His and Her Health

HELLO, I am new to this board. I had a total hysterectomy in 1994, at 47 and I am now 59 and still getting hot flashes. I do not sweat and my face and ears turn red and HOT. I am heat intolerent and always carry a portable fan around in my purse. I have been on pills, patches, herbs, bioidentical hormones, with very little help. I've been to many Drs. and had many tests done, all came back normal. I am almost 60, how long do they last? Anyone out there with the same thing in common, I would like to hear from you, Maria

I've been having hot flashes for almost 4 years. Most of the time I don't sweat, just get unbearably hot. I keep a fan at my desk and one in the car. So, you're not alone. I, too, wonder when it will stop. I haven't worn a turtleneck top in years.

The only thing I can recommend is to take vitamin E. I take 800 units a day (two 400 unit capsules), in the mornings. I can tell the difference if I skip a day. It does help a little.

I've found my hot flashes are much worse when I'm tired or stressed. And they are worse at night. Sorry I don't have anything better to offer.

Red Hot Mamas medical expert, Dr. Machelle Seibel has some advice:

It is very unusual for estrogen not to help with hot flashes if the dosage is correct. Before giving up on it, ask your doctor to check your estrogen levels on the bioidentical estrogens to be sure you are in a therapeutic range. Sometimes the absorption is not good through the skin or the concentration of the estrogen is very low making it take more than usually needed.

If estrogen or the other things you’ve tried aren’t working, there are other prescription drugs to consider. One that has been studied is Gabapentin. It is used for seizures usually, but it has been studied for hot flashes and for a good percentage, it helps a lot. Dosages are usually 300mg pills taken one nightly for a few nights and increased every few nights up to 900 mg/day.

A sleeping pill called Lunesta has also been shown very helpful in improving night flashes as another alternative. Good hydration drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, exercise and stress reduction are also helpful as are yoga and meditation. Also be sure to avoid caffeine and spicy foods as much as possible.