Tuesday 17 January 2012

Hot flushes and night sweats ...

Ok - I know that this isn't one of my most glamorous posts ... after all nobody wants to admit that they wake up in the middle of the night feeling like a pig in a sauna, but sometimes you just have to share ...


Not me!!!

It started about two years ago now. I would go a bit red for no reason at all. Then I started to go really hot. It would come from nowhere and sweep up my body as if I was being squeezed through a red hot mangle in a sweaty laundry somewhere! One minute I was normal, the next I would be plunged into a volcano of seething hormones ...

My colleagues would give a nudge, nudge, wink, wink ... "Oooops! Having a flush are we Sarah?!" they would smirk as I opened all the windows in mid February.

To be honest, it doesn't bother me. I have learned that nobody else can actually tell if I am having a hot flush, unless I start opening all the windows and huffing and puffing. If I just pretend its not happening it goes away eventually. I have a friend who is going through a similar thing and she is quite upset by it all ... I suppose its because it signals the end of our youth ...

If I am going to be graphic I could say that its the start of us shrivelling up and getting OLD!!! Now, you're either devastated by that thought or you just get on with it. After all there's absolutely nothing we can do is there? Personally I think its quite funny that one minute I was in my twenties - slim, young and carefree - and the next minute here I am careering towards 50 with two teenage sons, an allotment and a penchant for Johnny Depp!

I suppose it could be worse ... waking up in the middle of the night feeling hotter than a nylon shirt in a tumble dryer certainly saves on heating bills ...

I'm not sure how other people cope with ... duh, duh, duuuuhhhh "the change", but I am fine about it. I have had my children, certainly don't want any more and apart from the temporary inconvenience of being a bit hot and clammy there don't seem to be any other problems. I think my friend finds the emotional side upsetting. The whole "end of an era " thing. But to me you just have to get on with life. If this is the worst condition I have to cope with then lucky old me!

I don't feel old - age has always been just a number to me - and I don't plan on letting this whole "change" doo dah effect me. If anything I find it really interesting, watching my body decay transform before my very eyes. And it is pretty amazing what a good foundation, some powder and an industrial strength deodorant can do for a girl ...

8 comments:

Pauline said...

And the best thing about it? It doesn't last forever! Thank heavens I didn't have any emotional problems like some women I know suffered. The worst part for me was I worked with all men, all younger than me, lived in the tropics of northern Australia and there was no airconditioning at work. Sometimes I thought I would catch fire. In the end had to take a man I worked closely with into my confidence so he could cover for me if I had to disappear for a while. He was wonderful about it and said he would be better prepared when it happened to his wife. I think all women owe it to their daughters-in-law to tell their sons what it is like. To this day I'm proud I got through it without any drugs of any description!

Urban Cynic said...

So I have this to look forward to as well? Brilliant.

Saying that, my Mum is 56 and she hasn't started it yet - plus I am always cold so it might be a nice change!

Thanks for sharing you hot mama!

Plum said...

What a freshing, pragmatic attitude. I'm yet to face this but I certainly hope I can do so with a similar resolve to you when my turn comes.
I've been looking at your allotment page.What a transformation. It looks so neat and orderly. That must have taken alot of hard work!

sarah at secret housewife said...

I like being called Hot Mama!! Thanks U.C!! We may be different in lots of ways but we can both share this!!

Hi Plum! Thanks for your comment. You spurred me onto updating my allotment page!!Hopefully this time next year it will look even better! x

FarmWife said...

I have to admit, when I first read your title I thought, "Oh, typo." Then I realized that what we call a hot flash, is called a flush on the other side of the pond. I learn something new everyday. :)

While I'm not yet to the hot flash/flush stage, I do have horrible night sweats during PMS. In fact, last night I had to change my pajama top at 3 in the morning because I was so gross.

If it's this bad at 35, what's actual Menopause going to do to me?!

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to the hot flushes (or power surges as I've heard them called!) as I'm always cold too. I thought it didn't usually start till early 50's. The "not me" under the pic made me laugh out loud, thanks :))

Jan said...

I don't seem to get them at night, instead I walk in to a room, feel like there is a furnace going - ask 'is it hot in here or is it me? To be told, often by husband, no, it's you , I'm freezing! I don't actually go red either, I just sweat, or glow as ladies should! It is annoying and uncomfortable, but if that is all I have to deal with physically, then I'll cope.

Anonymous said...

I was having flushes/flashes all throughout my recent pregnancy but now I've had my baby I'm FREEZING! The boiler doesn't make heat hot enough as far as I'm concerned. Just think of all the pretty pennies you're saving in heating bills ;)