Hot flushes...menopause or PBC?

[Hils67]

Hi everyone, I’m getting loads of hot flushes at the moment and not sure if they’re menopause or PBC. I’m leaning towards PBC because they start in the torso and don’t reach as far as the face/head. They also last for just a few minutes but are coming quite regularly...sometimes one very hour.

Do menopause flushes start in the face... I don’t get the red neck and red face that I’ve seen others get.

I’m not sure whether to go to GP as last time I had these he said oh it’s the menopause and you can’t have HRT because of the PBC...but they’ll go eventually. When I pursued blood test it showed my liver numbers were increasing. I managed to get numbers down with herbal remedy in combination with my usual URSO. I still take both but I’m wondering if they’re not working again. It’s just such a faff trying to get a drs appointment here in the UK.

What are people’s experiences with menopause and liver flushes...do they feel different?

Thanks for your help 🙏

[Faybrey]

Hi Hils67

Felt I needed to reply even if it’s of no use 😐

Have you had the hormone blood test or did your GP just look at you and decide your flushes were menopause?

I thought us PBC’ers were best to avoid herbal stuff?

Wishing you a fabulous what’s left of the weekend 🌷 x

[Hils67 in reply to Faybrey]

I did have a hormone test a little while ago cos dr thought it might be thyroid...but that was ok. I haven’t had a hormone test recently though. Perhaps I’ll request that too!

With regards to the herbal stuff my consultant is happy for me to carry on with the tincture my herbalist made me as the results showed conclusively it was helping (it was a bit of a battle with them, but they did agree in the end).

Thank you for your reply and hope you have a good evening too xx

[Skypony]

Hi Hils67, I agree with Faybrey that a test of your hormone status is a good idea. My menopausal flushes don't necessarily begin with, but tend to include face. Have you been woken by any at night? I think that's fairly characteristic of menopausal flushes. Sorry, I have no experience of any other kind to compare. I hope you find out soon, as it's easier when you know what you're dealing with. Best wishes

[Hils67 in reply to Skypony]

Hi Skypony,

They sometimes wake me at night...throwing the covers off etc...but don’t really include my face so much, more my torso and legs. I’ll definitely speak to gp for hormone test. In a way I hope they are menopause...at least they’ll finish eventually!! I’m just fearful my PBC is ramping up ☹️...as you say it’s better to know what I’m dealing with.

Take care xx

[Knackeredknowle in reply to Hils67]

Hiya....

Snap! Same as me.

Dr said Definitely menopause and not pbc. I don't take anything because of pbc liver tests (high) and start from my belly.

Many of my friends, same age, without pbc gets the same and often have to swap medication as after few weeks stops working. Because of the HRT and cancer link nobody I know wants HRT and those that were on it came off and their symptoms came back aggressive....

No easy answer.

Stay strong sweetie. Hard being a woman at our tender age without pbc.

We are all hear for you.

Best wishes and keep in touch.

Maxi aka 'knackered' x

[Hils67 in reply to Knackeredknowle]

Thanks Maxi...yep, this age is tough enough!! Luckily us women are tough too.

Xx 🙏

[Hils67 in reply to Knackeredknowle]

I have been told sage tincture is good for flushes, but I’d need to check with herbalist and consultant first.

[genj65]

Hils67 Definitely menopause and I'd stay away from herbal medicines. My dr and gynecologist

suggested I take effexor low dose generic venlafaxine and it worked miracles for my hot flashes and anxiety. I started them a year ago during my sister's passing and had I not been on these pills I don't think I'd have survived mentally. I get B12 injections and Vitamin D shots. My hematologist from University of Michigan doesn't want me to take any herbs or supplements as she said while on URSO she needs to monitor my liver count and doesn't want anything else interfering with it. I suffer from the dreadful itching fro PBC and the dr is currently checking to see if I can do plasmapheresis. Goodluck to you and hope all works out for you.

[Hils67 in reply to genj65]

I worked with my consultant to do trials with and without herbals and there was a definite improvement with herbal...so my consultant advised staying on them. I’m hoping it’s just menopause. Blood test booked for next week now.

Glad you found something to help you.

🙏

[genj65]

Excellent maybe herbs should be considered prior to medication but all drs work differently 🙂 Keep us posted~

[mrspeffer2]

Morning girls....thought I'd add a few thoughts to this. YES, synthetic HRT is not good for the liver or your overall heath with or without PBC. There are safer alternatives. I know some of you are saying, no herbal stuff, and I am not sure where that info. came from, but there is a tincture called Chaste Tree Berry. It will stop hot flashes, calm down irritability, and crush suspicion. It's fairly inexpensive, not pleasant tasting, but works within minutes as it is absorbed rapidly. Then there are BHRT creams and troches. Neither involve the liver for metabolization, so much safer than regular synthetic HRT. Look, it comes down to this, quality of life. Yes girls, we have PBC, but does that mean you have to suffer with everything that comes your way? I'd much rather have a few shorter years happy, than a few more miserable. Our hormones play a role in so much more than hot flashes. Our bones, muscles, brain function, emotions, sleep, mobility all rely on our hormones. Maybe do some research or go see a different doctor, like a gynecologist, or better yet, a Naturopathic doctor and get their views on this . Be well

[Hils67 in reply to mrspeffer2]

I totally agree with you. Where possible I like to treat anything with natural remedies, be they herbal medicine or diet changes. I’m lucky in that I have a herbalist friend who formulated a tincture for my PBC and even my consultant has agreed it’s helping with my liver function and said he was happy for me to carry on taking it.

Once I’ve determined whether these flushes are hormone related or liver related I’ll be able to treat them proactively...I wouldn’t want HRT anyway...but I’ll research the Chaste Tree Berry in case these are hormonal flushes. I’m a big advocate for natural remedies...as in my experience they work!!!

Have a lovely day 🙏

[Knackeredknowle in reply to mrspeffer2]

Right there with you on your excellent advice...personally I grow sage and since adding to a few meals, in the week, my menopause symptoms have reduced. (Whatever works ...and helps you get through)

Positive attitude, as the vibes of your post, help whatever your bills and so does a good support network or community.

Keep up the great posts !

Together we can be strong.

[Knackeredknowle in reply to Knackeredknowle]

Whoops...not Bill's...lol.....hahaha

Should read - 'ills'...

(My big fingers typing on a small keypad excuse x)

[Michi1]

Around the time I was diagnosed I was also having brutal hot flashes. I'd wake up with the sheets drenched like someone had poured a bucket of water on me, and if I was stressed I would go from dry to soaked in about ten seconds. I still don't know if it was liver or menopause. I saw an acupuncturist before my diagnosis and she gave me a Chinese herbal remedy that didn't work that well. I saw her again after my diagnosis and she thought the hot flashes were from PBC. I also transitioned from peri-menopause to menopause around that time, so who can tell? The good news is now that I am on Urso and some time has passed I have only had a few.