Silly hot flashes question

Okay, I know this is a silly question for such a serious forum but there is no where else to ask it.

I have had both of my ovaries removed (no hysto) over the past 10 years for complex cysts.  The last one was the size of my fist and had developed its own blood supply.  The surgeon and I were both surprised it was NOT cancerous - especially since my aunt died of ovarian cancer and I have survived thyroid cancer (as have three of my sisters).

Last year a different aunt had a radical double mastectomy from Stage III breast cancer.  (So far no one in the family has had BRCA1 & BRCA2 testing.)  Anyway, in light of the ovarian and breast cancers, and because of my thyroid cancer, I stopped my HRT I had been on since last year's ovarian surgery.

I just finished my radioactive iodine treatment for the thyroid cancer recurrence the same time I stopped the HRT.  Anyway, I've been having horrible hot flashes. Part of it is because my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is suppressed but a huge part of it is from stopping the HRT.  

Here's the question:  How long do the hot flashes usually last post surgical menopause?  BTW I'm 40.

Thanks!!

[Lisagarr]

I'm glad your outcome has been so great with all that you and your family has been through.  As for the hot flashes, I just had both ovaries removed two months ago and was put on low dose HRT (I'm 42).  Started having terrible night sweats-waking up soaking wet having to change clothes and bed sheets.  Experienced occassional hot flashes on the coldest days.  I was stripping down outside when everyone else had parkas on.  Asked the dr. and she said they really don't go away but can be managed with increasing my HRT and with diet.  She increased the HRT and I stopped drinking all sodas, eat plenty of fruits and vegies, and have been doing the eliptical machine more.  So far I've only had two episodes of night sweats (not as soaked as before) and only one hot flash.  Of course my HRT was increased.  If it is any indicator as to what it will be like for me before the HRT was increased...OH BOY!  I'll be wearing hardly anything all the time! LOL  I also asked the dr. about the studies regarding breast cancer & HRTs and wanted to know how long I should take them.  She said the study showed that women on HRT didn't increase their risks until age 50.

Maybe the best thing for us to do regarding menopause is to try to have a sense of humor about it (and wear layers to take off!)

My best to you,
Lisa

[dalip]

hi. Same here.I have family history of both ovarian and breast cancer. I took hrt for about 12 years before i stopped taking it 3 years ago.I had my ovaries removed in nov and have been getting hot flushes both night and day. I have heard it can go on for as long as 10 years.I too am loathe to take hrt and wonder how long they are going to last or how bad they are going to get. I have filled in a form to see if i need testing for the mutant gene as i have 3 daughters who i have to consider.Will be watching the answers closely and thanks for posting the question this forum seems to be the only one which gets the answers we want.Let me know how you get on as im interested in how you deal with it.I have heard of a hrt gel that is rubbed into the skin and you use as much or as little as you need, depending on how severe your symptoms are. I have noticed im getting a little ratty at times(my girls say im on the mentalpause.they are not far wrong!)again not bad enough for hrt. Then again my dh may dissagree!lol.The other thing i have been told is if i dont take hrt i will need to take calcium tablets to prevent oestop******.Did not even attempt to spell it but you get the bone disease i mean!. Dawn

[AnotherKatie]

No question is silly.  We support each other regarding many issues on here with ovca, cysts, hormones, surgical menopause problems, etc.

Suggest you read the book by Christiane Northrup, "The Wisdom of Menopause".  Lots of information on bioidentical hormones, which I think you are asking about dalip. It's a great book with lots of information.  She has a web site.  Also look at Drerkica.com (although she flogs too many products if you ask me).  She's concerned about this issue, anyway!
  
If you search the drug Neurontin there are new studies regarding this drug for women who cannot take hormones.  
It's an epilepsy drug.

I agree with the other poster that a good diet and lots of exercise helps.  
I find drinking alcohol makes flashes much worse.

[milashka]

I'm 44 and had my ovaries removed 11/05. Hot flashes started right away and were really bad - for 3-4 months I slept 30 minutes at a time at night before waking up feeling like I was on fire! They got better over the summer 06 but then kicked up again starting in October. I opted against HRT because of contradicting studies - I don't trust them. I am now almost 1 year post-chemo and NED. If I go on hormones now and have a recurrence, I know I will beat myself up over it for the rest of my life. Even if it's coincidence (but how would I know?).

Although most hot flashes (I have about 1-2 per hour but sleep well at night) come on suddenly, I learned what can trigger one: Turning on the heat (even when I'm cold - it only takes 10 seconds of the furnace blowing, voila!); alcohol; a hot shower; wool. Wool is the worst. I dress in lightweight layers, avoid wool unless it's a cardigan that I can wear open in the front and quickly take off. Cashmere is awesome, warm but not overwhelming and very lightweight...but I only own 1 piece $$$$. No matter how cold it is, I do no longer wear wool sweaters - they kill me!

My onc said surgical menopause/hotflashes last approx. 2 years. I have also heard that symptoms of surgical menopause are much more pronounced and more violent than those of natural menopause, probably because surgical menopause comes on suddenly (from one hour to the next) whereas natural menopause happens gradually over 10 years.

Hope this helps.

[milashka]

Oh I should add to my list: a warm laptop on your lap...that always triggers a hot flash. Just had one LOL!

[dalip]

I smoke and find that triggers a flush, as do hot drinks and as previously been mentioned alcohol. I only get 1/2 at night and maybe a couple during the day.Dawn