Thread: talk to me about: HOT flashes

I'm going through medically induced menopause to treat my endometriosis. I'm into my 2nd month and I *think* I'm having hot flashes but I don't know, because I don't feel hot.
I think of hot as in August heat, or the heat at the end of a workout, or crowded bus on a warm rainy day while wearing wool.

What I'm experiencing is:
a) waking up in the middle of the night SOAKING wet, but not hot. No its not pee..w.:
b) feeling weird, prickly tingling (awake or asleep) like the heated tingle you feel when getting a tattoo or from tingle indoor tanning lotion, accompanied by some sweating
c)some nausea and dizziness

When I'm awake I get these tingles in sets--like 3-5 times in a half hour, then some down time.

Am I having hot flashes?

I have no personal experience, but I know that when my mom went through menopause, she would wake up soaking wet. Although she did experience periods of feeling extremely hot (she'd start breathing harder and fanning herself, for instance), but I don't know if those 2 things coincided or not. Good luck!

Do you experience rapid heart beat with the tingles?

Originally Posted by jasani

Do you experience rapid heart beat with the tingles?

No. Just a vaguely woozy feeling.

Originally Posted by amarasdance

Although she did experience periods of feeling extremely hot (she'd start breathing harder and fanning herself, for instance),

Yeah, when I think of menopausal women I think of lots of fanning and I guess I imagined that hot flashes were more like hot "spells"--lasting several minutes (10+ minutes).
What I'm experiencing are brief. Well, they are and they aren't brief. Because it comes on and then sort of fades. Its summer and so that also makes it hard to determine my baseline for feeling "hot". ..c::

One secret which was told to me to combat night sweats is to sleep with one foot out from under the covers.

Since this is medically induced, I will not suggest that you start drinking green tea, soy products and evening primrose. You might want to talk to your Dr.s about these alternatives. For other people who are going through this, these are options which are helpful.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

One secret which was told to me to combat night sweats is to sleep with one foot out from under the covers.

Since this is medically induced, I will not suggest that you start drinking green tea, soy products and evening primrose. You might want to talk to your Dr.s about these alternatives. For other people who are going through this, these are options which are helpful.

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks. I'm taking a "micro-pill" (just progesterone, DR prescribed) which is supposed to minimize the symptoms--like hot flashes, and help prevent bone loss. I always sleep with one foot out of the covers!..l;,

I'm sorry you're having a tough time with the medication and your health Naya. My Sister took cold showers before going to bed. It helped her with her night sweats. Have you had your thyroid checked? thyroid problems are linked to endometriosis.

What you're having are night sweats. Hot flashes are when you're in a freezing, air conditioned room, and your hot and start sweating!

Neither of them are any fun!

Originally Posted by jasani

I'm sorry you're having a tough time with the medication and your health Naya. My Sister took cold showers before going to bed. It helped her with her night sweats. Have you had your thyroid checked? thyroid problems are linked to endometriosis.

Yup. I get my thyroid checked every 6 months-- 6 aunts/uncle and 4 cousins have hypothyroid disease & I've had fluctuations in my thyroid levels before but not currently. My family has a history of autoimmune disease--thyroid, lupus, ulcerative colitis. Current research supports the theory that endo is also an autoimmune condition.

Yep deffo night sweats - I had them for about 6 years until I got the right treatment. They tend to happen between 3am and 5am for some reason, and emanate mainly from the back of the neck and the upper back area. Apparently the experts say that it nly havppens for a few minutes, but boy, during those few minutes you can sweat a heck fo a lot. Keep towels, old t-shirts etc. next to the bed - change the bed the next day, otherwise it'll really start to disturb yoru sleep.

Oh, and if you have long hair, tie it up in a top knot or your hair will suffer in the same way as your sheets!