posted
I have an appointment in a couple of weeks to see my doctor about a few minor problems I've been having, but I'm trying to do a little research on my own before I see her. One of my issues is that I'm frequently hot. I sweat profusely, and have to sit in front of a fan for a few minutes. This usually happens when doing light housework, but not usually sitting at a desk or watching TV.
I do live in a hot, humid climate, but I'm always much hotter than everyone around me. I'll be sweating and opening windows and turning on fans when my children and friends are complaining they're cold. I've lived here for over 4 years, and it's only been in the last year or so that it's been an issue.
I've tried to find possible causes, but everytime I try to Google, all that comes up is "hot flashes" and "menopause". My symptoms really don't match up to how hot flashes are described, and I'm several years away from menopause, I'm sure.
So what could it be? And how else could it be described.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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Your thyroid regulates your temperature and can cause problems with that. Have you had any dramatic weight gain or loss? Fatigue? Extreme hunger? And I think you described it very well.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
(But you can also have indicators because of the regularity of your periods and family history that it's not menopause. )
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I think I mentioned it is my daughter who is pregnant... I'm certain that's not my problem here.
I've been trying to lose weight, but haven't had a lot of success. Fatigue - well, I'm a single working mother. That kind of goes with the territory. Hunger... yes, maybe. I hadn't thought of that. I'll read up on thyroid problems. Thanks condimentqueen.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Well, one good thing is that a thyroid is easy enough to check-- just a few blood tests and your doctor should have some indication whether or not that's it.
I was teasing about the pregnant, of course. Since I went through the adamant I am not pregnant thing, then turned out to be pregnant, I am now blaming the Hatrack water.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I'm pretty sure it's not menopause for several reasons, including the fact that the symptoms are not consistent with hot flashes as they're described in the literature.
quote:the sudden, intense, hot feeling on your face and upper body, perhaps preceded or accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness, or a feeling of suffocation.
It's usually not that sudden, it's over my entire body, and the other symptoms are not present. I'm also not experiencing night sweats.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
LOL -- this thread makes me laugh remembering:
I went to see the doctor this week for my sinus infection. This was my first visit to this particular doctor. And she BEGINS the entire visit by waltzing in and saying, "Well, I see from your chart you have three babies.." (I thinking - -my "babies" are aged 20, 18, and 16 now)... "So just what are you doing now to prevent any more little ones???"
I almost choked.
Then sputtered out something about the fact that I haven't had sex in years.......
(edit: oops - very important edit to make Have into Haven't)
Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
The only "meds" I take are a multivitamin with iron, usually every day and those chocolate calcium chews whose name makes me think of "Viagra".
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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Can't afford it, though. But I take it instead of my Tums when I'm at my mom's house-- she keeps them around. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I've never been able to figure out how many calories the colored chewable Tums have. Anyone know?
kq, I've been told Sam's Club has cheap viactiv too. Many pharmacies have off brands of it now but I don't know about their prices.
Maui, the perimenopausal period is the symptomatic five years around the stopping of menses, which means people can start having symptoms 2.5 years before they go through menopause. Most go thru it around the same age and with the same symptoms as the mother and older sisters. You might ask relatives about that. Not that this is related to menopause. It's useful information, however. Also, women who have hysterectomies tend to start menopause sooner than other women. Not sure why.
Other than looking up thyroid I don't have any suggestions other than a thorough history/physical with labs with the doctor.
Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I didn't know that, but Trader Joe's, much as I love it, is the opposite of convenient for me. Also, I bet the 20 calorie thing is still in effect. I mean, it's not THAT much calorie-wise, but...eh. I'll stick to the horse pills, I guess. I can get em down if I have enough water.
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Theaca: Viactiv! They have 20 calories per piece, btw.
Okay... I'll keep that in mind.
I'm sorry, that just seemed so random. I have a good friend who's extremely sensitive about her weight and is always counting the butter patties in the bread basket at the restaurant and telling me how many calories are there.
I should be more careful about my caloric intake, but I just can't get worked up about it. Which may be why I have such a hard time losing weight.
I prefer to blame it on my age though (which I'm rather loathe to disclose, but it's no secret that I'm soon to be a grandmother, so I'm no longer YOUNG, but I was a child bride and not much more than a baby myself when I started my family, so I'm not OLD yet either. )
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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How many do you take a day? It has to be quite a few for the calorie intake to be any kind of problem.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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You have to take two Viactiv per day to get the recommended dose of calcium. It's not huge, but it isn't nothing either.
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Thanks Theaca, I'm glad I scheduled an appointment. I'm just impatient sometimes is all.
I buy Viactiv at Costco in a big box... I think it costs around $10. I encourage my daughters to eat them too, but I usually have to put it in their hand to get them to take them. I think they just don't think about it actually.
As far as family history of menopause, my mother (now deceased) had a complete hysterectomy at age 23, so I'm not sure how relevant her experience would be. I'll have to call my older sister, although she may not be there yet, either.
Thanks for your advice.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Once I calculated while bored that if a woman took three viactivs a day for a year they would gain almost 5 pounds per year. So it adds up a lot more than people think. It's a reflex for me to mention the calories. Most people think of it as useless information but after five years of viactiv, well, it sure adds up. Viactivs have 500mg calcium each I think.
Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:kq, I've been told Sam's Club has cheap viactiv too. Many pharmacies have off brands of it now but I don't know about their prices.
Yes, but they (and the Target brand) don't taste as good. Too chalky. The TJ's brand actually tastes good. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Theaca: I've never been able to figure out how many calories the colored chewable Tums have. Anyone know?
According to this site, Tums has between 0.5 and 1.5 grams of carbohydrates apiece. At 4 calories per gram, that is between 2 and 6 calories.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Okay, I never knew that some Tums have BEESWAX in them. Seeing as I'm allergic, I'll avoid the "Fresh Blend" flavors. Thanks.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Why are doctors so obsessed with birth control? My prenatal doc refused to take "no" for an answer the last four or five times I saw her, even though I told her firmly that I wasn't interested. I want a big family.
posted
Wow, that's kinda rude. It is totally your choice, and they should respect that (as long as pregnancy isn't dangerous to your health.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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When I went in for a pre-wedding doctor's visit, I was asked by the nurse, then the nurse practitioner, then the doctor what form of birth control I wanted.
Not if I wanted, which kind.
Then again, this was Kaiser. So those people all worked for the company which would have to pay for the pregnancies of most patients there . . . makes sense they'd want to discourage them. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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CrowsWife, I just saw a maternity tee that says, "Birth control is for sissies." I think you need one. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I should mention -- this doctor that asked me first thing about birth control --- she has just taken over the doctor's office in a very small town that is 95% Catholic .
So I wonder how long she will last in that community if this is the way she approaches all her patients..
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