12 years of hot sweats!

I used to take sage capsules when I was first going through the menopause and they seemed to help quite a bit, a friend takes red clover that works for her.

Jilly43

Well have to just relate my experience...went on HRT at 50 my mother suffered from osteoporosis...so my Dr suggested HRT also was having the other usual side effects...I was in it for 10 years and felt wonderful. Was advised not to stay on any longer as the ideas of its benefits changed ! I am now 77 have had a very active life..but owing to damage from a road accident had a THR last October very successful....but now a very sad turn of events ! I have just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and due to have a Masectomy next week !...my consultant said nothing to do with HRT as too long ago ...After the initial shock and panic I am resigned to the operation...not going for reconstruction...just in and out ASAP..only one night stay !...the greatest downside for me is the tablets I am now on Estrogen Blockers...to me this is now going to take away all the benefits I have strived all my life to ensure continue, healthy diet exercise etc...the return of hot flushes etc...life isn’t always very fair...but I have been lucky enough to have travelled and done so much this far....

Best wishes for your operation Jilly43. I have done some research and at our age, I am guessing you were born in 1943 like me, and the difference between taking an oestrogen blocker and not taking in terms of cancer returning is very small. It also adversely affects your bones. I just had my second mammogram after the surgery and if all is well I will speak to the Oncologist with a view to coming off it.

I was chatting to a female GP about the heavy periods I was having - nothing wrong just part of being premenopausal - and she remarked that most GP's, and the medical profession generally, were only just starting to learn about the menopause and how it impacted women (this was about 10 years ago) - partly because women didn't discuss problems with their GP and also because a lot of GP's tended to just dismiss things as being 'part of the aging process'. I bet our Grans and Mums had the same problems, it just wasn't a subject for discussion. I get the occasional hot flush now and then, no pattern to it apart from, if I have had a stressful day it seems to trigger one that night. Not really had them during the day at all though.

I am 77 and still have hot flushes, more in the day than at night. I hate it in shops that are too hot and have to wear layers of clothing in the winter rather than thick sweaters. I was on HRT for many years but had to come off it when there were concerns about its long term use. When I first came off it the flushes were terrible and the GP at the time put me on Lisinopril which made no difference except to lower my blood pressure which was low to start with. They did start to subside a bit until I had breast cancer two years ago and was put on Anastrozole, unfortunately one of the side effects is hot flushes and they are so bad that I am considering coming off it. I have tried all sorts of things but found nothing effective to date. My sister-in-law had a very early menopause and has never had a hot flush.

I found that I had hot sweats at night if I drank alcohol in the evening. I went tea total for a few years and slept well.

I’ve never had a hot flush although I did have lots of other menopausal symptoms. Can I gently suggest you cut out dairy for a couple of weeks and see what happens? That has helped some people.

Sophianana I had a total hysterectomy when I was 38. They took everything including my cervix. I was on HRT for 16 years which was great. Then had to come off them. Since coming off it I get hot flushes , night and day sweats daily I am now 62. I thought as I didn't have ovaries I wouldn't have any oestrogen . Then found out we can store oestrogen in our fat cells. I don't bother taking anything for them just put up with it. A friend of mine tries anything going as she can't have HRT nothing works.
My nan was still getting the flushes and sweats up until she died aged 89.

It's all part of being a woman.

Yes 15 years in and still get them though they are much reduced these days. Not gonna worry about it as I’m used to it now.

Try drinking sage tea. I made it myself from sage growing in the garden but I expect it’s available in health food stores. I wouldn’t say it’s the most pleasant drink I’ve ever taken but it stopped my hot flushes.

I took HRT for many years, but was persuaded by my GP to come of it. I’ve had hot flushes ever since. In retrospect I wish I’d never come off it. Many women now take it for the rest of their lives, and I believe the health benefits far outweigh the negatives. At 74 probably a bit late to start taking it again!

I'm in the same boat as a lot of you! Had a hysterectomy in my mid-forties, took HRT for about 10 years and then immediately became menopausal. I've no idea now, why my doctor took me off it. I still get hot flushes at night (am 74), and fling off blankets etc all night. My favourite thing is a pillow called a Chill Max (I think). Robert Dyas sell them. Its a blue plastic sort of pillow but its bliss to put your hot cheek on it in the middle of the night, as its very cold. Have recommended them to loads of my friends - everyone v. pleased. I've even been known to give one to someone as a birthday present.

Well have to just relate my experience...went on HRT at 50 my mother suffered from osteoporosis...so my Dr suggested HRT also was having the other usual side effects...I was in it for 10 years and felt wonderful. Was advised not to stay on any longer as the ideas of its benefits changed ! I am now 77 have had a very active life..but owing to damage from a road accident had a THR last October very successful....but now a very sad turn of events ! I have just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and due to have a Masectomy next week !...my consultant said nothing to do with HRT as too long ago ...After the initial shock and panic I am resigned to the operation...not going for reconstruction...just in and out ASAP..only one night stay !...the greatest downside for me is the tablets I am now on Estrogen Blockers...to me this is now going to take away all the benefits I have strived all my life to ensure continue, healthy diet exercise etc...the return of hot flushes etc...life isn’t always very fair...but I have been lucky enough to have travelled and done so much this far....

I feel reassured by this thread.
I take a lot of medication for my condition and I still have hot flushes, so I assumed it’s my meds.
I do the duvet on/off thing 2 or 3 times a night and have a fan in every room. I keep the bedroom like Antarctica.

I had a hysterectomy 6 years ago, just as my menopause was ending. I thought my hot flushes would go away, but no.

It’s reassuring to know others have similar experiences, but I sympathise with everyone, as these bl**dy hot flushes are a real pain !

I have been menopausal for 18 years, I don't get mood swings but still have to sleep with only a sheet over me - mostly to absorb the sweat, rather than keeping me warm. When my other half says 'are you hot?' I just remind him that 'my thermostat is broken!',

So far i am up to 25 years of sweats, flushes and the rest with no sign of it ending.

I also take an antidepressant, it has stopped the hot flushes and I sleep so so much better. Sometimes don’t wake till 8!

I am 64, went through the menopause about 15 years ago, took HRT for about 3 years then. Still get night sweats sometimes.

I've had hot flushes for 35 years. Still not used to them. Not so bad in Winter though- saves on the heating!

Try 39-70 of hot moments, sweats and dripping nights !!

Yes, agree Hetty, we deal with symptoms younger for a reason, would hate to do it in old age.

Esspee, the natural changes of menopause (although very uncomfortable) are just that - natural.

The resulting lower hormone levels can't be described as a 'deficiency'!

I doubt that you can take HRT for life. You'll have to come of it at some point, perhaps in your 90s - so better now than later!

Sophiasnana, when I was 50, I asked my mother (then 77) how long the hot sweats go on for. Her reply?

'I still get them, even now, they're such a nuisance and you never get used to them!'

I too was given an antidepressant for hot flushes. It works. Worth asking your GP .

shysal

I am 74 and had my last period at age 50. I still have night and day sweats! However, I had no other menopausal problems like mood swings etc., so never considered HRT. I have heard that when you stop taking it the symptoms will still hit.
I hope you learn to live with the sweats as I have

Thankfully I will not be stopping. Many of us take it for life.

Last period at 46 and still at 70 doing the on/off duvet routine most nights, despite open windows and a 4.5 duvet all year round. Occasionally there’s respite fora couple of weeks and I think surely it’s all over but no, it all begins again! Sleep deprivation has been wearing me down for years now.