Sleeplessness from hot flashes is torture

Sleeplessness from hot flashes is torture. I tend to get most hot flashes at night, they started about a year ago – and the lack of sleep is really crucifying to be honest. It reminds me of that same tiredness in the early days with my kids when they were first borne but even worse because I wake up completely wet through my bedsheets etc. My hot flashes are also accompanied by a wave of anxiety that something terrible is about to come crashing down on me. I have to get up out of bed and pace, until it has passed.

It has a huge impact on my days, I am constantly tired. I’ve tried napping during the day, but it doesn’t really make up for unbroken sleep at night. Honestly I am only now beginning to try and figure out a proper solution. For some reason I didn’t think they would last this long and just kept hoping they would pass.  I  have slowly realised that this could go on for a number of years and I need to manage it better.  I went to me doctor about it, but they were largely dismissive telling me that it would pass that it’s part of the process.

I have tried to start mentally thinking through my hot flashes. Trying to manage them in my mind a little more. I read some posts about this online somewhere and like to think of myself powering through the hot flush to become a wiser woman! It works to an extent, but it doesn’t help with the utter lack of sleep.

It is a relief to me to read about others women’s experiences to know that not only is it not just me, but it’s not just my age group that struggles to find solutions for ‘normal’ women’s issues.

In terms of solutions – I’ve been reading recently about cooling pads and mattresses that I am going to try because truly the sleeplessness from hot flashes is torture! I’ve also been looking into HRT, but it seems to be a complex area. Be warned ladies, get reading soon!

MG, Ireland