27 million women in the USA have hot flashes and night
sweats. Could it be 26,999,999? My hot flashes are waning. I am alerting the
media! I still get night sweats but the hot flashes, knock on wood, have not
bothered me since summer.
I am cold this winter and I don’t live in a really cold part
of the country. I am wearing turtlenecks. I am wearing layers. I am wearing
warm socks. I am wearing my down coat when it is not raining. In a nutshell I
have become my former self. It has been 12 years since I spent a winter in
heavy layers. I never thought I would see this day again!
Menopause gripped me like a giant bear hug with drenching
night sweats and drippy hot flashes. For 12 years I have been wearing
waterproof makeup because of my hot flashes. For 12 years I have worn
sleeveless tops and open toe shoes year round. For 12 years I have not put on a
scarf. For 12 years I rarely have worn tights.
Things have changed. I noticed last week the weather was in
the high 30’s and I dressed in tights, wool slacks that are lined, leather
shoes, turtleneck top with a sweater over it. I then put on a big down coat, a
scarf, hat and gloves and headed to my car. I promptly turned my heater on high
and was surprised that I wasn’t sweating!
There was a time not long ago that I would look at my arms
and they had goose bumps but I was not registering cold. Now when watching TV I
use a cozy blanket. I turn the heat up, and turn on the fireplace. I forgot how
cozy the fireplace is!
Not to jinx myself so my hot flashes return, I still have
night sweats. Yes they are not as frequent or as severe as they once were, but
I still get them. I am OK with a few night sweats because I see the end game. A
day when I experience no night sweats can only be a mere 2-3 years away, or so
I hope!
8 comments:
Well there you go, the only thing that stays constant is constant change. I'm cheering with you and celebrate your renewed enjoyment of wool, fire and warm blankets.
Thanks Yvonne for your joyous comments
Yeah! Progress, right! I was pretty glad to see my hot moments go away but have to admit that I occasionally wake up with a hot flash or two. So glad to see that you're getting to throw on the layers this winter.
I am guarded Walker but delighted. I have to ask though, "Has it always been this cold?" I forgot what chilly feels like.
Congratulations, Haralee! I don't know how you did it for 12 years. Mine started about 3-4 years ago and I didn't get a good night sleep the whole time. I finally gave in and had my doctor prescribe hormones. I have my life back. I'm not in a fog and I'm actually dreaming again. So, we can both celebrate progress.
Glad for you Jennifer. Couldn't do hormones because I had breast cancer which threw me into menopause.IT is amazing being cold again.
Remember the days when we hated being cold. :)
It is so odd to be cold again!
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