Hot flashes...meds or hormone related?

[Katie]

Since I've come home from surgery, I've been experiencing strong hot flashes and perspiration...attractive, hey. It's bad enough that my clothes get soaked

I know that this can be part of morphine withdrawal, and I had dropped quickly in the hospital from ~340 mg/day to 30-40 mg. (six months ago, and am on that steady dose). But it doesn't seem to have any correlation with my intake of meds. They can happen even ten to thirty minutes after taking a dose, so I am wondering if it has more to do with hormones. It also seems to be worse in the early/mid-morning and late at night when I first go to bed. Blankets on, blankets off...repeat.

I had an almost complete hysterectomy about eight years ago, and was thrown into instant menopause in my late forties. While I still was left with one ovary, it shut down completely and I went on estrogen supplement for about two years after convincing the surgeon that it wasn't working. I had pretty severe hot flashes for awhile, but they ended several years ago. Can they start back again after all this time? I had hormone testing done at that time, and it confirmed I was over the hill

Has anyone else experienced this? Guys can wade in with their experiences with their other half too, just to make this an equal opportunity post

[KBear]

Katie- I had hot flashes and sweating issues for several months after surgery. I would wake up soaked multiple times a night. My clothes would be wet and the sheets. It eventually started happening less and less, until it was gone. It was pretty miserable while it lasted (not to mention all the laundry from going through 3 sets of pj's a night and washing sheets).

[Katie]

Kathy, that's very curious! Did you ever get an explanation for it? You certainly aren't in the same hormone group as I am, what with a baby on the way You've got your own special set to deal with now Thanks for the reply.

I'm at my family doctor's right now, and hoping he has some answers.

[ajj1001]

I did this severely after both ops. it happens very occasionally now. i'm 13 years off having the menopause according to my mom.

[Katie]

This is interesting. My new family doc just said that he never heard of having this problem after surgery. Perhaps no one thought it was important enough to mention? Because the ol' libido is non-existent too, he's sending me off to a Gynecologist next month. Perhaps she will shed some light on the subject.

On the other theory, I hope to see Dr. Bitan for a checkup in November, since Brazil is a bit far for a hands-on. Since his plans were different than my eventual surgery, it will be interesting to see what comes of that.

[KBear]

I just kind of assumed it was from them pumping all that fluid in me. I was swollen for some time, so just assumed my body was sweating it out. I have had very low hormone levels in the past, but this started after surgery and I was on hormones at the time, so don't think it was related. I don't think I ever really said anything to my doctor about it, just figured it would go away. I would ask your gyno if they would do hormone testing. I had this done after my 2nd daughter was born and my hormones were less than a menopausal woman. It explained the depression, the zilch sex drive (seriously, at that point I could have went the rest of my life without sex and been okay with it) and several other issues. Once I got put on HRT, all the symptoms went away, sex drive was back (cue happy hubby) and I felt so much better. I had had problems for years and no one ever checked my hormones, so it was nice to finally have an answer.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Me too!! And I doubt it is menopause in my case I figured it was due to tapering down from opiates and or combined with the darn SNRI I was put on for nerve pain.

I am kind of relieved it is not just my psychic. It isn't as bad now, though still occurs from time to time. I would wake up and my side of the bed was wet from sweat. If I tried to get more room either my wife or our miniature schnauzer would growl at me. Finally went to the couch. Frankly, it was kind of nice to be able to lye on the couch again.

[Katie]

Jack, did it start happening right away, and how long has it lasted? LOL, the only thing that saved me at night and kept the peace was our king size bed

KBear, are you talking about IVs when you mention all the fluids that were pumped into you? I had a few days worth too, but was getting dehydrated. I've had that before without dealing with the ups and downs of the flashes.

I'm really hoping this is hormone related and a visit to the specialist will help in a month or two. It's wearing thin after six months.

[KBear]

Yeah, talking about IVs, plus I was retaining fluid for awhile. I even took fake preggo pics I looked huge. I went in wearing a size 4 and looked 6 months pregnant after it.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Jack, did it start happening right away, and how long has it lasted? LOL, the only thing that saved me at night and kept the peace was our king size bed

KBear, are you talking about IVs when you mention all the fluids that were pumped into you? I had a few days worth too, but was getting dehydrated. I've had that before without dealing with the ups and downs of the flashes.

I'm really hoping this is hormone related and a visit to the specialist will help in a month or two. It's wearing thin after six months.

I always noticed excessive sweating once my opiate dose got up there (Fentanyl patch 75 mcg/hr) especially irritating in the winter time. I noticed it disappearing once my dose got lower. Once I stopped all opiates it took a couple months to mostly go away. Now it is more like once every two weeks and just at night. It might just be a coincidence and not pain meds but sweating is a know side effect. Sweating and itching, plus the GI stuff were my most unpleasant side effects. Queen bed here. I can't move up or down much or my feet hang off or bump my head. When I started having spine problems we got a Select Comfort mattress which is great.