15 Years of Hot Flashes/NO relief

[lp2u229]

I had a radical (uterus, ovaries & cervix removed) Hysterectomy in 1986. My doctor put me on Premarin and it worked for 6-7 years, in that I didn't have any hot flashes or anything else connected with surgical menopause. After I became aware of how Premarin was attained, I immediately went off and went from doctor to doctor to try to get me on *something* that would help with the hot flashes, flushing, and profuse sweating, amongst other issues.  Since the early 90's, I've yet to find anything that even remotely helps. Then there was the HRT scare, so the  doctor I had been seeing towards the late 90's advised me to go off HRT'S completely, so I wasn't on anything until recently when I went back to my naturopath and she put me on Progesterone & Biest Sublingual Drops. I put 3 drops of the Biest under my tongue and 10 drops of the progesterone at night and 2 drops of the Biest drops under my tongue upon arising. I started this back in the middle of december and NOTHING has changed. Everyday after my shower, I spend from 1-3 hours trying to dry my hair and body. Everytime I try to do something else, I am soaking wet from head to toe, and blow dry myself over and over and over. I then go outside with hardly any clothes on to cool off. Where I live it's 30 degrees. I am just about to go off thedeep end over this. Can somebody PLEASE tell me what to do? Or if there is anyone out there who experiences this, I would really appreciate some feed back. I really don't want to live like this. There must be SOMETHING I can do to stop this!!!
Sorry this is so lengthy, but I had to get it out.
L.P.

[sugarpie263]

Hi lp, I have an Idea what your going through!!! I did not have a hysterectomy.......yet....I'm researching it now...and the meds I need to help me have a life. Very briefly, I always had heavy periods..from the 5th gde.When I was 47yo, my period stopped abruptly and the most horrible case of hot flashes I have ever heard of !! I'm a nurse, I could not work on a floor anymore.the whole 12hrs.I was drenched wet! This has been going on for over 10years.After my double mastectomy in 08, a doctor put me on Effexer....with takes care of the hot flashes 85%, and it is also used depression.........But be warned, it's alittle expensive, even the generic is pricey. BUT.....if I miss a 2 doses, I have a severe reaction....I become dizzy, very emotional and irrational...can't stop crying.I don't think this is a "Usual" adverse effect., not well known to medical people.....So, Doctors, Pharmacist, Nurse Practitioners do not have any clue.I am estrogen receptive, so am unable to take hormonal therapy......but I'm Not giving up. Now , For You..........Have you tried Macafem??? Do some research.........this could be your answer. Good luck to you, I wish you the best, Deb

[Soldier_Mom_007]

Dear  I am going through menopause as well. Mine was trauma induced menopause, to many surgeries and my body said hell no! Anyways, I get these hot flashes that are terrible. They start around my chest, the heart area. I feel like I am several degrees hotter. Then, it radiates out and up to my face. I wear a uniform all day and I just wanna rip it off and run outside into the cold weather. I also am in a cold climate  so I can go out and melt snow. LOL. Soy-Isoflavin, this is supposed to work wonders, at least it does for most women. I am on effexor now, a pretty high dose too 300 mg per day. This cuts the hot flashes down, but doesn't stop them. I also know that medoxyprogesterone works wonders, but you take it daily and you get a monthly period. I hope one of these helps you. God Bless

[audrey686]

I have a problem with feeling humid all of the time. I think the way I feel "hot" all of the time prevents my body from sleeping so insomnia is a huge problem for me also. I  have tried natural progesterone and oestrogen trieste tablets from the Menopause Centre. These did help with the overheating feeling but then I became concerned with being on a hormone replacement for longer than a year so weaned myself off them. The worst problem is not being able to sleep. Most nights I go just about all night without sleep unless I take a sleeping tablet and I hate taking these.
Any one have any help ?

[lp2u229]

Hello Everyone.....I went back to my naturopath awhile back and she changed the dose, which made a huge difference, so I am feeling *Drier* these days. The real test will be when it gets really warm outside. I am SO thankful this hot flash biz will hopefully continue to NOT be a problem again.
Thank you ALL for your insightful feedback. This sure is a wonderful group of ladies!!
Y'all take care. I will be checking back with you~L.P.

[kitten o]

NO PROLBEM, I AM LEARNING WHY I SWEAT.
IT SO HAPPENS
I AM NOT IN MENOPAUSE, AND I DO HAVE
ANOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION ,THAT THE DRS
NO  IS CAUSING IT.
HOPE YOU GET SOME ANSWERS.
GOOOD LUCK
KITT

[Twilight_Princess]

Good advice!

I admit, I forgot what tests to ask for and those are it! :)

My Endocrinologist does these tests routinely on me.

[kitten o]

EXCUSE THE CAPS I HAVE BAD EYE'S.
I WOULD LOOK INTO  TEST  LH , FSH, T3 AND T4
NORMAL FSH 25.8 - 134.8
HIGH       FSH -MEANS MENOPAUSE
LOW        FSH -  HYPERHIDROSIS
EXCESSIVE SWEATING CAUSE BY
ANOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION.
I AM BEING TESTED FOR THESE.
I HAD A HYSTORECTOMY 5 YRS. AGO
I SWEAT PROFUSLY LIKE YOU ALL.
GOOGLE HYPERHIDROSIS,
I DID. GREAT INFO.
KITT

[madgeOwens]

You cannot believe all the things that can go haywire simply from the endocrinology side of the human body.  Woman has a very complex body and sometimes I think it is a precision ballet to keep everything in equilibrium land.  Don't give up better days are coming.  One of the things I believe has much to do with emotional ups and downs is serotonin levels.  Research in this field as well as say allergies...is really in its infancy in medical field. They have much to learn.  In the winter there is a lack of light that I believe affects many people and causes depression.......a simple thing like a sunlamp in the bathroom can help if that is the source.  
I think I was in "pre menopause" for about 10 years.....thank God I am past all that. Thats enough right there to make you pull your hair out instead of waiting for it to fall all!
Don't worry, Be Happy.........fool them!

[Twilight_Princess]

Duh! I never thought of an Endocrinologist - LOL! I go to one anyway and he does the blood work on all of my hormones once a year. I go to him for an Adrenal tumor. I guess I didn't put 2 + 2 together!

Thanks for that!! I see him next month anyway and will ask him to maybe help me out with the hormones.

[BIGD1969]

Hi,

I am 38 years old and 3.5 years ago I had a hysterectomy ( no ovaries removed ). Since then I have had to be on wellbutrin and celexa for anxiety and depression. I was having trouble falling asleep,the blues, anxiety and a fear that something terrible was wrong with me. I have tried bioidenticals because an obgyn said it might help, it didn't. A new Dr. said not to take them because I am not in menopause, I had a test done that said I was still producing eggs. Although I had a hormone test done and I am low in testosterone and estrogen for my age. I would love to get off these other drugs because I do not have a problem with depression but can't control what happens when I don't take the meds. I still get angry easily at certian times of the month and find myself yelling more then too, also my legs will sweat at night but just my legs, my chest will get tight and my stomach feels funny, all that happens in a weeks time and then disappears, but when I am not on the meds. then everything is 100 times worse and then I can't eat and I feel like Im going to die. I did have postpard. depression when I had the hysterectomy because I had my third child and she was colicky. I dont know if I am in premenopause or perimenopase or what to do or who to see. If anynone has any ideas I would love to hear them.
Thanks,
Diane

[lp2u229]

I am going to a naturopath and have an appt next Monday since the progesterone and beist drops she gave me are clearly NOT working. What is an endocrinologist?? I will do some more research. I continue to research my brains out!!!!!
Thanks for your input....Really appreciate it.
L.P.

[Tjoyce]

Have you gone to an endocrinologist?  I couldn't read this entire list of posts but just thought I'd throw that into the mix.  It sounds like you tried to bio identicals, right?  Good luck, Tj

[Mary 53]

Hi LP...take a look at the home page and see where it says "sign up here" ...well, I would bet that this is what you clicked on when you initially signed up. So, then see if there is a section that says "Edit your profile"...I mean, as my friend YEARS ago who helped me set up our first computer said to me..."you cannot break it." So, play around with all of this. I do know that you can put as much or as little info as you wish. And, once you have added any info, you can always change it...by going to "edit" but if you do and if you change anything, then be sure to Hit "Save" at the bottom of the picture of nothing will change.

Try this and see what happens. You should be able to use the same screen name which you own now, but as you know, it will be in BLUE...!  Yeah!

Take care, Mary

[Mary 53]

I am off to bed, too...trying to stay committed to going to bed at a decent hour. I am a night owl, but have been so tired at work that I need to do something differently.

Setting up a profile is easy. Once you do that it is easy to leave messages, etc...

I did mine about two months ago and off hand cannot recall the details. Let me close quickly to get a glimpse of the "home" page for Medhelp.

You'll get there!

Mary

[lp2u229]

Hi Mary....Don't know how to do the BLUE??? Tell me how.
Your poor hands!! I use to have eczema when I was young, but I guess I out grew it, but I can sympathize with the pain. I was a grocery checker for 22 years, and I'd get these  little cuts on my fingers....SOOOO painful, and hard to keep a bandaid on. In regard to a product for your hands, I use URIX 40 UREA CREAM. I have calloused feet and it works well to soften them up, and would work on hands as well.  Anything with UERA is excellent for extremely dry skin.
One thing I've noticed being on these Bio Hormones is my breasts are VERY sore, especially my nipples, so don't know if this is normal or if it's just me. I'm going to call Lucinda (my naturopath) this week and ask her about the breast tenderness and also will have to go pick up more of the Biest Drops. I am frustrated because NOTHING is different and I am still drenched. Today though wasn't too bad after my shower, but then it's 65 degrees in my home and 30 degrees outside. I only had to blow my hair & body dry 2x versus 6-8................... so that is progress????  I have a question: How do you do a profile here? I'd like to do one, but don't know HOW to do that.
This is the first time I've ever been on these 2 hormones. I haven't been on *Anything* for years. I think that alone has really messed me up.
Alright my dear.....I need to go to bed early tonight. I am feeling very sleepy all of a sudden. Are we allowed to exchange email addresses??  Well here is my email addy ***@**** if you'd like to send me any info and vice-versa. Take good care of yourself Mary and I look forward to hearing from you~L.P.

[Mary 53]

Oh, very sweet response. I appreciated the help you offered me regarding the enzymes for the pain you have had in your hand. I realized I did not clarify my problem. Gosh, though, if you have any thoughts for me on this...I am OPEN! My finger tips get "cut up"...not sure how else to explain it. Well, I guess that does explain it. They split. I can go April through November and my hands/finger tips are tough as nails (no pun intended!) but then the winter hits and they get as fragile as sheer stockings. They are much better today but that is probably because the temp has risin outside and so the heat is not as dry inside. Plus I am not scurrying about much on weekends. I have to drive a half hour to work and back and my fingertips are frozen in the car for the first ten minutes. That does not help! It is an excema related thing as I do have seasonal allergies. Oh well. I do say that if I did not have a home/family/job here I would move to a warmer climate. Minnesota is gorgeous and I love the state, but it has been tough on me lately.

OK...it is late, but I am so glad you responded. I will leave you with one brief thougth to mull over....I am wondering if your receptor sites are just going a bit "haywire" as you introduce the new bio hormones. It is like you are awakening them after leaving them alone for a bit. From what I have read about this you might be in for a little adjustment period. Let me mull this over and also I will look into Northrup's book and see what she says about starting up using these hormones after not using them for awhile. I recall reading that they essentially have gone to sleep. They still want them but they have given up...and so, well, here they are again and they go a bit nuts.

How long has it been since you were on the synthetics before you started on the bio's?

And, yes....go blue! I was resistant at first but now that I am blue...I love the advantages.

Take care and I will check in tomorrow night.
Mary

[lp2u229]

You have extraordinary courage and strength to have gone through all those medical issues you've endured. I certainly do applaud you for that!
I think finding the *Right* doctor who is educated in HRT'S and how a woman's body functions in regard to hormones, is the only way to get this issue resolved. For me, my only option is the Bio Hormones, as I choose not to take the others such as Premarin, Estrdiol, and all the rest out there.
Degenerative Disc Disease and the pain sometimes is almost un-bearable. My friend Terri, who is always looking out for my best interest and trying to find *Something* that will relieve my pain, ordered this product called: ARTHROZYME manufactured by Nutri-Health. This is an all natural product and the only ingredient is: SERRATIOPEPTIDASE, which in my opinion is a miracle substance. This stuff WORKS!!! Anyway, I am just so happy to have found something for the 24/7 pain in my basilar joint on my right hand. I was going to have surgery, but now I'm going to take this enzyme stuff and see how it goes. LONG recovery with that type of surgery and I don't know HOW I'd function....feed the cats, cook, clean.....so it really is my last resort.
Back to hormones. There just doesn't seem to be one clear answer for my situation. I truly think the *wetness* is totally related to the lack of any estrogen in my body and  am SO inbalanced, it has created a monster! So, like I said before, I will keep researching and try to seek out a doctor (I only have Medicare, so I need to find one that will work with me) who will help me and figure this out. The naturopath that I see, is so expensive that I only see her every couple of years, although I do have an appt in March.
I like the idea of putting our name in blue, so I will do that.
Thank you Mary for responding. It use to be painful for me to type as well until I started on these enzymes. I will contine to use them as long as I can afford to.
Take care dearest Mary~L.P.

[Mary 53]

Hi,

I think I might be able to help or at least give it a try. I don't mind sharing all the info I have, but occasionally my fingertips hurt so much due to the cold weather and dry heat inside that it is hard for me (painful) to type. And, then if I don't hear back from a person after typing for a half hour ( this is a huge topic and it is difficult trying to be concise) then I assume they have left the forum or are not interested.

I will put some of my wonderful steroid cream on so that my fingers will be okay tonight (gosh, it is always something) and check back in a bit.

Also, if everyone puts their name in Blue by editing or starting a profile, even if it is just to put their gender, then it is nice to leave a message and that way you know for sure if you have reached that person.

I feel for you. I really do. On my profile I have my story and I have researched this hormonal thing since 2001. Sounds like you appreciate the value of good research...so let's see if we can compare notes. Hope to hear back from you. You do not need to suffer so.

Mary

[lp2u229]

Thanks Jml for your *sympathy* and understanding. THIS is NOT normal for me, even though It's been going on for years, BUT.....I NEVER had a sweating problem...ever and  I don't call it sweat...but.....WET. My underarms are as dry as a bone, but every other inch of my body is drenched. THIS is what I do not understand. Also if I wear anything like fleece or sweats, it makes it worse. I just don't wear alot of clothes any time of the year. I know I'm *Unbalanced* (understatement there...wink) and I've had my thyroid checked a million times and in regard to endoctrine....not sure about that one. Like I said, this wet business started in the early 90's and I was not on anything, then I was.....then I wasn't....SHEESH.....no wonder I'm such a wreck!  So, back to the research again. Thanks for trying to help. I am at my wits end!!!! Y'all take care~L.P.

[Rottweiler]

Is it possible that this might be due to something other than menopause?  Could it something affiliated with the adrenal or endocrine glands or any other glands that make people sweat?  I have known people who sweat a lot more than others - my mother was one.  Possiblly the hysterectomy "triggered" an unbalance.

It must be extremely frustatring to you to have had to endure this for such a length of time.

Rottie

[jml1986]

Hun, I know just how you feel. I am the same way. I sweat like a dog all the time. I have not had any hot flashes but I do get the flushed face and sweat just pours off of me. I also take an antidepressiant but it doesn't really seem connected with my continually hot body. I wish I had an answer for you. People do think you are kinda nuts when you don't use heat in the winter. Thank god I am thick skinned because I can't even begin to use heat.

[lp2u229]

Thanks for responding. I have tried Black Cohosh and Estroven, and Estrace and Estrdiol and maybe more, but my memory is going, so I can't remember the others. Today after I got out of the shower and dried off, I started to put moisturizer on my face and in approximately 20 seconds I was soaking wet EVERYWHERE, so I blow dry my whole body and my hair (my hair is very short and fine) and this continues for a good 45 minutes until I step outside (today was 38 degrees) and cool off. I notice when I get frustrated or am angry over something I tend to hot flash just like after my shower. I think what bothers me the most is being out in public, like standing in a line and it's winter or any season for that matter and my hair is drenched as well as my whole body. I get so embarrassed. I use to be a grocery checker and I carried a fan from checkstand to checkstand and I still had sweat running down the sides of my hairline. I don't work anymore, but I still have to go out and about and run errands. I am the only person on the planet ( I think) that runs the air conditioner in my car 7 months out of the year. AND............. look at all the energy I'm saving by not having any heat on!!!  I am on some psychotropic meds that might have something to do with all this being wet from head to toe business, but I just don't know. I have researched my brains out on this issue and haven't come up with an answer from anyone yet, including several physicians. I was hoping *someone* has experienced what I've been going through and could offer some advice. I will just keep searching until I hopefully find an answer.
Thanks!!

[jml1986]

I heard people say that some of the herbal remedies do work good for them. That is an option I am going to explore myself in a year or two. I currently take a hormone injection whenever I feel I need it usually every 4 - 6 weeks. Since my hysterectomy was just done this past July, I wanted to make sure my body adjusted before I went off the hormones. If you try some herbal remedies and they work, please let us know.

[Rottweiler]

Have you tried Black Cohosh?  It is a herbal remedy which I have heard works quite well for a lot of women and it does not have the side-effects of some other "drugs".

I cannot speak for anyone but myself but to me the length of your message isn't a problem.  It is your story and your way of telling it.

Rottie