Hi all,

Just a question about hot flashes I have read alot about them and I for sure get night sweats about a week or 2 before my cycle, however I am not sure if I have hot flashes during the day...here is an example of what I feel, at about 4 or 5 pm ,a week or 2 again before my cycle, happens almost daily I feel like i start to run a fever. At least that is what I thought is it has been. I feel like my forehead, cheeks, ears are on fire, almost like I am wind burned if any know how that feels. Along with this seems to come chills, my hands are cold...I literally feel like I'm getting sick( a cold or something) and it passes to keep coming back...and what is odd to me is this all starts around the same time every night those couple of weeks.

I'm confused because if this IS a hotflash it doesn't seem to fit the "norm" does it?

Sunflower: sure sounds like hotflashes. Sorta weird how they start up the same time every day, isn't it? I usually turn on the fan in my office at about 2:30 pm every day . And yeah, the feeling of windburn, or a pretty rosy sunburn, is a pretty good description.

Yes, for me it feels like a "wash" of warmth from the waist up. Moves upward in a wave, settles there in my face, , and then goes away.

Welcome to the hot-flash club.

Sounds like a hot flash to me. Warmth spreading upward and then gone. I used to get chills but not anymore. This summer is going to be a challenge.

hello
sounds like a hot flash to me.
I was getting them the same time everyday.
I thought maybe it was something i was eating.

After i figured it out i knew it was just a hot flash.
One thing you do feel better once its over.

Oh These Hormones!

Angel

Does anyone ever feel irritable whenever they flash? I always get bad flashes in the morning when I get up, and at night when I'm getting ready for bed. The flashes cause me to feel breathless and then I seem to get into a bad mood, too. It's also true that stress causes them. Whenever I get upset or worried, I'll start having waves of flashes...guaranteed.

yep, yep, yep ... to all of the above.

yep to your's too CSugar, except it comes at random. My poor kids feel the effects more than anyone else.

I work in a kitchen for a living, and have yet to figure out if I've "flashed" at work, for a while I was just hot and hotter. Thank heavens for the walk-in refrigerator!

Hello
Yes i get real nervous Just before a hot flash or night sweat.
Then when its over i feel more peaceful. Must be the blood
rushing around.
Also when i am upset They seem to happen more often.

Angel

Hi Im new to this board but not new to the hot flashes and night sweats. I have tried the over the counter remedies and nothing seems to work. Can anyone give some ideas on what to try next?

Revival Soy works for me, although I do still have mild flashes. I don't really sweat when I have them anymore, so I guess you could say they're mild by comparison.

Are you taking any HRT? Also, about how long have you noticed the flashes?

You've come to the right place. Welcome!

I have to add ...my husband came to me the other night and said "man honey, were you in the sun today, your noe is really red ( it was cloudy all day, as if he didn't know then I am closing everything and wrapping a blanket around myself. It sounds like alot here get the instant HOT...I'm going to explode type. I hear palpitations tend to go wiht these hot flashes?

OMG! Don't get me started on palps! Had them almost non-stop for a year. Thank God they finally stopped except for short, infrequent episodes.


From "red nose to flames" ...

To Gerty
What kind of OTC things have you tried?


Angel

I'm having hot flashes like crazy this AM.

Face feels really hot, looks really red.

I get a fullness in my head, sort of like I have a cold or maybe like my BP's rising, I've never quite been able to put my finger on it, and I'm a little off balance.

But the sure signs I always get that let me know it'a a hot flash are:

1. My heart starts doing flip flops

and

2. I get really nervous and fidgety.

My hot flashes seem to come in cycles. I'm having them this AM, so I'll probably have them through the day. Sometimes a day will feel like one long hot flash.

Then I'll go for days, or weeks and not have any.

Go figure.

I had flashes for 2 months, almost every four hours on the dot, then they tapered and went away.
Last week I had my first period in 5 months, and guess what
Period lasted 3 days, PMS lasted 5 days, am I starting another round of hot flashes too??@!!

We're buying rechargeable batteries for my fan

Does anyone notice a heat intolerance with all this flashing...I ask because I moved to Wi. from Florida a few yrs. ago so my heat tolerance is or was really pretty high, anyway I was working yesterday( I have noticed this more often in the last few mo. as it warms up) and it was only high 60's maybe 70, I was indoors, I have a cleaning business so it is physical, I was just sweating...I was so hot( i exercise everyday and don't get this hot). I was opening doors anything to get some air. The temp inside was the same it has always been. I love summer, however I seem to be uncomfortable this yr. when it hits 70...this is odd because obviously this is not hot.

Snowflower,
I work in a kitchen as a chef and have found that I am sweating like a pig lately!
My hair is absolutely dripping after a few hours, and I'm keeping a towel around my neck for quick wipe-downs.
After 25 years over the stove, you think I could take it, but this is new. I have NEVER released this much bodily fluid (without sitting down).
The heat in the kitchen doesn't feel different, I am not uncomfortable (except for the months when I was flashing, then I blamed it on the stove ), but the water is just pouring off me.
My in-laws came to town last weekend to see the new place I'm working, and Honey didn't want me to hug his Mom cause I was wringing wet! (I had to work, they stopped in to say hello)
Don't have any solutions, just confirmation that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Take care, and drink LOTS of water!

I also experience hot flashes sometimes during the day. They started to get worse last spring while I was at my teaching job at a primary school. I noticed that sweat would break out first on my forehead and I would need to wipe it or it would begin to drip down my whole face. I had to keep the room temp a little colder than normal just to help cut down on some of these episodes but they seemed to be unpredictable as to when they would occur. I didn't feel especially hot or red in the face, just very sweaty. I sweat sometimes at night but not the sheet-soaking kind that some have described. I sleep under a ceiling fan which seems to help a lot and I sometimes sleep on top of the covers which also helps. I really am not bothered much by night sweats...mine seem to occur more in the daytime and I am thinking they may be stress related as well as hormonal because I have been at home all summer and haven't noticed them as much. I will start back to work in two weeks and it will be interesting to see if the daytime sweats come back or if that was just a temporary thing that has run its course. If that is the case, I'm sure there will be another, just as annoying symptom that will take its place.

I have taken several soy supplements that are recommended for menopausal symptoms but I can't say if any of them have really helped that much. I will continue to read and take notes from these boards and hopefully will find a product that will help with the flashes and especially the sweating.

I'm a new member here and am really enjoying reading everyone's posts. It's great to be able to connect with other women and share our experiences as we travel through menopause together.

I've had some hot flashes, and they definitely were a weird feeling, but fortunately, very few. My predominant symptom is anxiety, which I've had for years, but it's really getting bad now. I used to have palps really badly, and that started when my kids were young. I even went to a cardiologist for stress tests in my late 30's because they freaked me out so much. For the most part they've gone away and I now have this lovely anxiety instead!! I sleep really hot. I'm always kicking off the covers and will wake up without them while my husband is all cocooned in the blankets. Last night I was so hot I too thought I might have a fever and took my temp at 3:30. It was 98.6. I feel so crazy sometimes!
alyce

Hi ladies,

My experience with daytime flashes is much like Texann's. Nearly every morning at about 9, I get very sweaty. I can hold out the collar of my shirt and almost see the steam coming off of me. I'm not hot below the waist though, and my hands and feet are cool. I start to sweat around my hairline and down my torso, literally feeling it roll off me. Sometimes if I'm anxious about this, the flash will last for an hour it seems! I even had my thryoid checked to see if I was hyper but I was hypo, and since I'm 46, a surge makes plenty of sense.

I feel like if I don't get in front of a window with air flow, I'll go crazy.

I too teach, and find that anxiety or a sudden change in temperature (it can be from hot to cold too) brings 'em on.

I've thought about buying some spray anti-perspirant and spraying my torso to see if it cuts down on the sweating. I teach at a university and it's embarrassing to feel that my students can see me experience this!

Riv

Hot flashes during the day? Well, today was 102 degrees here in the heartland. That's exactly how my flashes feel -- like 102 degrees with 90% humidity. My only relief is to stick my whole head in the freezer...which I do very often. I even leave a space for it among the frozen foods. Pathetic! But, it works...quick. Since I also teach, I have a difficult time explaining why my head is in the faculty room freezer during breaks. LOL

So, here's a hint from a 5 year flasher....bring frozen foods to school, stick 'em in the faculty fridge and "check" them periodically...works wonders...at worst you'll just like your an obsessive compulsive checking on your lunch! Whoa! Got to run to the kitchen...

Texann, your current experience sounds very much like mine used to be. I'd have the daytime flashes only, and I started to think I'd never have night sweats like some of the women describe. My hot flashes are definitely mostly triggered by a stressful moment, although I've had them when there is no stress precursor (like when I'm watching TV in the evening).

Have you only started the flashes this spring? I noticed daytime flashing for a couple of years before the night sweats started. Like you, I didn't soak sheets or anything, but they'd definitely wake me up and I thought, "So THIS is what they are talking about."

Now both daytime and night time sweating has been greatly lessened. I use the Revival Soy every day. The recommended amount is one bar or shake, and then they have supplements like soy chips which are delicious, but intended as a supplement. You had said you were trying soy, so I'd recommend checking out the Revival. There's a lot of information on this website about Revival, including a link to their website.

Take care, and keep us posted as to how you feel when school starts.

CSugarGrove,

Thanks for the info about Revival. I have been reading a lot on this website and taking notes about the recommended products. I am probably going to try the Revival if I have any problems with "day sweating" after school starts in about two weeks. I haven't been taking my New Phase or Estroven soy supplements regularly this summer because I have not had the problems with sweating as I did in the spring. Occasionally I will find myself breaking out in a light sweat after eating a hot meal (like Mexican food) but I really haven't noticed as much of a problem. I also have been mostly staying inside because of the extreme heat and humidity. I'm more worried about my unpredictable periods happening while at school, especially if they are still skipping 2 or 3 months at a time like they did last year. If I go that long between periods my pattern is to have a longer one the next time with at least a day or so of borderline "flooding" which isn't fun when I am teaching 7 class periods a day with 35-50 kids at a time (I teach PE to 1st and 2nd graders). I keep my "supplies" with me at all times but it's a real trick to be discreet about getting to the restroom with my supplies without the kids knowing what is going on...so far I have managed but it could be even more challenging this year if I'm still having the unpredictable periods.....I just turned 53 and I think it's time for this to end soon! I also do not have any help in my classes so just to leave the room with this many 6-8 year olds is risky in itself!

My most disabling hot flashes....I start to feel warm, then I can feel my face getting hotter and redder, my neck starts to perspire, but then the clincher.....my eyeglasses fog up! I not only turn red, sweat, feel like I'm on fire, but I can't see anything!

SandyL

SandyL
I had to respond LOL I was in tears reading ""my eyeglasses fog up! I not only turn red, sweat, feel like I'm on fire, but I can't see anything! ""
I have as yet to have my glasses fog up. I am trying to take all this with a sence of humour. I don't mean to laugh at you just with you.....
Barb

quick2start....

Thanks for the LOL - I did hope someone would find that humorous....ya just gotta smile through all of it. I even brought home a pair of contacts to try out...maybe those won't fog up.

SandyL

As I was reading through the thread, I thought to myself, I wonder if anybody else get's hot enough for their glasses to fog up, and then I saw your post.

My face gets so red, and it's so obvious that I'm flashing but the foggy glasses are a sure giveaway, LOL!

I haven't met anyone else who has this experience....do you wait it out til they clear up or do you wipe them off immediately?

My hot flashes start in the morning and last through the day. I always know when they are starting, because I just start to feel sort of strange, then weak, then kind of sick, then hot in my face. I am so tired of them that I just want to scream. I am so glad to know that I am not alone. You all have made my day.

Patrice

Hey Sandy,

I wipe them off. I can't see a thing till I do.

I've been in business meetings where my face was so red that a guy has asked if I need a glass of water.

I also get odd looks at the grocery store sometimes, and I know it's because I look like a beet.

My teenager is better about it now, but when he was a few years younger, he'd say real loud in public, "Wow, Mom, your face is sure red."

Of course, I don't sweat too much with mine, just massive heat, and I figure since we're in a rather humid climate, the heat coming off my face must vaporize the water in the air, LOL.

Hi Everyone at Power Surge! I sure have some questions these past few days.
I think I may be having a hot flash....
I have missed my period .....Im at cycle day 34....Im 46 years old....yesterday I felt so terrible....I just wanted to put my head down.
I felt nauseaus...and even though the house was cool last night...I felt extremely warm...my arms, shoulders...neck face..t.hought I had a fever. I didnt break out into sweats though. Is this what a hot flash is?
I still feel like I will get my period...all the symptoms..but nothing....cramping...cant sleep, headaches. Last month ....spotted one day mid cycle...that was it.
I thought a hot flash...you had to break out into a sweat...but maybe you have shed some light.
What do you think...is this what I can expect for a while girls?
Thanks for helping me out...this is so informative

Debbie

Hi debbie, I was once in your shoes & im 43, I started having hot flashes a few years ago (and i would sweat) but only for a period of maybe 2 weeks (as much as i can recall) then they would go away for a few months only to return to the same sequence & i learned to live with it....then things got really bad early last year,had symptoms of heat intolerance, sweating, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, dizziness, fine tremors and a dull pain straight across my chest---well needless to say i thought I was having a heart attack and made a trip to theER where a number of tests were done(echocardiogram, chest x-ray, EKG, CBC, sed rate, urinalysis, cardiac enzymes, tsh) and everything came back fine--thank god for that. My dr put me on a low dose of Altace for my blood pressure & I soon felt better. Then--low & behold---the same symptoms came back this past December and along with it I was having AWFUL pms, cramping, bloating, etc, same as you but no bleeding. My gyn told me i was in perimenopause & put me on hrt which helped the hot flashes (they were UNBEARABLE) but nothing else, i did take it for 2 months & did have a period it was a little shorter than usual but it was normal. I stopped it after hearing about health risks. Now once again i was waiting for a period & those 'wonderful' symptoms returned again---now this time it was really in high gear and i was sick, just barely getting through my 8 hr workday. My dr sent me for hormone tests, FSH, LH & estradiol (again i was having all the signs of my period but again no bleeding, last period had been in February) and she also included a TSH, T3(total), T4 (free), thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase. My female hormones were all elevated & thyroid was in normal ranges (tsh ok but on lower side and on the verge of being under) but my antibodies was sky high! When she told me (my gyn np) she clearly stated that she believed just about all my symptoms were thyroid related. Well since then I had been referred to a specialist & am currently on medication for hyperthyroidism I still am not perfect yet but I have a ways to go, i think im safe in saying that my periods have come back (I finally had one last month and am due for another soon) nothing i look forward to but at least I found out the cause of my problems and am on the road to recovery. Hve you had any tests done, the first one being pregnancy(?) I would have that done asap (seeing that your period is late) I would also have a thyroid panel done including the tests I mentioned. I know this is a long post but I thought id mention my own experiences, you should also get a lot of other feedback from other women on this site for they have been extremely helpful to me! I just want to assure you that you are not alone! Good luck & please keep us posted!

I am brand new here, because I have never had this problem before. I am 53, and stopped having my periods a few years ago without any fanfare. Never had any hot flashes, never had any night sweats, nothing. I am a little overweight, and have always felt too hot, even when I was young and thin.

When I woke up today, everything was absolutely normal. On my lunch hour, I went out to find a birthday gift for my daughter. I was feeling hungry, but nothing out of the norm. It was a warm, muggy day, but it's been that way all summer.

All of a sudden, sweat started POURING off me, and I felt very lightheaded, like I was going to faint. I felt like I had been in a rainstorm. My bra and underwear were soaked, my hair was soaked, and my cotton tank and capris were sticking to me, because they were wet as well. I grabbed something to eat and staggered back to my office, but I was totally wiped out. The sweats stopped, but the chills started, I couldn't concentrate at all, and I LOOKED like a crazy person. I called my husband, he came and picked me up, and I went home and slept for four hours.

So what is THIS? I went online and read all the menopause articles, and I didn't see anything like this. Why would I have something like this, instead of night sweats (which I would greatly prefer, because at least I wouldn't be out in public!) How do I make it STOP?
Help, help, help....

Eileen

Thanks for your response April! I really appreciated hearing from someone who has been down this road. I think for me what happens is I imagine it to be something else...rather than perimeno....and keep second guessing myself..even the Dr..
I have had the chest tightness, headaches that last for weeks, (is it a sinus headache, is it tension, is it more) sleepless nights, a feeling like Im going to be sick, dizzy...all of that. April...had the tests too....sent to the GYNO for an ultrasound...went for the ECG....she checked FSH TSH..all of those hormone tests related to thyroid, blood sugar, and the Doctor says Im fine.
She doesnt offer much in the way of a solution...other than..its life. She had put me on a drug called Elavil....and it zoned me out for a couple of weeks..and then life seemed good. No headaches, no chest tightness..and sleep all night. Things were looking up....but ...I looked in the mirror...it wasnt good....I kept gaining weight which I struggle with to begin with...so when I felt better...I had to come off of them. I dont know if I'll end up back on them...to survive this. ~smiles~
I am up this morning at 5:15 ....a sleepless night. Still no period...and feeling if I would just get it..I'd get relief...and you know what I mean. ~smiles~
I hope you are doing well since you've been medicated for your thyroid and that symptoms stay mild for you.
I am on day 37 of the cycle.....I'm curious now to see when the next will arrive.
Forever changing we are.
Talk to you soon. Thanks again...Debbie