I have not had a period since July '08 and that one was one day long. I made a list of all of my symptoms today and how long I have been living with them - I can't believe the years that have gone by and how long I have felt bad.

I gave up getting my hormone levels checked 3 years ago, because even when I felt so bad, they came back normal and I really haven't pursued anything with doctors test wise. Until now. I'm done - I want relief.

I'm so short on patience these days. I will go crazy if I take the time to make an appointment, wait for the appointment, get into the docs office and find they are not "sympathetic" to menopause, too busy, cursory, not informed, and not going to go for HRT. I also want someone that "specializes" in menopause.

Here's what I need to know:

I made an appointment today with a reproductive endocronologist affiliated with a major medical school 2 hours away. The first appointment is in December and I took it. I talked with one of his nurses and she assured me he was well informed and indeed worked with menopause issues.

Am I overshooting this? Is this where I should start in seriously working with a doctor. Any advice on how to make the most of the appointment - being prepared with information, etc?

Thanks for any information.

Good for you! Life really is too short to spend it feeling like crap! Especially if relief is available.

I would go in armed with some ideas about what you want to try. Are you prepared to use synthetic hormones? Would you be more comfortable with bio identicals, and if so do you want to try FDA approved one available at your pharmacy, or do you want to try compounded? Are you interested in adding testosterone as well as the Estrogen and progesterone? Have you tried any anti depressants? Are you prepared to? In place of hormones or with them?

I would do some research yourself, and see what you are interested in. I did that before I decided....and you have given yourself enough time before the appointment to do that.