On Sunday I had a mini-breakdown over a relationship issue (since partially resolved) and was blubbering like a baby over it. I cried for several minutes until I got it out of my system. As I was recovering for the crying jag, I noticed a sense of relaxation and peace that I hadn't felt in years! No palps or internal shaking, no anxiety or irritability. I've heard that when you cry you release stress hormones in your tears. If it's going to make me feel THAT much better, I'm gonna find a reason to cry every day! Unfortunately the feeling only lasted about 15 minutes and then the regular symptoms were back. Could the end be near? Am I going to start having more and more times like that? Or was Mother Nature just teasing me?

I don't know the answer, but I say enjoy those periods of feeling "normal" no matter how short lived they are!! I remember celebrating 20 minutes of feeling "normal"! These days, other than being tired, I do feel normal....and its a good feeling!

I used to think that as well...cry and feel a bit better for a while and so started thinking like Holly Hunter in.... what was it?....Broadcast News?...all I had to do was to have a good cry everyday...I haven't been able to manage it! I even researched exactly WHAT stress hormones were released with crying to see if i could "release" them in another way...well jury still out on that one! Still having my ups and downs despite the occassional tears! Joan

Webalina, I am with Floater--enjoy those moments that are "normal" and try to remember them when the bad times hit. There is an end to this insanity--please keep that in mind.

Wishing you all the best,
Marcy

I am having a good day after about ten or so TERRIBLE days so I just had to post it on here. I don't know how long it'll last, but I'm really enjoying it!! Funny how just feeling normal, you feel GREAT!!

To everyone who is having a bad day today, I just want to remind you that good days are still possible in the midst of all this.

Oh boy that quote sure makes me feel better. It's been a very difficult year for me..and know now, according to my
doctor that my hormone levels have completely "tanked". So THIS is what has been happening to me these past few
years..for heavens sake I truly thought I was going nuts!!

Thanks everyone so very, very much for writing and sharing. I am learning and reading and feeling a heck of alot
better .. It's 12:17am..can't sleep..feeling quite abit of anxiety...and am trying to manage my way through it..think
maybe - after reading all of your wonderful posts..maybe, just maybe I can get through this..gee, why didn't anyone
tell me this was going to affect my life so much.. heck, I would have started preparing in my 30's !!!!

Welcome to the site Swissgirl! You just asked a question that has been asked at least once by probably every woman on this site...Why didn't someone tell me it was gonna be like this?!?! Nobody knows. For some reason everybody wants to pretend that menopause is just a few hot flashes and the end of your period. At least you have a doctor who tested you properly. Many of us can't even get that. When I told my doc I had my first hot flash, all she did was congratulate me. Didn't suggest more tests, didn't ask any other questions. So count your lucky stars that you got a definitive answer.

Keep reading through the site and checking out the boards. And don't be afraid to ask questions. If you've had it happen to you, chances are hundreds of other women had it too. SOMEONE will pop up with either a solution to the problem or at least lend a sympathetic ear. Good luck!