Hi hope some one can help a little. I am 51 and having menopausal problems i am having bad hot sweats. I can not have HRT as i have had 2 pulmonary embolisms after having my KR. I am on lots of meds for my arthritis and doctor says to try over the counter meds to help. So can any of you lovely ladies tell me what to try.
Cant cope with all this on top of my RA.
Many Thanks.
I have same problems and after trying various things have now found gabapentin stops my night sweats! The dose needs to work for you. I take 400mg at night. But because i am getting nerve pain my rheumy has now told me to take 200mg morning 200mg midday and then usual 400mg at night. So I would suggest you just take 400mg at night. I had breast cancer and can't have estrogen or HRT. Hope this helps! Night sweats are so horrid.
I like Cathy's reply. I was going to suggest a high powered fan, like the one I use. My hubby has to sleep with our winter blankets and a sweater, but I sleep fine.
I'd be wary of over the counter stuff, as some of it can have just as much effect as HRT. With the fact that you can't take standard HRT, could you ask your GP to refer you to a gynaceologist? They will be much better at understanding what the options are for you and your particular set of difficulties.
I would say save your money nothing works it has to run its course I would lay a towel on the bed and have a cool bag handy with cold flannels in that had been wet and placed in the freezer with the cool blocks that you use in the cool bag these were heaven sent for me
Hi Girls
I'm 54 and was diagnosed with my RA at 49. The menopause started with a vengeance at 52. I didn't want to consider HRT so I use Menopace Night supplements, from Vitabiotics. They've got a high dose of folic acid in them as well as plant phyto-oestrogens. I'm on MTX and Sulphasalazine for my RA.
best wishes
Ally
Hi, my sympathies are with you. I too have terrible hot sweats. I cant remember the last time i slept more than an hour and a half without waking covered in perspiration. I have a remote controlled high powered fan at the side of the bed which is on all night, but with the remote i dont have to get up (which hurts the joints a lot) to alter the speed or oscillation of the fan. A friend swears by red clover blossom, but i cant take that because of the interaction with amytriptylene. I am told they eventually subside-so i try to stay postive thinking each night is a night closer to them finishing. Good luck.
Penny
Just because it comes from a natural source doesn't mean it's free from the same side effects as manufactured HRT, so be cautious.
I would be inclined to stick to non-medication relief as suggested - fans, cooling applications, etc.
I have found using a silk duvet (bought in a sale) is better for my hot sweats, and a cotton based mattress topper that I can wash frequently as it gets saturated. I did try silk underneath (borrowed some sheets from a friend who uses them) but it was too slippery and I couldn't turn over once I had stiffened up in the night.
I have a fan and open windows and we sleep in separate rooms (with visiting rights!) so that my restlessness and efforts to have a more comfortable night don't disturb "him indoors".
oldtimer - It's incredible isn't it how much we can disturb each other's sleep. I know there have been nights I have just lain there for 5 - 6 hours because if I move around he will wake up, and once he does, even if it is 11:30 at night, he will get up for the night...Thank goodness it's gotten better over time... I like the visiting rights 
I went through an early menopause and suffered from hot flushes. I didn't want to take HRT but researched and found that high dose sage (2000 mg) once daily was supposed to help. I started taking it and within a week the flushes had reduced noticeably. I carried on for a few months and the flushes stopped so I stopped taking the sage. Back came the flushes so I took the sage again. Finally stopped taking it a while back as think menopause has finally finished with me and now don't seem to have hot flushes. Clemmie
Oh this is good to here, doctor said sage. Thats it going to go and try this. Thank you. Don't think i can cope with years of this. What us ladies have to put up with. lol. x
Thank you all for your help. I have had a fan on all night just to help a bit. Will try sage and will let you know how i get on. xx
I'm sorry to hear that.I can sympathise with you.iv been getting the tropical moments for the past year now.my go said that the meds for ra can exacerbate these symptoms.
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