Had my first night sweat!! - Menopause Message Board

Flyerfan · 06-26-2005, 04:34 PM

I have been having a host of other symptoms for about a year now including insomnia, mild hot flashes, period changes, facial hair, moodiness, etc. etc. Last night, 2 hours after I went to sleep, I woke up in a sweat. I've never had this before. It's been very hot here lately in PA but we sleep with the AC on and it's very comfortable in our bedroom. When I woke, the back of my shirt was soaked, my hair at my neck was wet and the sheets were wet. I wanted to change them but I would have had to wake my DH. I fell back to sleep right away (Thank God) and didn't have any other problem. At 36, almost 37, I just feel too young for this. The more symptoms I get, the more frustrated and old I feel.

Hopefully · 06-26-2005, 07:35 PM

Flyer, don't feel old, this is just another new and exciting chapter in our lives. I'm sincere about the not feeling old part, but there is definite scarcasm about exciting times

. Maybe it is the environment in which I was raised or maybe it's culturally related (I read that somewhere), but I just don't feel old or see myself as being old during this "change" in my life. I see so many beautiful, intelligent, successful women on television an in my personal life who have been down this road and I'm so encouraged. I dislike the fact that I have just about every single unpleasant perimenopausal symptom that is listed, but feeling old is not one of them. I still look good

, even if I'm the only one to think so LOL!

You described my night sweats exactly...the only places that are dripping with sweat are the back of my head, around my neck and my back. It's a lot different from when I workout and everywhere is dripping with sweat. I started having "mini" hot flashes at the age of 12 when my period started. They were sporadic and became more intense during my early to mid 30's. Well, I'm now 44 and they are in full force. I don't have hot flashes as long as I'm taking my bcp, but I still get night and day sweats. It's really weird, but my day sweats usually occur first thing in the morning for a couple of hours, then they subside until bedtime.

corrier · 06-26-2005, 11:14 PM

Hi-

I think I started mine at 34! Though I never had a clue what it was all about. You may try a cotton nightie. It soaks up the sweat and breathes better than other night gear. Even nude is bad because you feel your skin sticking to your skin. Uggghhh. Its all so lovely. I do sleep with a ceiling fan on over my bed every night too. Also see my other post about the herbal supplements if you want to try and slow the sweats down. When I first got them, they were not every night like they can be now at age 40. Good luck to you.

kittenlover · 06-27-2005, 09:10 AM

I have posted this many times but hope you don't mind my repeats. I had more night sweat/flashes in my 30's than I do now (I am 48). For the life of me, I couldn't understand what was happening and I was unaware back then that it could start so early.
I even asked a few nurses while I worked at a clinic doing my RD internship...they didn't have a clue either. Go figure.
You are normal....not that you'll feel any better, but always nice to know you are in the majority on this stuff

Good luck.

rmc12 · 06-27-2005, 11:41 AM

Hi,

I first started noticing the nightsweats about 2 years ago, just a couple at first that year. Then last year I got them more often and they are just as you described them. I have never got a hot flash during the day though. And I have really not had them this year.

You said you are 36 and are feeling old with all the symptoms. I agree with Hopefully.... don't feel old, although I know that the symptoms are trying. I am 51 and I don't feel that way. I guess some people may say I am in denial!! LOL!! But really I do not associate it with age for the same reason Hopefully mentioned, there are so many women I see older than me that are thriving, active and looking good. And I feel just as I did in my early 40s as far as that is concerned. I have an aunt who is in her early 70s and I never ever have thought of her age really. So there are good role models out there for all of us.

And just think since you are getting these pesky symptoms in your late 30s you are likely to be done with it way sooner than most of us and that is a plus!! I am still getting periods and they have not fluctuated that much until this year. I first started noticing symptoms in my mid 40s as far as cycle changes and then more so in my late 40s. So you are more ahead of the game and will be hopefully done with it far sooner.

I do empathize though as I have had a trying time on and off with this peri time and it does try one's patience and spirits at times.

Take care,

rmc