I'm about 5 years post and I've been suffering through a flare of symptoms for nine or ten months, compounded by a summer of stress. While I hoped I'd be better by now, sometimes I feel like I'm getting worse. Please reassure me that these are symptoms others have experienced, especially several years post:

Hot flashes, sometimes cold flashes, chest tightening and difficulty taking a deep breath especially at 6:30 every evening, back pain, insomnia, waking up in middle of night with muscles twitching, muscle twitching during the day, and ringing in ears.

I don't take anything. I was put on Paxil and Ativan this summer - both made me very nauseous. All the stomach meds gave me anxiety. Now, I'm afraid to take ANYTHING - no vitamins anymore, won't try L-theanine (although my chiropractor recommended it), afraid to try magnesium. No more doctors either - had loads of visits and tests this summer - only outcome was that I felt worse.

At the beginning of this I was pro-active about getting better and thrilled at any signs of improvement. WHen I had a good day, I was so excited! Now I feel as though I've given up, and instead I'm resigning myself to living like this for the years that remain. I'm so discouraged.

Hope everyone has a better day than I'll probably have.

Thanks,
Helen

Were you and I separated at birth? I don't mean to make light of the situation, but your symptoms as well as your attitude sound very much like me (although I am still perimenopausal and getting periods). I just went through a few days of REALLY bad symptoms and got lots of books, ate lots of soy, ate properly avoiding all white sugars and flours and then as soon as the symptoms lightened up I somehow felt "cured". Of course, during this process one is never cured but rather one learns the ways to manage as effectively as possible one's symptoms. So I was pretty "cheesed" when the symptoms reappeared...in particular the tightening of the chest before a hot flash....not one of my favorites.

I too am not a taker of anything, but we both know you really need your vitamins. I can also say that I have been taking L-Theasine at night for the last couple of nights and it has helped tremendously. I think it helps calm me so that I can sleep and when I am rested my symptoms are better.

I could just say don't get discouraged, but I know how mentally exhausting all these symptoms can be. Be nice to yourself for a day, read an escapist book, watch some TV or a movies and get back on the horse tomorrow. Doing nothing isn't working. Have you adjusted your diet? If so, I would certainly recommend the L-Theasine. I only take one 100 mg capsule when I settle in for TV at night and it has helped.

Good luck!

Helen,

I would definately take vitamins....I take the ones especially formulated for women from womentowomen.com
and my symptoms aren't as bad as they could be.

Do you get plenty of daily exercise? Even walking would help. I am off for a walk right now with a friend, we go 3 times a week for an hour at a time, plus gym twice.

Don't despair....we are here to help you! (and commiserate with you!)

Caz

I would agree about the vitamins as well although I completely understand "shutting down" and curling up into a ball!
I am also peri-meno and this has been my worst month yet. I think I may be skipping my period for the first time this month - had all the symptoms but nothing came of it and my "heart booms" and hot flashes and then shaking and teeth chattering has been worse this month than ever before.
When I get anxious I take a natural remedy from the health food store - It's called Bach's remedy relief - It's amazing - only flower extracts in it but it calms down all those crazy thoughts in your head and makes things even out.
I can't believe we have all this stuff to contend with - and men get what again? Oh yeah NOTHING!!! Hope you feel better soon and that the sun is shining where you are .... we are in the freezing north...
Take care of yourself and don't forget to turn outward instead of in... we will all get through this together - just think half the world is made up of women who have been, are, or will be going through this..... now that's a club!!!