:mad: This is the third time in the past 18 months that I have gone 6 months without a period, and then, bam! I turned 52 last week, and am SO SICK OF THIS! It miffs me to have to go out and buy more "protection" tomorrow, when I want nothing more than to throw a huge tampon bonfire! When will it ever end????!!!! :mad: Grumpy

Dear Grumpy...oops..I mean JJ, Sorry Aunt Flo decided to visit again on such short notice. But 52 seems to be the macical age,so I'm thinking this is gonna be the last time she will visit. So hang in there!! She will be gone soon,for Goood! And also,dont burn the tampons...they make great fishing lures!! LOL!! Feel better soon! Peace AA

Happy birthday Jollie, AKA Grmpy : So sorry to hear it came back. I hope this is your last one and you can be "set-free" !! :D XOXO, Tina

Oh gosh girl, HANG IN THERE!!! That is really the pits - I am due for a period anytime, LATE no less (after having TWO last month!) and I feel like CRAP AND I HATE MENOPAUSE! I can't imagine the frustration of THINKING they are done and having a surprise period!! When you do have that tampon bon-fire, do it in November - by that time us "Mainiac's" are SURE to need the extra heat! AND I'LL BRING THE MARSHMELLOWS!!!!

Hey Grumpy, I can't blame you for wanting to be off this menopausal roller coaster ride. Man, I was hoping you were done for good. I have Aunt Flo now, but would like to EVICT her. Y'know what a nutjob I can be before my period. I was thinking how sick I was of this last night, as well. AA, You crack me up! My periods are wacky, but I can still tell when it's coming.

I was starting to think I knew where your missing Aunt Flo's went, JJ. Straight across the cyber space to me, but we both can't be doing it if that were the case. Either that or I was shirking on my end of the trade off. Sorry if I let you down. Will try and do better for you this next 6 months but will work on making it 8 months for you, then 9 months, then the glorious 12 months. Keep your fingers crossed and mail me your tampons and pads. Can't do the bon fire yet but one of these years it's going to be a big one.

Hey Ms. Grumps: Look on the bright side! (don't you HATE it when people say that?). Wouldn't you rather be cycling than pregnant? I'm looking forward to my monthly visitor for reassurance on that score this week - so send me your hormones and I'll make good use of them. It's just really hard to take birth control seriously with our combined age of 122!! Your bud in the opposite boat, Otter

Hi joliejacq - Ouch! Hang in there, this too shall pass and one day you'll be able to have that bonfire you so dream of. (((Hugs..))) Take good care, nj

LOLOLOL!!:D:D GOD, you gals are funny! Thanks for the great laughs. Guess we are all in the same boat here! (Can't kick that image of tampons used as fishing lures....) Too much! Love, Jacquie:D

Hey Jacquie~~I was 1 week from the 4 month mark and good old Aunt Flo is back!! I can't imagine going 6 months then she returns!! ~Bless your heart~ Yes..you girls are so funny..great that we can laugh about all of this!! ~~HUGS~~

Aunt Flo left me for almost a year, came back for 9 months, left for 4 months, back for 2 months and has now left me again for 3 months. I'm tired all out by all of this and now I'm having problems with anxiety, depression, hot flashes, insomnia, and extreme fatigue. Somebody shoot me already!! (just kidding)

RedSarah~~Oh My Gosh!! You went a year then she came back for 9 months!! You poor gal...sure hope the end of it all is around the corner for you..you must be exhausted just keeping track..I wonder how long it can actually go on like that..I thought after a year it was over..Bless You!! Feel Better Soon!!!

This is just a theory, mind you, but it explains a lot. Try to imagine regular goblins who are bored with all their regular activities. They come across an unsuspecting woman who's spreading joy throughout the world, (as we do). But they can't have that, and so they set their little minds to thinking up ways of thwarting us. They discover Aunt Flo. Haha. They take her away for 5 months and 29 days. They bring her back. They take her away for 5 days and 23 hours. They bring her back. They get bored. They bring her back, but here's the twist... It's been three weeks, but she only visits at night. Well, it's my theory and I'm sticking to it. Wendy P.S. Heartfelt sympathy to all fellow victims.

Wendy, LOL! Love that! Yes, the goblins are little tricksters, huh? Geez, I figure 35 years of week-long visits from Aunt Flo - can't she realize I'm sick of her company? Red Sarah, No wonder you're depressed! Holey Moley! Finola, My good bud... You're going thru' this nonsense too! When will we EVER be done? I've been waiting YEARS to have wild unprotected sex with my husband - will it ever really happen?

Jacquie~~Hi there, just saw your post..I haven't been here in a few days..good old Aunt Flo has me worn out. Yes, it seems we are going through the same thing, get our hopes up "it's over" then boom..here she is again..yipee!! My friend..soon (I hope) we can send old Aunt Flo packing, we'll have to think of a BIG way to celebrate, lets see..a big bon fire..buy ourselves something we normally wouldn't..and maybe a nice little get away with our Hubbys ~~HUGS~~ Have a great day!!!

Finola and JJ, many kudos being sent your way...you're far enough along this terrible "journey" you have thoughts that don't involve how many tampons to pack:P Did either of you have the dreaded point where your cycles got so close together? I know! I'm trying to figure, and one just can't, if maybe this phase of 18 day cycles is the message that my ovaries have just about gone kaplunk. Surely they can't keep working at this pace. Have increased my iron pills just trying to keep my hgb half way inside the normal range. I'm loosing that battle. about the time I start feeling like I'm not anemic, wham, bam, I start flowing again. I used to be able to work my husband and his construction crew into the rafters, now I need a nap in the afternoon and crave liver and onions almost daily. I can realistically recognize ovary wear down if periods were farther apart, but increasing their performance...just doesn't make sense. The other day when I couldn't get this site to work right I spent hours literally, reading and webbing and reading. All to feel like the odd man out. I could almost understand these ovaries if I couldn't pin point their timing at such a close timeline. Long one time and short the next, but such a routine short timeline? Physically everything checks out okay, no abnormal reason for the increase, I'm just grasping at any straw that can be found in the loft. Yes, I know what you girls can do with your extra tampons and pads....just send them to me overnight, extra fast priority, as like in YESTERDAY!

I know how you feel Leslie. I was getting periods so close together and was absolutely washed out. I had to take iron pills to feel slightly better. My friend, a year older than me also had the same problem and visited the gynae at the hospital and had tests but they could find nothing wrong. Last year she found she had an overactive thyroid and is now being treated for it. I've read of a link with this so maybe you should be specially tested for it (apparently the parameters vary individually). Just a thought...

Leslie~Yes, I went through a time when my periods were coming about 17 days apart..that was about a year ago..I think it's very normal for that to happen...I know how that can zap the energy..it will pass because after a few months of the close periods, mine went back to normal, then just stopped for 4 months, now the heaviest period I think I've had..but I know I'm getting closer to the end of it all..almost 51!! You hang in there..eat lots of that liver and onions..it will get better for you too!!! Bless You~~ ~~HUGS~~

I'm so sorry because I know that this is the WORST of it, the up and down peri thing with your hormones taking a rollercoaster ride. I was fortunate and don't remember this happening. Aunt Flo was irregular for me and then just stopped. But getting through that first year was a nailbiter, because a few times I had a "phantom" and went to the restroom, expecting bad news, but nothing (whew!). Now I'm two years post, and I feel pretty confident it's probably really over. Plus, I donated all of my supplies to the women's restroom at work (I work with a lot of younger women, but then, the world at large is getting a lot younger than me, it seems). So finola, I can understand the fury at having to buy more.... It does get better and you will all get there, too, although it seems a hundred years away right now, I'm sure.

Oh to dream... the impossible dream.....

The shortened cycle is the absolute pits for anyone who had PMS to begin with. This was when I started feeling chronically panicked, which hyperthyroidism didn't help. God, this goes on and on, sometimes without any rhyme, nor reason. I felt so miserably hormonal today, but my period ended. Welcome to perimenopause, ladies. And, my lack of concentration and verbal errors have been downright frightening. Not to mention my boobs hurt, I'm dizzy, nauseous, and feel plugged into an electrical source. And, I woke up in despair. I want dark chocolate covered cherries, NOW!! Plus, I'm persnickety as hell. I skipped one lousy period, had many 21 day cycles, and have been quite late. I'm pushing 48, but feel geriatric. God, what'll old age be like if I feel this decrepit now. Well, it ain't Parkinson, I think. Also, I'm a MAJOR hypochondriac. Whew, did I moan enough.lol Sometimes I look at these boards, so confused, because the confluence of symptoms are slamming me at once. Or, maybe it's mild bipolar. ARGGGGGGGG! I want off the ride, NOW, please. Ha, I can't control this, so it ticks me off. I'm exhausted.

And, what's with the chronic pelvic cramps. I should buzz on over to the anxiety board, because I keep envisioning terminal illnesses. This has cranked up my OCD!!

Whine, and my new physical therapist, (finally one that helps)with the magical touch has taken off for Italy. I spent too much time online. My aching twisted spine! Okay, what's recent and decent. Ummmm, apple season is here.lol:D

CSugar, You give me hope. Jacquie, Where are you? Okay, I hope. Everyone, hang tight.

Chris..I can relate to your statement, "I woke up in despair' That feeling has been happening to me for months now..I HATE IT!! What the heck is that all about?? More hormonal crap I guess!! I was wondering where Jacquie is too..are you out there friend?? ~~HUGS~~

Hi, Gawds, it's been a week since I've been on - so hectic! My daughter and her hub and 3 children are moving this weekend after having lived in our home for the past 3 years - I am mourning and relieved at the same time... And as they move out, my hub is moving his new business IN. Our porch is full of baby furniture and office furniture at the same time! On top of this, yesterday we adopted a beagle from our local shelter - he's 10 years old, arthritic and deaf, but SWEEEEEEEET! His name is Norton, and he looks like his name. We just love him - he's got the same boo-boos as we have! He's doing some marking in the house, the ONLY problem we're having, so I'm gonna post about this elsewhere and request ideas about how to deal with it (he's being neutered next week). We want to give this sweet boy a good home for the remainder of his life, so are willing to give it our best shot. Well, regarding cycles getting closer together - YES, this happened to me just before they started getting longer-spaced. I had to carry protection with ALWAYS.:mad: I was terrified at times that I had ovarian cancer, or something equally terrible causing constant bleeding. My good ol' doc would say relax, his wife was going thru' the same thing, and the only way to get back to a regular cycle was to take birth-control pills, which I opted not to do. Can't imagine why this shortening of cycles happens, but it does seem to! Another thing that happened was that for 30 years I would get cystic breasts that would become increasingly painful as my cycle went on, but would naturally drain when my period started. Suddenly, my breasts wouldn't drain and would remain sore thru' the period and right up to the next one, when they usually went down. SO ANNOYING! Once I had to have a mammogram while in this state and there were tears running down my cheeks while it was being done. :mad: Hey Chris, heavens, girl, have the chocolate you desire.... We suffer enough and deserve to absolutely spoil ourselves! Waking with despair is the absolute pits. My heart goes out to all of us doing this nasty hormone dance... Love you all! Jacquie

Glad to hear you have a new baby to "replace" your babies JJ! Sounds like you'll be busy for a couple of months:D Hope you won't be pestered by your hubs business callers...like we are (groan). Some of them just turn up at the door!

Three grandchildren, how cool, Jacquie. And now, you can spoil 'em and send them home. A gramma's right.lol I missed my daughter's dearly this morning. Called my foster daughter, said, "Mommy loves and misses you." I hope it made her day. Such a tough life. Oh, no dogs for me. I'm arthritic and the old man is deaf. My hyperthyroid cat is on the mend. We shared thi"s affliction and she cried, as chronically as I did from hormones. Course, mine was peri, too. Kid's said, "Ma, the cat sounds like you now." Geez, they thought I ruined the cat.lol "Just want to keep my cheeks dry today." Blind Melon And, the kids say I had influence.lol

Pardon typos. God, I need sleep here.

Chris, LOL, you are too much. The thought of you and kitty having the same "yowls..." And you are sweet, calling your daughter to say that. You are an awesome mama, doing a "rescue" of your own where she's concerned... Guess we are helper-bees, you and I... Alice, thanks for the kind words, and Norton will definitely keep us busy for awhile! He didn't mark at all today, so he's a fast learner, but we are working on: Not running around trying to lick the cats' bottoms (poor things), not getting onto the living-room couch (he has the one in front of the kitchen woodstove to lounge on), and not howling for food while we eat - this definitely dampens the dining experience! But in 1 day this old guy has learned so much - we're delighted. He's truly a good ol' boy. Alice, your hub works from home, too? I'm already being inundated with phone calls and piles of marketing via post. Wee-hah! (But love the idea of having hubby here.)

Hi Finola, I hope the morning despair brightens for you. The last 2 days have been better, but this enough to drive a woman insane. I missed you on the first go round, sorry.

Now, if I could, as my friend's the Brits say, "bloody" sleep. I swear, sleep deprivation is a part of this picture. I never learned the knack of the nap. I really must buy light blocking shades. I get angry about not sleeping. I get anxious about not sleeping. And, Dick Cheney is giving me nightmares. Sorry, but he is.

aw chris, i know why you are dreaming of dick cheney. did he have on a uniform?

uh oh, what did i do? why did dick's name get bleeped? your's didn't.

LOL, joools.... Guess someone up there doesn't like him!

LOL, you ladies crack me up. That President Cheney though.

yes, it has a nice ring, doesn't it?

I'm flying to Beaumont to sentence you to one month in the great state of Massachusetts, MS. Julie. We'll get you yet! You have a great sense of humor!

Manhattan might work, but I can only tolerate the city vibe for a few days. Talk about have an anxiety attack! To think I once took Manhattan naturally. It's more the noise, than terrorism fear. See, so I'm not the big city girl, Julie. My sister on the other hand, wants to retire to Manhattan. She comes ALIVE there.

"mauriceville is the place to be, farm livin' is the life for me - land spreadin' out so far and wide, keep manhattan just gimme that countryside".

I couldn't agree more, Joools! Country Girl

Yup, I like peace and quiet, as well. The foliage is fantastic in New England! I love FALL! Not many trees in Manhattan. And once I took a subway to the lower East Side, but somehow ended up in Brooklyn. My sister looked at me like at had 2 heads when I finally made it back to her in-law's apartment with her daughter and mine. I'm directionally challenged!

And, that was before menopause.

Hey Chris~~Thanks for replying about my morning despair..just getting back on here after my computer crashed a week ago. The despair has lifted , if I could just get some energy..I swear I think the fatigue is the worst symptom I have..and lack of sleep..what will we do?? 4 hours seems to be all I get anymore..no wonder I'm tired. Hope you are well today~~ ~~HUGS~~

aunt flo is driving me nuts too!!!she visited for one day this time but with a fury, not only the pads and such but boy did the laundry pile up, this is a crazy time of life, and i think it drives us all close to the edge, havent been here in a while hope all of you are coping with this madness, have a great day

Pesmith, It's so nice to see you again! Sorry you're singing the "Red River Valley Blues," boy, can I sympathize! On my "fury" days, I have to fold towels over all the furniture, not to mention, as you say, doing laundry every other minute. Enough! Jacquie:P