The Hottest Woman In The Room
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By Jody Lee
radio host, author, political and lifestyle blogger, media consultant
Published: June 22, 2009
No debate about it – global warming invaded my body about the same time as menopause did. (The menopause was very early for me – a family trait.) And while the latter moved on, the global warming moved in.
Am I doomed to suffer hot flashes forever?
I have always been hot-natured, but never more so than since I went through menopause at about 40. I was lucky in that it happened shortly after I went through a divorce, so the bitchiness and depression was indiscernible from that of any other post-marriage woman. I assumed it was the stress that was making me – well, irregular if you know what I mean (and most women will), so honestly I was almost OUT of menopause before I even knew I was IN it. My doctor and I were both surprised and like I said, I don’t know to this day which was the broken heart blues and which was the hormones! In any case, I made it through without having to take hormone replacements or really, any kind of medication.
Kept my shrink busy, though.
But here I am now, the hottest woman in the room – ANY room – and I don’t mean that in a good way. I have blankets and sweaters in a stack by my front door so that when friends and family come over, they can grab what they need. And they WILL need it. To say you can see your breath in my living room is not a stretch.
Welcome. Brrr.
But it is when I am sitting there minding my own business and suddenly BAM! I am covered in sweat - that’s what makes me crazy.
If June is any indication, it’s going to be a scorcher of a summer. Oh goodie. Imagine my delight.
More later…
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Jody Lee ) on June 25, 2009 at 11:32 am
Thanks for the kind words, tnvolfan. Glad you enjoy the blogs. I sure love doing them! Great way to vent!
Good idea about cooling down your feet and/or hands with a spritz - why didn’t I think of that??
I’ll pass on one more beat the heat tip - this is more of a beat-the-weather hint than a beat-the-flash one: On especially hot nights if you want to spare your air conditioning unit, put your sheets in the fridge (wrapped in plastic) and then put them on the bed right before you crawl in. LOVE it! (I’ve been known to do the same thing with underwear as well - those first few cold shivery moments are delicious for hot-blooded sweat fiends like myself!)
Oops. Did I just say too much? I do that sometimes.
jody
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Posted by ( tnvolfan3333 ) on June 24, 2009 at 8:35 am
Well, you have some good ideas. I have found that if I can run my hands under cold water, it helps make the hot flash pass sooner. That is a good trick for when you have to be outdoors. Also, if you have the option, cooling your feet will help too, even if it is just sprinkling cool water on them while you still have your sandals on your feet. But, it is definitely a good idea to talk to my Dr about maybe some cheaper meds. The ones that I am using are ridiculous. Thanks for responding to my post. I love reading your blogs.
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Posted by ( Jody Lee ) on June 23, 2009 at 3:19 pm
tnvolfan, I have decided these lingering hot flashes are not an indication that I am still post-menopausal, but rather they are simply a result of my midlife hormone shift that for the moment, I am just stuck with.
Controlling the hot flashes is beyond me. There are certain things, though, that I am never caught without which help me to fight my inevitable Sahara moments.
I always carry a hankie. (Grandma would love it!) When my face breaks out in a sweat, I have something with which to dab.
I also carry a small mister bottle for obvious reasons. Nothing like a cool spritz to make you feel human again.
I keep with me at all times a trial -size deoderant and a packet of wet-wipes for when my clinical strength deoderant just says “Forget it! I give up!“.
The little hand-held fans are a bit too obvious for my liking, but to each his own.
I sympathize about the meds as well, being uncovered as I am at the moment! Every woman is different, I think, as to who responds to what - if anything. I made it through drug-free, but I was lucky. Have you checked out the 3 or 4 dollar generic list at Walmart or Target? Try going to the drug company’s web site too - sometimes they will have coupons.
In the meantime, my best suggestion is to do what I do - June thru September, my life is a series of lunges. Lunging from my car to the nearest air conditioned building, and vice versa. And if air conditioning is not close enough to hit with a lunge, forget it.
I have learned to adore winter.
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Posted by ( tnvolfan3333 ) on June 23, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi Jody,
Don’t feel alone. I know exactly how you feel. Summer used to be my favorite time of the year, now I just can’t enjoy it as much. I have cold and hot sweats. I sometimes do it until my clothing and hair is wet. It is MISERABLE! Consider yourself lucky that you seemed to have went through it fairly easily. I have been going through it for 7 years and counting! I started early menopause when I was 33. The cost of the medication that my Dr wants me to take is about $50 per month and that is with insurance! I just can’t afford it. Do you have any suggestions on how to control the hot flashes (I say as I am turning on my desk fan at work)?
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