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Hot flashes - not sure

elizabeth_craig

17 years ago

I know this must sound stupid, but what does a hot flash feel like. I am 53 and have just begun to get erratic periods. The last couple of days, I have been sweating profusely and then returning to normal. Its very humid in southern Ontario right now, so I don't know if its the weather or a hot flash.

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Comments (7)

Heathen1
17 years ago
Well, I'd bet it's a hot flash... I figured it out when I was sweating and it was 70Âº( my summers are in the 100's). I only sweat from the shoulders up. Regular sweating usually includes my armpits. Hot flashing for ME is profuse sweating around the head. I have never had this "flushing" that some people get, I just get the profuse sweating.
mscratch
17 years ago
No questions are stupid.. the hot flash usually produces a very warm sensation in the head area.. and sweat follows..not always but most times..you may just experience an unnatural warmness without the sweat at times. It may start at the head and travel downwards through the entire body..its different with each individual.. this can be followed by chills as well, sort of a cooling off period..so basically you can switch from hot to cold in no time at all.
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The only thing I have found so far is to soak my hair and head down with the garden hose. I have long hair so the back of my t shirt stays wet. I have MS as well and heat makes me weak as a kitten. There are times that I have all I can do to get back into the house. I found some cooling products through the MS Society that I think might help in both counts. I am looking at the neck wraps that go down your spine a bit and the wrist wraps. I found at night that if I keep a gel pack on a towel on my bed that it helps just to put my hand and wrist on it. Also a wet face cloth. So who knows may be it would help outside too. Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/OKE/programs--services/DirectAssistance/cooling-product-information-and-assistance/index.aspx
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God love ya! I've had all kinds of hot flashes the past ten years and they continue but have lessened. I've had the ones that make my face flush terribly and then I break out in a sweat. I've had the one that feel like I'm a thermometer and the heat rises somewhere from my abdomen and up thru the top of my head. They can last a minute or several minutes. The ones I get the most of now are at night. I can go to bed so tired and cold and just when I get comfortable and ready to doze off, I'm sweatin' like I'm in a steam bath. My mother was 85 when she passed and she continued to have hot flashes till then. Yes, everyone is different. I think of it as "surging" now! But, I never get use to them. Hang in there!
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I have the exact same symptoms as aussiesoni. My hot flashes happen once a month and usually only one time, but it lasts for about 15 minutes (although it seems longer). It is always in the middle of the night, around 2 a.m. I suddenly wake up kind of panicky, not knowing why, then shortly get a radiating heat in my chest which then spreads outward to my extremities and then my arms and legs tingle and I feel like I am going to pass out. I also get the feeling of extreme nausea and the need to have a bowel movement. I lay as still as I can, practice deep breathing techniques and reassure myself that I am ok and this will pass. It feels like a panic attack and I'm sure I am anxious at the onset. I am 44 years old and had a total hysterectomy 7 years ago. Initially I was on Progesterone, but my gynecologist switched me to Estradiol and I have been on that for 6 years. The hot flashes have been a recent development and the first few times I had one, I thought I needed to go to the emergency room. Finding this website was a Godsend and I know I am not alone! My question is, can anything be done or is this something that I'll just have to deal with? I also need to say that I have had a kidney transplant and because of the medications I take for that, I cannot take just any over the counter medication or herbal supplement in case it interferes with my anti-rejection medication. And not that I wish this on anyone else, but I am glad that I am not the only one experiencing this and grateful for your stories! Best wishes!!!
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No wonder I've never had a problem with hot flashes. I eat a lot of ice cream. :) Good to know. Thanks.
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elizabeth_craig
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Ladies for your responses. I am now sure that I am having hot flashes. My face, back of my neck, and scalp get a hot wierd feeling under the skin, which lasts for 15 seconds or so, and then the profuse sweating begins and lasts a little bit longer. I am experiencing this about 10 to 15 times a day. From what I have read in other's messages, this is not too bad. If this is what I have to endure, its tolerable.....for now.
cheerful1_gw
17 years ago
I'm trying to look at a bright side to hot flashes - maybe they speed up your metabolism!
Heathen1
17 years ago
they do? don't tease me like this! :D
elizabeth_craig
Original Author
17 years ago
A speedy metabolism, now wouldn't that be a bonus. You would think that all the heat produced would burn up at least some fat. Its too bad it doesn't work that way...I'm thinking I could be down 10lbs by next Tuesday. I bet if this was a 'guy' thing, they would get a great side effect.
cheerful1_gw
17 years ago
If hot flashes were a "guy thing", they'd find a way to cure it, really quick.

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