Disney ladies...can we talk hot flashes???

[busy mom]

Has anyone had a good experience with over the counter medications/vitamins/etc....I'm burning up!

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[scanmom]

I take Estrace 1MG (prescription), but it doesn't seem to be helping much. And the breast cancer risk increase bothers me, even though we don't have family hx of that.

 

[ceecee]

No difference with the OT meds for me. I also tried Soy and Black Cohash no difference. I declined any Estrogen rx (Dr said I should take them at my age!) due to the risks. I got over them pretty quick after my hysterectomy, still get them occassionally but just stepping outside in this weather helps!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have been taking Estroven (over the counter) for several years now. It comes in several varieties and right now I am taking "Mood and Memory". I get it at Wal Mart for about $8 a box. The best I remember it took a few weeks for the medication to get in my system and start working. I was able to completely quit taking prescription hormone replacement medication that seemed to do nothing for me but give me migraines.

 

[PelletierBears]

I have been taking Estroven (over the counter) for several years now. It comes in several varieties and right now I am taking "Mood and Memory". I get it at Wal Mart for about $8 a box. The best I remember it took a few weeks for the medication to get in my system and start working. I was able to completely quit taking prescription hormone replacement medication that seemed to do nothing for me but give me migraines.

So you feel an improvement in mood? I'm going to check out Estroven at the pharmacy. I need something!!!

 

[bdcp]

I never took anything over the last 5 years. I pretty much only have them once or twice a week now. I guess mine weren't as bad as some, but I would never take HRT and some of the OTC stuff is questionable too. One thing I never ever do is wear layers. I'm almost never cold so I wear short to 3/4 sleeves pretty much year round and never, ever wear high neck shirts. The only thing that has worked for friends has been HRT, but most only took it a year or two at most.

We had no history of breast cancer either but my mom took HRT for more than 15 years and was diagnosed with two types of bc. One was hormone sensitive and she's convinced (and her dr. thinks so too) that the HRT was a cause. I'm 53 and my sisters are 52 and 45 and none of us take anything. Family history has basically nothing to do with bc related to HRT. Neither of my mom's bc were considered genetic/hereditary.

 

[njcarita]

hot flashes are my least bothersome peri/meno symptoms so i just learned to ride out the cold flashes....hot flashes and the night sweats................. I have heard some AD's help .........my gyno had suggested them ...........but i have just learned to dress in layers.............

 

[splash5]

I find that I am having more migraine headaches around the time of the month. Anything help with this?

 

[csharpwv]

OK, I'm not a Disney Lady... but I am a Disney Son-In-Law! HAHA

I bought my DMIL a fire extinguisher! HAHA No, not one of the red ones you keep in the kitchen...BUT you do keep it in the freezer!

Have you seen the things for sale in the mall - the herbal hot cold packs?

Well, this one has different herbs and such in it, and you keep it in the freezer.

When she feels a hot flash coming on she socks that thing down her shirt, in the center under the cross part of her bra and not only does it cool down her hot flash, but the herbal scent calms her down.

She loves that thing and uses it all the time!

Google it online and see if you can find something similar. I think I only paid $12 for it!

Hope it works for you as well as it does for her!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

So you feel an improvement in mood? I'm going to check out Estroven at the pharmacy. I need something!!!

I can tell that my temper is not nearly as "short" as it was. I figured that since I was taking the Estroven anyway that I may as well take the "Mood and Memory" it couldn't hurt. As a plus I don't have nearly as many migraines as I did in the past - has to be something in the "Mood and Memory" formula since that is the only thing in my life that has changed.

 

[a1tinkfans]

as a bc survivor, no herbals, meds or otcs here after a discussion with the drs. Too many increases in hormone levels...and higher hormones are not good! all Soy is a no no for me too.
So...best to dress in cotton, use layers instead of heavier clothing, drinks lots of water...CUT OUT SALT...a HUGE culprit....you can also put the COLD stem of the glass/cup your drinking from on your wrists (if you happen to be at a restaurant) etc cooling the wrists, nape of neck etc helps to alleviate the symptoms. As far as night sweats, keep the room Cooler, again, cotton and lots of fluids...its definitely annoying but it too shall pass...remember you're in good company...so many people suffer from this..Hang in there!!!

 

[bpesch]

I had a total hysterectomy in 2002 at 45 years old. Since then it's been non-stop menopause. I was on prescription hormones for the first year and they helped but got off them because of the risks. Since then I've pretty much tried everything OTC, most with little results. I can't really recommend anything. 11 years later I still have hot flashes but at least now they are manageable. Or I've just gotten used to them, who knows. Not what you want to hear I'm sure but I often think "is this ever going to stop?".

 

[njcarita]

I find that I am having more migraine headaches around the time of the month. Anything help with this?

i get them too............. excedrine migraine works wonders for me

 

[scdak]

I had good results as far as the hot flashes with a product from GNC called "Menopause Formula" which is essentially black cohash but it made my blood pressure become very high for me (180/100) so I decide that hot flashes were better than high blood pressure or having a stroke. I have friends that took the same med without any problems and it worked well.

 

[pjlla]

Started with hot flashes about 1-2 years ago. They were increasing in frequency and duration, including bed-soaking night sweats until I mentioned it to my CHIROPRACTOR. Wait....don't stop reading here because you don't believe in chiropractics! I didn't 18 months ago either!! Our chiropractor was doing great things for DH's back/neck issues (related to double vision posture from an autoimmune disease). So we brought in our DD, a competitive swimmer who had been going the traditional orthopedic/PT route for her shoulder overuse problems (common in swimmers). She has seen continued improvement in ROM, tightness, and pain with regular Chiro treatment, unlike her lack of improvement with ortho treatment.

Anyhow, I mentioned my headaches to him, he "claimed" he could help and I bit back my skepticism and gave him a chance and he has done wonders for my neck and back pain and headaches! But one day when he asked how I was sleeping and I mentioned the insane night sweats he swore he could help....AND HE DID! Night sweats are vastly improved and daytime hot flashes are less frequent ( and seem to mostly happen in relation to a stress moment, like a fight with someone or getting cut off on the highway).

Anyhow...I also have family history of BC and am going through the "change" a little young and do not want to think about years of HRT. I will continue to be treated by my Chiro for this until I get to the poin where I no longer notice it helping.

Best of luck finding a treatment that works for you............P

 

[C_leen]

Went bioidentical. I decided I was too young to cut everything at 42. I went 8 months with nothing and it was awful after my TAHB

 

[itradehilton]

I find that I am having more migraine headaches around the time of the month. Anything help with this?

My MD calls them menstrual migraines, I take RX for this. One little pill and a dark room as soon as symptoms occur knocks them right down.

 

[ILUVALASKA]

I too had a complete hysterectomy at 45. Hot flashes began the next day and have continued for 6 years. They have abated somewhat, but they still happen. Stress seems to trigger them. I never get cold so I dress in lightweight clothing. I use a cooling pillow at night and that seems to help when I am sleeping. I cannot be in very hot temps. I do not takes hormones or anything over the counter.

 

[ceecee]

So you feel an improvement in mood? I'm going to check out Estroven at the pharmacy. I need something!!!

I tried that for a few months...nothing! The upside is Walgreen's had it free after reward bucks.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I finely crush ice in my Ninja, pour in some evaporated milk, add some sweetner and have pseudo-ice cream when I feel a hot flash coming on.

The brain freeze is incredible, but I usually forget all about my hot flash.