Hi

Firstly what a great board! Thank you Dearest for such a wonderful facility.

I have been having night sweats on and off for a year or so but today I think the hot flashes might have started. I suddenly felt rather faint, hot, feverish and my heart was pounding (did about 10 rapid hard beats and then settled). I just wanted to leave the room! I felt a burning sensation from my waist up and down my arms. Is this a hot flash? This has happened twice this morning, and lasted only a couple of minutes each time. In between times I have felt fine. I had my heart all checked out in Sept so I don't think it is anything to do with this.

I started my period today 23 days after the last one normally my cycle is longer than this.

Do hot flashes happen at any particular time of the cycle? or are they, as I suspect, completely random. I normally know when my period is heading my way as I tend to get night sweats starting about 4 nights before it starts.

Any advice would be soooooo appreciated, I am quite scared by all of this! Though I have a feeling I will soon be getting very used to it.....

By the way, I am 48 so I guess it is time.

Thanks in advance! Gelfie

Hi gelfie,

Sounds very much like it to me! Welcome to the club

Hi and welcome. It sounds to me as if you are starting with regular hot flashes. I think everyone has a different type and duration but it the palpitating heart, the heat in your waist and chest and arms all sound like the real deal. Welcome to the club!

Hi Gelfie, welcome to Power Surge!

I'm 51 and had my first night sweats about three years ago. This was my first symptom of "the big change". I didn't get my first hot flash until six months ago. I was getting a dozen or more a day, and they were quite intense. I would feel a heat sensation around my waist, and it would travel up my body; my face would feel very hot, and I turned bright red... a little embarrassing, to say the least (like that time in the check-out line at Walmart... ugh). Despite the discomfort, I felt really good, especially because the anxiety I had been experiencing, had diminished. I found the whole hot flash thing pretty interesting and began planning my winter wardrobe, which consisted of tank tops and button down shirts. I felt pretty clever. LOL! After 6 weeks, the hot flashes stopped, just as abruptly as they began. What a surprise... and again, very interesting, I thought.

This was all last October, and just two weeks ago, I began again with night sweats and hot flashes, though the flashes are not so intense. I would rate them "moderate". This might sound silly, but I don't think I've heard the definition of "night sweats" before. I would think they are hot flashes -- they just happen when we're asleep. Fortunately, I'm a light sleeper, and I waken just as the night sweat begins and I can throw the covers off.

You asked if hot flashes happen at any particular time of the cycle. For me, I have been unable to pinpoint any specific pattern. They seem completely random. I do believe our hormones just go crazy.

Welcome to the Hot Flash Club!

RedFox

P.S. The "red" in RedFox refers to my hair, not my face! LOL!

Ditto to all above, especially the welcome to the club!
I had hot flashes that I timed to every 40 to 45 minutes for two weeks at a time, then they would just come randomly, daily but randomly
I've had night sweats for two years, worse in my Flash Times, but can't pin them down to my cycle. Mostly because my cycle has gone out the window.
I went for nine months without a period, three months with a regular (as if uninterrupted)period, and have now been without for 4 months. Can we figure out a cycle .

After experimenting with herbal suppliments, I have reached a comfortable level, no flashes, sometimes a little warm but not enough to bother me.
We all have to find our own way. Hope you find yours soon!

Think I've just joined the Hot Flash Club in the past few weeks, too, after 2 and a half years of peri difficulties. So far, I'm just relieved, because the flashes supposedly come toward the end of peri and that means there's hope that I'll be able to put the depression, fatigue, pain, etc. behind me. Finally have skipped two periods in a row, so that's more evidence. I'm nearly 57, so it's about time, right?

Started with black cohosh to see if I could keep the hotties to a minimum. Keeping my fingers crossed - this week I had to give a big presentation to our board and I was red as a beet the entire time (maybe they just thought I was excited?).

So far, it's still cold enough outside to provide some relief, but I'm worried about hot weather coming up. Maybe I'll work on designing clever ice cube necklace jewelry to wear during future speeches.

Otterly Glowing

Hi Gelfie

Welcome to PS

I am not a hot flash aficionado as I dont get that many (touch wood ) - but when I do - they are just as you describe. I also get the 10-20 fast beats thing - getting used to it a bit now.

When I do get that 'is it me or is it hot in here ' feeling - it feels like someone has chucked boiling water over my body - goes just as quick. I am not having periods at the mo (been 5 months no show) so cant say about the cycling - mine seem completely random - in the car, in bed, on the sofa......

I am hoping the hot flashes dont catch up with me in future !!!

You have found the best place on the web for peri advice

Mele

Hi All, this sounds like me..But what I want to know is, should I stop using Estrovan now that I have gotten my period again? I have been on it for about 4 months. I don't know if I should quit the estrovan and wait till my periods stop again, or continue using it? I am so lost...help!

Thank you, everyone, for replying to my post. You were all really helpful!

Having had a terrible 2 years I went to the GP (I am in UK) and asked for an SSRI as I had reached the end of my rope with the anxiety etc

They have given me my life back. I cannot believe the difference. Anxiety gone, most symptoms gone, power surges only mild. No more dizzy spells, palpitations, migraines - it's fantastic. And what's more they started working after only 5 days

I'd always been terrified of taking any medication like SSRIs but I felt so bad I had reached the point where I just didn't care - I would try anything.

Lol watch the symptoms come right back again now I have written this!

gelfie - what SSRI are you taking?
So glad it's working and you are feeling better. X

I am taking citalopram, and it is working a treat. I have been on it for just over 5 weeks. I never, ever thought I would endorse taking SSRIs but I hope they keep me on these at least till I am 5 years post meno,lol.

There is research to suggest that SSRIs do help with hot flushes in many women and that they might be a useful replacement for HRT given the worry over HRT

Is it OK to post a link? If not, I am very sorry in advance.

http://www.medicinenet.com/alternative_tre...ashes/page3.htm

G

I'm also taking citalopram. It seems to be the AD of choice here in the UK now. I've been on it for about 2 months and it has helped, although I still get bad days. Can't expect miracles I suppose! I'm going to take a look at your link, sounds interesting.
Hope things continue to go well for you. X

Great information regarding the use of SSRI's for hot flashes on the web site you recommened gelfie. Thanks for sharing.