Thanks Rose.
Every day is something different. Last night I was woken with an electrical surge to my heart or chest After that I could not sleep because you know what if I really have something wrong HA HA Well here I am this morning and I guess ok except I'm tired.
My son said this was the best Christmas ever and asked me what did I think? He does not know I'm not thinking that clear, so I told him it was the best we all had ever had
Thanks Rose for starting the Palpers Club
Glen

Hi Girls,
Well, Christmas is over and I now sit and wonder why I got so anxious when I was trying to get everything done. I was having skipped beats galore. I did manage to get everything done and we spent one day with hubbys family, one evening with my family and on Christmas Eve we picked my mom up and went to candlelight service. I always make it through, but I wish I could settle down and know that it's ok, no reason to get all worried about it. My hubby has been home for 5 days. Today he went to work on something at the church and I have to say though I love him it was good to get him out of the house for a while. He goes back to work tomorrow and Friday and then will be off again. Did anyone happen to read the posts that Floater started on the L-theanine? I know I asked before but if you girls would go and read it and see what you think. I guess alot of ladies that are trying it have had great results with it calming anxiety. It is natural and you have to get it at the health food store. Please read and comment on what you think and if you know anything about this.
Glen, I am sorry you are having trouble. I never tried a beta blocker. My Dr. wanted me to but for some reason I was afraid to. I tried the Lexapro as you know and it helped with anxiety but couldn't take the diarrhea. That's why I'm wondering about the L-theanine. I have always had the skips and the thud kind of palps. They call it ventricular ectopic beats. What did your Dr. say yours are?

Rose, Connie, Viktoria and all I hope you all had a nice holiday. How are all of you girls feeling?
Rose, maybe you can comment on the L-theanine. You always seem to know alot about the natural products.

Love, Susie

Hi Glen

It seems that a lot of ladies on this forum have had the kind of electrical surge you are describing; I can't think of one lady in particular, but you might like to try asking Viktoria (Flushing Lady), who is also on this thread. I think she may have had a few of those.

Anyway, the fact you are still here means that there is nothing wrong except your fluctuating hormones. So don't stress too much, otherwise you'll make the palps worse - that's what happens to me when I stress. Last night I had a large amount of palps, but I kept eating my chocolate and having fun watching reruns of Frasier with hubby, and laughing my head off. Yes, they do say laughter is the best medicine, so it's worth a try.

Hope you'll soon feel better about this, and I'll leave you with a though - if you accept that the palps are there temporarily and that one day they'll go (which they will!), then maybe they won't bother you so much.

Have a good week and look forward to 2008 as a year full of health and happiness - after all, we are authors of our own destiny and we can choose how we will feel about things

Lots of love, Rose

Hi Susie,

Good to hear you had a great xmas. Hubby and I didn't see anyone this xmas, we simply stayed at home together, cooking a nice turkey, watching comedy movies and sitcoms and generally relaxing. It was quite nice.

In terms of L-theanine, I know it's an amino acid that may have a relaxing effect on some people. I found the article below for you, so have a read and make your own conclusions:



Anxiety Treatment - The Natural Remedy for Anxiety Relief by Steve Adair


L-Theanine, naturally occurring in green tea, proves effective in dealing with anxiety symptoms and providing anxiety relief

Anxiety is a state of intense fear, uncertainty, uneasiness, or apprehension due to anticipation of an imagined or real threatening future event. Anxiety can be both physically and psychologically devastating to the Anxiety sufferer's life. Anxiety is often sub-categorized according to the focus of the perceived threat. There is social anxiety, separation anxiety, dating anxiety, performance anxiety, math anxiety, etc. Stress and anxiety often go hand in hand and can result in anxiety depression as the individual feels powerless to receive any anxiety help.

There are a variety of anti-anxiety treatments to consider in overcoming anxiety. For some, anxiety medications prove to be a source of anxiety relief. Other's prefer not to use any of the anti-anxiety drugs and opt for more natural cures for anxiety management. These may include herbs for anxiety, acupuncture anxiety treatments, anxiety vitamins, aromatherapy for anxiety relief, even hypnosis has has proved beneficial overcoming anxiety.

This article discusses the perhaps little known amino acid L-Theanine as a natural remedy for anxiety relief.

L-Theanine is a unique free form amino acid found only in the tea plant and in the mushrooms Xerocomus badius and certain species of genus Camellia, C. japonica and C. sasanqua. Often drinkers of green tea report a feeling of calmness they feel after ingesting a cup or two even though green tea has roughly half the caffeine of coffee. This is due to the high L-Theanine content.

In addition to reducing anxiety symptoms, studies have shown L-Theanine may be effective in promoting concentration, supporting the immune system, improving learning performance, lowering blood pressure, increasing formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, and increasing brain dopamine levels among other positive benefits with no known downside.

Studies in cooperation with Taiyo Kagaku Co., The University of Shizuoka, and The Family Planning Institute of Japan have shown that women taking 200 mg L-Theanine daily have lower incidence of PMS symptoms. These symptoms include physical, mental, and social symptoms. Overall, a significant alleviation of PMS symptoms by L-Theanine was observed.

While still under investigation, L-Theanine appears to have a role in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA). GABA blocks release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, playing a key role in the relaxation effect.

Everyone knows the effects stress and anxiety can have on an individual's physical state of well-being. Fascinating neurochemistry research has revealed that given a shot of GABA essentially turned back the clocks in the brains of older monkeys, whose brain function briefly operated at levels normally seen in monkeys less than half their age.

GABA, or gamma-amino butyric acid, is a neurotransmitter chemical that is essential for optimizing how brain cells transmit messages to each other and acts to put a damper on unwanted brain signaling activity. Although GABA's age-related decline has not been documented in humans, a host of studies in mammals, including other primates, suggests that a similar process is at work in people.

Monkeys ages 26 and 32 -- considered old age for monkeys -- that got GABA directly delivered to their neurons responded to visual patterns, such as flashing vertical and horizontal lines, in much the same way as monkeys aged 7 to 9 years old did.

Without GABA delivery, the monkeys' aged brains had more difficulty firing neurons that specifically gauge various aspects of depth perception, motion and color. Instead, older monkeys have more random firings that make it difficult to observe visual nuances. In younger monkeys, GABA had no effect since their brains already had optimal GABA functioning.

L-Theanine is considered to be safe based on its historical use as a component of tea and on favorable toxicology studies. Tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide after water, and has been consumed for thousands of years by billions of people. It is estimated that a heavy tea drinker (6-8 cups daily) will consume between 200 to 400 mg of L-Theanine daily.

While dosage for depression and anxiety disorder remain individual, it is recommended to take 100 to 200 mg 1 to 3 times daily for anxiety relief. Based on the results of clinical studies, it has been established that L-Theanine is effective in single dosages in the range of 50-200 mg. It is suggested that subjects with higher levels of anxiety take a dose at the higher end of the effective range (100 - 200 mg) for overcoming anxiety.


About the Author
Steve Adair is an independent researcher, freelance writer and vitamin and nutritional supplement consultant to VitaminCountry.com. More information available on Anxiety and Overcoming Anxiety available at www.health.newlivingmedia.com.


Well, I hope this helps. If you try it, let me know. I've drunk plenty of green tea in the past, and still drink it, but I didn't notice anything different. In fact, I found that chamomille tea was much better when it came to helping me relax.

Love, Rose

Hi All,
Hope everyone had a great Christmas. I sure did. Now on to the new year!
Sylvia, once again, thanks for the great info. I may need to try L-theanine and see if I could use it instead of my Xanax. I wanted to add too how much I agree with your comment from a few days ago about becoming prisoners to our symptoms. How true! I think when we first enter into peri the symptoms are so scarey we panic and end up at a pity party. I sure did. But, some women get stuck there and don't move on with lives. All we can do is treat the symptoms the best we can, and get on with life. I am proud of the way the women on this heart thread have done just that. We have experienced some of the worst symptoms peri can throw at us but we have moved on and are still moving on. Maybe in 2008 we can help others to get thru the worst and get back in the game.

Glen had asked if any of us had snow, we sure did and ice too. I took a huge fall on it Monday afternoon. This is one time I am glad I am carrying around 20 extra pounds, I had padding for the fall! My leg, back, hip and elbow took the worst of it. I am bruised, swollen and sore, but I am sure no broken bones. I am a fast healer so the pain won't last long. I need to wear more sensible shoes on ice!

Palps are pretty good, a few runs of SVT here and there, but not many skips. I am going back to the Tenormin, I don't like the Toprol XL, my pulse is too fast on it. Susie, I have started the generic Celaxa, and I am doing fine, no side effects yet. I hope it works ok, 4.00 for 30 day supply is much better than 75.00 for Lexapro.

I better get back to work, things are slow today at the office, that's fine since I am moving alittle slow! Hey, what did everyone get for Christmas? Any great jewerly or clothes? Connie

Dear Connie,

I am so sorry to hear about your fall. How are you now? Thank God you didn't break anything; so take it easy. I'm glad that things are slow at work; I think at this time of year there isn't much to do .

I truly believe that if we can get past every little symptom we feel our bodies will simply take things in their stride and things will get better. Lately, I am coping with this IBS thing. I have tenderness and twingeing on both sides of the abdomen (and this is why I thought it was my ovaries). Anyway, I had a blood test to see whether I am coeliac (intolerance to wheat), but I doubt it; and the doctor also wants to check there isn't any blood in my faeces (so I'll be pooping in a container for three days in a row soon ). It's good to make sure that this isn't something other than IBS. In the meantime, I am taking the herbs my naturopath has made for me and some supplements to help me along and settle things down in my tummy. I truly think this IBS was brought on by all the stress of 2007, and now it will take time to go. Last time I had a bad bout of IBS was in 1997, and though the symptoms were different, it lasted for months and months before it settled down with herbs and looking after my diet.

In the meantime, I am late with my period and I am hoping that it will go away altogether. I'm not sure if this will happen yet, but even if it leaves me alone for a few months I'll be happy . I have been having quite a lot of palps, too, so I can't help thinking that my hormones are all over the place yet again. So what else is new?

I am sitting here trying to finish editing my novel so I can start looking for publishers. I feel this is something I must complete (after about 7 years) as I owe it to myself to try and get published.....after all, it is my dream! Meanwhile, I will be having a job interview on 2nd January for a local job, which would be great. It is a kind of community job where I would be running a recruitment agency to help people who are unemployed. In our role we assist them in looking for work; give them skills for job search; and counsel the harder cases. The job doesn't pay much (in fact, I could earn double the amount if I commuted into the city and worked for a corporate organisation), but the rewards will hopefully make up for it. Helping a person to find a job and become independent again would have to be worth it. Why is it that they always pay peanuts to people who help people and then pay a fortune to useless celebrities who don't help anyone? I often wonder why teachers, community workers, and others who help the population don't get rewarded financially as they should be.

Anyway, if the job comes through for me I will be working 4 days a week and it's local - only 2 mins drive from my house or a 15 min walk. Woo hoo!

Have a good day at work, and don't work too hard

Love, Rose

Hi All,
Rose, Good luck getting a job close to home. I guess our reward helping people is just that, no pay but the feeling of giving. It is like sowing a seed, we should watch for the harvest.

Susie, My Doc doesn't have a clue what is going on with me. I thought when you were post all this got better but so far it has gotten worse. Looking forward to the day when I can say "I remember when"

Connie, You must be from Kansas also if you has ice and snow for Christmas. Sorry about your fall I have done that before and it hurts

Glen

Hi All,
How is everyone doing? Ready for the new year?

Sylvia, I guess I never knew you were writing a novel. What's it about? I LOVE to read. Others like to garden, exercise, cook etc., I love a good book. It gets me off this stupid computer and out of the cyberworld! I am afraid reading is becoming a lost art. Too much temptation to get all our info from the internet. I really think the job sounds good too. There is such satsifaction in making a difference in people lives. I think that's what we were put here for, to help others however we can. Plus, it takes our minds off what stinks in our own lives! How's the pain and palps? I am having just a few skips, really nothing to complain about. I have noticed some discomfort in my right side, alot like what Susie was having. I did something to my left hip and groin area when I fell, it hurts to go up stairs, sit or any movement that I have to bring up my leg. Boy, it's hell to get old!

Hello to everyone else, hope your having a good weekend. Connie

Dear Connie,

I've been writing since I was a teenager, but mainly as a hobby. This is my first serious attempt at getting published, so let's see what 2008 holds for me; hopefully only good things. The theme of my novel is about why people come together and what happens as they interact - you know, life changing kind of things. Anyway, my three characters are sharing a house and we follow their stories, each has problems, joys, and sorrows, and what happens to them as they interact with one another. It's really a story about life and the things that happen in life. One day when it gest published I'll be happy to send you a copy

My IBS is still playing up, but at the moment I am putting it down to all the changes in my body. I haven't got my period yet, so we'll see whether I skip my period this month or not. My palps are still there, pretty much all the time, but I barely notice them anymore and so they don't bother me too much.

How is your hip going? Hopefully you are on the mend? Apply some heat to it so you can soothe it and hopefully you will have a faster recovery.

Well, tomorrow it's New Year's eve here - so I'll take this opportunity to wish you and all the other girls on this thread a happy new year and the best of everything in 2008!

Lots of love, Rose

Dear All,

Wishing you a wonderful New Year filled with: HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND ALL GOOD THINGS (AND BEING PALP-FREE)!!!!!!




Lots of love, Rose

Hi fellow palpers - I'm looking forward to not being a member of this club - and looking forward to a new club of former palpers who are now enjoying palp-free life - grateful for all that we have learned and for the friends we've made along the way.

Hi Dizzilynn,
Welcome to the palpers. This is a great group of ladies. Some are post and some are peri, but we all are palpers Things that go bump in the night (is that my heart? )
Glen

To all my Dear Friends,
I hope you all have a very blessed and happy new year and I hope that all of us will be palp free in 2008. I will always think of 2007 as the year that I met some of my most cherished friends. I am so glad that we all have each other to lean on.

There are 5-7 inches of snow that is coming my way this evening and some tomorrow also along with blowing and drifting. I am glad and thankful to be inside. How is the weather for everyone else?

Today my skipped beats have been more frequent and harder. I hate it when they get like that. I did order some sublinguinal b-12. I have had low iron and a little bit of low red blood cell count in the past and when my Dr. tested my B level it was right on the line. He told me in the past to take B-complex but with me taking nexium and before that taking pepcid ac I figure I am probably not absorbing the vitamins. I read on line somewhere today that having a low b-12 count can effect the nervous system which can cause the pvc's. So I'm going to try them and see if it helps.

Tonight I am just going to play some games on the computer, and watch TV. I used to be such a partier on New years eve but now I am in bed before midnight.


Happy New Year!!!!!!

Love, Susie

Hey All,
Well I did start the New Year with the usual, but what the heck How is everyone doing?
Suzie q let me know how the b-12 works for you. We went to a New Years Eve Party and about 11:oo I had to leave. The anxiety thing took hold What a whinner I have become
I think I have gained some weight also over the holidays. Wish you guys all lived close so we could start a walking club
Happy New Years to you all
Glen

Happy New Year!
Hope everyone had a great New Year. We went our daughters and had pizza, but hubby had to get home to watch some bowl game. Susie, I bet your husband has been glued to the TV too. I am having a few more skipped beats again in the evening, but still not bad. How are your palps Susie? Still having the hard thuds? I never asked if the diarrhea has gone away completely. I wish the Lexapro wouldn't have caused it, I know it was helping the palps. Glen, I wish we were close, I have put on more than a few pounds! I really hate to walk. Anyone have anything else good for exercise? I have walked for so many years for exercise, I am just burned out on it. I have an exercise bike, but I don't really think it does much for you except bother hemrroids! I am alittle scared too of starting into a new exercise routine full throttle, it always starts up more palps. I know exercise helps some people with palps, but it makes mine worse.

Hi Sylvia, what's new on the job front? You are probably following up on that this week. Good luck. Lynn, it's nice to have you join us. Hopefully we can all get rid of these palps this year, but if not we can help each other thru the bad days.

I am feeling better from my fall, still bruised pretty bad. My friend who is an RN thought I might have a small fracture in my pelvis from the way I described the pain and movements I can't do because of pain. I should go get an x-ray, but even if I do have a fracture it just takes time to heal, there isn't any treatment but anti-inflamatories and pain meds. I don't have the time for bed rest! Besides, it hurts worse in bed. I have had off 4 days, but I am bored and ready to return to work. Sitting at home and staring at walls isn't for me. I go crazy. Everyone have a good day tomorrow. Connie

Hi Everyone,
Last night I did make it to midnight. I made cheeseballs for us, my son and mom. Today, I was doing ok but then got on computer and checked history and a sight called zango was up and it was alot of female webcams. Got mad and went into town and got me a 12 pack. Came home and hand mopped the kitchen and the bathroom. It took me almost 2 hours to do both. Listened to oldies while I was doing it. I set the computer on the site that I seen so when my hubby came in he would know that I seen it. He come in and said" Now I know why you are mad. Let me explain what happened" I just kinda looked at him like I wasn't interested. He said well I guess you aren't interested in what happened. I said, It's funny that I go on all kind of web sites and game sites all the time and nothing like that ever comes up on my sites. He walked out and went to the garage in his little shop. I don't know if I would or if I should believe what he might say anyway. I guess the trust has been broken. I also seen in the recycle bin where he had deleted zango on Dec 16th. What do you all think? I am so confused. It is no wonder that my skips won't let up. Connie, I wish I could have tolerated the Lexapro too. It did help with the anxiety. I just keep wondering if I have a big sign on my forehead that says"Take advantage of me and lie to me" My girlfriend is coming up Friday night. We have been best friends since we were 9 years old. She moved about 45 minutes away when we were in the 8th grade and have still remained friends. I am so looking forward to seeing and talking to her. I just don't know what to believe anymore and just when I think I am getting closer to him and trusting him something just comes up on the computer. I am so confused because I am honest, I have went to tons of sights and never had anything like that come up. I don't know what his story is but what should I believe? Please give me some input girls. What would you all think? I will let you all know what he says but I just am so naive. I always have been. Connie, what do you think about the b-12 theory? Have any of you girls ever had yours checked? My iron is always low and my red blood count is a little low. Well, it is almost 10:00 and he is still in the garage and I am feeling a little tipsy. I guess I will eat something and go to bed. I will let you all know if I feel better when I get the b-12 tabs. I keep hoping something will help these skips.

Love, Susie

Hi Connie

Happy New Year to you too! While you guys are experiencing cold and snow, we've been having some fantastic summer days - at last

Today I had my job interview, but I won't know anything for at least a few days. So I will keep you informed.

In the meantime, I am now in the process of being tested for occult blood in my faeces to make sure that all I have is IBS rather than something else. Anyway, I hope that everything comes up clear. I am stressing more and more over these tests, and I've read somewhere that microscopic blood can also be present in IBS, so I'm not sure what they are looking for exactly. I certainly do not want to go further with tests - as you know, most doctors think nothing of sending you to an intrusive test - like a colonoscopy - and this thought terrifies me The pains and twinges in my abdomen have been slightly better, but are still there on and off. I read that peri can make IBS worse, and so can stressful situations, so judging by the kind of year I had in 2007, I'm not surprised that IBS flared up. What do you think?

I hope that your hip mends soon. It is possible that there is a fracture, but hopefully not. Have you tried taking glucosamine? This might help with the mending process, along with calcium and magnesium. And there are natural anti-inflammatories like bromelain and papain, that can help with the pain. There is also a herb called "Cat's Claw" and this is good for pain also. You can get all of these in tablet form at health food stores.

Susie,

I am sorry to hear about your situation. But don't let your hubby reduce you to a stress-ball. I know it's easier said than done, but I also know this is a problem that will need to be faced. Once the trust is gone, it is very difficult to get it back - if ever - and your hubby would have to be 100% honest with you in order for you to feel like you can trust him again. This happened to me and my hubby when he was going through his depression and he was flirting with this woman online. Fortunately, we were able to get past this by being 100% open about our feelings, etc, and luckily my trust in him was reasserted. Having said that, it doesn't mean that I will just forget all about it - and he knows it. I have forgiven him (as nothing happened anyway), but he knows I haven't forgotten. However, he made a commitment to healing by finishing off his counselling and getting back to us having quality time, and we have been lucky that we have recaptured our feelings of love once again.

Having gone through this with hubby, and other relationships before this one, I was always fully aware that if the other party wasn't interested in meeting me half way and be 100% open, then it was up to me as to whether to continue with an unhealthy relationship or move on and be happy within myself (even if I had to start all over again). I had to break 3 previous relationships because of mistrust, and looking back now, I am glad I did, because if I hadn't I would never have moved on and got on with my life. Luckily, I was able to salvage my present relationship, but know that if it should change again in future, I might be faced with the same choice I had to make with my previous relationships.

You said in your post: you wondered if you had a big sign on your forehead that said "Take advantage of me and lie to me". Susie, all I can say to you is that you only have that sign on your forehead if you put it there yourself. You are in control of your own destiny and you can choose whether or not you will allow others to take advantage and lie to you. I know this sounds harsh, but it's the truth, and I am being 100% honest with you because I care.

Anyway, I hope you are able to resolve your situation, and whatever happens, never forget that I am here as a friend, as I am sure are all the ladies in this forum, and you will never lack for emotional support.

Be well and stay strong, and my thoughts are with you. Love, Rose

Rose,
Thank you for your concern. I feel like crying right now just overwhelmed by your honesty and friendship. I hardly slept last night even though I drank 4 beers. I ended up coming out on the couch because I was having alot of hot flashes. I have been having those again for the last 2 weeks. Anyway, I haven't talked to my husband yet today. He was off to work when I got up. Like you said it is hard to get the trust back once betrayed by lies. And you are right, you teach people how to treat you and I guess I am guilty of that. I had such a good childhood and wonderful parents so I don't know why I am the way I am. Low self esteem and all.
I hope your test comes out ok. I had that test when I had my pap test. If that is what you are talking about. The Dr. checks for blood. I really think it is just the hormones messing with you and making the IBS worse right now. I think because of all the stress also has contributed to your problem. I had a colonoscopy once but that was 15 years ago. Hang in there and take care. I'm glad you and your hubby are doing better. It sounds like he is willing to communicate. That helps alot. My hubby seems to want to avoid any confrontation or communiction about anything.

Connie,
I hope your hip is feeling better. Are you going to have it x-rayed? Please be careful!!!!

Glen,
How have you been? How are the skips? I am praying every day for all of us ladies to have a much better year this year.

Love, Susie

Susie,
I am sorry for the stress in your life right now. I know you have had to deal with this before and it's a tough subject. I guess I would see what hubby's explanation is and go from there. You know him better than anyone and can tell if he is being honest or not. I don't know much about B-12. When I was so anemic from heavy periods, my palps were fine, hardly any skips at all. You would think that's when they would have been bad. I think it's worth a try. I have had few episodes this am prolonged "flutters". Those kind where you wonder if you heart is going back into a normal pattern. I hate those. I usually have some of those right before a period. I am still period free since September but who knows. I am having bad hot flashes many times a day, so I doubt my periods is coming, estrogen must be low. I have to laugh at people who say they have an irregular heartbeat because they notice a skip or two after drinking caffeine, alcohol or taking decongestants. Ha! Try living in our world right? I think everyone notices a skip here and there. I bet those women would drop to their knees if they had to live with thousands of irregular heartbeats everyday for days and months on end. Give me a break.

Sylvia, I am sorry if you have already told us, do you have a reason that the doctor suspects blood in your bowel movements? Are you seeing blood? Black stools usually means there is blood from a higher source in your GI tract, bright red blood usually is from hemorroids, IBS or colitis. Everyone always worries about rectal or colan cancer with rectal bleeding, but it can be caused by alot of other things, not always cancer. STRESS is the main cause of colitis and IBS. IBS can get worse during peri too. You have had your share of stress last year. It's good to have it checked out in any case.

I feel much better, pain is quickly getting better. I was going to use this injury to hold off on starting an exercise program, I guess that excuse won't hold up for much longer! I am going to see if any of the stores have great after Christmas sales going. I need nothing, but it relaxes me to just look. Has anyone heard from Viktoria lately? I see she has posted on other threads, but not here. Maybe her palps are better. Talk with you later, Connie

Connie,
When I was anemic I wasn't even having periods so I knew it wasn't from that. That is why I am thinking the low RBC count and low iron may be from having low b-12 levels. I don't know for sure but you know how it is. You will try any and all to get rid of these skipped beats. You are right, some men and women would drop to their knees if they had these. You were talking about going on a diet. How much weight have you gained? Do you think it is from the Lexapro? Don't stress too much about it. It isn't worth it. I know, take my own advice right? Easier said than done. I am with you wondering about if Sylvia has noticed blood. Alot of times though if you are having prolonged tummy troubles they want to check that because it can be unseen to the human eye. I am also wondering about Viktoria. I post once in a while on other boards if I can relate to the post but I guess you would see that this is my home. I hope one day our home on this board will be " No More Skips And I Feel Great" Tomorrow I am going to get my hair highlighted. Need a lift!! I am going to let it grow out. It's almost to my shoulders now, but my son wants me to grow it long like I wore it when I was younger. He said he has never seen me with long hair. Talk to you later




Love, Susie

Oh Susie,

It breaks my heart that you are suffering like this while hubby is not communicating. It's anyone's guess why we develop low self-esteem, but the good thing is that we are never too late to do something about it. There are so many great books out there that help with this kind of thing - and believe me, I read them all Have you read Louise Hay "You Can Heal Your Life" and "The Power Is Within You"? Those are just 2 of the books that helped me a lot, but there are literally thousands. When I was going through a very bad spell of low self esteem I went to see a spiritual counsellor - she was great - and she taught me to take responsibility for my feelings and take back my power. She said as long as you don't give your power to the other person they cannot hurt you. We are all responsible for how we feel and though it is difficult to make life-changing decisions, if we take back our power we will be happier. Another book that comes to mind is the Dalai Lama's "The Art of Happiness" - it is especially written for modern day people. This book also helped me a lot.

So please, try to honour yourself and who you are (a wonderful, feeling, and understanding person), and work on yourself. Don't try to fix your hubby's problems because it's very difficult to change someone else (unless they want to change), but it's a lot easier to change ourselves. It takes courage, but in the end we will be happier.

My solution is this: take a holiday and come and stay with me for a while - this is what my friend from Spain did. She was being suffocated by her hubby (he's very controlling, you see) and she just announced she was going to Australia (which took a lot of courage from her), and she loved it. We had such a great time together, and we talked about everything, and by talking we both healed spiritually. It was a great week, and it helped both of us. So, if you decide to do something positive for yourself in 2008, pack a bag and say "Bye bye" to hubby (of course, make him pay for the airfare ), and then come on over and stay here. I have plenty of room! I bet when you go back home you will be stronger, more independent, and hubby will wonder what happened and he'll either shape up or ship out Sometimes men need this lesson, don't they? We have to shake them at their core. Let him miss you for a while. Go out and have fun and show him that you don't need him around to be happy. This is how you take your power back and it'll leave him wondering what got into you , which is a good thing.

Sometimes men become too comfortable, and think we are going to be predictable and be there for them. Well, we can show them! So, Susie, think about all this. And while you're at it, if you haven't seen this film already, go and rent "Shirley Valentine". It's an old English film, but I guarantee you that when you see it you will see a lot of yourself in her and you will come out feeling so much better about yourself and your life. It always works for me.

Take care, and remember I am here for you, and if you ever want to talk, let me know and I'll ring you because I have a call card for overseas and the rates are super dupa cheap. We can always gasbag on the phone If you want this, send me your number via email and what is the best time to catch you at home. I will also need to know which city you're in so I can work out the time difference.

Lastly, look after your body. I am sure that drinking all that beer can't be good for your hormones, and I'm not surprised you're getting the hot flashes - they can be exacerbated by stress. Trust me, I'm an expert on stress , and I come from a long line of stressors

Hang in there, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Meanwhile, I'll go and get the guest room ready

Love, Rose

Hi Connie,

There is no visible blood in the faeces, that's why the doc wants to see if there is microscopic blood. But once again, wouldn't microscopic blood be present sometimes in IBS? This is what I mean about why would they want to do this test? I guess the doc wants to make sure that IBS is all I have, rather than something more serious. But we'll see what happens. Hopefully it'll all come up clear. I am so fed up with having these tests that once I finish this one I will not have any more.

The last time I heard from Viktoria was just after Xmas, when she replied to me on another thread. Maybe she's a busy bee right now.

Take it easy with the hip and don't rush into exercise too quickly. I agree with Susie, that if the pain keeps going an x-ray might be helpful to ensure there are no hairline fractures.

Love, Rose

Susie Q
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sometimes men can be very frustrating :angry Tell him how it makes you feel when something like this happens. Let him tell his side of the story. Then figure out what is the truth and what is fiction. You will know. Sometimes we don't face the truth because at that point we need to do something. I fully believe that a man can love you and still do stupid things. Just know what he is doing has nothing to do with you, it may effect you but it is not your fault. Men that look at porn have something to work out with themself, some say it is an addition? Take care of yourself, do something for yourself and talk to your friends. Support is very important

Prayers
Glen

Still having thumps and woops and anxiety
Glen

Good Morning Ladies,
How are things going today Susie? Did you talk with hubby? What was his explanation? I hope things got worked out. I hate you have to start the new year with this stress. How did your hair turn out? I am due for a color soon or the grey will take over fast. You asked before about my weight gain. I had lost at the end of the summer when my palps were so bad, I couldn't eat because of the anxiety. When I started the Lexapro, the palps improved and so did the anxiety over them so I started eating again. I don't really know if the Lexapro or just the fact I feel so much better has caused an increase in my eating. I have gained about 10-12 pounds of pure fat! I am a yo-yo dieter, I have been my whole life. I can take it off, but it never lasts. I hate exercise, so that doesn't help. I am going to try to cut back on portions and sweets. I don't want to buy new clothes, just fit into the ones I have better. Did you get alot of snow? You must live east of the Mississippi, I know that area was forcast for snow.

Sylvia, I think your doctor is covering all the bases by checking for occult blood in your stool. They always send me home with those hemocult cards from the doctor, I don't think I have ever sent them back to be checked. I stick my head in the sand way too much when it comes to my health and preventative tests. I have to get better this year about that. You are right, IBS can cause some blood in your stool too. Heard about the job yet?

Long day at work, I better get going. I woke up about 4am with skips and internal shaking. It lasted for about an hour then went away. I read on another menopause thread yesterday where a lady is 10 years post and still having symptoms. Her doctor told her post menopause just means you are not having periods any longer, but symptoms can go on forever because you will always some hormones floating around until you die. You just don't have the spikes in you hormone levels like in peri. Great! That will be my luck. Have a good day. Connie

Connie,
That's just great! We will all be on these boards when we are 80 years old still complaining about our hormones! LOL!!!!! No, I didn't talk to my hubby. He came home, went out and blew the snow out of our drive, came back in and warmed up some leftovers, read a magazine at the kitchen table, and then came in at 9:30 and said he was going to bed. So after he went to bed I was so frustrated because he never talks about a problem. He tends to just act like nothing ever happened and with me, I am the kind that needs to get it out or I stew and I can just feel the anxiety inside. I wrote him a two page letter saying that if he knew there may be the chance that I was going to see this on the computer, why didn't he come to me and tell me so I wouldn't have gotten so upset. I also told him that I sometimes think that he does this stuff to get me upset because it feeds his own self esteem when I get angry and jealous. I told him that I go to dozens of websites and I never have this stuff accidently come up on any of my pages or sights. I do know that he has low self esteem and his ex wife cheated on him all the time. Anyway I told him that I need communication! I also told him it seems so funny that we can go along so long, this time six months without me seeing anything on the computer and we are getting along so well and I am just starting to mend and trust when whammo! Something happens again. We do not argue about anything else but this one subject. I know he acts like it wouldn't bother him if I was going on sites and looking at men. He told me it wouldn't. But I think that by making me mad and jealous it gives him a big boost. What do you think? Anyway he is leaving tomorrow morning for 3 days for a college football game and It's just me, the cat and the dog. I gotta tell ya, I am looking forward to that.

I do appreciate all of you girls support and deep down I know it is his problem but I sure wish I had known this years ago. And Glen, I have told him how this has hurt me. I used to be married to a man who was an alcoholic and he verbally, emotionally abused me and a few occasions he physically abused me. I told my husband that I would rather be hit then feel the pain that this has caused me. I don't think of myself as unattractive. I am 5'3 and I weigh about 118 lbs and everyone tells me I still look the same as I did when I was in my 20's. No one believes I have a 27 year old son. There is even a younger guy, (41) that has shown alot of attention to me and boy is that an ego booster. I have not done anything but it sure has made me feel better. Well, anyway I am going to get my hair highlighted here in about an hour and tomorrow night my girlfriend is coming up to see me. But I am sure that hormones and the feelings that I have buried deep inside of me are showing up in skipped beats.

I just thank all of you for your input, advice and being my friend. You all mean so much to me.

Susie

Connie
I do not like that 10 year info you just gave us Connie I went to another site yesterday also but didn't find to much. I've been waiting for meno to pass but I'm begining to think like Suzie, we will be doing this till we are 80

Suzie Girl,
Sounds like you have it together. Maybe your husband is just insecure Who knows with men any how Just know we are praying for you and are here for you.

Glen

Hi Connie,

No news on the job front; but I still keep looking around. It's early days yet.

To tell you the truth, if we had to do all the preventative tests doctors wanted us to have, we'd be at the lab every second day! I will just stick with my pap smears and the odd blood test every now and then

Have a great rest of the week! Love, Sylvia

I read some of these posts and how excited I got!!
Sorry, girls, I know you are all having various levels of rough times.
I have been googling my symptoms for some while and have decided to take control of my own health but in the process I discovered many illnesses I had never heard of and so many stories of misdiagnoses and missed symptoms that I lay awake at night wondering what I have missed and what I have that I may not know and may not wake up tomorrow!

My Mum says don't worry its just a panic attack.

Who's worried Now?? Not me!! Ha Ha Thank you all!!

Marje

ok, so where has everyone gone? It has been 3 days since anyone has posted. And welcome marj! Are you having the skipped beats too? How long and how many a day?

My weekend was pretty good. My BF came up and we talked alot and goofed off alot. She stayed till 1:30 am. Hubby has been gone since Friday morning. He will be back Monday morning. Yesterday I just laid around all day and watched tv. It was nice. Today I took my mom to Walmart. It is in the 50's here right now and Thought I better get her out while the weather is nice. She enjoyed herself. I am waiting for my sublinguinal B vitamins to come in the mail. They should be here tomorrow. I think I am going to start out taking two a day to get the b-12, b-6 built up in my system. I am still thinking of trying the l-theanine for anxiety. It seems that everyone that has tried it on the boards have had really good results.

I hope everyone is still ok. Miss hearing from you all.

Love, Susie

HI,
Sorry I haven't been around much, I have a friend in the hospital and have been staying with her alot. She is doing well, but it's tough to be alone and sick. She is widowed, no children and only a couple of friends. My palps have been getting worse again but I have been on the go and haven't paid too much attention to them. I have healed well from the fall, the pain has gone. Now I have to concentrate on losing some weight. I am tired of my clothes fitting too tight. Susie, I hate you for weighing 118#! I think I weighed that in 7th grade! Do you think you will get into it with your husband when he gets back? You really need to get to the bottom of things. Glad you had a good visit with your friend. What were her thoughts on the situation?

Welcome Marj! Please stay with us, we are a sorry band of heart palpers but we have become good friends. Nice to find others that know what you are going thru.

How are you other gals doing, Glen, Sylvia, Viktoria, Tina, May, June and others? Haven't heard from some of you for along time, hope that means you are well. Everyone have a good weke. Connie

Connie,
Glad to hear from you. No, we talked before he left and he told me had gone on his music boards that he always goes on and he clicked on a site that someone posted which was supposed to be a guy playing steel guitar and it went to that other site. I do believe him because I was once on a message board site about palps and I clicked on a site that someone posted for information and it took me to a porn site. I told him they must not have a very good administrator like power surge does. I understand now why Dearest doesn't let us post web sites on here. You never know what you're gonna get. I am sorry about your friend. Is she real sick? That is so nice of you to be by her side. Don't hate me because of my weight! LOL!!! For me it seems like my whole metabolism changed after having my son. I was heavy my senior year in high school and then I went on a diet and lost weight, but after having my son it seems like I can eat anything. Maybe my anxiety keeps me thin. Glad you are healing after your fall. Do you think the skips are worse because of your friend being ill? I don't know if I ever asked you this or not but do your skips get worse after you eat. I can have hardly none in the morning and then when I eat lunch they start up.

Hope everyone else is ok. Post and let us know.

Love, Susie

Hi Connie,

Hope you had a nice weekend. I have no news of any kind - no job news and no health news, but you know what they say: no news is good news

Anyway, my palps are still there, mainly in the evening, after dinner. My left-sided abdominal disturbance is there also and it comes and goes. It feels like a sore twinge and sometimes it moves, like it can be near the bellybutton to the left and then it moves further down on the left. So I have no idea what this can be, but it's driving me crazy.

Nice weather here, with sunny skies. So I'm finally enjoying a bit of summer. I am happy to hear that your injury from the fall has mended. Have a good week. Love, Sylvia

Hi Girls,
Susie, I have to believe your husband. Just this morning I went into Oprah's website to see what programs she had this week, I spelled one letter wrong in her name and it took me to a lesbian porn website! I tried to click out of it and it just kept loading more crap in. My husband had to come in and get me out of it. I don't understand why that happens. Just goes to show how open we are on the internet. My friend is fine, she had a bad respiratory infection. Being alone, her doctor put her in the hospital so she could get good care. She has never been close to her family and with no husband or kids, she is really alone in the world. She quit working in her 40's to stay home and lost alot of her friends because she didn't keep in contact with them. When her husband died unexpectantly several years ago, life got pretty lonely for her. Now she wishes she had stayed more active. She is thinking about returning to work, which would be great for her. I never take for granted my friends or family, that is what makes my world go around. Palps are better this am, I was to have a period this weekend that never came, maybe that was the increase in palps too. Maybe I am really finished. I usually don't have problems with palps after eating, I can get them before eating if I have gone too long without food. Let me know if you think the b-12 helps.

Sylvia, sorry about the pain you are still having. Will the doctor's office call you about the results or should you bug them? I worked in doctors office before and was mortified at how many test results fell thru the cracks. They get filed too early or misplaced. I am sure it's just the IBS giving you problems. Anything to take for it?

I should have slow week at work. No travel for now, so I am happy. We are still talking about going to D.C. in the spring, not really looking forward to that. It would be different if I thought our government really cared about childrens health care, but I think it will be a waste of time. Talk to you all later, Connie

Hi Connie,

My doctor is on holidays until 14 January, so I can't get the results till then. I'm just petrified that they might show microscopic blood and then the doctor will insist on something like a colonoscopy (which I am not prepared to do at this time!), especially as we don't know what is causing this pain. In fact, it's not so much pain as twinging and it feels a bit tender at times, so that if I bend or move I get a bit of a twingy pain. It's mainly on the lower left side of the abdomen, although from time to time I get a little bit on the right side too.

You said you had something similar happen to you before? If so, how long did it last? Mine's being going since early December 2007 on and off. So now, I have one more thing to stress about

I still haven't got my period, and my palps were getting worse up to the time leading to my periods and then they became a little bit better, once I passed my period date. This is the second time that my periods have stopped in the last 12 months - the first time it was after my mother died and my periods stayed away for 4 months; now, with all the stress I had in the previous months re hubby's depression, my job and health problems, etc, I have missed my periods again, and I don't know if they'll be back, and I don't care. In fact, I hope they go away altogether. But I have another theory about this abdominal thing that may or may not be IBS. Do you think it could be the ovaries reacting to hormones telling them to function? Maybe this is what is happening, and my ovaries are doing silly buggers in there and causing my bowel to act up too, hence the IBS and all the twinging and what have you. What do you think of this theory?
I remember reading an article on this site about IBS and hormones and how they found a link to this.

So I figure that maybe I have some sort of irritation happening in there and this is why I'm getting all these weird pains. Plus, two periods ago I remember having an extremely bad period with horrible pain and this affected my whole belly for a while. I am wondering if this is still going on, but without the periods.

Anyway, I just hope things settle down soon, because I can't cope with anymore stress!

I haven't heard regarding the job, even though they told me they would let me know Monday at the latest, and it is now Tuesday morning here. So that's not a good sign. I hate it when they do that! They tell you they'll ring you by a certain time and then they don't.

Well, I have whinged enough for one morning. I'm off to do the grocery shopping (exciting, isn't it?)

By the way, has anyone heard from Viktoria? She seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth.

Love, Sylvia

Rose,
Come to think of it when I was still having my periods off and on which was almost a year and a half ago I used to get that same feeling you were just describing. It kinda just dawned on me how it actually felt like I was trying to get a period. I remember thinking, my poor ovaries they are working so hard and just don't want to give up. Mine would sometimes be one side and sometimes both. I think that is what is happening. Don't worry, I think you will be fine. I hope you hear from your job. Take care.

p.s. I sometimes also got pms when I
wasn't having periods. I could have
swore I was going to have one and
I didn't. Love, Susie

Hi Susie,

Yes, I agree with you that it's possible my ovaries are causing all these problems. I am so fed up with this whole thing that I am now getting to the point where I don't care anymore (at least for today, anyway ). Only time will tell, I guess. And yes, I get PMS as well and get into some horrid moods.

Hope all is well with you.

Love, Rose

Sylvia,
I am still having twinges of pain off and on, both sides. I think since not having a period since Sept. my ovaries are either trying to release an egg from time to time, or they are changing in shape, shrinking. It is a fact that women in post have smaller ovaries, sometimes they get so small they can't be found on U/S or by feeling for them during an exam. I had alot of problems with discomfort when I had my cyst 2 years ago, but it got better when I went on the pill. The discomfort started back up after I went off. I don't think much of it now, it lasts a few days then gets better. I woke up this morning swearing I had started my period. Cramps like you wouldn't believe, but no period. What our poor bodies go thru at this time of life. I know women complain about the mental symptoms of peri, but these physical pains and palps are the worst. I can live with some anxiety or insomnia, pain and palps get the best of me!

Anyone having horrible hot flashes? Boy, the last few weeks I am a walking fireplace. I guess that means my estrogen is still low, but I am having breakouts on my face again. So does that mean my testosterone is going up? Who knows, it's just miserable having to work in business clothing and sweat right thru everything. My dry cleaning bills are awful.

Well enough whinning for me, I am VERY blessed that my symptoms aren't worse and I am able to get out in the world and most of the time enjoy myself. Everyone have a good day. Connie

Rose and Connie,
Hi. I do think it is the change in the ovaries. I think our bodies have done the work for us for so long that it just keeps trying. I do know I had the cramps even like I was going to have a period and then didn't. I am having the night sweats. Once in a while I will get a hot flash during the day, but mostly at night I will wake up and feel like I am on fire. It makes you wonder, since I haven't had a period for 17 months tomorrow!!! How long will this go on? My b-12 has not arrived yet, although I haven't checked the mail yet today. I was thinking of seeing if this company has the l-theanine also. Have any of you girls read the posts about that helping with anxiety? Today it is in the 60's here and very windy. It's supposed to drop 20 some degrees tomorrow. Talk to you all later.

Love, Susie

Hi Connie,

I think that you may be experiencing a phantom period. I've had this before. You get all the symptoms of a period, cramps, pain, even acne, etc, etc, but the actual bleeding doesn't come. And when this happens the damn symptoms stick around for about 10 days! Or at least they did with me.

I have been having some period symptoms lately too, but still no period. Wonder if I'm going to have a phantom period this month.

My doctor told me that when you get closer to meno you get more and more hot flashes, so maybe you're very close now, Connie.

Susie,

I also read that L-theanine helps with anxiety. Let us know what happens if you try it.

Well, girls, nothing much has changed here. Haven't heard from any jobs, my tummy is still doing weird things to me. So we'll see what the next few days bring. Hope you both have a good day.

Love, Sylvia

Hi,
I forgot to add to my post this am that I have gotten a few forworded e-mails from Viktoria. She has been posting alot on PS lately, just not our thread. She hopefully isn't having problems with palps anymore. Connie

Hi Connie,

Well, at least Viktoria is still around; that's good to see. I emailed her to prior to the New Year, but I haven't heard from her, so I'm assuming she's a busy bee.

Anyway, last night, without any warning, my period arrived At least this time without any pain, which is good. I am now wondering if my twingy/abdominal tenderness will go away. I keep thinking that perhaps this disturbance is being caused by overactive ovaries rather than IBS. Who knows. When I had my ultrasound, the doc told me I had a very small physiological cyst on my left ovary, but that it looked like it was already dissolving, so maybe this has been the culprit! Who knows.

By the way, my palps are quite active this morning, which is surprising because I normally get palps at night. Well, I guess it's my hormones playing silly buggers again. Hope all is well with you.

Love, Sylvia

Hi girls,

No, I am not feeling "great" lately, but I have been busy. I still have palps, but decided a while back that I was going to try and not dwell on them, and for a period of time, that meant not reading about them. I needed to do that for my health.

As for me making a "lot" of posts lately, most of those have been on a thread where through my busy time with having DH home, and my children, I did a lot of thinking, and so I wrote a post about it recently. I replied to the ladies who contributed.

I have upped my exercise a LOT and have not been sitting at the PC all the time like i used to over the palps. Ohhhhh, they still scare me alright , but I refuse to hone in on them and give them more power than they deserve.

I get the flashes 24/7, and am fortunate to get more than 2 hours sleep a night, and then I crash out for a couple of nights, just to repeat the process. I did try the P cream, but it made me feel quite ill, and I tend to think I may have my own P and not need it, or it is that brand we bought, Rose.
Also, my hands are giving me a lot of problems, and typing is quite painful for me at the moment, and it looks like I may need to go find out why.

I've had no period since we last all spoke, so perhaps I am done, but who knows? I had a few phantom ones, but even they have stopped now. I am just HOT HOT HOT all the time, but sadly I don't sweat so it feels like it stays within. Then I am freezing cold a lot of the time, so I don't know normal anymore. Either hot or cold, that is all. I flash hot and I flash cold.

The only symptoms I don't have on the list is dryness downstairs, incontinence of any type and major depresssion. I have a lot of sadness through recent events, and am working my way through that. I guess I just don't say much about all of this, as it has it's natural course like all things. I hope? lol

Rose, I didn't get an e-mail from you when you say I should have....but I did get one this afternoon which I will answer tonight. I did get a note from ISP saying I had to empty my inbox etc, etc as I have too much email on their server, so that may be why.

To me, it sounds like you have a cyst Rose. And when I had a cyst, it did aggravate my IBS as well. The two are so closely bound. I hope this passes for you soon, as there is not much fun in walking around in pain all the time.
Connie, it looks like you might be nearing the end, too. And the pain you descibe, I also had once during the past couple of months, and it was extremely painful. It hasn't happened again, and I hope it doesn't for either you or me.

Susie, I am so sorry to read of the scare you went through with your DH, but unless good pop-up stoppers are in place, that can happen. I am also sorry to read about your night sweats. They can be quite miserable!!!! Are you flashing a lot during the day as yet? Or has that diminished? I hope your symptoms start to diminish this year. 17 months post has got to count for something!!!!

Oh, and one thing, the e-amil I forward is things I think you both may like, and I'm sorry if that wasn't the case. Rose, if you check your hotmail, you will find you received them as well. They are lovely notes and pics a lot of the PS girls share around, and they brighten the day. Apologies if no one liked them.

I still have my husband home, so I am not as active on here as usual, but will be soon. .........DH is high maintainance.........joking!

Hugs to All,
Viktoria

HI,
Viktoria, Sorry you are not feeling "great", I don't think any of us are, we are just coping as best we can. I am sorry if our inquiring about your where abouts on this thread upset you. I can understand how you don't want to dwell on the palps so you stay away from conversations about them. I come back to this thread because I enjoy the conversation I have with the others on this thread. I feel a comfort in talking with ladies that have had the same problems as I have. I am glad you are exercising more, I wish I could. I am a firm believer that people should spend 99% of their time in the real world, 1% in the cyber world. I am afraid too many use the internet as a replacement for a real social life. I don't think I said I didn't like your forwarded e-Mails did I? I love them, they are great. Come back and talk with us whenever you feel like it, hopefully someday we will change our club name to the past palpers.

Sylvia, did you have any warning signs your period was coming? I am glad you don't have the pain like before. How long had it been since your last period? Any news on the job? Are you enjoying being home? I guess I had too many days off around the holidays, I really can't get in the swing at work. I want to go out for lunch, shop, then go home and take a nap! Can't pay bills doing that.

Susie, have you gotten any snow lately? We woke up to about 3 inches of new snow this am. I am getting tired of the snow and ice. Have you started the B-12? I am very interested in how it works. I am so glad you told us about B-12, I never had heard anything about it before. See, we do learn alot from each other. My palps go back and forth. Yesterday was great, the day before I had alot again. There is just no pattern I can see.

Glen, how you doing? Palps any better? Is your son glad to back in school? I bet you are!

Time to go to work, I will stumble thru the snow. I am going out to supper tomorrow night with friends and seeing the new movie Mad Money. It looked funny from the previews. Everyone have a good day and weekend. Connie

Hi Viktoria

Great to hear from you. I am sorry you are suffering with the heat over your way. We are so lucky where we live - lately we've been having wonderful sunny days with highs of about 25C to 27C, but that's the mountains for you. We're over 1000 metres above sea level!

I'm surprised the progesterone cream isn't helping you. How long did you try it for? I haven't had any problems with it. Well, I guess we all react differently to things, right? Is there anything else you can use, like natural stuff, herbs, etc? Maybe a visit to a good naturopath might help. At least there is someone who can monitor you if you have adverse effects.

About these emails that you forward - I very rarely check my hotmail address, as I only use to have access to msn chat, but I have seen some of them from time to time.

By the way, I think you could be right about a cyst. You know, when I had my ultrasound, the doc told me I had a small cyst on the left side, but she said it was very small and nothing to worry about. So how could a small cyst be causing all this mayhem? I do have a very sensitive body though, and this might explain it. What do you think? Anyway, my period arrived two days ago, as you know, and I am also hoping that if the cyst has been the culprit then hopefully it will dissolve.

Connie,

I wouldn't mind not working if it wasn't for the finance factor. I love having my own time and doing things, catching up with friends for coffee, and working on my writing. I would be very happy not to have to work at all, but unfortunately I have to find some employment to pay off debts and bills, etc, etc. Hubby's earnings are OK, but not enough for me not to have to work and be a lady of leisure. I mean, yes, we can survive, but just surviving isn't fun, is it? I like to spend some money, especially on travel and going out to eat. I don't care too much about clothes and other personal items, as long as I have enough money for all my vitamins, going out for coffees and travel. I'm a girl of simple tastes I guess

Anyway, I am definitely looking for part time work. I don't need to work full time, and wouldn't want to unless it was an incredible job of some kind, like making movies , which has always been one of my passions as well, acting, that is, and writing. But back to working, yes, part time work is sufficient for my needs and it also gives me a chance to have my own time.

My period did come without warning this time, and it was about 3 weeks late, so that's why I thought I was going to miss out altogether.

I agree about spending too much time in front of the computer. My hubby is addicted to computer games, and when he's not working or with his kids, if I let him sit in front of the computer he becomes glued to it and I can't get him off. This makes me very upset because our time together is so limited - basically to weeknights and Sundays. So if I see him get into the computer too much I wallop him over the head and tell him to "get off or die!"

I am now in the process of starting a group of friends from MySpace who live locally to get together once or twice a month for coffee. This coming Saturday is our first coffee meeting, so it should be fun.

My palps are much better this morning, but then, they always are a couple of days into my period. Last night they were bad though, so I ate even more chocolate and even had a cup of coffee, I really like to rub it in, don't I?

Well, the weather continues to be magic over here, slightly warm, sunny, a gentle breeze, deep blue skies, clear and crispy days, and the wonderful blue haze of the mountains. I don't know what you girls are waiting for.......I said it many times now........pack a bag and come to visit. If my friend from Spain did it, why not you?

Have a lovely weekend all! Love, Rose

Viktoria,
I was so glad to see you post again! I do know what you mean about being off of the computer so you don't think about the skips. I hate to fixate on them and it seems that is all I have been doing for the past 3 years. But I guess when you have them almost every day you can't help but think about them and ways to get rid of them. Sorry you are having so many hot flashes. Mine went away for a long time and then they came back. I also agree about having all symptoms except for the dryness too. I have no problem whatsoever with lubrication. I always thought that once you were post that came with it, but it doesn't with me either. I'm glad though. My girlfriend said she has had to use lube for years and she's a year younger than me and not through peri yet. I hope that you keep posting, even if we don't talk about the palps just to let us know how you are doing.

Connie,
We have been having alot of rain lately. It has been in the 40's here but it is so damp. The last two days my back has been hurting so bad it makes me want to cry. I have always had problems with my upper back in the shoulder blade area but the pain I have had yesterday and today is terrible. It always seems to go through to my chest. This time my upper back, chest and arms ache just like I have been doing some heavy duty exercizing and I haven't. It even feels sore when I touch my arms or back or chest. I have always wondered if I have fibromyalgia but have never been tested. I can't sit at the computer too long or it makes it worse. I did get my b-12 yesterday so I just started on it. I will let you know if I notice a difference.

Rose,
I don't know whether to say I am sorry you started your period or not. Are you looking forward to being post? I think maybe it will help to dissolve the cyst that you have though. Sounds like it will be fun to meet people for coffee. Are they women going through meno or friends from different walks of life? I wish I could come and see you. I bet it is so beautiful there. Like you though, not alot of money. Not that we are poor. We do go out to eat and I also like my coffee. I am just more of a simple down to earth person also. I don't have a big wardrobe or alot of shoes but I have enough that I am satisfied. Like tonight when my hubby gets home he is going to stop at a local place and bring us both home a grilled chicken salad. I love them and I don't have to cook. LOL!! Well, gonna get off the computer now. My back is starting to give me more pain and I am going to recline on the couch with the heating pad on my back and my cat on my lap.

Love, Susie

Hi Susie,

To tell you the truth, I will be happier once my period goes altogether. It is just a nuisance right now. As to the cyst, I hope it dissolves soon; my Gyn was under the impression that it was already dissolving, but who knows with these doctors. And I wonder whether the cyst is the one causing all these left sided sensations.

The coffee thing is open to all people from all walks of life - many are local artists, writers, people who care about the environment, that sort of thing, and some of them are stay at home mums, and one of my friends already went through meno because she had a hystorectomy ages ago. But this coffee thing is just to get to know local people so I can make new friends.

It's good not having to cook. Hubby and I always go for dinner to the local club on Fridays - it's a nice and relaxing way to finish off the week. Sorry about your back problem, but I'm sure the heat pad will help, and cats are great healers, did you know that? They just seem to have this sixth sense about things and I know this after living with cats for over 15 years. My little furry angels, I call them. Well, once is already in heaven now , but the other is still with me.

Have a lovely weekend. Rose

Rose,
Sounds like that will be a very interesting time sharing coffee with the people you have met. It's good to have friends. My back is feeling a little better today and I am going to try not to be on the computer too much as it does make it worse sitting forward. You are right about cats being healers. I really never knew that but I do know when I am hurting my cat always climbs up on my lap or lays by my side and purrs really loudly. The salads were really good last night. It is another gloomy damp day here again. How are you feeling by now? Did you have what you would call a regular period? I hope you have a great weekend.

Love, Susie

Hi Susie,

Should be fun having coffee with new friends, and if all goes well I will start a regular thing, maybe once a fortnight or once a month. I'm happy that your back is better. Cats always seem to sense when their loved ones are not feeling well and they come to keep you company. They are so sweet.

I'm not feeling very well with this IBS thing - and I am now sure it's IBS. Last night I had so much bloating and when I pressed on the left side it was quite tender, and this morning the same. But it feels better when I pass wind or have a stool movement, and then it comes back. Also, I am left with a sense like I still need to go, but I don't really have to. And I've read these are all signs of IBS. Next week I return to my naturopath and I will ask her about a more specific diet for me, and now it's time for me to start relaxing a bit more. The stress I have had up until recently really took its toll and I am now surprised at the fact that it aggravated the IBS, or rather brought on a fresh attack

To top things off I think I'm in for a headache - I've had this dull ache for the past couple of days, but now it looks like it wants to get worse. Ugh! Will these pains never end? It's one thing after another. I did get a full period, but a light one - only lasted 2 days, and now I only have minor staining.

It seems that things are well with hubby again, so I am happy for you. Have a great weekend, even though it's damp. I'll be glad to send you some of our sunshine.

Love, Rose

Rose

Have you read the thread on IBS?

If you haven't already tried one, I suggest a 'Good' PROBIOTIC...the kind you refridgerate, one that has at least 5 billion CFU's of the main bacteria.

I have read many good things about them working....I'm about to try a better one (after buying one that didn't have the right strains or enough good bacteria)...ask the pharmacist for help choosing one.

Good Luck

caz

Hi Caz,

I will do a search for this thread, thanks for suggesting it. I do take a probiotic that was recommended by my naturopath, plus herbs to help with the inflammation. I will be seeing her again next week and ask her about it. Thank you for this.

Cheers, Rose