Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: pixigirl on March 05, 2014, 11:04:02 AM
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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To tiger74, what is a chillow? Sorrycan not work outwht you mean. Thank you pixigirl.
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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.
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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.
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To dandelion,
Magnesium citrate? I have some in liquid form but use it for any urinary infections. are we on the same page here?
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Magnesium is thought to help with hot flushes/sweats pixigirl. Bit of info here http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/27/7/1151
Taz x
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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 :hotflash:!)
To all going through reducing or having stopped HRT I hope that the return symptoms start to fade away very soon. :)
Lubylou
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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.
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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
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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