Ok, well, really, its not so much a *hot flash* as it is a hot life. I swear... I have come to believe there really is such a thing as spontaneous human combustion. Should I start to smoke, please, somebody put out the fire.

Is there anything that is SAFE and Effective in battling... or at least surviving a hot flash? No, thats not quite the right word... it last for hours.. even days at a time. Sweat rolling off in rivulets. Soaked underwear daily. People around me are shivering and complaining its too cool, I'm panting in misery, sweat towel in hand.

It hadn't been very bad for a long time... just now and then, but the past couple of weeks have been unbearable. I know all the warnings about HRT, so hoping there is something natural.. and safer.

Any suggestions?  Thank  you

And pass the extenguisher....

The best thing for you to do is to head for a natural food store, or an herbalist and get their advice.  They should be able to help you out.  Having said that, as a nurse, I would really advise you to go for the HRT if your doctor thinks it is okay for you.  Based on the severity of your hot "hours" I think that would be the best course for you to follow.  HRT, when taken at the lowest possible dose, for the shortest possible time can be extremely helpful and would I think be the quickest way to get relief.  Whatever you decide to do, if it is to go with something on the more natural side, make sure you run it by your doctor first.  If you take any other prescription drugs, make sure your pharmacist also knows what you are taking.  Natural remedies, while a good choice, can sometimes adversely affect the other medications you are on, or vice versa.

Yep, a cold wrap around your neck works great.

I also like to stick my feet in cold water. It seems to really help me if I do this. I usually sit on the edge of the bathtub and fill it a bit with cold water or just put my feet under the running cold water. Once my feet cool off the rest of my body seems to cool off also. Where I live we have a foot of snow so now all I have to do is go outside barefoot and stand in the snow. Not good for my fibromyalgia but works for the hot flashes.

Hot flashes suck and I try whatever I can to cool off.

As for herbal/natural remedies I have no idea. I've tried a few in the past and nothing worked for me.

Good luck with this Linda. I know exactly what you're going through.

Oh, the joys of being a woman.

It works!  I know 3 women who have seen their hot flashes disappear  using a natural progesterone cream.  It takes anywhere from 3 days - 2weeks.  Make SURE you use a natural form of progesterone.  Check out Dr. John Lee's book, "What your doctor may not tell you about menopause."  ISBN 0446614955  I have some additinal articles if your interested, email me.

I'm SO thankful for being post-menopausal!!!

I went through the hot flash thing for about 10 years.  Just in the past year they finally went away.  I like the idea of sticking  your head in the freezer.  I too didn't have much luck with herbal stuff.  I don't think mine was quite as severe as what you describe, but still very uncomfortable. 

I still think the more natural you can go the better.  This isn't a disease, it's a natural progression.  My mom's been on HRT for many years because she had a hysterectomy.  She's 75!  I think there comes a time to try to go without it since it sounds like there are risks with HRT.

Wow, I've been a big help, huh?!?