I'm talking Hot flashes here.....I can get some so severe that I have to literally sit down and take deep breaths while the sweat descends. It's terrible...not too mention if I should have them while I'm at work (this has happened to me twice) it scares the hell out of the ppl I work.

Don't take anything like HRT's because of the cancer scares....and I know it's a normal life cycle process but damn how much longer will this last?

Honey, I hear you!!!!!!! Last year this at time I was a cop on the streets, that's almost unbearable. I promised myself, I would not do it another summer. Lol! A post menopausal woman with a gun!!! Oh no! Can we say postal! Of course my stress came from a lack of sleep.

I don't do the hormones either because of the cancer scare and to boot I have stopped sleeping, unless I take something. So hence retirement. Sorry Cat I've been flashing for nine years now, they're a little better now, with my new lifestyle.

I am 56 and have been "flashing" since '97 or so. For the last couple of years, I have not had too much trouble, but when I do, OMG! I woke up last night( ) cooking from the inside!! I was misirable(SP).

eeekks I was wondering why I have been emotional I thought It was from going back to school duh.....
Glad somebody brought up the topic,maybe I can get a better understanding.

ooppps Post didn't show up first time

I remember my first flash. I was driving about 9p on the highway, it was raining, and about 40 degrees. I had the heater on for evertone else in the car, but had the window down for me. I was driving at 70, with my head hanging out in the rain!!

There are some over the counter meds that help some that are natural.

I've tried a few, nothing I've found so good that I stuck with it. Any suggestions?

I must be one of the lucky ones. I've turned 60 last month and I've never had hot flashes or anything else for that matter.I've never taken any medications of any kind and I still don't. This is the honest truth.

My girlfiriend swears by Black Cohach(sp). Thank God I do not have them very often. Maybe, that's why they are so bad when I do

I too was pretty lucky with this. I had night sweats forever, didn't sleep too good, cried or laughed at commericals (mostly cried), go from happy to instant anger in seconds. I was not a candidate for hormones (diabetic and cancer survivor) but I did take black cohash and an over the counter supplement (Estro-Natural a Walgreens product) takes care of some of it. Every once and a while I get a flash but not often. I was told it could last 10 years but I think every women is different. Don't beat yourself up it's part of life and nothing really helps. The only thing I found helpful was acceptance and talking to those who went through it before me.

thank you ladies for responding....I am glad to know I am not the only woman who has to deal with this. I've heard some about the black cohash herb but have never tried it (yet). I actually get more night sweats then the hot flashes during the day...but the ones during the day are the ones that really throw me. They are the most severe and it's just been in the last few years that I've been getting them like this (maybe 2 or 3 severe ones a year).

I had a severe one a couple weeks ago at work, so I had to sit down, take deep breaths until it passed. Everybody kept telling me my face was beat red and the sweat was just pouring off me. One of the girls felt sorry for me and got me a bag of ice All I could do was say thank you to her at that point.....but once it passed I was fine. Good Lord I will be glad when and if these things ever stop.

Glad to know that!

Cat you are far from being alone, but it beats some of the alternatives. Like you said the hormones can cause cancer. That is much worse.

FYI, have info. about a natural supplement that really helps.
would put you incontact with a lady, to talk about it.
Mail me.

And yes the hormone therapy of the 1970's was made from HORSE urine yes HORSE urine! I had an aunt who took the HRT and died of cancer in 2006 she was 85. So think twice about a quick relief!

I think the technology may have changed just a tiny bit in the past three or four decades.

Clenching my teeth, ready to throw plates and I thought It was the men in my life I can relate to the calm to anger in minutes oppppps just scared off potential jsh single men.I have always been a pretty laid back go with the flow kinda gal I hate confrentation I am open to comprimize and am flexible but lately I am so overwhelmed by emotions and aching muscles and fatique like I said earlier glad you brought up the topic.