desk fan buzzing but still I could croak.

Maybe we should all jump on a ship to Alaska and spend the whole time on the deck with almost no clothes on! That is the only thing that appeals to me during the middle of the night when I am dripping!

I hear ya Jonsey....I'd scare the Moose without my clothes on...lol

I am a little over one year post and i am having hot flashes - day and night (although way more night than day) still. I can't remember when i last got a full night of uninterrupted sleep. A couple years ago my acupunturist had me on some herbal support for menopause and it was wonderful - curbed my hot flashes about 95%! I had to stop taking it because of a potential problem with a medical condition that I found I had. So, I know things CAN work = but I've found nothing else that does for me. So, when I go to bed at night ... I have my ice water next to the bed, my cold wash cloth for my chest/face and a fan blowing on me too. Hot, cold, hot cold. I'm right there with you.

And dare i say - my mom (74) says she still gets hot flashes a few times a year! YIKES! Although a few times a year sure beats multiple times a day/night. Kathleent

Kathleen, you sound just like me. What was the herbal support your acupuncturist had you on? I'm going for a treatment tonight again to see if it will help with my headache situation.

Thanks all.

I too have been having flashes for over 2 years of varying degrees. I'm in a drenching sweating phase now & am about to kill myself. I've tried the various supplements available but nothing is helping. My job is physical, so every hour & a half or so, when I get a flash, I sweat & soak my clothes, then it tapers off so I get cold from the dampness. Its awful. Last night I had to change my jammies because I woke up in a puddle. Then I got back into bed & had to sleep on damp sheets. I even sweat IN the shower. I can't go through the rest of my life like this.

I had it like that for 5 years. I have noticed in the past month the hot flashes and night sweats have reduced a lot. The zaps and weird feelings I got when trying to sleep have also reduced. We'll see if it stays that way.

I know nothings worse than having a hot flush in the shower!! I'm 2 months off 3 years with no period and my flushes are worse and tremors have come back!!! I take sage for flushes and magnesium powder for tremors...I still have nights where I buzz or zap as well. Not much anxiety though which I'm grateful for. I spoke to a naturopath and she said I may have to change the products i use for hot flushes ever 6 months because the body get used to them. Say go to remefemin next then sage then something else. Also she said the adrenals can act like you are having a hot flush and the way to tell is through Iridology. So I'm hoping to be able to do this soon, it costs heaps to see a natural therapist. Kar let us know how you get on.

Cheers choco

Choco,

I can relate, I have spent a small fortune seeing my naturopath and buying the supplements that she sells at her clinic. I have found websites that sell the same supplements for less and have saved in this way. Even then, my symptoms are still there but at a lesser degree, are manageable and help me function but never do I feel 100% great ( I found settle for 80% great).

Plumeria

There is NO cure!! woke up sweaty last night....hot, almost cold, hot, almost cold...all night long!! I am sick of it!!!!!!

This sweating/hot flashes has gotta go. When I get dressed in the morning I get so sweaty, when I walk my dog I get so sweaty, when I do housework I get sweaty and in the middle of the night I wake up and am so hot and sweaty. I was sleeping better for an entire week a few weeks ago. This humidity and all the rain we're having isn't helping. I never sweat like this before in my life. My husband hates the a/c and I really need it now. He even hates the fan blowing on him - ugh!!! And my anxiety is just horrific too. Please keep me in your prayers. If anyone finds anything that works, please let me know.

Hugs,
Karen

I'm in the same boat. Hot flashes and night sweats every hour on the hour. Once a week I take a sleep aid just to get a half-way decent night of sleep.

I've been having weekly acupuncture treatments for three months and taking herbal supplements too but I've had no improvement so I've decided to stop the treatments. Between the treatments and the supplements I spent a small fortune the past few months.

Oh, no!!! The acupuncture helped before! But I just had bloodwork done last week, and my MD tells me I'm menopausal, even though I had a light, 8 day period in May. The nurse claims that there could have been a change since then. I thought one had to go a full year without a period to be deemed done...... perhaps the nurse meant perimenopausal. In any case, somethin's different, 'cause the acupuncture is working, but differently than the first time. Not as immediate or thorough. I've started doing soybeans, soy milk and flax and soy cereals. I'm feeling somewhat wary, as my big sister has breast cancer. Does eating naturally occuring soy increase one's chances of getting breast cancer????

Marilyn

Hello Kar,
I sure hope it goes away. I have been a human torch off and on for the last year. Soy milk does make me feel much better when I drink it. I drink the plain soy milk.

Marilyn,

I dont know if soy increases the chances for breast cancer but I do know that women that have had breast cancer should stay away from soy.

I do not know if they ever end but I can tell you your not alone.
I am 46 and SO sad no one ever told me (all the women in my family before me) how awful these years can be.
I always thought this stuff happened in your 50's.
Well here I am- finding myself dealing with all the horrors of menopause.
I was okay with sleeping but all of a sudden I am now dealing with the real hot flashes. Yes, I have had the over heated feelings- but NOW I feel this rush and hot all over WITH the light sweat all over my body!! It is awful. I live in Florida and this is the hot-humid, God awful time of the year and to have this on top of it *****. I can't go jump in a snow bank like I'd like. I guess I can go jump in my pool though.
I have never had trouble with sleep. NOW I wake up with my mattress so hot- like it's absorbing my heat and I have to move off the spot and kick off all my covers. Then later I wake up cold and having to grab the sheet. This goes on all night.
The worst part of all is the menopause "look" we women get as our estrogen levels decline.
I know I'm crossing the meaning of the original question but DAMN- why did us women get stuck with all of this? It's just so unfair. You would think after having periods and birthing kids we would catch a break. Oh well- guess there is nothing I can do but deal with it.
Thanks for letting me vent............ Keep moving forward and hope for the best.

Sandy,
I know exactly wehat you mean. My back seems to get so hot I can feel it heating up the matress and I have to move to a cooler spot. My neice just recently bought me the "chillow"and that does give me a little relief it stays nice and cool for 5-6 hours if I stay on it. But I usually have it next to my bed and when one of those flashes wake me up I scoot it under my back and it really helps me cool down. I used to take a sleep med only when I absolutely had to but over the past several months I've started taking ambien or something 4-5 nights a week. I wish I could take it every night but dont want to become dependent on them and even though I STiLL wake up most nights several times a night with a sleep aid they do allow me to fall back asleep quickly and I can usually get a 2-1/2 to 3 hour stretch before I wake up and instead of waking up 4-5 times a night its usually just 2-3 times . Last night was a rare night that I slept for about 5 hours straight. But tonight is a night off from a sleep aid so I just always hope Ill get a few hours and most of the times I do but sometimes it takes me quite a while to fall asleep and then I wake up every 1-2 hours then get a flash and have to pee.

I just keep hoping that things will get better.

For a minute there, I thought I was reading my own post. I do the same thing. take a sleep aid 3-4 times a week, just so I can fall back to sleep after waking in a sweat. I have an oscillating fan on all night, too. I do have an occasional night when I don't wake up sweating, but its rare. I listen to new age music at night & the sound of the fan combined w/the music, helps me get to sleep. Now if I could only sleep through the night!

ahhh, sleeping thru the night even just few nights a week would be wonderful wouldnt it?
I keep a ceiling fan on all the time and the air is on at the drop of a hat. My poor husband, I know I freeze him out but he just tries to go with the flow.

Last night was my "off" night and I slept for crap, I didnt go down till about 3:30 and then woke up several times and ended up crawlihng out of bed by 8:30. Tonight is an ambien night and Im looking forward to it and hoping I can get 4-5 hours straight like I did the other night.

I truely believe it wont always be this bad but I just wish I knew how long that would take.

sweet dreams all!

I get the hot flashes with the surges of adrenal. IT WILL NOT STOP!! I wake up at least 5 times a night. What is causing the adrenal rushes with the hot flash. Does anyone know? I need to understand it to find a remedy or at least something to relieve it.
Help please..

Dear 'Jalyn'
I am sorry that you are having such a disturbed sleep with the hot flashing.It is very exhausting.
As for whether they will stop or not I am not really sure.Definitely they should lessen by time but I do know of some older ladies that continue to have the hot flashes.
HRT works for me in this respect but you may not wish to go that route.What about trying the Bio-Identicals?
Also Primrose Oil is supposed to be helpful in keeping those hot flashes at bay.And Valerian Root is good for sleep.
Also try a warm bath before bed-sip warm milk with a little ginger and cinnamon .Keep caffeine and alcohol to a minimum.

Please let us know when you find something to help.

All the Best
Elizabeth

Hi Binsky:
Hang in there, not much longer berfore you see th Doc, she will help you.
Jpie

Wow, what a time some of us have. I have to tell you all that over the last week or so my hot flashes and night sweats are a little better. I'm hoping they eventually subside altogehter. I'm praying that all of you who are suffering find something to help you.

Hugs,
Karen

Thanks Elizabeth,
I have taken and am taking progesterone/estrogen off and on as needed. It hasn't helped me even when I was on the hormones continuously. I'm glad it worked for you, I guess some of us are more difficult to balance when it comes to these hormones. I appreciate all the suggestions though.
It's so annoying. The adrenal surges being the worst. It feels like a prickly blood rush going into my nerves. I don't know how to explain it. I used to get the anxiety with it but that has left.
I wish their was something to stop the surges, I can handle the hot flashes better.
Anyone else have this cold prickly icy heat type feeling with a hot flash mostly at night.

Dear 'Jalyn'
It is amazing how we all differ in our reaction to Hormones and Meds in general and yes I agree that finding the right balance is very difficult.

Anyway my love do hope you find something to help
Have you thought of seeking the opinion of an alternative Practitioner?It wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Please keep us posted
Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Hello Meno Sisters,

I've only been posting sporadically, as my symptoms had subsided to a great degree. What symptoms I was having had been very managable, until now. While I had been having my share of hot flashes and night sweats, they were tolarable. Out of what seems nowhere, they kicked up a notch "BAM"!!!! In my prior life (pre peri) I was the one who was always cold. Any temp. under 75 and I was "freezing". The last few days have been nothing short of horrendous. I mean drenching night sweats, hot flashes with intense sweating. The lack of sleep from night sweats has left me irritable and moody. I have NO energy!

I did an internet search and found an interesting study that shows a natural substance called pycnogenol (derived from the Maritime Pine that grows in France). It is available as a dietary supplement. I am ordering some tonight. I will post the results after I have tried it. Below is the synopsis of the article:

A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2007) validates the use of pycnogenol to ease menopausal symptoms. The study which included 155 women between the ages of 45 - 55, found 100 mg pycnogenol twice a day reduced hot flashes, depression, panic attacks, cholesterol and other symptoms associated with women entering menopause transition.

Let's hope this works!!!! If not I am changing my name from to Sweaty Susan.

Hugs,
Susan

Just curious Susan, what stage of peri are you in? Was it a change in your periods that triggered the flashes? Interesting about the pyc. Good luck with it. Let us knows how it works. Have you
tried hormones?

ive also had them for 16 yrs , but the last 5 are tolerable

Hi Gazelle,

I thought I was in the "winding down" stage, ie skipping periods or longer time between, shorter duration, lighter flow, symptoms subsiding (or so I thought), etc.

I had the flashes on and off for a while, but they were all in all tolerable. I did notice that just prior to my monthly cycle, they were much much more intense and frequent. That also seemed to subside. Now, as I said, they are much more intense and 24/7 so I really don't what stage I am in. I just know that the flashes, night sweats and lack of quality sleep are getting unbearable. So, once again I am searching for answers.
I am getting tired of this roller coaster. The ups are great, the downs not so great!


I never tried the hormones. I've been trying to do this "naturally".

NC,

16 years??????? OMG, I don't think I can put up with that! NO, NO, NO. I have had at any given time 100 of the 35 symptoms of peri. But, these flashes are just ridiculous. I am talking full on sweating so profuse, that I feel like I am sitting in a sauna. Just ridiculous!!!

I'll let you all know how the pycnogenol works!! WISH ME LUCK.

Hugs,
Susan

Do these ever end....I have night sweats and hot flashes every day for almost 2 years. I've tried various things but either it doesn't work or I get sick from what I take. I haven't had a period in over 2 years now. I have a terrible time sleeping, my anxiety is really bad. Everything changed 3 years ago for me in peri/menopause....everything.

Does this stuff ever go away...I need some hope!!!!

Hugs All.


This could have been written by me (and so many of us)! The night sweats and hot flashes have been hitting me hard for two years now (three in full no-period meno) and I cannot remember a night where I was able to go to sleep without a sleep aid of some sort (switch between Lunesta or OTC stuff). Sometimes the rushes feel like I'm going to come completely unglued, then it passes (I'm getting one now just writing about it) and the anxiety that follows is insane. I do know now that 99% of all the emotional stuff I feel is definitely related to the meno, and think if my doctors over the years and been even the slightest bit tuned in they would have recognized all my "stuff" as peri and I would have wised up so much sooner! Think of the grief we all go through not knowing and trusting doctors to know more than we do - seriously!

What I can say is acknowledging that its a hormonal thing and not you going wacky at least for me made a huge difference, and just coming here sometimes to vent and get help is so reassuring - the women here are AWESOME.

Stress is probably my #1 trigger for all my anxiety, hot flashes and sweats - my world is SOSOSO crazed that its a wonder I can manage but I have my 12 mile runs everyday so that's something I'm super happy about Just hang in there, PM me if you want a list of all the supplements I take (there is stuff out there that can help a great deal) and know you have a sounding board here whenever you need it!

I'm seriously tempted to panel all the women here and write a book, an REAL book about living and surviving menopause - think of the wisdom we could impart to women everywhere!

hello everyone, last night i woke up 5 times SOAKED and ROASTING, like i was on fire up my spine and back of neck .... and i realized each time i was FROWNING ... and i thought "my face is going to look like this if i don't get a grip" ... i swear i feel i can deal with this for a full year, so January 2010 i think i might short-circuit, there HAS to be an end. Am going to try pycnogenol ... and then when the chills hit, it is heavenly, i pull the blankets up and lay on my back and let the chills take over all of my back and it spreads like the aurora borealis or however it is spelt. feels amazing and cool, and then that thrill feeling in my stomach hits and the heat comes - wow. my body has a mind of its own, i deep breath, try not to frown and drink even MORE water as i have sweated out a gallon a night. no period since i stopped the BCP in Jan. 09. nada, nothing. but the sweats, they have to end. have to. and i do not want HRT - i want to just do it naturally - so if the pycnogenol is fairly natural, i am trying it. everyone keeps saying caffeine is a trigger, as is alcohol. i don't do more than a cup of tea a day, but love red wine - and don't find it triggers anything. i have even gone 10 hours without a flash, and then about 8 in a row, lasting up to 10 minutes. actually soaks the hair on my head. i hope to be writing in Jan/10 with news that they have stopped. xo to all. am meeting a good friend for pints of guiness after work, and a good gab (but not about this).

Suzy,

I hope the flashes end soon for you too. But, I'm curious about the bcp. You say you don't want to take hrt but from everything I've read (and my docs opinions) the bcp IS a form of hormone therapy. Just a thought and I'm curious why you feel one way about bcp but not hrt?

i agree! and especially when you don't have a lot of money!

I never thought of that ... I guess if i went "back" on the BCP I would force my body into having periods again? It's just that my FSH level was 40, so in my mind I just want the estrogen out, my body back to normal (for my age) and not bother with more chemicals. Obviously I was taking the pill when it was no longer needed for birth control. I am looking into the pycnogenol ... but deep in my heart I just think I want to have no more chemicals, the sweats to be over with and am freaked they might go on for years.

My sister had ovarian cancer @ 25 years old, and was on HRT, made her feel weird, several friends who have tried it said it was NOT worth it ... but I know everyone and everybody's body is different.

Besides, I am kind of not caring anymore, my best friend just got diagnosed with liver cancer, fatal. They found it by a fluke CT scan. So who am I to complain, my heart is breaking. I don't think I will be on this site much, so many people have so much worse in their lives, I feel like a **** - so what if I have some sweats and rotten sleep.
Love to all ... life goes on, right? xo

Susy - I am so sorry about your friend. You're right, let's put this in perspective....... in time, we will get through this. It is a terrible time for us,but as those ahead of us assure us, it will eventually pass.

soooo sorry to hear about your friend, every body has there own hills to climb, its just some of us are given mountains , and yes that doesnt seem fair, but it sounds like hers might be a little bit easier with a friend like you !!! peace to you , stay strong and know god doesnt give us more than he think we can handle !!!!

Dear 'Susy D'
It is very hard watching friends suffer and die especially when they are young and suffer so much pain.
It always seems to happen to the best and sweetest of people
And yes,Life does go on and we do make the best of it.
But always take care of yourself-sweats and rotten sleep patterns-make it more fatiguing when trying to be there for others.
I hope your sister is alright now
I have a Russian friend who is now'cancer -free for about four years now.She fought like a Tiger.Her husband had divorced her and she had no family here.When I would visit her I would always make her take her wig off as I loved her bald or not.

It is also true that we all react differently to Meds. and HRT etc but hopefully everyone will enjoy some peace and happy days.

God Bless
Elizabeth

Gosh...didn't think I would be posting this, as I have had a reasonably good run of minimal hot flashes....but as I am currently under a lot of stress and anxiety (hubby is away for the week and I get terrible anxiety at nights = can't sleep) I have been building up to very bad nights of sweats and just feeling so hot that I cannot sleep at all!

I am 2 years post now too...thought those darn things had gone....but they're back with a vengeance!

One thing I will say though, I WAS taking 'womentowomen' herbal equilibrium' supplements up until about 5 weeks ago, and am now wondering if they were actually helping.......when I was taking them I did still get some warm nights and odd occasional sweat (usually from anxiety about something) so thought that they were not working, but I think maybe they were?....mmmmmm.......

Susy...my heart breaks for you and your friend...I really don't know what I would do if that happened to a friend or close relative....

Be brave....be strong, and keep coming here for comfort, we need you as well as you need us.

Oh man, I really hate to crap on your crackers girls, but I've been having severe night sweats for 11 years now!! Sometimes they're worse than others and I have tried every single herbal remedy ever heard of but they always come back. I recently decided to bite the bullet for some relief and tried going back on the hormones but after a visit to the dentist where my gums were bleeding and puffy, I remembered that the meds were probably affecting the old fibroids in the same way so after a very short reprieve, I've quit the HRT again. I'm going to talk to my Dr. about Gabapentin soon but the darn doctors don't seem to understand the horror of waking up four times a night drowning in sweat! Neither do those nicey-nice websites that suggest using a fan, slow breathing or some other dumb thing. I don't want something that will help AFTER the sweat starts, I want a CURE!!!

Dear 'mahnoo51'
I have been taking HRT for many years and think it is great.
The one year I tried to wean off them,at Gynos. concern,was hell.All the old symptoms came back.So am back on them again.
I practise Yoga,have a healthy diet and know how to deep breathe but have to agree with you that I am unable to 'flow' when having a panic or anxiety attack so do resort to Meds. as needed.
Wish you luck in finding something that works for you.
All the Best
Elizabeth

Elizabeth
I think it takes longer than a year to wean off of HRT as far as night sweats and hot flushes go!
It has taken me almost four years since my surgery without HRT for them to subside. It is no wonder women do not want to come off HRT once they are on it
My advise would be -to anyone trying to come off of HRT-do it very gradually by reducing the dose a little as and when. There is no rush and doing it gradually is better than not doing it at all.

I am glad to say my flushes have almost gone and the ones I do have are minimal-much less anxiety and head rushes involved. I never have night sweats now My theory is that if you have your ovaries the symptoms go on for longer than if- like myself -you have a surgical menopause, because from there it is downhill all the way without any fluctuations

janet c

THANK YOU for the "crap on your crackers' comment, that totally had me laughing and snorting here at my desk ... honestly, that is perfect.

I want a CURE too, the electrical shock rush I get before the sweats makes me so uneasy... and like I said I can have up to 8 in a row...and the soaking sweats.

My poor dear friend, they went in to do her liver cancer surgery, discovered ANOTHER HUGE tumour, went right back out and closed her up. She now has to wait for an MRI and then they will go back in ... we talked on the phone for 3 hours as now she has to reorganize work and life again ... they will "fast track" her MRI and get her in ASAP and I got her to make a list of questions for the surgeon and to stay informed - she doesn't want anyone else but me and a very few others to know about this too. My husband and her have known each other since kindergarten!! She lost her husband 2 years ago, he died of a massive heart attack - they lived in Greece, and now she is back in Canada and was JUST starting to feel strong again - and this happened. So that is the update on one of the most beautiful, funny, honest and intelligent people in my life. She is so frightened and it is my part to keep her calm and get through this and out the other side for HER. xo to all - here comes a longgggg weekend in Canada for our Turkey Day (aka Thanksgiving) so 3 days from work, I HOPE I find the energy to be doing things outdoors, so I enjoy the roaring fire and wine INDOORS afterwards!!
Cheers, I am determined to be as positive as I can.

p.s. my sister who had ovarian cancer (a rare type called "dysgerminoma") at 25, is now 56 years old, and has 2 grandchildren! She is a bad-tempered soul, and I have left her behind in my life after she CRAPPED ALL OVER MY CRACKERS .... and now am free of that very toxic relationship.
Gosh I love that saying, it is just so BAD!!