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A return of night sweats

(50 Posts)
tanith Sun 13-Jan-19 10:09:52

I was on HRT in my late 50s for a few years and came off it as my GP learned that my sister died early from Ovarian cancer and preferred me to stop gradually which I did.

Mostly symptom free apart from the odd hot flush which didn’t bother me too much I’m now 70 but for the last 3 mths or so I’ve started getting terrible night sweats, waking in the early hours drenched and have to take off the sheet and spread a bath sheet under me at least 2/3 times a week.

Any suggestions what’s going on? I’ve got an app with practice nurse for diabetes check soon so I’ll ask her opinion just wonder if anyone else has suffered similar.

tanith Sun 13-Jan-19 19:54:56

My pulse is fine as I keep a check on my BP and pulse regularly, not taking any anti-depressants, I had a lot of blood tests a few months ago including liver and thyroid I was under a lot of stress my OH was very ill and our GP was concerned but they were all fine. I take BP meds, anti-inflammatories and Metforim for diabetes but I’ve been taking them all for years.
I think a visit to my GP is in order but I’m guessing it’s going to be a case of just putting up with it.

Pocketmum Sun 13-Jan-19 21:41:53

I am training to become a Reflexologist, now at a higher level. I have completed a basic course. The women I am treating with Menopausal symptoms have benefitted greatly from foot reflexology. Regular treatments are beneficial and actually help relieve some of the symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats. Try for yourself. I hope this advice helps.

GabriellaG54 Mon 14-Jan-19 02:33:28

Had my meno aged 51. It passed without me noticing, the exception being that we no longer needed to buy packs of 5.
Not even a blush, however, I've recently grown a full beard. Should I be worried?

GabriellaG54 Mon 14-Jan-19 02:38:01

Ok...grin joking apart.
I've never considered HRT. I hate anything unnatural. Not grown any facial hair, no loss of head hair, no sweats or sleepless nights.
Darn it...I should have something. I feel I'm missing out. hmm

BRedhead59 Mon 14-Jan-19 09:24:38

I have sweats in the day and at night - random. Not as bad as drenched but uncomfortable. I'm 65 and I've been having them for over 15 years.

PECS Mon 14-Jan-19 11:06:11

Gabriella neither had I until about 6 months ago!
I too had a smooth menopause 10/11 yrs ago However recently hair has thinned, skin become dry, chin sprouting! I went to GP today because of racing pulse and hot flushes! Had blood test to check various hormone /thyroid levels etc. Will know results in a few days.

Tishypaper Mon 14-Jan-19 11:20:10

My GP put me on Fluoxitin . It works !

GlamM Mon 14-Jan-19 12:24:04

I use macca supplement it works great for me.

Treacletoffee Mon 14-Jan-19 12:46:20

I would urge you to pop back and see your G.P
Then you can try alternatives, once anything medical has been ruled out x

Spanisheyes Mon 14-Jan-19 14:55:29

Oh thank heavens it’s not just me then. I’m 72 and had thought I had stopped having night sweats, but they started again about 4 months ago, I’ve made an appointment to see my GP but have to wait 3 weeks as it’s not urgent.

PECS Mon 14-Jan-19 15:08:58

I feel so very fortunate. I have been having hot flushes and rapid pulse for about 10 days so I phoned the GP at 8:00 and saw a doc at 9:20, had blood test and will get a text when results are back to make appt. to make another appt. to see GP again. This is not unusual service.

KeefyMack Mon 14-Jan-19 15:43:27

Hi Tanith,& Kacee I went through the menopause in my late 40's/early 50's following total hysterectomy & I had to stop taking HRT due to intolerance.
To help combat the day & night sweats I was prescribed Clonidine by my GP which really helped. After about 15 years I gradually weaned off the Clonidine and was fine until about 4 years ago when I started getting horrendous sweats both day & night. For instance, I can shower & do my hair & makeup for a night out and minutes later I start to sweat from my heat down to my feet and within seconds look a sodden mess and often my clothes are stuck to me. I have other symptoms to menopausal sweats, which include an urgent need to pee and thumping in my chest and they are far more debilitating. My GP referred me to an endocrinologist, who diagnosed Hyperhidrosis and prescribed a different drug, which does help but causes dryness in my mouth and eyes. Unfortunately for me, the mouth dryness is intensified by damaged salivary glands, so I am currently waiting for a trial of injections around my hairline.
Hyperhidrosis is very common, you might find this NHS article helpful. www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/hyperhidrosis#caus s-of-hyperhidrosis

GabriellaG54 Mon 14-Jan-19 16:50:41

Gosh PECS, have I got that to look forward to? I hope not.
I hope your results are encouraging and a prescription sorts out your symptoms. flowers

PECS Mon 14-Jan-19 17:48:46

Thanks Gabriella ..I hope you avoid all the potential discomforts of this bloody ageing process!

GabriellaG54 Mon 14-Jan-19 18:12:34

I'm putting it down to drinking gallons of whole milk...well, pints anyway.
I've never seen an old cow with hot sweats...have you?

Coyoacan Mon 14-Jan-19 19:04:00

Get it checked out - always best to know the cause, if possible

Yeap. A friend of mine had those very post-menopause and it was a symptom of something, can't remember what, but nothing too serious.

PECS Mon 14-Jan-19 20:35:09

Gabriella You need to get down to your local farm..they are all a bit sweaty!

BradfordLass72 Mon 14-Jan-19 21:12:40

I too had a relatively smooth menopause apart from bouts of depression but living here, in sometimes 34º C/91ºF heat often makes me sweat far, far more than is comfortable.

I find Sage capsules help and take 3 at a time, that's about 1000mg.
I may smell like a chicken dinner but I stop sweating within minutes.

GabriellaG54 Mon 14-Jan-19 23:21:12

Well now, that makes a mockery of the Meteorological service. It has snow forecast for the Northern parts of GB.

MawBroon Mon 14-Jan-19 23:38:38

I think Bradfordlass lives in the Southern Hemisphere. Do keep up at the back GabriellaG!

MawBroon Tue 15-Jan-19 09:10:23

I am right aren’t I BradfordLass?

Golightly Tue 15-Jan-19 11:24:20

Slightly off kilter but my husband is taking hormone treatment for Prostate cancer and is having horrendous night sweats so much so I have to sleep separately. He does not get any help or advice other than remarks like 'ask your wife' plus laughter. Do you think any of the suggestions on here might help him?

Ohmother Fri 18-Jan-19 08:43:29

Not medically trained to answer that but what about looking on a Support forum specifically for prostrate issues and asking there?

Ohmother Fri 18-Jan-19 08:45:00

Didn’t mean for that to sound like ‘ get off here!’ though. X