Pajama refresh - advice requested

This weekend I finished the closet clean out and went on to tackle my dresser clean out yesterday. I have so much space in my dressers now - so nice! I don't want to clutter it all back up again but in the process I realized I need to do a pajama refresh, and could use some suggestions here. Read the bolded parts for the TL;DR...

Requirements:

1. I'm peri-menopausal now, and hot flashes are a regular nightly thing.

I have been getting by sleeping in an inexpensive cotton cami + silk boxer shorts (which I "borrowed" from DH). I wear these even in winter. With the window wide open, and the fan on, and only a sheet covering me.... and frequently wind up having to change a set in the middle of the night, because I've soaked through ... so I have a zillion of these because I need a zillion.

However I've developed a heat rash or something where the cotton cami rests against my skin. I'll have it checked out by the dermatologist, but I am positive it is not an allergy to laundry detergent. I think it is just heat rash, from constantly having hot flashes Every. Single. Night. Repeatedly. All Night Long. Despite the AC being set at 66 degrees lately.

I already have a hot flash temp-regulating comforter which works great...thank you to whomever it was on YLF who recommended awhile back! I don't use it at all in the summer, but it worked great in the colder months. I am thinking about investing in the sheets and mattress pad next, but I am debating about the pajamas and could use input.

I do not like to sleep in the nude (harkens back to childhood fears about a fire in the middle of the night), nor do I care much for nightgowns, as they tend to get bunched up underneath me when tossing and turning.

2. I also desparately need one pajama set that travels well,

i.e., fits in a tiny space, rinses out in the sink if necessary, something that would look okay opening the door for room service, or leaving the building and confronting co-workers if there was a fire alarm emergency (which there was on one of my last trips... ) I am thinking traditional pajama set, 3 pieces, lounge pants, button down long sleeve top to serve as cover up, and cami. Am seriously considering investing in silk, because of the hot flash benefits... worth it?

But that brings us to #3....

3. I'm only 5'0 but not super slim... xs / xxs fits for length/scale but size up and I'm drowning,

...boobs hanging out of the camisoles, sleeves way past my fingertips, and tripping over the pajama pants... total safety hazard... I also just can't bear the thought of having pajamas altered by a tailor.

Suggestions?

9 years ago

Susie

Veteran

I get hot flashes at night (day time too) but not night sweats. We keep the temp low and use the ceiling fan yet I still frequently have to toss off the covers. I wear shorts year round to sleep with short sleeve sleep tees. The shorts I like are from Soma that are made from a fabric called cool nights and they are very comfy. I believe they make them in pants and tops too.

Garnet Hill usually has a nice selection of pj's too, including some from Eileen Fisher that always look nice.

(website)

I have had flashes for years now. Not sure if it's peri or not. I found wicking stuff through Champion 10 years ago and still have at least the shorts portion. It was intended as lounge, maybe workout, wear but was way too soft and thin for that so it's always been sleep for me. Look for bamboo modal if you can for wicking properties. http://www.drinights.com/store.....8ACFVQV7Ao
I do find I sweat more in shorts than in PJ pants, which seems counter intuitive. I have shortie/cami sets found in TJ Maxx and the like for here in FL, and then a row of VS flannels for back home in winter when it's snowing and cold.

Laura

Active Member

Silk pajamas seem to be cool and comfortable against the skin ......I am wondering if that would help with the hot flashes?

shiny

Susie - thanks for that recommendation, I had not heard of Cool Nights/Soma... checking out the web site now. Looks cute and I see they have short inseams...

Mo - how does the bamboo modal work for you?

I've had this for years too -- on and off since my pregnancies -- thyroid always tests just fine, but they discovered in my 40s by ultrasound that I have PCOS. It's just gotten worse and worse. In my late 20s/early 30s it would be more like once a night for a few nights a month. Now it is like 5-10 times a day. With varying intensities - mini/dry hot flashes, and longer extended wet soaking ones. Pretty sure I'm officially peri-menopausal now - let's just say this past 12 months has been highly erratic in that department.

Honestly I think nature is brilliant... it is putting me through this hell so I can't wait for it to be over.

the modal seems to work best. But sometimes you just get drenched, like you say. I think the trouble with the shorts is I get skin to skin contact on my legs and that makes me sweat.
My thyroid is fine (it was tested when I had heart palpitations send me to the ER). I get toasty pretty much every night now, at least every other. I only seem to get it in daytime with coffee in the morning or maybe after a glass of wine I feel flush. Of course, the entire climate here feels like a hot flash, including the sweat, so who knows?! lol

That's what I'm wondering too, Laura... in my googlings, it appears many recommend silk for exactly that. Not just for hot flashes, but also because it keeps you warm when you need it (i.e., thermo regulates). And packs very small.

My concerns are --

1) The price. EEK

2) The laundry requirements.

Parsley

I just wanted to add my endorsement of Soma pajamas- they are THE BEST!
They're unbelievably soft and comfy. I like that they're separates, so you can mix sizes if you want, and you can get either shorts or long pants (or both!)
I find that they run pretty big, fyi.

Mo! I have been getting chest pains lately as well. Not palpitations - chest pain or pressure, like someone is sitting in the center of my chest, or a fist is squeezing my heart.

I don't drink a lot of coffee and it's not related to that. Wine, yes, I do get flushed with wine, but a total alcohol fast for 6 months made no impact, so forget that. More reliably is when I eat anything. Anything at all. Worse with rich meals, but still happens with small meals eaten more frequently. As soon as I eat -- it's like I turn into a furnace. Which then goes on for hours. I'd like to say I'm a calorie burning machine but I'm not - I'm gaining.

At least in a hot climate everyone else is also drenched in sweat or glowing or red faced.

Gaylene

Try LLBean's silk pointelle underwear cami. It's my travel PJ top which I ended up wearing during menopause because it was cooler than cotton or bamboo. The stuff wears like iron (mine is going on 20 years!), washes in a laundry bag, dries in less than a hour on the hanger, and is reasonable enough that you can buy multiples.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....e-camisole

Oh, and make sure you buy the pointelle stuff, not the regular silk underwear. Fits better and lasts longer. Bonus: once your hormones are finished with you, the stuff is actually great as lightweight underwear!

Thistle

I would look for a set of silk. I had these when I lived in New Orleans and it was hot and humid. I washed mine on delicate cycle in the washing machine and hung to dry.

JayS

I feel your pain...same boat here. Another shout out for Soma Cool Nights. I wear the shorts and cami nearly every night. I usually get a long sleeve pajama top that matches to wear as a cover up. I don't know how it works, but the fabric always feels cool to the touch. Btw, there are usually some in the sale section. That's where I usually stock up.
Oh, I also read something interesting the other day. Apparently you lose heat through the bottom of you feet, so it was suggested that sleeping with your feet out from under the cover will keep you a bit cooler. Not sure if it works or not..I keep forgetting to try. Good luck!

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