I was watching a video with my family and my DH bought me a rum and coke. Within 10 minutes or so I was radiating. I figured OK could be coincidence, after all it is summer here and it has been a fairly warm day, but the rest of my family weren't hot. I did the "drink lots of iced water and put a cold wet facecloth all over me until it slowed down. 2 hours later the 'coke' my DH bought me had a little rum in it, I thought, she'll be right, it was a coincidence, however it happened again, and it is still happening nearly an hour later. I hadn't had a hot flash in 2 days and thought maybe they had left when Aunt Flo did, now I'm not so sure. Has any body else experienced this?? Because giving up alcohol for a few years is not a problem, and while I like the taste every now and again, it is not worth the hassle. I need Insulan 4 times a day and gave up chocolate a long time ago, it too is not worth the hassle. (Altho I'm getting a bit sick of giving up things that taste good )

Oh yeah, is there any other foods etc that can cause this?? I had to stop drinking coffee nearly 2 years ago bc, just like when I'm pg, it now makes me physically sick.

A big fat resounding yes! Alcohol is one of the biggest culprits!

It is so good to know that I haven't completely lost my mind

Actually, drinking alcohol is when I first noticed my menopausal symtoms. Either I would get a hot flash, or I would have internal shaking from it. Very disconcerting to say the least! Coffee does bother me too sometimes.

I get hot flashes sometimes when I eat spicy food or smoke. I ALWAYS get them when I get stressed. I hate it in the morning because I'm rushing around to get ready for work and I'm flashing like a neon sign.

YES! Every time I had a nightly glass of wine or two I had the worst. Once I gave it up my night sweats reduced in severity Right now, while experiencing the worst "no period in sight" PMS after 2 months, still no night sweats. YAY!!

I have pretty much given up drinking for a variety of reasons: hot flashes/night sweats, blood pressure and now my thinning bones.

I had to stop drinking because I was using it to self medicate myself from panic attacks and anxiety. In reality, alcohol only made my anxiety and PA's worse! Yes, alcohol can trigger a flash. Alcohol can also make your heart race which is not a comfortable side effect if you're trying to sleep.

Gia, "Trying to sleep...." That's a topic many fellow meno-insomniacs are facing.. Well known fact: alcohol interferes with deep REM sleep. Sure...you may fall asleep sooner, however, chances of disturbed sleep through the night are great. Alcohol exacerbated my panic attacks, too. All good reasons NOT to.

I've had to give up my last little 'vice'. Wine. I just loved a glass with dinner. No more. Not only do I get firery red in the face :oops: and hotter than a firecracker while drinking it, I have many more wakings from night sweats during the night---it seems to affect me for about 24 hrs or more.

[color SLEEP - =indigo][/color] DID SOMEONE MENTION SLEEP :roll:

ooooooooooooooooooPS - wELL MY LARGE INDIGO SLEEP - DESIGNED FOR AFFECT DIDNT WORK 8) mUST BE BECAUSE i NEED SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP ! Julie x

I noticed on the days I drank more than one or two drinks the night sweats were much worse. Coffee also sets of flashes for me. I turned to booze to help the panic, guess what, it doesn't work.