Hot Flashes/ Night Sweats

Updated on March 16, 2009
N.P. asks from Chandler, AZ
17 answers

In the January I went off .03 mg Premarin after taking it for over ten years. I was thinking surely I'm not in the change anymore. My Mom had cancer of the breast and I just didn't want to take anymore chances. I've been very fortunate and don't have cancer at this time or I should say the last check-up and Mammogram a few months ago. I did go off the Premarin with my doctor advising me the safe way to get off of it. I now have hot flashes and night sweats on a daily and nightly basis. Any suggestions!Thank you for any help. N.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for helpful advice. I have a long list and plan on trying everything until something works. I'm going to try the soy products first. My Mom had breast cancer and had her breast removed. She was very lucky in that she didn't have to take any Chemo or Radiation. N. P

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

My sister used Dong Quai that she got at the Health Food store. she said it worked great for the night sweats. Good luck.
J.

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C.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I take Estrovan a herbel rememedy. Walmart's Equate brand called Estroblend is just as good at half the price. I have only used this ,never been on HRT My question is do the hot flashes ever go away!!!! It been 10 years for me also.

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B.G.

answers from Phoenix on

N. I sell a great nutritional product Himalayan GoChi juice. It has worked wonders for others with your same problems. We offer a 90 day money back guarantee so if it doesn't help you,you have nothing to loose.It is all natural preservative free. You can look up more information at Barbgarcia.com or feel free to give me a call ###-###-####.
Good Luck
B. Garcia

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S.B.

answers from Phoenix on

N., I too, would like to hear any suggestions u may get. I am 52 and do not want to use Premarin when it is my turn. Looking for natural ways. Please let me know if you get any suggestions, thanks.

S.

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N.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Ah, welcome to the world of HRT. I'm only 42 and had a hysterectomy and take estrogen. Did your doctor wean you from the hormone? There are a ton of alternative medications that can help with the symptoms or ask your doctor to start you back up may be every third day. I take mine every third day and I can sympathize with the hot flashes. My body tells me when it's time to take them again.

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D.J.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi N.,
I've been on hrt for 4+ years now, and have concerns with the risks. So, I stopped last October. While my symptoms aren't nearly as bad as they were 5 years ago, they certainly aren't pleasant, and I'm giving serious consideration to starting up again.

Try this website for info on lifestyle changes and nutritional tips http://www.womentowomen.com

They believe in a natural treatment, not hormones. There is a program you can do if you are interested. I've never done their program, but I do use their site for advice and ideas. There are also a lot of articles on all kinds of issues relating to womens health.

And, as for the hot flashes, I used to get 10-12 a day. Unbearable! I'm now at about 2 a day. The only things that I have found that help are either cutting my hair or keeping it pulled off my neck, keeping my home 2-3 degrees cooler than I used to, a cool shower before bed and going to bed with wet hair, and drinking very cold or iced drinks like water and green tea.

And if you are at home you can keep a dry washcloth in the freezer then get it wet with cold water when you have a hot flash - rub that sucker all over your neck, arms, back, chest, stomach, etc, whereever you need it! And using an ice cube works too, but the ice melts quick and gets messy - of course it's a small price to pay to cool down! =)

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V.H.

answers from Tucson on

Hi, N.
Not sure is you have come to a decision, but I finally had to break down and get medication.(not so much for hot flashes but memory loss). 2 yrs ago I had a hysterectomy and soon after I realized that I was having memory loss. I was told by my PNP that I needed a little estrogen. I just started them. They are called Estrace, derivitive from plants so it is natural and I got the lowest dose. Because I just started, I cannot tell you whether or not it has worked but I don't feel any side effects. You may consider looking into it.

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

everyone is different but this is what has worked for me. i now only get flashes when i get lax on my routine which i usually start doing when im feeling good but my body is quick to remind me" not yet" I have no idea how long this lasts, i have been going trhough this for almost 5 years now. it wasnt bad at first other than the erratic periods but then it got really bad for a while, i tried different things and this is what works for me. Soy nuts, soy nuts , soy nuts. i cant ake the hormones and my dr first tried the black cohosh and all it did was make my mouth dry. the soy nuts have been a blessing. they have different flavored ones and although after a while they do taste like cardboard its better than sweating. i bought a dozen really cheap wash cloths. i wet them and keep them in zip lock bags in the refrigerator. i seem to be walking around with a cloth on my neck and wiping my face all the time when im home but when it gets realy bad it makes it better.i swithced to 100% cotton sheets that seems to be cooler. i also made pillow cases for my pillow out of large bath towels that way i dont have to get up and change them so often. lots of water, lose weight becasue it was worse when i was overweight. exercise is also good. i run quite a bit and have lost over 70 lbs. when im running i guess i dont know if im sweating becaue of the flashes or because of the running but i like to think its the running. this may sound weird but it seems like i can almost will my flashes to go away. my husband always knows right before i have one becaue he says i get reallly quiet ( which is strange for me) and then he starts to t see the beads on my upper lip. i just keep telling them to go away. i also always carry a mug of ice water and it seems to help to drink something cool.

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D.L.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm 68 and still on the low dose FemHRT because, like you, when I stop I get menopause symptoms. According to KRONOS Longevity Institute here in Phoenix, there is nothing wrong with doing that. You might want to call them and have them send you the literature on it. But you don't say what kind of cancer your Mom had and if it was breast cancer your doctor is probably taking that into consideration. D.

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I would recommend a low dose of bioidentical hormones, starting with progesterone. Bioidentical progesterone has been shown to be protective against cancer and the bioidentical hormones also increase bone mass. A good botanical tincture may help as well. If you're interested in learning more, www.azwellnessdoc.com.

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S.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Your body NEEDS progesterone. NOW. You will see amazing results. www.johnleemd.com has wonderful info as he was one of the pioneers of the benefits of natural progesterone cream. (not all progesterone creams are the same or beneficial)
Please feel free to pick up the phone & call me. I used to be a nurse & I do FREE hormone balancing seminars along w/ another nurse & Dr.
I CAN help you & probably overnight!!!
S.
###-###-####

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P.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Check out a natural health store like GNC or Hi Health they have natural things for menopause symptoms. Good Luck P.

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C.W.

answers from Phoenix on

N.,
I have found that drinking a glass of soy milk every day gets rid of the hot flashes and night sweats. Soy milk contains estrogen so I guess that's why it works. A lot of people don't like the taste but you get used to it. I put ovaltine in mine. Hope this helps.
C.

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J.R.

answers from Phoenix on

If you can consider any "altenative" information, PLease look at the book "You Can Heal Your Life", by Louise Hay!

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P.N.

answers from Phoenix on

Your letter sure hit home. I stopped Premarin 4 years ago after taking it for 16 years. Hot flashes came back with a vengence. And I stopped the Premarin gradually over 6 months. The only thing that has worked for me is EstroBalance from Hi Health, accompanied by Evening Primrose Oil. I was still getting several strong hot flashes a day until I added Flaxseed Oil. I still get hot flashed, but they are not nearly as frequent nor as strong. I hope this helps.

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T.J.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't know much about Premarin. This is going to sound funny because it comes from my husband. He has been trying to follow what Susan Summers talks about. I believe she had breast cancer and she is into the natural way of healing. I'm sure she has a book out? Also someone else suggested product from the Amazon. I agree. It might not be the same product, but my family and I are also taking a product from the Amazon. It has helped our family out in sooo..... many ways! check out the website: www.mymonavie.com/cuzitsmyhealth.
Good Luck! Lots of good advice out there.

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L.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I'd go find a naturopath or acupuncturist. They can help a lot with those symptoms

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