The gagging could be from what is called "silent reflux"... I didn't even know i had it until i went to the doctor with an ear ache which was also contributed to the reflux. When you are laying down the acid can creep up and then in turn make you cough and gag. I had nausea as well for many years from this and did not even know it. It is quite common in perimenopause as it relates to hormone fluctuations. I take an OTC Zegerid at night for the reflux and it has helped a lot. Also, not eating a few hours before going to bed may help as well. Not sure if this is what you have but it sounds like it to me. As for night sweats i found that at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, walking or running helped tremendously. It also helps with my anxiety and nervousness that also comes up out of nowhere at times. The only thing getting me through is the thought of making it to the finish line and this being over fairly soon... i hope! Good luck

Thanks for that Susie! There's hope that the horrid painful periods will disappear soon then. For now the hot flashes aren't too bothersome. I see each one as a step closer to not having any more periods. If I'm still having them when I'm 64 I might have changed my mind though... ;-)

If you are getting estrogen thru the soy - and I love the soy milk and drink it for breakfast every morning!, you also need Progesterone to keep the estrogen in balance. Natural Progesterone Cream is a really great way to help with the hot flashes! I have a good source for it by mail - much cheaper than the health food stores, but GOOD stuff. I will use it the rest of my life! Dr John Lee wrote, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" and told years ago how bad HRT was for women...now the doctors are taking women off that stuff finally! It's an excellent book and in most health food stores! $12-13 and worth every penny. Lois

Just FYI, I was also concerned about the electicity issue. I have the ISE. I bought a "watts up" monitor and plugged the instant hot into it and the watts up into the wall and monitored it for over a month. Using regularly for tea, several cups a day plus occasional other uses, it cost about 2.00-2.50 a month here in CT. When I stopped using it daily the cost per month went to the 1.50-1.75 range. I surprised it was as cost effective as it was, which must be attributable to the insulated tank. It would be interesting to calculate how much the same use would cost heating water in a microwave or stovetop, but I would guess it would not be less than the instant hot. Too much work to figure out also for a 2.00/mth expense. :) Sue