<p>How are you coping? I am having them almost every half an hour; quietens down a bit in the early evening and then several times during the night. I don’t know how often then as I only wake up about 3 times during the night. I can’t bear the thought that this could go on for years…I did go on HRT for 3 months but got scared so now I am letting nature take its course but I can’t stand it!</p>
<p>Had them for several years. And living in Houston didn’t help. I just cranked up the air and dealt with the electricity bill. </p>
<p>There are some natural remedies- look up Chinese medicine- if I recall correctly, there was a tea that helped me.</p>
<p>Estroven extra strength works for me…</p>
<p>I was surprised and not at all happy when my mother recently told me that she began having hot flashes after stopping 25 years (!) of HRT at the age of … 70-plus. In my mom’s case, at least, Mother Nature would just not be cheated of her fun.</p>
<p>I’ve been having hot flashes for about 5 or 6 years. They come in waves, and I’ll have one an hour or more for several weeks at a time, then nothing for several weeks. Then the whole roller coaster ride starts over again.</p>
<p>Not much luck with home remedies, and I’m NOT doing HRT. I keep telling myself that I can manage if they don’t get worse, and so far they haven’t. Not much fun, though. OP, you’ve got lots of company. One thing that helps a little bit is to dress in layers and peel them off as needed. I also keep a tall bottle of cold water nearby at all times.</p>
<p>A couple things that I found that help: a damp, cool wash cloth near my bed for really hot flashes and a pair of wicking pj’s. The pajamas really helped me in the winter because after I got hot and sweaty, I would freeze. I found them on-line somewhere.</p>
<p>frazzled1- my mom was put on HRT for some reason when she was in her 70’s and she got her period at the age of 74. Not a happy woman and my dad had to make a trip to the store 
That was the end of that prescription.</p>
<p>I’ve had them for a few years. Sorry I can’t be more optimistic, but I’ve rejected HRT (and bio-identicals for the same reason as HRT) and have found no relief in the alternative remedies. A neurologist suggested I discuss a low dose of Wellbutrin with the OB/Gyn - she seems to think there’s an old study on this aiding with hot flashes. I’d be interested if anyone had tried that!</p>
<p>I did the HRT. Saved my sanity and my husbands life. I was able to come off it after a couple of years.</p>
<p>I was soaking the sheets at night. This helped me-- [Soy</a> Bars for a heart healthy diet at RevivalSoy.com](<a href=“http://www.revivalsoy.com/products/bars/index.html?pid=soygsoy15]Soy”>http://www.revivalsoy.com/products/bars/index.html?pid=soygsoy15)
Also, recommend this book-- [Amazon.com:</a> The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change, 2nd Edition (9780553384093): Christiane Northrup: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Menopause-Creating-Physical-Emotional/dp/0553384090/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287446516&sr=1-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Menopause-Creating-Physical-Emotional/dp/0553384090/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287446516&sr=1-1)</p>
<p>I can’t often tell if they are hot flashes, or if I am getting sick or if it is just really humid since they are very infrequent. But using soy milk helps, as does black cohosh tea ( although I don’t drink it)
I do try and go easy on sugar/alcohol/caffeine, because those things tend to make it worse.
[Herbs</a> for Menopause, Menopause Symptoms, Menopause Treatment - Dr. Weil](<a href=“Integrative Medicine & Healthy Living | Andrew Weil, M.D.”>Integrative Medicine & Healthy Living | Andrew Weil, M.D.)</p>
<p>I had night sweats for about 3 months, then hot flashes for about 2 weeks. That was 3 months ago and so far…nothing. Hoping I’ll take after my mother on this-she claims she never had any symptoms of menopause, only cessation of periods.</p>
<p>I’m past the hot flash phase – I had them for a few years, did not opt for HRT. I live in a generally cool climate and noticed that my hot flashes were worse when the weather was also warm – it actually was nice during winter months that I think I saved a little on my heating bill. </p>
<p>I noticed that my hot flashes seemed to come when I was sedentary… such as sitting in a chair at the computer for a long time – so I started exercising more and it seemed to help. </p>
<p>The other thing that really helped at home and was also very easy to accomplish was to simply have a lot of popsicles on hand – I opted for frozen fruit bars. Basically, eating one always cooled me down. </p>
<p>I’m single which was helpful at night – I just didn’t bother with blankets, so I did sometimes wake up sweating, but at least could arrange my bedding to maximize my comfort level.</p>
<p>I have used HRT (bio-identical) for four years now. I know it’s a risk, but as I recall (?) all-cause mortality was not affected in the WHI study. Regardless, without HRT my quality of life was seriously affected. Hot flashes were annoying, but the incredible sadness/moodiness/irritability I felt made life very difficult. For me anyway, it seems to have been purely hormonal. The transformation post-HRT was nothing short of amazing. Yes, I am scared, but …</p>
<p>I remember reading somewhere that in Japan there is no translation for “hot flashes” due to the amount of soy that is consumed by women throughout their lives. So there may be something to that soy consumption: like tofu, soy milk, soy joy etc. (but not soy sauce).</p>
<p>I don’t have them (yet) but a friend of mine highly recommends the Chillow.</p>
<p>[The</a> Chillow Pillow Store - Home Of The Amazing Chillow!](<a href=“http://chillowstore.com/]The”>http://chillowstore.com/)</p>
<p>Soy contains plant estrogens, and since it’s declining estrogen that causes hot flashes in the first place, the soy helps. However, as with HRT, there may be risks associated with ingesting too much soy: </p>
<p>
[Phytoestrogens</a> and Breast Cancer](<a href=“http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/Diet/fs1.phyto.cfm]Phytoestrogens”>http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/Diet/fs1.phyto.cfm)</p>
<p>[Soy</a> Intake and Breast Cancer](<a href=“http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/everyone/question/soy.jsp]Soy”>http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/everyone/question/soy.jsp)</p>
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<p>I read this too. Apparently women in Japan don’t get much in the way of peri-menopausal symptoms. I use soy milk in my tea now and am planning to pick up some bars.</p>
<p>I get night sweats a few nights a month. No overt hot flashes during the day yet but I have been getting other strange symptoms like head pressure and ‘brain fog’ (memory issues and not feeling like I can think). These symptoms also only appear a few times a month. I think I’m in the early stages of menopause.</p>
<p>There is a great website about menopause - especially the forum, called power-surge dot com.</p>
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<p>I was the same. I thought everyone was just being sooo mean all the time, I was a basket case. Didn’t realize until I started on the HRT that it was all me!!</p>
<p>Very cute, SCM I know exactly what you mean, and so do my husband, my kids, and my friends - except, I guess, they knew it was me all along. HRT has eliminated annoying PVCs and migraines as well. How long did you actually take them and what happened when you stopped?</p>
<p>I have heard effexor helps.</p>
<p>I am heading over to check out that menopause forum while I sit here perspiring away! I live in a hot climate and so the airconditioning is on all the time; yet I fluctuate between wearing a cardigan and stripping off like a mad woman!</p>