Hot flashes... and what I was wearing ;-) - YouLookFab Forum

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Hot flashes... and what I was wearing ;-)

Queen Mum

Veteran

Oh. My. Word!

I had the mother of all hot flashes this morning!

I thought...

I was going...

to die!

Looking back I realize that I have had little minor hot flashes in the past, but holy cow! Sweat was dripping from my face. Luckily I was at home drying my hair... not out in public. I started stripping my clothes off faster than a teenager in heat. Goodness! Anyone have any advice on avoiding or surviving this unpleasant rite of passage?

I"ll add a pic of todays outfit just to make the post more fashion relevant.

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39 replies

Latest reply was from Queen Mum

Marley

Veteran

Oh no! I'm so sorry. You are waaay to young to start getting hotflashes girlfriend! I (regrettably) don't have a whole lot of advice on how to survive them - dress in layers, carry a miniature fan with you - they even have ones that you can hang around your neck (LOL) - perhaps a new trend? Wear waterproof makeup - and carry a large towel with you to wipe off the sweat and an extra pair of clothes to change into once the flash is over and you are drenched down to your skin! (oooh - it brings back some not so pleasant memories for me!)

StacyJo

(website)

I've been taking black cohash, seems to keep the pre-energy surges at bay. And lots of water...lots and lots of water.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Marley- that is what people keep telling me.. that I"m too young. I wake up at night sometimes drenched in sweat too. I REFUSE to be that middle aged woman walking around with a fan hanging from her neck

StacyJo... I try to drink lots of water. This morning I hadn't had water other than what I drank at the gym... and I was trying to get my shower and hair dried before my after workout breakfast (I always eat a little before the gym too) but I kindof wonder if there was a low blood sugar connection. I need to pay attention to that.
I"ll have to try the black cohash too.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

don't know about the flashes, but I love that top with the belt!

Queen Mum

Veteran

thanks Mo! I like it too!

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Love the fashion element! Fab outfit! Can't help with the hot flashes but very sympathetic...

Jonesy

Veteran

You do seem a bit young, but I'm guessing there is an age range...Looking at your outfit, is it possible that you were experiencing a smoking hot style flash, since you look so good, instead of a hot flash :)?

Anonymous

I'll trade your hot flashes for my "crazy brain" - black cohosh *may* be helping this, but then again it might be my imagination! Good luck and dress in layers if you can.

Anonymous

I love those blues on you! Really cute top. Not sure about the hot flashes. . . maybe a good excuse to eat gelato?

Erin

Veteran

Love that top, the colours are great. As for the hot flashes I have done some reading that eating soy products can help by balancing out the lowering hormone levels. (Tofu, soy milk, edemame etc...)

Anonymous

Ice water! Drinking really cold drinks. Dressing in layers that can be peeled off is a must. They also seem at their worst (as is everything) when you are under stress, maybe stress you don't even realize you are feeling. Many hugs and know that you are certainly not alone.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

SO sorry! I had this problem for about 2 yrs...needed to change shirts halfway thru my shift at work and was literally drenched by the time I could change Sometimes had sweat running down my face and back so bad I felt like I was in the shower! Needed to have a Dr. note to allow me water at my register (which helped somewhat) My Dr. said many women experience this for a few yrs before going thru menopause (perimenopausal) and lots of water, Black Cohosh, and lots of tissues helped! Best of luck to you....

yellowgirl

At least you looked really good during that hot flash!

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Hot flashes? Seriously? Aren't you still packing school lunches and stuff? I think Jonesy might have it right - it was totally an 'I'm so hot' flash.

MNsara

Veteran

Aww, absolutely no fun and does make you wonder if there are any triggers you can (happily) avoid. I have no wisdom or ideas (other than the layers and avoiding synthetics fibers on your top half), but I'll keep my ears open for you.

On the bright side, you look fab in your jeans and layered top

Debora

Veteran

Aaaah, I know that feeling....hotter than Georgia asphalt in August.

Exercise helps. Also dressing in loose, breathable fabrics. Hang in there, Kim. If it's any consolation, you look fab!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

HERBS!!!
I am serious- I was having extreme pre menopausal symptoms (and I am only 38)- including periods so heavy they were causing anemia (sorry if that's TMI). I am now taking not only black cohosh, but Vitex (chaste berry), evening primrose oil, and wild yam root. It's a lot- and it takes time for herbs to get into your system and really make changes, but I am now having normal periods and almost none of the other symptoms that I was having. You can also try topical progesterone cream from a natural grocery store.

taylor

Veteran

I thought I was too young too...not so apparently. I was completely through at 47 and have been happily DONE with it all for 6 1/2 yrs.
I still get hot flashes , but nothing like when I first began...they used to actually make me momentarily nauseous, and I had 30 a day at first. I went the natural route and I am no worse for the wear. I feel great .
The worst was in the salon holding a blasting hot blow dryer and sweat dripping down my face...ugh...that was awful:(
Hang in there Kim...there is a wonderful payoff at the end of it all:)

Queen Mum

Veteran

Thanks for all the input ladies. I'm going to look into some of those suggestions Khris.
I'm reading that the "average" age for the onset of menopause is 51. I'm 45... so yes, it's young, but I'm sure not unheard of.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Taylor- okay, so I'm not a freak thanks!
yes, I was drying my hair and I honestly was feeling like I was going to pass out and was almost a bit nauseous.. and I'm reading that those are symptoms. I am looking forward to being on the other side

taylor

Veteran

aww..poor Kim, honestly that blow dryer makes you feel like you are just going to explode doesn't it!!

I have a girlfriend who is my age exactly and her doctor told her she is nowhere near starting meno...I thought" Oh goodness you are still dealing with all that!!!

So my point being...be glad to be free of it as soon as possible...no more mood swings...and the other not so pleasant symptoms....to me the hot flashes were the worst part...the rest was a cake walk:) Women were so full of horror stories...don't buy into the hysteria. I feel the normal monthly cycle is WAY worse than the mono symptoms could ever be...glad to be on the other side...and you will too!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Here is how my doctor described it to me. Average age of menopause may be 51 but most women experience symptoms starting in the early to mid-40s and go through perimenopause for years before the final cessation of the menstrual cycle. I think I started PMB (the b is for bull****) about 5 years ago and I am now 48. I don't have the flashing but do wake up in a sweat about once every three months.

As to the outfit, I really like the blue top tucked in jeans. Very nice look for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look cool as a cucumber to me, pretty lady! Fabulous outfit.

Aida

Veteran

I can only offer fashion input Love the outfit, especially the soft painterly pattern! Very cute addition of the silver belt and sandals, too.

Barbara

Veteran

Love the outfit, QM. You always look fab!

Hot flashes can be SO disruptive. Thank goodness for hormone replacement therapy. Properly administered and monitored, HRT can really improve your life.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, you look cool and stylish!

I think I've had one hot flash -- woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, and it was not warm in the room at all. I'm so not looking forward to more of that. Things are starting to change, and I'm turning 46 in a month, so I guess this is the very beginning of it all for me. My sister was done before she turned 44.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I have no suggestions but at least you looked beautiful through it.

Sparky

Veteran

QM, we are the same age, and I only recently learned about all the joys of peri-menopause. I haven't reached the point of hot flashes yet but I am taking the evening primrose oil that Khris mentions and think it's helpful. Khris, you're a fount of great info! I plan to look into all your suggestions.

QM, you look AMAZING in that outfit. One of your best ever, and I mean that. I want that blouse so I can look that good!!

Lisa

Veteran

Like Aida, I can only offer fashion input. And your outfit is super on you, you look lovely in blues. I hope you find some relief soon!

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