h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

as in, menapausal hot flushes? they're just so horrible! Hmm. Sometimes even just throwing the fan on full or getting out of the warm sun, into a cool breeze doesn't even seem to help So, I was wondering, if there are any special magic tricks, that perhaps... err... anyone else might know on how to deal with this thing. and. yes. I am getting menapausal hot flushes, and all the associated mood swings 9which william has to put up with), despite my being male. its... complicated...

Er, wouldn't go as far as to say a magic trick but I put baby wipes in the fridge and found wiping my face and neck with them cooling and some relief from that oppressive feeling when you are having a flush. Some facial wipes are easier to carry around in a bag

oo! putting them in the fridte is a fabulus idea! - I keep one pack of baby whipes perminatly in my handbag; so I can clean my hands when out, and for cleaning round my eyes, when I need to apply drops to the eye with the knackered no tear production - I've a spare pack of babyw whipes upstairs; about to put in the fridge!

Paracetamol can regulate temperature.

Still not sure if I'm allowed to take painkillers... paracetamol or anything which lowers body temp I was told i wasn't allowed... they've as yet to tell me otherwise

Tell them you have and see if they :-
A. Panic
B. administer a sever boll###ing
C. administer a mild boll##ing
D. ignore it

If only I could one Dr the current one says he won't listen to anything I say. and the other proper Dr won't see me either. life gets more surreal and more painful minute by minute..

Well, this is July after all. Are you sure you feel hot because of hot flashes? I feel hot too, and I *don't* get hot flashes.

I'm lucky, I'm past them, although this heat is really unpleasant, but that's the whole time, not just flushes. And I never had them really badly anyway; I even only had restless legs just the once.

Dress so that you can take layers off - again, in this weather, even one layer is too much, so that's not much help at the moment.

Use a fan.

Carry a small thermos of ice cubes around with you.

Try a gyneacologist. I mean, ask one if they can do anything about the hormones which are obviously the cause of it. Next time you're in the hospital accost one in the corridor or burst into their office by mistake.

If I feel myself overheating, shut down anything that needs to be shut down and park myself in front of the AC with a tall beverage on ice. (I always have one handy during the torrid season.)

Ice packs, made with half and half crushed ice (or better, snow) and rubbing alcohol in zip-lock freezer bags, reusable, and the mixture when frozen is easily kneaded and molded to fit the body where its needed.

I frequently use an ice pack of the type for eye irritation - just so lock as the zip lock is uncompromised.

That next to last 'lock' was supposed to have been 'long'.

It's supposed to be up to 96 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon. I plan to visit an air conditioned library.

I may have mentioned this in one of your journals but acupuncture might be worth a look as it worked for my mum.

This is the link to the NHS page which includes info on complementary therapies. It also has a link for men who are suffering from hot flushes. Might be interesting.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menopause/Pages/hot-flushes.aspx

Deb

Mrs PP used to have a hot flush as regular as clockwork at 10 past 10 at night - wherever we were.

You could set your watch by her.

PP.

<>

I don't think bursting into a gynecologists office is a good idea

Why? What's in there?

Before I saw it written down, I assumed a gynaecologist treated guys.

Icy North
- in my case, they will be! theoretically.... at leat... I was always male... until my hormones got so twisted bout due to the drugs man - yep. I did have the bloods test; FSH adn LH as expected, for indication of menapausae; plus, testosterone, down off the bottom fo the scale , as ... one woudln't normally see in a male I can't see any patturn to my hot flushes... they mess me up so mentally as well as just the physical thing that they're horrid Still waiting on Endocrinology appointment - so so tempted to go try score some contraceptive pills; I'm sure a sudden influx of oestrogen oughta just stop the flushes, but... perhaps I'm not ment to be quite so gun ho with my own endocrinology

Ooh, that triggered a memory. Menopause cake! High in phytoestrogens, apparently.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/282499.stm

Baking a cake should be right up your street! Here's a recipe:

http://woats.co.uk/menopause-cake/

Deb

" I can't see any patturn to my hot flushes... they mess me up so mentally as well as just the physical thing that they're horrid" [2Legs]

You mean you're more messed up mentally than usual?