Hot flashes? More like the oven is on low broil all the time with an occasional burner on the stove, too.?

Question

So what shall I do about this? I've been on low broil for the past 5 years. No biggie, I just don't wear long sleeves or sweaters any more and I can stay cool enough.

But the occasional burner being turned on around my belly and sides, the back of my neck and shoulders....well, there are only so many ceiling fans I can stand under, iced teas I can drink, and so many wet T-shirts I can wear!

Any more ideas?

Answer 1

I love your descriptions of hot flashes! They are so apt and anyone who has experienced them can identify with you.

You have my sympathies. I don't know if there is a scientific basis for this, but I found that if I drank decaffinated iced tea with Splenda I did much better. Be sure to drink lots of water! You might want to try soaking your feet in a basin of cool-to-cold water for a few minutes. At least you can read, write a letter, or do needlework while you cool off. For your hands you could try running them under cold water, but then you're wasting water. A basin is better, but it gets boring just standing there. Try putting a washcloth that's been in the freezer on your wrists.

There are things you can buy to put around your neck. You run water over it and put it in the freezer for awhile and then put it on your neck. It stays cold for a couple hours. You can also purchase "cold packs" that you get cold and put in your pillowcase to keep your head cool during the night. It sure beats turning your pillow over every few minutes! Also, try a silk pillowcase if you can't find the other thing. Silk is good for drawing away heat and moisture and feels good to sleep on.

If your hair is short or easily managed, you might try running your head under cool water for a few minutes. If you can't let it air dry, that would be better than using a hairblower. If you do have to go that route put it on cool.

The belly and sides pose a bigger problem because it's harder to let something rest against it. You might want to try a medicated powder (like Gold Bond) to help absorb the sweat and prevent rashes. Also try this under your breasts. These kinds of rashes can get nasty and very itchy! Loose clothes made of materials that breathe will help too. You certainly don't want synthetics or polyesters.

I can understand if you don't want to take HRT. Some of my friends swore by natural products, but I never did see where their suffering was that much less than mine, or lasted any shorter a time. You probably should get your doctor's advice about this before taking anything because no matter what anyone says, there can be interactions with prescription drugs.

Five years is a long time to suffer. Have you talked to your doctor about this? Maybe there's some thyroid involvement which would mimic hot flashes or at the very least compound the problem.

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you.

Answer 2

Check the area for an oven VENT. Many electric stoves vent the oven under a top burner in the back of the stove top. So, if vented under a burner, it IS completely normal for the burner to get hot. My mom counted on this "feature" to keep things warm on the stove top without using the burner.