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[pixigirl]

Ladies,
I have come off hrt, been about 6 months now. I am still suffering with hot flushes and terrible night sweats. Any advice will be most welcome. I did try gabapentin, but it made me gain weight.

[Taz2]

I came off seven months ago and my symptoms are still increasing (I'm just 60). My GP said that I may only have two years of them before they finally stop. Two years!!! I don't think so...

Why have you come off pixigirl?

Taz x

[tiger74]

Hi

I suffer from night sweats and am not able to take HRT. 

A couple of practical things that don't prevent the night sweats but have helped night-time be more comfortable for me and my long-suffering husband...

I have a 'chillow' which I keep next to me in the bed.  I roll onto this if I do wake up all hot and sweaty and it takes the edge off, helping me to cool down and get back off to sleep.

Instead of one king-sized duvet we now sleep under individual single duvets - I have a wafer-thin one and he has his nice thick winter one (or whatever tog-rating depending on time of year).  Seems like a simple idea and I wish we'd done it ages ago.  I believe it has improved quality of sleep for us both.

Good luck - I hope you find a strategy that works for you very soon.

[Joyce]

I'm weaning myself off HRT.  But remember the on/off of the duvet in the middle of the night. We both sleep under 4 tog duvet, but hubby is very HOT even with that, so it's a blooming nightmare. I tried just a sheet for me & duvet for him, but it was useless. Easier in two beds.

I am going to try & find an even lighter weight duvet though, I believe such a thing does exist.

[pixigirl]

To tiger74, what is a chillow? Sorrycan not work outwht you mean. Thank you pixigirl.

[Joyce]

I've just dug mine out again, thanks for reminder tiger. They'd dried out & I thought I may have to bin them, but have managed to bring them back to life. Might have to replace my little one, but will see how I get on.

Another good thing is "cool scarves." More like neck ties really but they work a treat too. Must look mine out again.

[Dandelion]

Hi Pixiegirl

I have just started using magnesium to lessen my flushes as my HRT is not doing a complete job of getting rid of them.

The magnesium really helps, but doesnt totally clear them. It allows me to sleep in a dry bed with dry nightclothes.

I take mag citrate powder but you need to be careful when taking this. I get the runs if I take it on an empty stomach or I take too much.
300mg is about right for me.
start with a small dose and work your way up.
best of luck.

[pixigirl]

To dandelion,
   Magnesium citrate? I have some in liquid form but use it for any urinary infections. are we on the same page here?

[Taz2]

Magnesium is thought to help with hot flushes/sweats pixigirl. Bit of info here http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/27/7/1151

Taz x

[lubylou]

Hi,

A silk Duvet is supposed to be cool but they are very expensive

When we go away in our camper van I use a cotton sleeping bag liner as my sleeping bag while my husband is in a 4 season bag!

I have never tried a chillow but have looked at then on the internet a few times.

Rotating fan in summer is a must.

I am hoping that my new HRT will get on top of my internal nightly body furnace. I will then review whether to stay on HRT or try on get off (again !)

To all going through reducing or having stopped HRT I hope that the return symptoms start to fade away very soon. 

Lubylou

[Dalhousie]

Just wanted to ask about hot flush remedies.  I've been taking Red Clover Complex but it's not quite as effective lately.  I wondered whether Black Cohosh might be more effective.  I was also reading about Magnesium on this thread.  I already take a low dose Magnesium but it's combined Magnesium Oxide/Citrate/Glucoanate. I also have some Magnesium Malate which I used to take.  In the article it mentions Magnesium Citrate.

I realise individual response is variable & you just have to try it and see.

Has anybody any helpful suggestions or insight.

[Hurdity]

Hi Dalhousie

I'm afraid nothing works properly apart from HRT, to deal with flushes caused by low oestrogen.

Black Cohosh is not considered safe to take long term - and many women who take it realise after a while that the effect they thought they were experiencing was either due to placebo, or thier own hormones taking a temporary increase - as happens in meno - this happened for me.

Personally I would be wary of taking excess magnesium - it can cause problems in high quantities and from my very limited knowledge of it, I think the evidence is anecdotal rather than through trials though I may be wrong here!

Sorry to sound gloomy!

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

I'm still persevering. I reckon the two years is just because somewhere it says that symptoms worsen for two years after the last period so it stands to reason (in her mind) that now I have stopped HRT the two years should begin!

Seven months on the flushes seem to have reached their peak and have settled at two an hour on a good day and three an hour on a not so good day. The nights are very uncomfortable. I should really make an appointment to discuss returning to HRT as I just "get through" each day really. I can see that if I were at home then I would probably end up a soggy mess on the sofa for the rest of my life but at least having a job I have to make the effort to get up and do something.

Taz x