What do you do about brutal night sweats?

[legotits]

I'm averaging minimum 14 nights each month where I sweat so badly the sheets need changing.
Some of those I wake up during the night and need to change them because I'm drenched and freezing, go back to bed and in the morning same again.

I'm at my wits end.

Does anyone have any practical tips?

I haven't had a hormone test because I have other MH problems that take priority but I have been given Norhisterone to take days 12-26 and also take Starflower oil, Agnus Castus and Macca Root.

[Ledkr]

HRT

If not tho. Try sulpher tabs. Also I had a fan on my bedside table that id just switch on full each time.
I found that alcohol made them ten times worse and even now I get them when I drink, even with the HRT.
I'm 49 but had my ovaries out two years ago so instant meno for me!

[pieceofpurplesky]

Watching with interest ad this is me too

[Auntpodder]

A chillow www.chillow.co.uk/chillow#buynow was fantastic when I went through a temporary menopause as part of cancer treatment. A posh new mattress and really nice bed linen helped a bit but not as much as the chillow (not good if you have a cat with long claws though as oncologist pointed out when she recommended it). Acupuncture also helped and, sigh, cutting down on alcohol...

[legotits]

I've quit the booze in November to rule that out.

I'm 39 with preexisting MH stuff so HRT is not a priority with my GP but the mood swings, sweats, appetite increase, migraines increased libido are all hormone related and all making my life bloody miserable

Chillow looks good my head sweats buckets

I did buy a duvet protector I was taking the feather duvet to launderette weekly!
Bought a cheap one £20 sent it back because it was plasticy and got the £90 cotton feel protector and that's mitigating the flood a bit but this is shit.

[FuckyNell]

Wow op at your age you really should have the benefits of hrt

[PollyPerky]

Why are you taking Norethisterone? Is this to regulate your cycle in some way?
Not sure why being treated for MH issues means other health issues are ignored...
Sorry, but saying HRT or meno is 'not a priority with your GP' isn't really the point is it? :) It's your body, so ask for help. You really don't have to suffer like this and fiddle around with stuff that isn't doing any good. You need serious science! HRT.

Anyone having meno symptoms at 39 ought to seriously consider HRT because you are having a menopause roughly 12 years too early. NICE advice is that all women with premature menopause are treated with HRT. Don't want to sound bossy! - but there are so many women who don't realise the long term serious health implications of early menopause (osteoporosis and heart disease) that I do tend to bang on about it a bit here.

[iyamehooru]

I take HRT in tablet form. Tried patches but nothing worked.

[legotits]

not at all bossy Polly

My GP is too eager to put any meno symptoms down to my MH.

I'm successfully medicated for MH
Olanzapine
Paroxetine
Risperidone
Propranolol
No new stuff I've taken that lot for the last few years so I'm confident it isn't side effects from that.

I was given norehisterone to stop the build up of hormone. Since September my down mood is epic and I have irrational rages.

I'm tempted to get a private gyne appointment because I do understand that for the GP all roads lead back to MH but I've had MH problems forever and this isn't how it manifests for me.

You're all making me feel better though can you all be my GP instead?

[HixieRice]

A wool mattress topper seemed to help DM - I was a cheapskate and got a "slight second" on Amazon that turned up in perfect condition. I think you can get entire mattresses made of wool too? I assume that any kind of protective bedding covers would negate the benefits, though? And stick with 100% cotton bed linen.

[Auntpodder]

Probably two chillows would be an idea since you seem to have such extreme symptoms. It is miserable. A different (and male) consultant recently recommended I had a hysterectomy, and was downplaying the possible side-effects but didn't have much of an answer when I pointed out that I could speak from experience when it came to the menopause.

[PollyPerky]

This is a bit weird ( not you OP!) Norethisterone is known to affect mood and is one of the most hated types of synthetic progestogens. I'm still not sure why you are taking it- are you? which hormone is your dr hoping to stop building up? I used to use Norethisterone as part of my HRT and used it for 10 days every 2 months. I hated it because sometimes it gave me bad PMS when I changed into a mad woman. My consultant was very happy to change it to another type. So why a GP has given ti to you when you have mood issues is suspect to say the least.

As far as I know, Noreth is given for women who are a) low in progesterone in the 2nd half of their cycle, and b) to delay a period (ie on holiday) and c) as part of sequential HRT.

Do you fit into any of these? If not, why take it?

It could also be making you feel hotter because this is what it can do.

See a dr who knows what they are doing!!

[YeOldeTrout]

New side effects can start from old drugs at any time, OP.
Heavy sweating is not unusual side effect for many of those drugs (including your new drug, the norhisterone).

[legotits]

The norehisterone was prescribed to get me through the second half of cycle, when I turn into the hulk!

The sweats predate the norehisterone so I'd ruled that out but I'm wondering now if there isn't a better drug.

Aye Trout some of my Meds are bad for side effects.
This feels different though hormonal rather than psych iywim?

[PollyPerky]

Sorry, but are you saying you were prescribed Norethisterone to control PMS?
If so, that's pretty unbelievable and seems to show your GP knows bugger all about hormones. what the heck are they thinking of? As I posted earlier, Norethisterone is one of the WORST progestogens for causing mood swings. Many women hate it with a vengeance! I used it for 5 years but was taking it only for 10 days every 2nd or 3rd month on long-cycle HRT.

It doesn't cause sweating by the way- it's not a listed side effect.

Why are you using it for PMS?? Makes no sense at all because its effects are the opposite.

[HawkEyeTheNoo]

My GP put me on Prasosin/Hypovase and it's really really helped me

[PollyPerky]

OP PLEASE ask to be referred to a gynae who specialises in prem meno- if you are able to there is a clinic in LOndon at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital, (NHS)
You need some proper support and oestrogen if you are having a prem menopause.

[legotits]

Another night of swamp bed I'm asking for a call back from my GP today.
3 chillow arriving today too so I'm hoping for some relief there!

I'm in Yorkshire Pol I shouldn't lump all this on my GP I never go into surgery I get a home visit if I absolutely need to be seen so she's got her hands tied.

I've tried researching hrt but there is too many!

I need something to stop hormone peaks and troughs, night sweats and massive face zits (I have a recurring one on the inside of my nose that, when full, makes my glasses cock eyed so I look like Eric Morcomb) arse zits, itchy nips and bloating

Shame they don't have a compare the hrt like compare the market!

[MrsJayy]

Oh op I am the same I woke up during the night drenched my face and hair was soaking but if i lie out the bed im freezing I have been to 2 seperate Gps they wont give me HRT because im still having periods im nearly 45 and drowning in sweat sigh

[ASmallHenInItsLateForties]

Huge sympathies lego. I don't get it as badly as you but I am waking at night all hot and sweaty and then suddenly freezing. How is it even possible to be so hot and cold at the same time?! hmm]

I keep wondering whether to try those magnets. They're pretty expensive though and I can't understand how they're supposed to work

[JapanNextYear]

Noristherone turned me horrible.

HRT helped with sweats and moods. Meno pace did too.

A wool duvet helps on the two to three days a month I now wake up with sweats, (rather than every night) i don't wake up absolutely freezing any more in the middle of the night. Merino wool pyjamas helped too to wick away the sweat. I keep a spare pillow by the bed so I can swap them over when wake up soaked.

For me alcohol, caffeine etc seem to make no difference.

Make sure you redydrate, I lost a lot of salt.

HRT is the thing that made the big difference though.

[JapanNextYear]

mrsjayy you can have HRT while you have periods, that's kind of the point. Read the NICE guidelines on menopause. I still have periods. Get another GP and go armed with knowledge.

Also Agnus castus and meno pace halped me, who is a deep sceptic about herbal stuff, might be worth a try.

[MrsJayy]

Ive been on menopace for ages not really worked for me I will go back and be more assertive thanks for the info. The hot/cold sensation is weird especially when you wake up in the middle of the night and think you have some tropical fever

[legotits]

I've got a rota for pillows and a 90° turn system to find dry patches on the duvet.

God knows what my DP will think when he gets back (posted away) he will have to sleep in scuba gear.

N.B. only the lovely Sean Bean would be welcomed in bed in scuba gear, sorry DP

[JapanNextYear]

My DP calls me gollum. Sweet.

[PollyPerky]

Just to confirm Mrsjayy , HRT is for women who still have periods, as well as women who don't. Yet another GP who knows nothing about it- shocking really that so many women are suffering and only find the truth on forums. Read the NICE report and talk to your GP about it- or print off relevant parts to take with you.

OP are you unable to go out to the surgery- is this part of your MH issues? Because if not, why don't you make an appt to see your GP and discuss? Your GP is there for all your issues not just one.There are also specialist meno (NHS) clinics across the UK, usually based at local hospitals- worth seeing if there is one near you.