<p>Spinner-
You’re welcome. Since migraines are a vascular disorder, it makes sense that a person who is predisposed to vascular problems would also be at risk for stroke. Same would be true for HTN (hypertension), I would imagine.</p>
<p>The good news is, the newer BCPs are much “lighter” than the old ones, but personally, I’d probably prefer to try another route. I’ll never forget having to go see a patient who was 40 years old and she’d just had a massive stroke. And at the time, she and I were the same age (within a few days!). And seeing that I’m turning 53 on Monday, I am going to try to avoid those sort of things!</p>
<p>I started taking niacin a few years ago to lower my cholesterol and they help a great deal with my hormone related migraines as well.
( the reason why it makes you flush is because your cells dump all the histamine- however if you take it regulary it doesn’t make you flush so much)</p>
<p>This is the best thread! I laughed and sighed in anticipation of what’s ahead. Ladies, I even took notes! </p>
<p>My one overall observation: our poor, poor husbands. The image of these guys huddled and shivering under tons of blankets because the bedroom is the temp of a meat locker just undid me. Love the idea of a mattress with dual temp controls…</p>
<p>weenie:
My thermostat has definitely turned up but there are even spikes within the new range. I never used to wear sleeveless shirts but now they are a basic.
SBmom:
I did have jaw problems, when my first child started the college admissions process! Then I found CC.
These migraines are definitely related to hormones. Maxalt keeps them under control. I think it constricts the blood vessels.
EK4:
I will definitely look into the niacin. My mom suggested evening primrose oil, which I tried for several months but it didn’t seem to do anything.</p>
<p>Weenie, I thought I was having one long hot flash yesterday and then it turned out that it really was hot! I had just assumed it was me, and then my daughter walked in complaining about how hot it was… and it turned out that it yes, sometimes its just the weather. Though I think that I am even more sensitive and uncomfortable in hot weather than ever before.</p>
<p>Tonight I was having a hot flash and I got up and got a dish of frozen yogurt and after I ate that I felt really cool… so that’s the good news: ice cream still is the cure-all for everything.</p>
<p>I don’t know if it will work, but getting out of bed and going for ice cream is better than lying around being miserable. (Any excuse for ice cream is a good one). </p>
<p>Also I have found that with menopause, I really like standing in front of the refrigerator with the frig or freezer door open. So an alternative is to just go and rummage around the frig for awhile trying to decide on what to eat. Oh, and if you decide to make a sandwich or something, make lots of trips to the frig to get out each ingredient one at a time, rather than bringing all the stuff out at once. Or you can stand in front of the frig with the door open and drink cold beverages out of their containers. Nobody else is up at that hour so you won’t get caught.</p>
<p>I’d like to ask a question if you all don’t mind. How old are you? I’m 49, will be 50 in a few months. As I said, so far minimal signs. The worst of which is having to pluck hair from my chin:(.</p>
<p>When did the serious stuff start for you all?</p>
<p>I’m 52 and it started up bad within the last month or two. Until then I was still having periods fairly regularly; I was having very mild hot flashes for about the past 8 months or so. (Hot flashes are kind of like labor - you don’t realize that what you have is “mild” until the real thing sets in).</p>
<p>On the other hand, I’m kind of getting used to the new, warmer me. Fortunately, I am single so I don’t have anyone sharing my bed to complain if I decide I don’t need all those blankets any more. And I’m looking forward to big savings on my heating bill next winter when daughter’s away at college, and I’ll keep the home thermostat set to a nice comfy 62 or something.</p>
<p>Alu, LOL chin hair. Got one (blonde thank god) the other day. I have asked for a lit magnifying mirror for my birthday, to keep on top of such embarrassments. Nothing like staying in a Four Seasons and discovering you have a moustache…</p>
<p>I am about to turn 45. I’ve awakened feeling hot (not sweaty though) 3-4 times in last year. Periods seem heavier. Still like clockwork. And of course the symptom I don’t want to get rid of: sex drive is way up. </p>
<p>Is this my body’s way of trying for one more pregnancy?</p>
<p>“Is this my body’s way of trying for one more pregnancy?”</p>
<p>Could be…friend of mine, 45, just had her 3rd boy. Other two are 18 and 16. She thought she was going through menopause —turned out she was 14 weeks pregnant!!!</p>
<p>A late in life pregnancy was a recurring nightmare of mine through my mid-40’s…I’d wake up in an even bigger sweat!</p>
<p>I will be 50 in a few months, and I have missed my period several months, and some months had two. I have hot flashes, forgetfulness, irritability. Ask my family; I am certain they think this is a swell time of life! ;)</p>
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