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night sweats

By Anonymous May 26, 2009 - 11:45pm
 
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I am 40 years old and have been having terrible night sweats for over a year now.I had a urine sample done 5 months ago which was fine.I also have a lump on my inside thigh my doctor never really took much notice of this and said i had just damaged my tendon?I get to sleep straight away as i am normally falling asleep around 10pm,but wake up after roughly 4-5 hours felling like i am burning inside but am freezing.I only generally go to my GP probably once a year and find it difficult to explain how i feel to my GP she is not very approachable.I am not on any medications and was sterilised 15 years ago.I am getting so fed up of having to change bedding and the sweats make me feel sick as the smell is horrible like vinegar?Iam hoping you could give me some advice thanks.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm 48 an having sweats all the time. Sometime it fill like someone have poured water on me. When i get out water just run down my legs an I really need help please an thank you

June 22, 2015 - 11:07pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

From your comments I gather you are in the UK and the comments about insurance probably aren't terribly helpful. See if you can locate another GP that will be more useful in helping you understand your symptoms. Your blood tests aren't necessarily the definitive answer to whether or not you are in perimenopause as the process is one of 'fits and starts' where it's common to have symptoms some months and not others. Unfortunately it isn't a matter of our hormones just gracefully declining for most women but a little storm of ups and downs and readjustments that can make us feel miserable mentally and physically.

Keep up with the good self care through low GI and exercise and try to research the process of perimenopause on your own rather than relying on the GP to give good info, especially if the GP isn't someone who's experienced it. You certainly deserve an empathetic doctor for support through this transition.

Best of luck!

December 16, 2009 - 4:30am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am having a similar experience. I'm 42 and have been having horrible night sweats for almost two years, and it sometimes smells like vinegar. My GYN put me on the birth control pill which has helped a lot with the heavy menstrual cycle, but the vinegar smell, when it happens, is disgusting.

December 3, 2009 - 9:10pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Hi, Anon,

So sorry you've been having this trouble. Night sweats are enough to frustrate us without also having to deal with odor.

Have you noticed any pattern to when you notice the smell? Does it only happen when you are having night sweats, or does it happen at any other time?

By chance, do you have diabetes?

Does it seem to happen around the same time in your cycle each month?

December 17, 2009 - 8:38am

Thanks Diane,

I actually had a blood test which confirmed (apparently) no perimenopausal status at the time (about 6-12months ago) - it disappeared for a while, but now returned.

Does one have to pay privately to access an ob/gyn, or could this be accessed via my GP? Most people just say its normal and to get on with life, although I worry about future mood swings as I'm prone to PMT and depression and it can affect my marriage.

I definitely notice a difference (emotionally wise) that if I eat low fat/low GI I feel far more able to cope with life, but I do get cravings for sugar and chocolate etc. Exercise too, is another factor in making me feel better - half the battle is motivation to get the old trainers on some days! :-)

thanks so much for your advice.

A x

October 27, 2009 - 4:02am
(reply to Angie_paul)

Hi,
I'm glad Diane was so helpful!

To answer your question about how to pay for an OB/GYN. Do you have health insurance currently? If so, you may either need to make sure you have a referral from your PCP (primary care physician, who would be your GP), or you may have more freedom to pick an OB/GYN (either "in-network" or "out-of-network"). Depending on this information, your health insurance should "pick up the tab" (less any co-pays, deductibles, etc.) on office visits with an OB/GYN.

Is this what you were asking?

I hope you keep improving and feeling better....you sound like you are on the right track!

October 27, 2009 - 2:23pm

Uh if you are going to a Doctor that is not approachable.. I'd be finding a NEW Doctor..I know in this time of no Insurance or lack of money that is notalways so easy. But a Dr gets paid for these visits and YOU matter. And they better be listen to your medical problems... Or contact the AMA ( American Medical Association)

October 26, 2009 - 9:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I can relate to what you're saying as I regularly experience the similar. My GP said there was no pei-menopausal activity following a blood test but my periods last 2-3 days now instead of 5, so I'm sure something is going on... I dread any emotional aspects of the menopause as I often suffer horrendous PMT. I have found that changing my diet to a low GI one has no only helped with the overall symptoms, but helped with weight and mood swings. I'm told some tablets (menopace health shop) are helpful. Good luck... Angie :-) (PS - I'm 44...

October 24, 2009 - 3:59am
(reply to Anonymous)

Hi, Angie,

If you are 44 and are experiencing some changes in your periods, weight and mood swings, you are certainly in perimenopause, and it certainly is affecting your hormones. I am wondering whether your GP is totally up to date on all the ways our fluctuating hormone levels can affect us? Do you have a gynecologist? If not, I would completely recommend that you get one, because this is their specialty and they are there to help us stay healthy throughout our lives, not just when we are pregnant or having a baby. And if you do have an ob/gyn, make an appointment with her or him and ask to have your hormone levels tested again. Tell her or him all your symptoms and talk about your progress with the low GI diet (I'm very interested in this!). You shouldn't have to feel your way through this on your own.

Please write back and update us. We're very interested =)

October 26, 2009 - 8:53am

I just want you to know that I also experienced night sweats when I was around 40 (I'm 43 now), and realized that I was in the midst of perimenopause. I was also having other related issues, such as really heavy periods. So my gynecologist put me on a birth control pill, and the night sweats and other symptoms magically disappeared.

I think the key here is getting your hormones checked to see what your levels are. Definitely have someone take a closer look at the lump on your leg -- it will make you feel better, rather than just being brushed off by a doctor who obviously isn't really listening to you. There are plenty of good, easily approachable doctors out there who will be genuinely interested in your well-being. Doesn't sound like you're seeing one of those now.

May 28, 2009 - 4:36pm
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