Wife concerned about husband’s pain and sleeplessness

November 19, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband enjoys reading your articles. He thought he had cut one out for future information but cannot find it. He has muscle pain more than joint pain, hot flashes, insomnia, and sometimes what he calls “no legs” as he cannot feel them in the sense of walking.

He is 60 years old and has a very physical job. He works out with weights for his upper body and has for years. He is using prescribed testosterone cream trying to maintain strength. He takes blood pressure medication and it is under control. He takes cholesterol meds, Tramadol and Ambien. He is so bad he can hardly talk or walk from the shaking but yet his face feels hot to the touch only on his head. He worries a lot.
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Upper body hot flashes

August 12, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 88. Thirty-five years ago I had my uterus and a fibroid tumor removed. Eighteen years later, my ovaries and tubes followed because of Stage 1 cancer. I received heavy chemotherapy.

My long-standing problem is one that appears to be of little concern to my faithful family doctor but is very serious to me. I get hot flashes starting at my upper chest and on up. I never wear clothing that covers my neck. I sleep with my shoulders free of even the narrow straps of my gowns.

Sometimes I wonder if I am ever destined to enter assisted-living or a hospital and am forced to sleep with my neck and upper chest area covered, I could possibly have a stroke or other serious consequences.
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On entering perimenopause

November 12, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m 48 years old and just had what appeared to be a hot flash. Does this mean I’m going through menopause? My menstrual cycle has been sort of regular, but I’m not sure that I’m ready for this next phase in my life.

DEAR READER: Menopause occurs only after a woman stops menstruating completely for 12 months. My guess is you have perimenopause, a stage that precedes menopause. This occurs because your body is not producing hormones as it did before. It generally consists of irregular cycles. They may be more frequent, shorter in length, lighter, or you may skip a month or two only to return to a normal monthly pattern. You may experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes or periods of poor concentration. [Read more...]

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Bee pollen helps reader with night sweats

October 12, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your column. Two years ago, I had been suffering from night sweats owing to perimenopause, and your column advised taking bee pollen. I tried it, and within just a few days, my night sweats all but disappeared. I kept taking the bee pollen (1,000 milligrams daily) for a few months and then stopped, thinking I didn’t need it anymore. Several months passed with no sweats, but recently they began again, as well as periodic daytime hot flashes. I went back on the bee pollen and, again, after just a few days, I don’t have any more sweating, day or night! I just wanted to pass this on to you and your readers, and to thank you, again, for your wonderful advice.

DEAR READER: Thank you for your kind comments. I am happy to have helped.
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Daily Column

August 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your letter from the 57-year-old lady with hot flashes. I also was bothered with the problem until someone told me to take bee pollen. I took 550 mg twice daily and haven’t had any flashes for years. I hope you can pass this on.

DEAR READER:
Hot flashes occur when a portion of the brain known as the hypothalamus gets mixed signals and cannot determine if the body is hot or cold. The action causes blood vessels to expand and contract in an irregular pattern. An increased flow of blood triggers a feeling of heat, with flushing of the face, neck and chest. This is often followed by chills, or a cooling down as the blood vessels contract.

Flashes can last from as few as 15 seconds to up to an hour. They can be mild to severe in intensity. [Read more...]

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