I thought I was lucky...I had a period of time where I had no hot flashes or night sweats...then just out of the blue I've started both. I find that my hot flashes are more just heat building to the surface in my face. It lasts for a couple of minutes and then I return to normal; however, it seems to be happening more frequently during the day. My night sweats aren't as bad as they have been but certainly enough to make me wake up and kick the covers off...then sure enough a minute or two later, I'm freezing.

This is so much fun.

My hot flash seem to last longer. It starts around my upper chest and shoulders - barely noticeable and intensifies as it gets higher. My ears get especially hot and sometimes my forehead to touch. Feels like when you have a bad sunburn and the heat just radiates and your skin is hot to touch. I get red too - sometimes.

At first I didn't know what was happending and my fiance asked me if I was feeling all right because my face was really red. Then I started realizing I was very hot - to touch - not sweaty though and didn't really feel like I need to strip down - just put something cool on my skin to cool down the burning senesation.

Last night I had a wierd one that seemed to only affect about 1/2 my face - or was only very mild on the right hand side. My last for about an hour or so and they are dry as well.

At night though I get the sweats.

Hot flash or panic attack? Now I am not so sure after reading these posts?? I have been having this heat that starts just around waist level the last couple mornings.......it quickly rises upwards and runs down my arms and back and into my face but its coming with an increase in my heartrate.........can feel it pounding in my chest. I have managed to breathe through these the last two days and get them done and over with in minutes but...........is it normal to get heart racing with a hot flash girls??

Jadie

I get the same thing and it's always in the morning. I'm thinking panic attack too as my heart rate really increases. This actually started a couple of months ago but not every morning. I've done the same thing Jadie - lots of deep breaths. Anyone else?

jadie, arla.....I wake up sometimes in the middle of the night having a hot flash, my heart sometimes races. Mine isn't a panic attack. I used to have full blown panic attacks and I can tell the difference. My racing heart just sometimes goes along with the hot flash.

My hot flashes have been getting better since I started the revival.
I still get then though. I get the night sweats and wake up totally soaked even my legs. Every morning when I sit up in bed I start sweating from my head to my feet. During the day I sometimes have a hot flash that starts at my head and moves down. I sweat with those too. Layering clothing has been my salvation.
Well that’s my storey of hot flashes.

my hot flashes begin with a feeling of butterflies in my stomach, then i am so hot i can't stand it. i immediately turn on my fan ( i keep one at both my jobs and 2 at my bedside) and i get instant relief. my worse times are in the summer months when i am outside and their is no relief in sight. for the last month, my flashes have been very mild and less frequent. i am thanking God for that because i have been one miserable sister. i am not taking anything. i'm just trying to get through it without hrt. so far, i feel that my body is stronger. i really do feel better, but this has got to be the most difficult physical experience i have ever endured.


patrice

I am on the pill now so I don't get hot flashes any more, but when I did get them, they felt like a surge of adrenaline, then warmth.My heart raced every time it happenned. They went away completely when i started on the pill so I know although they felt like panic attacks they were hot flashes.

Maura

Newbie here....Turned 50 last year and it was if someone flipped a hotflash button on. Last May started with intense night sweats and day time hot flashes. Periods were only a couple times a year the prior year. After fighting the night sweats for 2 months I tried some of the herbal stuff, black cohosh,etc. For some reason the herbal stuff seemed to intensify the sweats/flashes. I finally gave in and went to my GYN and put me on HRT. My periods returned with a vengence also once starting the hormone therapy. My doc tried me on several types but all made my periods come every 10 days to two weeks. It did make the hot flashes and night sweats go away. After 5 months of non stop periods I finally quit taking everything. Until two weeks ago the night sweats started up again. I have been period free for almost 6 months again but am struggling with the night sweat adventures.

Anyway...thats my background with menopause so far so I guess at this point I will describe my flashes. The night sweats always start the same way. I wake from sleep and within seconds I start to feel the heat from my upper stomach rising to the top of my head. I do notice my heart begin to beat a bit faster. The next thing is breaking out into a sweat. Usually from my chest up is completely dampened and at times drenched. I use to tell my friends I need to invent some type of pillow that has a towel attached to it so all I have to do is pat myself dry then flip over the pillow and go back to sleep. I have had some hot flashes during the day. Those always start with a burning heat sensation on my ears. Yes, ears...I know thats weird but thats how it always starts. Then my face starts getting very hot and I break out in a sweat. It only last about 30 seconds but it sure has heck feels like an hour at times.

I found this site by accident this morning while researching if a memory foam mattress can cause night sweats...hhahahah and now here I am. This is an absolutely wonderful site and full of information. More so than my doc ever gave me. I look forward to reading everyone's journey through the hormonal abyss and sharing my own experiences.

Denise the newbie

Hi Everone,

I stumbled on this site at about 3:00 AM after having another hot flash and night sweat attack. I am 58 and have been going through tough times since I was 50. I seem to know when my hot flashes are coming on. My chest, face, neck and head heat up like I'm in a hot steam bath and it lasts about 2 minutes. Then I am usually cold and clamy for awhile until my body readjusts. Unfortunatley the flashes occur about hourly during the day and about every half hour during the night. Not much sleep going on here.

I drink cold ice water and use a fan at work. It helps but the hot flashes and sweats are a real regular occurance not to mention the anxiety and mood swings.
At home I use a fan, drink lots of water, and go to bed with an ice pack every night. Not very romantic but neither am I when having a heat attack. I also work hard at keeping an upbeat attitude and sense of humor.

I was on premarin for about 3 years when finally a doctors assistant believed I was having hot flashes when I had one on the table during a yearly exam. Prior to that the doctor (a lady no less) kept telling me I was not meno. I had no way of telling other than the hot flashes because of a partial hyst. at age 35.

The hot flashes and night sweats went away while taking premarin but I got scared with all the hype on it not being good for us. The doctor that perscribed it was not reassuring when I ask questions and was told we are all going to die someday so I might as well feel good while I am alive. With that I cut back and finally stopped taking it.

I don't know which way to turn or how long to expect these conditions to last but I do know it is awful. I do exercise, eat and drink soy, and take regular supplements to try and ease the affects. Good luck to all of us and I will be here as a regular from now on.

I have an appointment in March with another doctor to see if either of us can be enlightened. In the mean time I have ordered more soy products and will keep reading.

My hot flashes/night sweats, start with a butterfly stomach but does not feel like a happy little anticipaton of something excitintg about to happen, more like a tight feeling in my stomach with a anxiety outlook of doom and gloom.

I then feel the heart palps, heat, and the adrenal rush. I start sweating in the upper portion of my body and then it makes it way all over. It's not intense heat.. but a warming and a sweat. I deal much better with the physical symptoms then the mental crap that comes with it. Having to control my 'what ifs' and 'regret' thoughts is a full time job. It's such a bother to have to train my thoughts when in the past, I just thought.... and never thought about it. I wish this was over!!


Jalyn

When I first started getting hot flashes I got over 30 a day and they only lasted about 30 seconds. That ended and I had truly horrible ones over the summer where my arms and legs would perspire and the back of my neck would be wet. At that time I had no period. Once my period returned I have non existent hot flashes, only once in a great while and very mild again. Things change all the time in perimenopause for me. Now I think I get more heart palpitations but again, these are pretty mild, in fact, I have them right now and I'm trying to ignore it. My first hot flash had nothing to do with peri, it was after I gave birth and I felt like a volcano my face got so hot. I knew immediately what it was.

My hot flashes are similiar to what others have said. I get this adrenaline rush feeling in my head---makes me think I am going to pass out Then at the same time my hands will sweat--i know odd. My face does not get red my face does not perspire. My neck, chest, arms feel like someone took a mist bottle and lightly sprayed me. My hands are a different story. I can point my hands downward and the sweat trickles off my fingers and onto the floor! I also wish all this was over but boy it is a relief to know that I am having hot flashes! When this all started last year I thought my heart was acting up! If I would have known it was due to hot flashes I could have saved time and money at the cardiologist office. I guess it was good to get my heart checked out though just in case.

Take care,
Jill~

I got home from work tonight and finally figured out what those people were looking at.

I have a seven minute walk from work to home. It is -12 degrees outside. I didn't button my coat, and I considered taking it off on the way home!
When I walked into the house, I walked into a wall of flame! Came in, dropped my coat and walked out the back door! Honey stuck his head out to ask if I needed anything.
Two minutes later I was in a scalding shower, to take off the chill.

I was sitting quietly doing the crossword puzzle, and suddenly I was sweating to death. I asked the waitress if it was unusually hot in the place, she said no, she was actually chilly. I took her hand, she wanted to call an ambulance cause I was burning up!
Mostly, I heat up after any activity. Walking home, it starts within minutes, so I don't do up my coat. Working as a cook, I have been reluctant to blame the heat on ME, but, same kitchen, less volume, more heat=oh, my bad! And when I am sitting quietly reading the paper and suddenly the temperature shoots up, and I am the only one to notice=oh my bod!

Thanks for the place to whine!

I'm getting sick of it!

When I was getting a lot of hot flashes I was always asking other people, is it hot in here or is it just me? I would go out into the cold without a coat constantly. I wore summer clothes in the winter (sleeveless shirts) and even now I wear summer nightgowns year round. I even stuck my head in the freezer at times at home and at the grocery store.

Finally got fed up with a year and a half of putting up with the heat and chills.Broke down and went on-line, talked to friends. etc.

I started here, at Power Surge, found recommendations for vit. suppliment, can't find it here in Canada, wrote down the ingreds. and went shopping.
Oh, my goodness, the local grocery store carries suppliments comparable (herbals only), I still have to do my own mag. etc.
Started taking them three days ago. Yesterday at work, I was a bear, like I have been.
Got home, had my shower, blah,blah, blah, hopped into bed and sat back to wait for the heat surge---turned to Honey and said "I'm NOT hot!"
Woke up this morning, surprised that I slept through the night.

Just sorry I took so long!

My husband says, about the hot flashes.

"Great, now you're pre-heated!"

I started drinking soy milk (about a half gallon per month, maybe a little more) and I don't have any hot flashes right now.

First of all, I get this feelilng of bad anxiety, like I have butterflies in my stomach. Then I feel this rush of burning in my skin--usually from my waist up to my face and head. I am also really awake and hyperactive and can't rest. I have horrible insomnia as a result of this. This seems to get worse when it is in the middle of my cycle, or what's left of it. Here is another thing--my blood pressure goes through the roof during this time. I can feel the burning and then I check it with my blood pressure monitor. It can be elevated for a couple of days while I am going through this phase. I am 52 and I really wish this would end.

Isadora

I've only really had night sweats.......no hot flashes......I'm 52 now...my LMP was in February. Are hot flashes a prerequesite for menopause?

I hope not.

I need relief real soon, while my life has some semblance of being intact.

Before each hottie, which I really only get in the evenings, I get a sort of mild electric shock feeling in my head, hands and arms and to a lesser extent in my chest. I then just wait for the heat which affects me from the waist up.
Last summer I got them much worse, then they stopped completely, but made a reappearance in February

I was getting hot flashes constantly then all of a sudden they stopped for about a month or so. About four days ago they started up again. I began getting hot in the middle of the night along with waking up about three to four times a night. Now today I could tell that it was not going to be one of my better days because I have been feeling "out of sorts" and "wierd". While eating dinner I suddenly for about thirty seconds to a minute got a fuzzy feeling in my face. When that stopped the anxiety began to kick in a bit more than it has lately. I finally got the hot spell in my face and torso area for about three minutes with the anxiety kicking in a little bit more. It is an awful feeling to get and have, hoping and knowing that they are not going to go away for a while. What is worse is that when you are going through them it is scary and no one seems to understand, so you come to this forum and know that you are not the only one!

The problem is that we get the anxiety because something strange is happening to our bodies and we don't know what it is, this then makes everything worse. Tell yourself it is "only" a hot flash and that it will pass, although we all know that we will have them again. It is due to our hormones fluctuating...it's as simple and as difficult as that.
I sound a right smug b***h don't I, but with practice, the anxiety can be lessened by telling ourselves that what is happening is, for us, normal.
I sympathise lucsmom, I know what you are going through and so does everyone else here, that's why it is such a helpful and friendly place to be

Lately i have been having just "face" flushes where my face turns red and feels like it is on fire.It isn't the same as my usual hot flashes where my body gets hot and i sweat,it's in my face only and it makes me feel like i have the flu when it happens.It is also ermbarrassing.anyone else get this?

My hot spells are more like 'flushes' than flashes. They can last anywhere from less than a minute up to 2-3 minutes. Lately they are brought on by exercising or just working around the house. Sometimes I'm a bit out of breath. Last night, I had to turn off my overhead fan (b/c of the chill) but ended up turning it back on. Mind you it's 80 degrees inside my house!

Hello, Everyone. This is my first posting. I've been reading about the variations of the hot flash. Up until this week, I had not experienced a "hot flash" per se, although I've had night sweats for years since my early 40's - I'm 51 next month. But two days ago, I began having a very interesting what I refer to as a "bun warming" sensation on the back of my right thigh about mid-way up the thigh. It just heats up there in that one area for a few seconds, kind of like ET's finger when it glows, and then it goes away. No sweats, no tingling, nothing. But it does happen several times a day. My periods have been very sporadic over the last year and I have been weepy (which I'm usually not) over the last day or two as well, so I'm thinking it may be hormones (or a lack thereof). Anybody else have these warming experiences?

Foster's Mom

Hot flashes for me were rather atypical. It took me a while to recognize them as such. By the time I had figured it out, my periods had quit for good.

They would often start as a tingling around the mouth. It would spread to the chin, under the jaw and cheeks. Then warmth would begin at the frontal portion of my skull. It would slowly roll down toward my eyes like someone was pouring a warm syrup on my head and it was running into my eyes. This sensation was always confined to the face. Now that the periods are gone, this phenomena is more infrequent. I am now getting hair popping out around the mouth and over the areas that experienced the tingling.

[font=Comic Sans Ms]

Hot flashes are really the only symptom I have; sort of. It is soooo embarrassing! They always seem to happen at inopportune times, like when I'm talking to someone, etc. I feel tingly from my waist up, really thirsty all of a sudden, and the tingles spread up to my head. My ears turn red, my face flushes, and my neck and face perspires profusely! Then when it's finally over, I'm all of a sudden really cold, and can't get warm no matter what I try. I'm 60 years old now, started menopause when I was 46. For the first 10 years I was on HRT, then developed migraines with nausea/vomiting for the first time ever. I had to stop HRT (even herbal ones seem to give me migraines). I've been off HRT for about 3 years now, and still get migraines, and headaches - they wake me up around 4 AM. Does anyone else get headaches? I'm thinking they are probably caused from the hormones, or lack thereof, going crazy. Any ideas?

Hot&60, hi. Poor you, there's no doubt that HRT just prolongs the agony when you have to come off it. Drs insist that the menopause just carries on "in the background" while you are taking HRT and you won't suffer when you come off. Load of rubbish! My girlfriend suffered like you, with the addition of developing fibroids - which disappeared after she had been off the HRT for a few months.

Migraines/headaches are so common at this time of our lives, take time to check out the boards and the rest of Power Surge, you will find encouragement and a few remedies! Good luck and welcome to PS.

Well as you can see I'm a veteran at this peri thing. In the beginning my hot flashes didn't start out so bad if at all. I only sweat from my neck up and lately its been driving me crazy. I'm ready to use anti-perspirant on my upper and lower lip! I HATE SWEATING!
You have heard the saying "I'm sweating my b_ _ _ ls off" well if I had them, they are history!
I have doubled the black cohosh, primrose oil since I wasn't taking the max doseage anyway. I take red clover and you can't increase that. I need to use the progesterone cream again.

Burnin down the house,

Pat

Burnin' down the house.. oh man, that nails it. I was barely experiencing anything peri wise until after new year's, then it hit me hard. The flushing lasts all day and night for three days in a row at the beginning and midpoint of my cycle. Before the doctor had me on anything stronger than tofu wienies, I felt dizzy - as if I was seasick without the nausea. Too weird. But the worst part was being unable to concentrate to read the newspaper and wandering around the house, then finding myself wondering why I'd gone into some room. I was worried I'd switch on the stove, then wander off and leave the house to burn down.

This is ghastly.

hi... i have a question????? when all this peri stuff started i was having major hot flashes... sometimes 10 a day... now i have not had one in a month.... is this strange or is it getting better? my period also started on day 26... but i spotted on and off from the 21st day.... last month i strted on the 20th day.... month before that on day 31.... so i think that something is going on... any one else have the hotflashes go away or subside???? denise

Hi,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but this flashing thing is intermittent. I thought I was doing great and my GYN said "oh just wait it isn't over yet" and she was right. I went from occasional hot flashes to one or more and hour. I up'd my black cohosh, evening primrose oil and started using the progesterone cream again. I also carry a fan!!!!!!!!!!

Pat

Hi Denise,

I began having rather intense hot flashes a dozen times a day or more last October. It lasted for a month, then they gradually subsided. I thought, cool, that was easy. Flash forward (pun intended - haha!) to April, and I started having night sweats, but no hot flashes in the day. Then in May I started flashing a dozen times a day again, but they were moderate and I tolerated them well. That lasted a couple of weeks. In July, they came back, then went away. Now, here it is August... oh oh, here comes another one as I type this. I feel this uncomfortable tingling in my face, and then get HOT all over. Ooh, not liking this. I'm under a ceiling fan, so it's okay. It lasts for about a minute, maybe a little more. It's moderate to intense, and though I haven't been counting how many I'm getting each day, it's a lot, several an hour. I had to stop typing until it left. My head is all stuffy and I feel kind of achy all over, slightly nauseous. The flashes seem to be all over the place, just like my period. I can't find any correlation between them. This is the first time I have considered herbs like Vitex or black cohosh -- just thinking about them. I'm sure the summer heat isn't helping!

RedFox

thank you!!!! my hubby thinks that they are stressed related or when i am hurried or worried about something.... could be... not sure... but i dont like it... no matter how many times i have had them they still scare me... it make me think that smething is wrong... i get the tingly feeling too... in my face head and neck... thne sometimes my arm... its like a pins and needles effect... yesterday i wanted to rip my clothes off... first time for that...

My period free year was up in June. Since Friday I have almost constantly felt nauseous accompanied by hot flashes!

You seem to get a break and feel heaps better, then back they come!

(Officially post meno?)

Yes, Alice! Congratulations! You're in the Post Meno Club. It should now get easier, but that may take a while (like another year). However, the only direction in this is forward, so here we go....

Have any of you noticed that your flashes increase in warm rooms or if you're in a warm climate? Last winter I started thinking I'd never flash again. Wrong. This summer there have been some doozies. I don't get nausea and dizziness anymore, thank goodness. But I get WET. My face gets wet and the front of my neck. AARGH! The good news is that there are only two or three doozies per day, down from every five minutes a couple of years ago. I don't know if I'll ever get to no flashes ever. Probably at age 90. Should I hold my breath?

Hi ladies,

I haven't as of yet experienced a full fledged hot flash and when I hear how bad they can BE, I think I'm going to pass on this one LOL....

honestly, they scare me worse than anything becasue I'm a flusher anyways (blush easily my whole life) and everyone knows I'm either mad, excited, anxious or highly worried if the area on the front of my neck turns blotchy bright red.....quite a conversation starter:

"So, were you born with that port wine stain or were you burned in a fire?" (both comments made over the years )

Anyways, I have a sneaking suspicion when they show up, I'll be spending a lot of time on this board getting some invaluable support from the sisters that have suffered before me!!!!

Hugs to all,
Momz

CSugar, yes, I flash more in warm rooms and definitely in the hot summer here in the South; during our heat wave last week, I had an increase in flashing. I attend a light exercise class in a very well air-conditioned room, and we use hand weights for upper and lower body toning. As the workout progresses, I naturally get warm, then I seem to ALWAYS get a hot flash or two. I'm like you, CSugar -- I practically went the whole winter without having any, but as soon as the warm weather kicked in, here they came again.

I've also noticed that any slight stress will trigger one... even something as small as, for example, a little startle I get if I notice a bill is past due, or I'm running a couple of minutes late.

Today I had several, but they were less intense than yesterday. This whole process is very interesting, to say the least!

Alice, So this is what I have to look forward to??!! Somehow, I thought that when I reached that magic one year mark, all would be fine. Good thing we have these forums to keep us in a reality check!

Momzoffour, I'm just like you! All my life I've been a beet-red blusher, though I seemed to be able to tame it during my 20's through 40's. I'm 51 now, and when I began hot flashes, I was VERY dismayed to realize the red face was back! I still remember some cruel remarks when I was a sensitive teen in school. My hair was parted down the middle and kids laughed at my beet-red "part". Funny how you never forget stuff like that. I am so grateful for everyone here -- just talking about things like this make me feel normal. Thanks for posting your experiences.

RedFox

Redfox, I know I should look in the mirror when I'm flashing, to see if I'm red. Problem is, no convenient mirror at the right time. Or maybe I don't want to know.

It's funny, but I used to actually get really depressed when I first started flashing. Most of the depression was due to having to face the fact that I was entering meno. Until then, especially when still having periods, I could tell myself it wasn't so. I actually remember one of my first undeniable flashes. It was so bad I had to sit down, sick to my stomach and dizzy. Fortunately, I was home at the time. Then I had this unbelievable wave of depression; this gray, hopeless feeling washed over me. I thought, "You're getting old." I had to sit there for about 20 minutes. Finally the depression lifted a little, but I still didn't feel right for the rest of the day.

I don't know what to say if you turn red when flashing. I always break out in a sweat, but if I just wait it out, it passes and no one knows (I'm sure I'm in dential; they probably can tell). Not that it's bad if people know, but I'd think it would be embarrassing if a roomful of people were staring at you.

I always flash when I get stressed. Not long ago I was in a nice department store, looking at perfume and just enjoying myself. I glanced at my watch and realized I was really late. And I was consumed with flashing and sweating. Or Red, when I get a bill that's higher than expected or anything, FLASH!

Hey, I've got a question for you. I used to have really mild flashes (just one or two) before and during my period. Did this ever happen to you? At the time, I told myself that this is what it would be like in meno, only much worse. I was right.

CSugar, I'm still in perimenopause, although my periods are very irregular. Right now, I should be having one, but it appears I'm skipping it... or rather, I'm spotting so very, very lightly, I don't even need a pantyliner. I checked back in my notes and found a couple of other instances where hot flashes occurred right about the time of my period, whether I actually had a period or was skipping it. But then, there are many instances where I had a bout of flashing that didn't correspond to a period.

When I had my first hot flash last October, I was kind of excited really. They were pretty profound, though I wouldn't label them as severe. I found them very interesting. I had this really great plan for my winter wardrobe -- wear tank tops beneath button down shirts, so I could peel off the shirt when a hot flash struck. I left our summer fans in place, so I could quickly switch one on. Since I'm home all the time, this was all a neat plan, I thought. It worked well for a month, then I went all winter and didn't have any! haha! I pulled my sweat shirts outs. In reading Dearest's article on hot flashes, it says most flashing is done in warm weather, and I'm right on the mark there. Around April, they started up again.

My flashes are pretty mild to moderate, but as with everything peri and menopause brings, I expect anything. I'd like to ride this whole thing out naturally, and have so far. I'll try herbs if it gets too uncomfortable. If I remember correctly from your posting, you're not taking any kind of HRT, right? Are you taking any herbs, black cohosh, vitex, etc?

I can certainly relate to your paragraph where you related your first flashing and the depression you felt. I'm 51 now, and have finally, just in the last year or so, accepted the fact that I am in fact a middle-aged woman, and feel okay about it. But a couple years prior to this, I had a pretty hard time. I dealt with the depression of not wanting to get older and pining away for my youth. "The Change" is not an easy time.

RedFox

Redfox, I can so relate to your entire post. You and are are almost on the exact same schedule, except that I'll be 55 in September. But I was where you're at when I was 51. I had a couple of "phantom periods" when you bloat up and get all the good old PMS stuff, but then nothing happens. Other times, I was surprised to see my period because I'd felt fine and had no PMS.

So I always had to have supplies with me, since I never knew!

I get a kick out of your GREAT attitude about flashing! You're the first person I know of who said she was excited about it. As time goes on, they become routine and no big deal, but my first flashes were depressing. I just didn't feel good.

I know what you mean about pining away for your youth. I've had episodes of this. One of my worst stumbling blocks is that I work with a lot of people who are in their twenties. I'm 30 years older than they are! It never used to bother me when I was younger and I hung out with older women. But now it really DOES! We go out to lunch and I'm the oldest one at the table. Many of them have an automatic barrier up, because I'm like their parent and they shut me out. Actually, I don't really like being with them, either. I'm so much more comfortable with people my own age. But since I work with these younger people, I can't exactly avoid them. I've also noticed a change in the way people react to me in the public, now that I look older. Sometimes they can be downright rude, as if I'm not worth the bother of courtesy. But I don't get as much garbage in other ways, I guess. Men used to say things sometimes, but now they look the other way. Good! I don't miss that.

Have you had any experiences like this? How about when you hear a song that you used to love when you were young? Do you feel sad for a moment?

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. I'm not on any kind of HRT, but I do rely on Revival every day. I know it has helped me.

CSugar, I feel much more comfortable with people my own age too. I sure feel for you in your work situation. Enjoying the people you work with is so important in job happiness. Since you've worked there as long as you have, it's not like you're keen on quitting and going elsewhere! One can get stuck in a job because they're looking forward to a retirement package, and I would imagine that's where you're at. On a hopeful note, every day presents something new, and sometimes good surprises happen. Things may change in some way for you at work, and you'll feel more content. We can hope, right??!!

I'm a stay-at-home mom and wife with my retired husband and homeschooled teenaged son. I'm lucky that I don't have to be in an office during all these changes that menopause brings. Maybe that's why I felt a little excited back in October when hot flashes hit! *grin* I often imagine myself in my old office (back in the 80's), and I give myself a hot flash just thinking of the stress, wondering how I would be able to get through a work day, feeling like I do. I admire you and other working women. I know we "do what we have to do", but I still admire the heck out of ya!

Haha, you mentioned not having guys notice you and not missing it. Same here!! I'm glad they ignore me. I didn't even like the wolf whistles back then, and especially stupid things guys would holler out their car as they passed. Creeps! But even the nice ones, guys that would just notice you and stare a little too long -- I really don't miss that either. Maybe it's because I never did like being "in the spotlight".

I guess I don't notice people ignoring me more since I'm older now, as you described, but I think it's because of where I live. I live in a small rural community where lots of people are my age or older. I'm not originally from here, so I don't have a lot in common with them. Small towns can be pretty stuck up, as people are so set in their ways. I would think if I still lived in the city where I moved from, I would experience what you've described.

Ahhh.... yes, I do. I've always loved music, it's been in my life every day, and still is. Certain songs bring back certain memories, and a lot of times I'm caught up in a wistful feeling. It doesn't usually last long though, because I wouldn't want to go back to my younger days. On a similar note, it's always such a shock to see musicians I grew up listening to perform or be interviewed on TV. When I see how they've aged... I'm thinking of Paul McCartney right now... I think of how I've aged too! At least I don't a million people exclaiming about how OLD I look!

RedFox

Redfox,

I always thought Robert Redford was knock-out beautiful (think the "Sundance" years). Now look at him. I wonder if he ever felt a little sad about looking older, but I applaud his lack of cosmetic paranoia. I think had I looked as good as him, I'd try to hold on to it!

I admire YOU and I've always wondered what was involved in home schooling. Can't be easy at all! Do you have school every day and you can't get sick or anything, or what? Forgive me if I sound dumb. My next door neighbor has five children and all are home schooled. I have no idea what this entails, but it sounds like an awesome undertaking.

You're right--I am counting the days until I can retire! I will complete my 22nd year here in just a few weeks, and start year number 23! I do like my job and enjoy some of the stuff, but find that I'm getting a bit tired and irritable with the other same-old crap! It's so predictable sometimes and I've seen it so much. But I'm too old and it's way too late to look for something else. I did that in years gone by, but hoping now to just do the best job I can here and retire ASAP!

CSugar -- Oh, I hear ya about Robert Redford! All the girls were ga-ga over him, me included! Like you, I admire him for not going for cosmetic improvements and just being himself. When you think of millions of people talking about you, it does take some kind of courage to let it all hang out, eh? Those of us who aren't in the spotlight don't have to worry about it (which I'm very grateful for!).

Homeschooling is so easy with all the educational materials available. We use a curriculum, and supplement it with Public Television shows, textbooks and other books bought from Internet and second hand stores, educational resources on the Internet, and just plain ingenuity, all based on what interests our son. My husband is strong in math, science, and history; and I'm strong in Engish, reading, grammar, spelling, etc. -- so it all works out. We're also fortunate that our son is very self-driven. He takes a test at the end of the year and has always scored high. Although he's in high school and it sounds difficult --basically, each year is only a tad harder than the previous one. We live in a very poor, depressed area of the South; the public schools are disappointing, and the private schools are too expensive. I'm so grateful that the laws allow us to take responsibility for our children's education. Wow, your neighbor is homeschooling five kids! Whew, they must be VERY organized!

You mentioned taking Revival and how you're happy with it. What symptoms has it helped with? Has it helped decrease hot flashes?

RedFox

Hi Redfox,

Revival has not helped me with hot flashes (or maybe it did and they'd be really bad without it). It did help me with my energy level and depression. I had a really dry mouth and dry eyes, and those are gone, too. I don't really have a great feeling of wellbeing all the time or anything, but I can get out of bed now to face the day when before, I just didn't feel I could face it.

So what is a normal day for you like with the home schooling? Do you have classes like they do in school, different subjects at different times and so forth? Do you assign homework? What if your son needs help with it? You said he takes a test at the end of the year--who administers the test? Sorry so many questions--I just find it really interesting. Do you think there is any social advantage for kids attending public schools, or does your son have friends of his own?

When I leave for work in the morning, I sometimes see a little boy playing by himself on school days when I thought the kids should be in school. I've often wondered if he's home schooled. He's not the son of my next door neighbor, and is near a home farther down the block.

I don't know my neighbor very well so I can't really ask her too much about it, but you're right--five kids! That must be some achievement for her.

Hi CSugar,

Thanks for the information on Revival. I've been reading about it and considering taking it. I know it's helped many, many people here.

I don't mind your questions about home schooling at all. There are more home schools starting every year, so of course people want to know about it. There are many different methods, and we're pretty relaxed and easy going in our learning methods. We know what subjects our son needs to take, what he needs to know, and go from there. Like I said, we use text books and other books, the Internet, curriculums we buy or download, educational programs on public television and cable, etc. An advantage over public schools is we don't have to conform to rigid time constraints, so we don't! We belong to a homeschooling group in our area too, and they're a magnet for educational resources, as well as providing a social network. As far as any social advantage for kids attending public schools... well, that depends upon the area in which you live. Here, public schools are pathetic. In the county where I live, only 50% of the kids graduate from high school. That tells you something, eh? We teach our son at home because this is where he gets the best education. He has some very good friends too, for which I'm thankful.

Most people think home schooling is a very daunting task, but we don't find it that way at all -- it's very enjoyable!

RedFox

P.S. Oops, forgot to add: we buy a nationally standardized test (not cheap!) and administer it at the end of the school year.

Hi,

Until now I only have them at night!
Mine start with a weird electrical shock like feeling in the head.
This shock (adrenal rush?) of course wakes me up and triggers my tinnitus very badly.
Also I suffer from blocked sinuses and when I have a rush my sinuses open up for a few minutes.
Usually I start getting them after 2 or 3 hours of sleep and most of the time I cannot go back to sleep again
These shocks or wathever these sneaky things are, are just waiting for me to want to fall asleep and than Attack!
I feel exhausted and sometimes I am worried that its not just hot flashes but some bad brain disease... .
B.t.w. I have had these rushes without the hot flashes for over more than a year.

Nic

Hi Nic, My "flashes" wake me every single morning between 6 and7am and are really a tingling shocky type feeling, sometimes with heat and sometimes without heat. I also start feeling apprehensive and nauseous with it and can't go back to sleep following it. This has been going on for over six months now. I don't think its a brain thing, but am seeing a neurologist Friday due to cervical neck issues I have going on and will ask her about this. My arms feel weak a lot of the time too. She was addressing this after my first visit with lots of muscle relaxers which made me sick, so I had to stop taking them. I'm trying to help my daughter with her new infant and just holding this tiny ten pound baby can send pain into my back and pressure up my neck and head. I'm starting to feel helpless and don't like this at all.