Sunbeam
member
Reged: 09/05/2008
Posts: 3162
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hate to tell you, I'm post menopause, and didn't start getting night sweats till I came of HRT, now I'm 59 and 11/12ths and still getting them. I was under a consultant when I was on HRT and he would have kept me on it, unfortunately I've had a couple of breast cysts so the advice was to come of it. I stand in front of an open bathroom window in the middle of most nights, silly thing is when I go to bed I'm frozen and take a water bottle with me!
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3746
Loc: London
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Please take heed. HRT delays the symptoms. They come back, even after many years. I think people think that they go through the menopause whilst on HRT but they don't. My MIL was on it for 30 years or more (having paid for it privately in the early years) and started suffering hot flushes and night sweats when she stopped - at 79! She is 84 now and still has bouts. It is very odd to talk about menopausal symptoms with someone in their 80's when it finished for me many years ago. I don't have dry or wrinkly skin and feel normal every day without taking any tablets. It really is worth exploring natural remedies first.
Eventually you should go back to normal, very slowly. I think the worst effects last a year or two although it may be vastly different in other people. Once it's over you can forget about it. By the way, I know some men who have hot flushes but do not realise that is what they are!
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PLASMO
member
Reged: 13/03/2008
Posts: 12971
Loc: FLOUNCELAND
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254 Jane,
Just remember, in most cases, menopause doesnt last too long, and there are so many treatments nowadays to alleviate the uncomfortable symtoms.
In my case, I still get the hot flushes, and I am older than most of you, I started my menopause when I was 50, and unfortunately for me, I still suffer with symptoms.
Might I add, having symptoms at my age is very rare, so please dont let my experience worry you. My two sisters didnt have any symptoms at all they were lucky.
Plasmo x
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daisie
member
Reged: 02/01/2009
Posts: 125
Loc: Scotland
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I really appreciate all your comments and advice. One more question-any tips on memory loss?? Sometimes I feel like a complete idiot at work when I just can't remember stuff that everyone else can. I supposed being shattered from lack of sleep due to the sweats doesn't help! Sometimes I hate being a girl!!
Have a good weekend folks
Jane
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JulieJ
member
Reged: 29/12/2008
Posts: 549
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Hi - obviously I sincerely hope that the sweats are being caused by the menopause, or something equally harmless.
However, they might not be. Several types of cancer, including kidney cancer definitely, and I think lymphona as well, can have symptoms of night sweats (I believe it's the body's immune system desperately going into feverish overdrive to try and counter the growing cancer).
I know what I'm talking about - a year ago my husband was having night sweats, but, fatally, like so many people, we didn't report them to his GP, or do anything about them, and we didn't look them up on the Internet until he'd developed a persistant cough as well. Both turned out to be signs of advanced kidney cancer, of which he died just before Christmas.
I know I'm going to sound like Doom and Gloom Merchant Number One, BUT, in the end, it's your life, and ONLY YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES care about it. So, please, go to your doctor, get them to take bloods to check both hormone levels to ascertain whether you are definitely going into menopause, and to run cancer tests on where possible.
Our forties and fifites are PRIME TIMES for cancer to get going - the stats on cancer incidence just SOAR in middle age, so please take every precaution to catch it early, while it's still so, so much more curable.
Most night sweats and other forms of hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) are completely non-fatal, but sometimes that is not the case, so please do get checked.
If your GP is uncooperative, or thinks you a neurotic fuss-making idiot (!), then you can always pay for a private CT scan through the private sector. The cost will range from around £500-£800. Yes, it's a lot of money, but a CT scan from neck to groin will reveal invaluable health infomation about your self, spot any tumours at an early (ie, highly treatable) stage, and will also highlight a good many heart disease risks which may as yet have no symptoms in you.
Night sweats should ALWAYS be reported to your GP, who should ALWAYS investigate their true cause. Only when you have ruled out the potentially fatal causes can you assume the cause is something harmless (if unpleasant!) like menopause.
All the very best to you, and PLEASE make that GP appointment for next week. It's your life. Only you can save it.
JulieJ
(Again, sorry for sounding like a Doom Merchant, but I just wish to God we had known how dangerous night sweats were - we might have saved my husband's life. Now he's dead at 55, and our l5 year old son faces his life without his dad. It's a tragedy that should never have happened, and with adequate warning, checks, tests and screening - and AWARENESS of the dangers of cancer - it would not have happened.)
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3746
Loc: London
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Hi JulieJ. You are right to point out other health possibilities but it is fair to say that most middle-aged women who have heavy night sweats should first have their hormone levels checked. It is a simple blood test, nothing more.
Just another thought, I believe the memory loss is temporary and if you do find yourself searching for words, or forgetting the name of a simple object, then do a crossword every night. It brings the brain back into working out. I know it sounds simplistic but it worked for me. Also, drinking a bit too much increases hot flushes (so someone told me!)
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3746
Loc: London
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Sorry JulieJ. I was so interested in the subject that I omitted to mention your loss which is really awful. Take care. x
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PLASMO
member
Reged: 13/03/2008
Posts: 12971
Loc: FLOUNCELAND
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Julie,
What good advice you have given us all. MOH had really bad night sweats, and he did go to the GP, who did various tests, and fortunately all was okay, but could well have been something more serious. Prevention is always the best way forward.
I am so sorry for your loss, it must have been dreadful for your son and of course yourself.
Plasmo x
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mag860
member
Reged: 04/09/2006
Posts: 82
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Try sage tablets. I have been using them for about 18 months and while they don't stop the sweats completely, do slow down the frequency and intensity. I buy mine from Healthspan in Guernsey... no VAT or postage. Much cheaper than High Street stores.
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JulieJ
member
Reged: 29/12/2008
Posts: 549
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Issi and Plasmo - many thanks for your kind words. Yes, I'm sure it really is most unlikely to be cancer, but until you check, you don't know. And, grimly, if it IS cancer, then at some point you WILL find out....
All the best, Julie
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gigglybug
member
Reged: 30/12/2008
Posts: 7
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Hi
i am getting them too age 46-had a hysterectomy 2yrs ago but still got ovaries-so will still get them
they are just awful when you wake in the middle of the night feeling like you have just come out of the sauna-yuk!! 
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daisie
member
Reged: 02/01/2009
Posts: 125
Loc: Scotland
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oh Julie, I am so sorry to hear your tragic news. you must be devastated. here's me moaning on about my symptoms when you are going through so much pain with the loss of your husband. I will contact my doctors next week to arrange an appointment. you do make a valid point-it hadn't even occurred to me that the sweats would be anything other than the early start of the dreaded menopause.
all you can do is take one day at a time and try and get through day to day. you will get stronger and the pain will ease.
take care, keep strong
janex
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tegan
member
Reged: 02/01/2009
Posts: 14
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Jane have you thought of seeking alternative therapies. I went to see a homeopathy doctor (yes gp as well as homeopathy practitioner best of both worlds) you can ask your gp to be referred on nhs although you may have to wait some time. You could go and have a one off private appointment. Would recommend it. I found it did help but I will have to go back again for more powders.
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anne76
member
Reged: 26/11/2008
Posts: 180
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I've been suffering too with the dreaded hot sweats, day and night some days, I'm 50 and have been having them for some time, how long do they go on I am still having periods as well ?
Thank god you've mentioned the loss of memory mine is terrible, very scary sometimes, do you get lack of concentration as well? Thinks i'm loosing it some days...
Annie
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Jalila
member
Reged: 02/01/2009
Posts: 7
Loc: Belgium
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Hi, just recently joined the forum from Brussels. Recently turned 47 and heyho, night sweats have arrived! At the moment they are pretty much full on all night and for the last 14 nights I have hardly slept a wink - how long to these normally last for? Please tell me more about your experience with HRT - off to see the doctor tomorrow because I have been taking herbal drinks just 30 mins before bedtime but to no avail, To all the women out there affected by this I salute you.
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Otiz
member
Reged: 24/01/2009
Posts: 6
Loc: Fulham London
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Ladies,
your words have been a Godsend. I only joined the forum today, especially to find out about how other women are coping with the 'onslaught' of the menopause. Compared to what I have read I am lucky.
I have just past the 6 month mark without a period! Last year I hit 5 months and guess what I started again for a few months.
I not suffering from severe night sweats, just get very very hot in bed, then after pulling covers off, get very cold!
My hot flushes also happen during the day but fortunately can control them at work by just walking away from my desk until they stop. A bit inconvenient during a meeting!
I am taking Menopace Plus and finding them very effective, except for sleep. I have a very interrupted sleep which after a few days I do get one night of uninterruped sleep but only because I am exhausted.
Can anyone recommend any natural remedy for this.
BTW, the nintendo Brain Game is great for the memory, as is the Maths training
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