Hi Everyone, My name is Kim. I'm new here. I'm so very glad I found this website. I've read some info. and some messages and you all sound very nice and I think I can learn alot. I'm 46, I had gone through perimenopause several years ago, then I had a hysterectomy this past April, and my doctor told me I would be going through menopause all at once. It's really comforting to know I have someone to talk to and I can also, hopefully, help out someone too. Thanks again. Kim;)

Hi..believe it or not..a Man told me to check this place out...how thankful I am. Although I believe I've suffered from SAD for many years, the past two winters have almost been unbearable. This past February, I had to take a month of stress leave from work. I really thought I was losing my mind..many of the listed symptoms...especially depression, unable to think clearly, anxiety and feelings of low self worth. My kids have all been gone for a couple of years now, so I thought it was some of the "empty nest syndrome". I even started seeing a psychologist. (worked a few things out there I guess) Reading all of the listed symptons has given me some hope for a promise for a future...I can't fully express the relief that I feel at this moment. I hope to be able to gain the knowledge I need here to be able to know that I'm going to make it through this. You'll see me around. Talk to you. Tini (43)

Hi, I'd also like to welcome you folks! When I found PS a couple years ago, I just about wept! There is good spirit here, and excellent information. Dearest is our queen! - she has established a place of comfort and caring. Hope you find what you need here - can't tell you how much it has helped me.

Hi Tini, Kimbg, and Jamsmith, I think you'll find that this site is a great resource and a place for support. Just knowing I have a place to come to when things get bad helps me get through the days. See you around!

To Webbymom Thanks so much that's very sweet of you. So far I'm enjoying the site. It's very comforting.

Hi everyone, Welcome! This is a great place with lots of wonderful folks. Hope to see you around. Have a nice day! nj

I'm 50 years old and still having a regular period. I was so relieved to see the 34 signs of menopause spelled out. It turns out I've been having them for as long as 10 years and have not related them to menopause symptoms. Re the ants crawling all over, I've been having those symptoms lately and I thought it was some kind of allergy to something I had eaten. However, for a long time I've been suffering from vaginal itching and I found out that if I don't eat certain foods such as chocolate M&Ms, ice cream, cashew nuts it stops. It seems that as I get older I'm allergic to many more foods than when I was younger. Is this a hormonal change also? Thanks Power Surge for being here. Orb:)

I am so thrilled right now - I could cry (shocking I know) ....after reading through the 34 symptoms I feel such a sense of relief...I am 35 years old and for the past 2-3 months, really thoght I was loosing my mind as I have about 32 of the 34 symptoms and always either want to rage or cry....I am very happy I found this place....Thank you all for being out there....

Hey catvic11! WELCOME to POWER SURGE! I am so happy that you are happy and yes this is the greatest womens site in cyber space! You will find everything you never wanted to know about meno and MORE in here and we have a lot of fun as well We, including myself - are a great bunch of women - you shoulda seen us BEFORE meno

I do feel sorry for those of you who started perimeno early. What a bum deal! I had terrible, heavy periods for years which would always happen when I went on holiday. I always wore black skirts and trousers in case! I remember being on a bus with Mum when a woman stood up and women were tut-tutting because she had a stain on her light coloured trousers. I didn't know what it was then. The last few years I have less and less periods, though a shock or upset has brought one on. It's twelve weeks since my last one and though I've had sore boobs and feelings like I would start, I haven't yet. Hope it will be a friend now departed!

The list is a great help so thanks for compiling it. Having had a hysterectomy, I'm still at a loss as to whether I'm peri-menopausal or menopausal. I've been planning to go have my FSH tested, but I wanted to wait till later in the day because that's when my hot flashes start to get worse. I was planning on doing it today till symptom #9 (crashing fatigue) took over and I fell asleep on the sofa for 2 hours. Then it was too late to go.

Finding the "list" was a great thing. At least I know that I am not alone. I am 46 and feel very "peri". My life has many stress factors that. MY main difficulty is handling my job. I am a hairstylist and really love people and love what I do. But lately, I just drag myself through the day. I dread the long hours on my feet. I'm not complaining, just noticing the sudden change in stamia, from even a year ago I was more alive. Then I know you are gonna think I'm shallow, but I was considering a boob job for years. Yes, I know its my fixation to want to look better for my hubby. But now that I could do it, my boobs are so sore and I feel so uck that I feel like whats the use? Do I sound mental over this? I guess life is gonna be different, I don't really know if it ever gets back to what I thought was normal for me. These days I need more rest and more peace. The biggest things I notice also is being fuzzyhead, luckly not when I'm doing someones hair, but I will do something and wonder why I did it like that, what was I thinking. Or completely forget something very important...... I know that food and exercise is most important. But I hate exercise, I dislike making time for it. Time is not on my side, with so many hours of work and I own the shop, so there is a million things I have to do each week. This is the difficult part. Blessings to each of you, I have heartfelt feelings for all who are going thru troubled times and I am here for you as well.....

hello everyone. i signed up here in may but haven't been able to really read much but i finaly decided i was gonna forget everything else and i really have enjoyed being here. ive learned that i have all the symptoms and now i can't even begin to think i'm not going through this. i think i was in denial. right along with my doctors.but i had uterin cancer so i don't know how long this will last or how long i've been going through this so how do u figure out how long you've been into this. i would like to thank everyone on here because i've finaly found someone who will listen and so maybe i can talk about things i need to get fixed. i love it on her and not just because u all let me rattle,lol but because everyone seems to understand and really generaly care. thank u so very much. guess i'm not alone after all. goodnite everyone sleep well and god be with u all

Littlekitten. . . So you've had a hysterectomy? Sounded like you must have. If so, you're in the same boat I'm in -- you have the symptoms but no periods to confirm it. You must be dying of the heat there in Mississippi. I've found that my flashes worsened as the weather got warmer. I CANNOT and refuse to go to the southeast (where I was born and raised) in the summer because of the weather. You probably need to test your FSH if you haven't already. I'd love to chat with you more about it. I posted a new topic -- Hysterectomy and Menopause, but no one has replied. And I know I desperately need some advice.

I meant to post my reply to Juliann and Little Kitten under this put I mistakely did a new post under "Welcome to Peri Land" Opps;)

Indigo....If you click on EDIT.....you can change, correct and OR DELETE your post.

Thanks Jimi:D;) You know us newbies are still trying to find our way around:D

Hugs to "Indigo", I read your post, and I know that this is part of life and part of being the amazing women that we are. Fuzzyheaded and all.... I appreciate the imput and feeling welcome to this group. I have read many of the stories here and my heart fills with compassion for each of you struggling with health issues and family struggles. My own story is (the short version) is that my husband of 25yrs. has been struggling with chronic pain for the past 10 yrs. This has been a rough journey, but we are in this together, thick and thin. Well, after what seems like a million doctor visits and all sorts of trial and error, we are preparing for spinal surgery on friday morning. The problem is in his neck and also nerve damage. My heart hopes and prays that we will get our miracle and he will have a better quality of life. I have seen pain, and lived with pain so much that I am most humbled by those brave souls who live thru these trials in life. I think it helps me keep in perspective, that I have to learn to deal with my discomfort in "peri" and still endure for the sake of those that need me. I know, its not easy and many days I just want some relief myself. My biggest help, besides a large dose of prayer. is to do a couple things a day, that takes the focus off of myself. Lend a shoulder to someone else or write a note to a friend that needs an uplift. This does good to others and refreshes my own spirit. Good can come out of deep struggles, it taught me life is fragle, handle with care....

Good luck with the surgery tomorrow, Juliann. Let us know how it turns out for your husband. Hope you find that miracle. It does put our suffering into perspective, doesn't it?

Hi COwoman I will say an extra prayer for you tonight. Take care and let us know how the surgery goes. Peace AA

Dear COWoman: Thanks for the Hugs:D My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband for a successful surgery. Peri also seems more intense during stressful times. Try to think of good, positive thoughts and try to do something special for yourself. I know easier said than done, but it does work;) When you get a chance, please keep us posted on your husband's progress. We are here for you:)

I think all the prayers are for Juliann, not me. Nothing happening in my life other than awaiting the results of the FSH test. Thank you anyway and I'm sending all the energy to Juliann and her husband.

Opps!!!, Please accept my apoligies Juliann. I am blaming this on my peri:D Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sorry, Ditto on Indigo"s message. Julian, I blame it on reading this too early in the morning. (and meno) Will have another talk with the man upstairs for you. But you should be good for a while COwoman, I sent lots of prayers up for you! LOL!! Peace AA

Thanks again Indigo, cowoman and anxietyattack for your thoughts and prayers. Well first let me say that "peri" does get worse with stress. The past few days I came down with a migrane (I don't usually get these), so in the midst of all the surgery stuff, I'm trying not to fall over from this headache. Then I had major indigestion. Hmmm. Anyway, I did survive. My Husbands surgery looks like it did real good. The surgeon found an abnormal situation and therefore it took several hours. He is home and recovering. I am now in charge of "Patient" care 101. This is okay for a couple of days, then I will be glad to go back to work,hahahaha:) We have been blessed with so many people praying, I am serious, hundreds of people were praying for him. Everyone that knows us and the situation, has been wonderful and cards and gifts have come in large volume. It really made us feel loved and special. Its been years since we had "goodnews". We will know much more in a few days, right now its all painful and swollen, hard to tell whats what. But we are encouraged!!!!

Greetings Juliann, Glad to know that your husband's surgery went well and is back home. Prayers are powerful and glad they are providing positive results:) Thanks for the update. Try to get some rest when you can. (I know easier said than done!) You and your family we be in our thoughts.