# Hot flashes.  Swell.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [August 12, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616 "2003-08-12T11:10:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/1 "2003-08-12T11:10:44Z")

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In 1984, I had to have one ovary removed. In '85, my daughter was born. In '89, I had the rest of my internal girl-stuff removed. Because I was only 35 at the time, my Gyn put me on estrogen. Life was good. Life was fine. Life went on.

Fast forward to 1998 - different city, different doctor. She thinks my estrogen dosage is too high, so she has me wean myself down to the lowest dosage. No biggie. Life was good. Life was fine. Life went on.

FF again to 2003. Back to the old city, but yet another new doctor. I’m 49 now. Doc thinks I need to get off the estrogen - she has me gradually reduce what I take - first every other day, then every third day, until I’m no longer taking any. No biggie. No sweat.

Until very recently.

Hot flashes. Oh yes, I’ve got 'em. I’ll be sitting quietly in front of the computer or crashed on the couch watching TV, and it’ll hit. Roasting to the core! I feel the flush spread up my throat and down my arms.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Yeah, I know a gazillion women before me have survived this, and gazillions more shall. I don’t care. I don’t like it. I am not happy. It’s unfair!!

As I’m about to wind up my first half century on this planet, I recognize that my life is changing irreversibly. The aches take longer to subside. Bruises don’t seem to fade as fast. The instances of walking into a room and forgetting why come far too often. Ditto the frequency of musing “When I was _your_ age…” I accept these things. Such is life. We get older and things change.

Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Stupid hot flashes.

\<sigh\>

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**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/2 "2003-08-12T13:06:41Z")

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I walk into a room and forget why all the time. Please tell me it won’t get worse, **FCM**.

I work with two extreme examples of menopausal women, too. It’s very bad. No one can ever remember what they were doing, or why. Much sympathy, and go beat up bExgineer\*\* or **swampbear**. It might makes you feel better. 😃

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**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/3 "2003-08-12T14:39:07Z")

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I also forget why I walk into a room quite often, and I’m 21! What I _really_ love though, is when I forget what I’m saying _right when I’m in the middle of saying it!_ Jesus, all I can think is, “am I so boring that even _I_ can’t pay attention to me???” God, menopause is probably gonna be hell for me! 😃

Hang in there, **FairyChatMom**. As long as you don’t turn into a seething, irrational ball of emotions that lashes out at everyone around you for no reason and it’s hell… :: coughmomcough :: Uh, you should be fine! 😉

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**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/4 "2003-08-12T14:42:21Z")

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Can you send some of that heat my way? It’s fricking cold in this place, cold enough I’m ready to put on a sweatshirt.

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**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/5 "2003-08-12T15:03:00Z")

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You got hot flashes, **FairyChatMom**?

Isn’t there a pill or something you can take for that?

Maybe you should ask your doctor about it.

:: **Spiff** ducks and runs ::

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**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/6 "2003-08-12T15:09:43Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by zweisamkeit \*  
> \*\*\<snip\> As long as you don’t turn into a seething, irrational ball of emotions that lashes out at everyone around you for no reason and it’s hell… :: coughmomcough :: Uh, you should be fine! 😉 \*\*

Seething? Irrational? Moi? Never!! 😃

**Ed the Head** , the heat comes and goes. I’ve spent most of the morning in a fleece jacket. Granted, my office is often an icebox, but sheesh, it’s AUGUST IN FLORIDA!!!

**Lissa** , how could I beat up my good friends? That would be seething and irrational! :eek: I prefer to save that energy for my HOA! Death to the elected board! A pox upon their houses!

OK, I’m relaxed. Enjoying a nice lunch now. I’m fine - really…

ignoring that whippersnapper **Spiff**

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**Author:** ![Edlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8797f3/32.png) [@Edlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edlyn)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-swell/194616/7 "2003-08-13T01:07:58Z")

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I have the answer to ending the night sweats & hotflashes. There is a herbal combination called _Easy Choice for Women_ that works. And no hormones, either.

I haven’t found the answer to eternal youth yet. 😃
