Hot Flashes

Hi there,

Whilst I do not know about regular IVIG, my first thought was regarding your age. My second thought was whether you are female – cos if you’re not, then my first thought isn’t worth following up!

I guess you know that I’m wondering about menopause. It’s only an idea; after years of being cold at night, following GBS, now I have hot flushes and sweat quite a lot – a good deal at night.

When I remember, I take sage tablets for these hot flushes, and I think they help. I had heard about soya and I bought something to take but at the moment it languishes in the cupboard, so thanks for reminding me about it – I’ll give it a try too.

God bless

Teresa

Chirpybirdy:
I see from your profile that you’re 46. That’s a little early for menopause (the average age is 51), but you could be going through perimenopause. It seems no coincidence that your hot flashes started after your first IVIG treatment. I have never heard of hot flashes as a side effect of immunoglobulin, but anything is possible. Perhaps some others here have had similar experiences. I certainly urge you to talk to your physician if these symptoms continue.

Chirpy birdy, I have had hormonal problems ever since the vaccine too, not hot flashes but other issues and changes. It definitely triggered something. I had my hormones checked once and they said that they were ok, but I know something is off. I have read that autoimmune diseases can trigger early menopause. Good thing I am done having kids! (I am 39 and holding. 😉 I wouldn’t want to do the hormone replacement either.

Man, am I glad I’m not a woman. First of all, I’d make a very unattractive female; second, and more importantly, I’m just not tough enough. :p

chirpbirdy,
I had the hormone test at age 37 because of hot flashes, I was going through menopause and it lasted a horrible 10 years.
Hormone therapy didn’t help so I stopped taking it. Those hot flashes felt like I was putting my head inside a hot oven. As I felt a hot flash come on I would get a cold glass of orange juice on ice and down it plus turn the fan on.
It is unusal to start in your thirties, my grandmother, mother and sister also started young and it lasted years, (must have run in the family).
Shirley

Hi Chirpybirdy

Regarding this menopause thing. What I have learned is that ‘menopause’ seems to mean ‘once your periods have stopped’. You can be leading up to that point for abouat 10 years (perimenopause I presume).

So, as you have been told that you are now heading into the menopause and you were concerned about what ‘full-blown menopausel would be like – well, experience tells me that ‘full-blown menopause’ just means that your periods stop – it’s no big deal.

Age 46 may be early for the menopause itself but I don’t think it’s early for ‘leading up to it’. Menopause is simply the end result.

I personally fancied the idea of HRT until I learned about the risks of a stroke in the first year of taking it (particularly as I am a smoker).

I am 54 now, my periods stopped abouat 4 years ago and I am dealing with hot flushes that didn’t start until my periods stopped (as I recall).

Personally, all I can suggest is taking sage, on the basis of – if it doesn’t do ay good, hopefully it won’t do any harm. I have recently taken to using an old-fashioned hand-held fan and nobody has (dared!) to remark on it. I may even start a trend!

And, Goodney, I am a somewhat unattricative female and I am not that strong either.

I was nce told about someone who asked a woman in her eighties when her hot flushes stopped and she replied ‘ll let you know’.

God bless
Teresa

GBS threw my system into menopause, and I’ve had hot flashes ever since. They were worse the first 2 years, now they are less frequent. I’ve learned to dress lightly, in layers, because I’m often chilly and often hot.

Also, underarm antiperspirant/deodorant can also trigger hot flashes. GBS wrecked my sweat glands, and they don’t react normally, so when I use the AP or Deo on my underarms, it blocks my glands entirely, and within an hour, I’ve got a hot flash and my face is blazing hot pink. So I’ve learned to brush my clothing with deodorant, not my body, and I have very few hot flashes now.
Other things that trigger hot flashes: foam powder puffs, lotion/soap/make-up sensitivities, ultraviolet lighting causing skin inflammation and rashes, allergies, chemical reactions.

GBS…the gift that keeps on giving, but at least it saved us some red blood cells and trips to the drugstore every month.

(Goodney, what are you doing on this thread?) …just kidding :p

I’m getting more in touch with my feminine side!;)

Hi there,

Dear Goodney

I’m delighted to read that you are getting in touch with your feminine side. It’s just not quite as delightful as we would like it to be.

Thanks to D.U. as you have given me food for thought concerning deoderants etc. Oddly enough, I recently found one that does not contain aluminium (I think that was it).

Soya has been mentioned and whilst I know very little about it, is that not something that helps in a prtoective way regarding the change in hormones etc?

Myself, I take sage tablets for the hot flushes. I am a fan of herbs and take sage because, firstly, I understand that it helps with hot flushes and secondly, I recently harvested and dried my own sage and only bottled it today and am tickled pink about it,

God bless
Teresa