I feel like you are writing about my life TizLizzy! Well almost! My flashes are horrible for the last 4 years. I have a heart condition so hormone therapy is off limits. The dr. just prescribed black cohash last week (haven't started it yet) and really had no other advice for me either. As I have mentioned in other posts, I run a fan at night on my side of the bed, have a fan at work on my desk, drink no caffeine and exercise often. What more can I do? This is simply a waiting game, waiting for it to end. But you are right, how long do we wait? My mom swears she didn't suffer like I do but I seem to remember her having a horrible time when I was in high school. Maybe she has forgotten and we will too! Good Luck!