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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 27. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 0:51:55
I'm sleeping badly. My concentration is shot to heck. It's already hot enough.
It's enough to make me believe that God must be a man.
Posted by Tabitha on June 19, 2009, at 1:01:44
In reply to I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 0:51:55
> It's enough to make me believe that God must be a man.Not sure I can argue this point without being disrespectful to the male babblers :)
Sorry about the hot flashes. Are you trying any remedies? Herbs & such?
Posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 1:12:37
In reply to Re: I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Tabitha on June 19, 2009, at 1:01:44
I've had them for a while now, but they've only recently gotten so bad as to interfere with my life.
I guess I'll have to look into what's available. I don't hold out much hope. They say it can last for years, and I just don't see that as an acceptable life.
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2009, at 13:25:30
In reply to Re: I'm not going to make it through hot flashes » Tabitha, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 1:12:37
Dinah no seriously not true I never had them. Seriously google bioidentical hormones. I recently went back on them no risks of breast cancer safe as the same as you own body produced they will test your personal hormones levels. Your own ob-gyn can prescribe you vivelle or climara patch and promethium progesterone. All are FDA approved but bioidentical. I use the creams results back today same dose as all hormones had improved. They also improve mood. In two days my next door neighbors hot flashes disappeared. Shes using the patch, prometheium and evistamist. Love Phillipa
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 19, 2009, at 16:18:30
In reply to Re: I'm not going to make it through hot flashes » Tabitha, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 1:12:37
Dinah,
I have found some meds make them worse. You might want to look at that possibility, too.
MB
Posted by seldomseen on June 20, 2009, at 12:00:45
In reply to I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 0:51:55
They really are an unfair symptom.
However, one has to wonder how many calories are burned during a hot flash. The body heats up, so something metabolic has been engaged. They may be a like a workout without the effort, which would be a bonus.
Although I don't know if the end justifies the means in this instance.
I'm sorry this is happening. I'll be thinking about you.
Seldom.
Posted by Ladyraven on June 20, 2009, at 19:44:00
In reply to I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 0:51:55
I am so there also with the power surges.
Alternative options can be helpful and have helped me. My gyn was quite helpful with those ideas. I refused the big gun hormones of any type for many reasons but I figure the sooner my ovaries finish, the sooner these symptoms will be finished.
My mini-fan, loose light clothing & I send our empathies & sympathies.
Posted by Poet on June 21, 2009, at 14:17:57
In reply to I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 0:51:55
Hi Dinah,
I'm on a low dose oral contraceptive for hormonal replacement. When I went off it for six months I had no periods which was okaym but was getting hot flashes which as you know are horrible. I remember being at a Christmas party and being so hot I went and sat on the front porch in the snow with no coat on.
You might talk to your ob/gyn or family med doc about a low dose O/C. I will be on it as long as it's safe and so far at age 51 it seems to be doing no harm.
Poet
Posted by Dinah on June 21, 2009, at 22:01:15
In reply to Re: I'm not going to make it through hot flashes » Dinah, posted by Poet on June 21, 2009, at 14:17:57
Thanks everyone.
I'm sorry not to post individually, but I'm up to my ears in trying to get this computer up to speed.
Last night was the best in a while. I had woken up dehydrated Saturday morning so I made sure to hydrate plenty. Maybe that's the key. If I start being able to sleep, I may be able to tolerate it with otc herbs and a good refrigerator and a lot of wipies.
But if not, I am going to call my ob/gyn and say I need the hormones. She's already said she'd rather not given my history of migraines with birth control pills and all the meds I'm on. But I can't take this for what sounds like it could be years? I don't do well with disturbed sleep, and already find myself thinking some pretty dark thoughts.
I just can't do it.
Life is so scary, really.
Posted by Dinah on June 22, 2009, at 17:40:37
In reply to Re: I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Dinah on June 21, 2009, at 22:01:15
Her solution of choice was low dose antidepressants. I need an older ob/gyn. Apparently she thinks it's in my mind. I'll have to bring my husband as witness.
I vetoed those because of my migraine meds. So she wants me to try otc meds then low dose hormones.
I hate to go to bed anymore.
Posted by Dinah on June 22, 2009, at 18:08:28
In reply to Doctors, posted by Dinah on June 22, 2009, at 17:40:37
Sorry about the previous subject line. I'm sure there are many doctors who would not so clearly believe that I can produce sweat at will.
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2009, at 19:55:02
In reply to My doctor, posted by Dinah on June 22, 2009, at 18:08:28
Dinah if afraid of alternative climar patch vivelle for estrogen, promethium for progeserone and evistmist. All are FDA approved but Bioidentical. Phillipa ps my neighbor is menopausal said the night sweats went away on day two of these meds.
Posted by Kath on June 25, 2009, at 21:18:37
In reply to I'm not going to make it through hot flashes, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2009, at 0:51:55
"Menopausal Years - The Wise Woman Way" by Susun Weed
It is EXCELLENT.
Deals with before, during & after menopause.
Takes each topic & gives I think it's 6 or 7 steps. Step 1 is simply gather information.
I used herbal tinctures that I learned about from this book to deal very effectively with hot spells, and also with what I called being "ratty".... If I found myself snapping at my family, I'd know it was "Motherwort tinctue" time!!!
Best of luck Dinah. Feel free to babblemail me.
xoxo Luv, Kath
Posted by Kath on June 25, 2009, at 21:22:50
In reply to Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause » Dinah, posted by Kath on June 25, 2009, at 21:18:37
Some of this book was too much for me - getting into sort of the North American Native way of seeing older woman as "she who holds her wise blood inside" & stuff, but I just skipped stuff that didn't 'fit' for me.
I actually saw Susan Weed live, at a Forum on menopause with various professionals.
She had bare feet, a flowing skirt, sang & after people's initial stiff "Oh My Gawd - what is this woman ABOUT?" reaction, she mesmerized the audience into loving her!!!
:-))
K
Posted by Dinah on June 25, 2009, at 22:04:26
In reply to Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause » Dinah, posted by Kath on June 25, 2009, at 21:18:37
It might just be coincidence, but things have been better since I started taking Estroven (black cohosh and soy). I was positive it was just a placebo. The double blind study results were not positive. I'm a bit annoyed that it might be working. Or it might be coincidence. I also started being careful to really really hydrate. A lot. I never did drink much, and with all the sweating I think I was getting dehydrated.
I'm still crabby. My husband and I were laughing about it earlier today. I never really had the whole pms syndrome. I'd occasionally get a bit tearful, but that's it. So all the anger I didn't get in pms seems to be coming out in menopause. My husband is starting to do some really funny announcements "My wife is hot. Back very slowly out of the building. Do not panic."
:)
He's pretty great sometimes.
On the other hand, we're having a heat wave. New Orleans having a heatwave is a lot like hell having a heatwave. I think everyone is very crabby right now.
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2009, at 22:12:31
In reply to Re: Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause » Kath, posted by Dinah on June 25, 2009, at 22:04:26
Dinah no google women to women and they use herbs and black cohash is one. Others also. You can have the newsletter sent to you. Phillipa
Posted by Kath on June 26, 2009, at 10:32:48
In reply to Re: Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause » Kath, posted by Dinah on June 25, 2009, at 22:04:26
> It might just be coincidence, but things have been better since I started taking Estroven (black cohosh and soy).
~ ~ I doubt if it's a coincidence. Black cohosh (cimicifuga) was the main one I took for hot spells & it also worked for my sister-in-law, who before she started it, had to change her bedsheets once or twice a night due to such intense sweating! I think she was also taking Dong Quoi (angelica).
> I was positive it was just a placebo. The double blind study results were not positive.
~ ~ I don't put great faith in even double blind studies, as someone I know well was in one....was supposed to include a small bottle of oil in diet daily. Some people had been give olive oil, some were various omega oils (nobody knew what they had). The person complied for a bout a week & didn't use the oils for the remaining 2 1/2 months!! Went back for the blood tests regularly. I also know another person who did a study of yogurts with & without certain probiotics...same thing. So I think potentially, there's a huge margin of error in studies.
> I'm a bit annoyed that it might be working.
~ ~ I'm wondering why you're feeling annoyed that it might be working?
> Or it might be coincidence.
~ ~ If it's expensive, you could use what you have then stop & see if things get worse again. If they do, you could start it again & see if things get better. :-) (Unasked for advice - sorry).
> I also started being careful to really really hydrate. A lot. I never did drink much, and with all the sweating I think I was getting dehydrated.
~ ~ Can I be your hydration buddy? I REALLY need to hydrate myself. While I was at my daughter's (she knows I don't drink enough) we did the 'pinch-the-back-of-your-hand-&-see-if-the-skin-goes-back-down' test. The ridge caused by the pinch stayed like a fold for several seconds before going back down verrrrrryyyy slowly!! Yikes. While I was there I drank masses of water & juice - well masses for me! The skin test changed to no ridge left at all & I also noticed a definite dissapearance of facial lines in my cheeks! I woulda thot THAT would be enough to make me keep up the drinking, but NOPE. Please let me know if you're up for having a buddy.
> I'm still crabby.~ ~ I strongly recommend Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) for crabbiness due to menopause. It helped me anyhow. It's also listed among the herbs that help with hot spells (for some reason I can't bring myself to call them hot 'flashes' - who knows why). This is what is says in that book re: Motherwort regarding nerves etc:
"Motherwort calms, supports, & strengthens you........ Used regularly, M feeds your nerves & your good common sense, relaxing & unclenching any held tension. M is not sedating, but calming, leaving you ready for actions, not flying off the handle or bouncing off the walls. Ask M to be your ally in tough times, in shaky times, in enraging times, in scarey times, in depressed times, in grief-filled times. Try 5 - 10 drops of tincture as soon as you feel your nerves starting to fray or just before a stressful event."> My husband and I were laughing about it earlier today. I never really had the whole pms syndrome. I'd occasionally get a bit tearful, but that's it. So all the anger I didn't get in pms seems to be coming out in menopause. My husband is starting to do some really funny announcements "My wife is hot. Back very slowly out of the building. Do not panic."
:) He's pretty great sometimes.~ ~ Oh that is too sweet! Give him a hug for me for being such a sweetie in using humour to help you all through this!!! Isn't it wonderful when they're great! Mine is really great sometimes also. He has a lot of anger & negativity near the surface, which I find a challenge to deal with - especially the 'glass half empty' way of looking at life instead of 'glass half full'. But towards me he is so supportive & nice. I don't like that if he's grumpy about something, he doesn't bother to shift - for ex, if I smile at him he doesn't smile back (that makes me really pissed off). But it's nice when they do something that's particularly good, as with your husband's announcements!
> On the other hand, we're having a heat wave. New Orleans having a heatwave is a lot like hell having a heatwave. I think everyone is very crabby right now.
~ ~ Sounds unbearable! eeeeeeuk. Hope heatwave ends SOON.
luv & supportive energy, Kath
Posted by Dinah on June 28, 2009, at 3:35:43
In reply to Herbal tinctures - hot spells/anger/depression etc, posted by Kath on June 26, 2009, at 10:32:48
I suppose what I meant was that if it was a placebo, I would not be happy to be suggestible enough that a placebo would be helpful, especially if I went into it thinking it was a placebo.
:)
I prefer to think of myself as a skeptic.
The night sweats have gotten better than they were. Either it was a cyclical thing, or it's because I'm drinking more, or the Estroven. I'm not sure. The only couple of nights it felt bad again was when I forgot to take the estroven, but I also forgot to drink a lot. So I don't know.
I'd love to have a hydration buddy! I have always been awful about drinking enough. Especially water. And not having enough fluids makes me feel a bit unwell and then I drink even less.
I'm trying to just drink regular water, but I'm terrible at that. When I was pregnant, I had to force myself to drink enough plain water for the baby to be healthy. I need to do that again. I don't hate Evian, so I stocked up on some of that. And I got some Crystal Light to mix with regular bottled water. It's full of artificial flavors, but is surely better than diet Dr. Pepper. Our tap water doesn't taste good enough to drink. The end of the Mississippi River, you know.
Posted by Kath on June 28, 2009, at 16:45:57
In reply to Re: Herbal tinctures - hot spells/anger/depression » Kath, posted by Dinah on June 28, 2009, at 3:35:43
Okee Dokee.
I'm onboard. Am going to try to drink more water and also diluted grape juice.
I hate drinking water. We have a really good water filter system (a good friend is in that business & made sure we're well set up). I might put some lemon or lime in.
So - how will we do the drinking buddy thing? Maybe others want to join us also.
Shall we keep track of how many cups we drink & applaud each other's successes?
I just drank a cup of water now, after reading your post.
I might put a pretty glass on the counter with numerous elastic bands around it, near the bottom & bring an elastic up near top for each glass I drink. For me, it's partly the reminder thing. I don't really want to drink plastic bottles of water. I have doubts as to stuff having sat in plastic being good for us. And also, I don't really like supporting the plastic bottled water industries, etc. I shiver to think of all those bottle going into landfil sites & I get upset thinking about Canada selling water in Huge Amounts! (Selfish of me I suppose.)
I reallyoh trulyoh don't think that it's a placebo effect Dinah. I do NOT think your body is reacting to the power of suggestion. I've known too many people who have had benefits from taking various herbs for menopausal problems & can't imagine it was all due to placebo effect.
I send hugs, love, Kath
PS - Top of hand skin 'pinch test' not giving great results right now!
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 8, 2009, at 0:50:51
In reply to Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause » Dinah, posted by Kath on June 25, 2009, at 21:18:37
Read Joyce Meyer!
she scares me!
Posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2009, at 19:17:48
In reply to Re: Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause, posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 8, 2009, at 0:50:51
Matt you having hot flashes???? Just kidding. Love Phillipa
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 11, 2009, at 0:05:25
In reply to Re: Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause » rjlockhart04-08, posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2009, at 19:17:48
Phillip....i have no idea what your talking about.
High Five Pop! nice going! Jan!
Phiilipa! man you changed into someone else! omg Phillie! Phillie! i'm chokin'.....uuuuggggghhhrrr help me! your a PRN nurse!
rj
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2009, at 20:31:34
In reply to Re: Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause, posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 11, 2009, at 0:05:25
RJ google menopause and perimenopause that will answer your questions. Love Phillipa
Posted by Kath on July 11, 2009, at 20:37:59
In reply to Re: Great Book - My BIBLE during menopause, posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 11, 2009, at 0:05:25
Did I start something?
I was telling about a book about menopause that I call my BIBLE. It was just a figure of speech!!!
I'm sorry. I'm not even any specific religion!!
I wasn't talking about religion or ministries, etc.
Sorry if it got all confusing.
Kkath
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2009, at 21:21:33
In reply to Sorry if I contributed to confusion!!, posted by Kath on July 11, 2009, at 20:37:59
Remember the old game of telephone passing a message down a line whispering. Reminds me of that. Kind of funny. Love Phllipa
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