Hello, I introduced myself recently and am just now getting around to posting again. I have just felt so wiped out!!!!!!!!!! I know this may sound old to some of you, but does having the blues in January more common due to weather/hormones etc...????????????? I have heard a few things about seasonal depression etc. I have been on Premarin for about three weeks and I think I have noticed a little change (still very emotional, irritable etc.) I know to not expect a miracle but geeeeees this menopause is a little more complex (for me) than I thought it would be.

The Holidays have come and gone, but I had to really hold my head up and keep things in check; or my sons and husband would have had a crying/laughing/angry/hungry/guilty female in the house. My husband knows I am menopausal, and he (usually) is understanding. He tries really hard to be patient etc. My son's know also (I told them during one of my emotional out bursts) They are 20 & 18 and they know "Mom" has been going through some changes, and they really have been great

I will be finding out more soon if I will stay on the Premarin or not. My Aunt was on it for eleven years and she said " for her it was great" she didn't have any problems, and of course it is something her Doctor and her decided on. I know everyone is different, but I am just starting out here!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I should have been addressing the peri/menoupause issue a few years ago. My estrogen levels were always in the "NORMAL" range; even with all of my strange and (hard to tolerate at times) stmptoms????????

any advice????? on seasonal depression/menopause***********?????????
take care!!!!!

angelilly1: Welcome to Power Surge! I think the January blues is due to a couple of things:

1. Less sunshine
2. Cold outside, so less time spent outside
3. Shorter days
4. Post holiday let-down (all that build-up and then it's over so quickly....gee, kinda sounds like sex, huh?)
5. Bills (see number 4)

Also, it's the beginning of a new year, and for some, particularly myself, I always reflect on what I've accomplished and what I didn't get done, and wanted to.

I'll admit it, January is not my favorite month. February is worse, and March is the pits, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel (and sometimes my spring bulbs start sprouting their heads through the snow at the end of the month!)

I like sunny, warm days. Winter is only great if you have a fireplace, can stay inside, snuggle on the couch, and not work. So far, I haven't mastered any of these things, except snuggling on the couch.

Hang in there, you are not alone!!!

Robin

Hi There Angelilly;

Seasonal Depression: AKA Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. for the short form. This is a very very common occurrance. Actually, as I sit here typing this reply, I am doing so by the light of my "Light Therapy Device". My device is called a "LiteBook" and I purchased it 2 years ago for use between September and March. I do 1 hour of light therapy every day to reduce the symptoms from S.A.D. The light is a Filtered U.V. light which uses the blue spectrum of White Light which is identical to summer morning light. It really, really works. I am already Bi-Polar II, {No episodes of Mania} and I used to plummet into emotional Darkness by mid October and remained in a Funk until the late spring when daylight had really increased. These units are for sale at your larger Pharmacies or specialty Whole Body Health stores and may run around $200.00 or more, depending on the make & model & size. I really enjoy my "Litebook" which is a small device and if you google "Litebook" you'll be able to take a look at it yourself.

Oh, By the way. Welcome to Power Surge.

Linderful

I hate January. I can't put the top down in the convertible, everyone is sick, you freeze your a$$ off when you go outside, the stores don't have very good stock because everyone shopped them out after the holidays, and my skin is too dry.
Just my two cents worth. <_<
Hugs

Oh, Kleeo.... Thanks for the smile.

Bless you, Sistah - at least we're getting deluged with rain, and not piles of snow...

JJ

Uh huh, you've got that right, JJ! YOU SHOULD BE IN PERKINS COVE RIGHT NOW! I just returned from there, and it's absolutely WILD! The waves are crashing up over the parking lot by Jackie's Too.......and the docked boats are actually moving in the cove! The only time they do this is when there is some crazy surf going on! God I love this town.........
Hugs to you my friend..........

I call it "Christmas Crash". It gets me every year

THATS IT KLEEO !! Im booking my flight .... RIGHT NOW!!! LOL xxxxxx

Julie x

Good Evening Kleeo;

I have wanted to ask this question of someone from Maine for soooooo long. Is there a "Crab Apple Cove"? I loved M*A*S*H* so much and I was able to find everybody's home town, except for Hawkeye's hometown of Crab Apple Cove, Maine.

Linderful

There's no Crab Apple Cove, Maine but there is a Crab Apple Whitewater resort on the Kennbec (ME) River.

Cabot Cove, Maine, of Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote) fame is also not a real place in Maine. That was mainly (no pun intended!) filmed in the coastal town of Mendocino.

Down East Magazine, devoted to all things Maine, recently had a cover story featuring fictional Maine locations and added them to a map, so you could see about where they were supposed to be.

Hi MaryO;

So then where was Crab Apple Cove supposedly located? I also wonder why all the other characters had true towns as their hometowns and that Crab Apple cove would be fictional.

Thanks

Linderful

Julie~~Can I come along to Kleeos?? I'm having an extreme case of Winter Blahs right now and Perkins Cove sounds "marvelous"

JJ~~Meet us there will ya?

leanne~~Christmas Crash!! So true....takes me until Valentines Day to get it together again

Hugs to All

Hi All
Well it seems like my "Christmas Crash" is finally lifting. Dang it took long enough. And I want to come to Maine too! Gosh I love being by water in the winter ..it is so beautiful when its just a bit frozen and ice capped. And the summer is not too bad either when all the boats are out.

Peace
AA

Thanks for the information regarding the light therapy; I have heard about it a few times, and now it really sounds interesting. I am glad it has helped you!!!!! I am in California, and even though it is sunny most of the time the shorter days etc. I think are having an effect on me?????????????

Many things have an effect on me now mostly good and somedays well...............this usually patient person............is not so patient etc. All of the symptoms Menopause :blink

It could be worse right????? I am hanging in there with my premarin for now; I have been reading so much on alternative/compounding therapies etc. So I may give other options a try after a while. I want to get as much info as possible, and I am sure I will get it here

take care, angelilly

Crabapple Cove could be based on any of the little coves in Maine, all authentic and beautiful...

The farther you go "downeast," which ironically means traveling UP the coast, the more the little coves are still working fishing villages. The buildings are rickety and ancient and charming, with "lobster pots" everywhere. And of course, amazing views of the ocean.

If you want sand beaches, you have to go to southern Maine, more Kleeo's and my domain. Perkins Cove attracts a lot of tourists - finding parking in the summer is a challenge, but it is STUNNING. There is a long walkway following the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and the walkway is pathed with sea-roses and low junipers, just so beautiful. Benches are placed here and there - some quite secluded in the greenery - which you can sit on and just rest, watching the tides. Beautiful seaside homes all around. And when the walk's over, there are restaurants with delicious seafood and a view of the sea, and small charming shops to go into, including a fun candy shop that I can NOT go by without popping into!

The sandy beaches are only a short drive away, and seem to go on forever. But the water, even in August, is COLD!!!

What fun it would be to have a gathering of P-S sisters in Maine! Heaven, heaven!!!

JJ

Here, here, JJ! Haven't we talked about this Power Surge gathering once before?? And such a beautiful place to have it!! I'm afraid I couldn't put everyone up in my humble little place, but WOW OH WOW there are some great motels in the area, and off season? GREAT rates! *smiles*! That little walkway you are talking about is the famous Marginal Way ~ I try to walk it as much as possible, but like all the other locals around here, I rarely do. My walking is usually on the beach ~ OFF season, of course...we all know the in season is USELESS to us year round residents. Are you talking about Harbor Candies right on the little strip in Ogunquit on Route 1?? OH MY GOD it's death by chocolate in that place!!
COME ON DOWN LADIES! It's 56 degrees here today, BRIGHT sunshine, and OH MY GOD DO I HAVE SPRING FEVER!
HUGS!

SPRING FEVER - Italian style???? !! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Kleeo, But would your beautiful place survive the onslaught of 20,000 + Peri-Meno Women. I think a "Cut Loose" of all of us at one time on one community could be pretty earth shaking.

Linda
Linderful

Yes, we have talked about having a Power-Surge gathering in Maine - the perfect place for it!

You're right, Kleeo, there are motels all along the coast, and the off-season prices are just fine! Of course, it's 50 degrees today, but could be minus-10 next week.

Anybody want to come to Vacationland? Let us know if you do!

JJ

hi all,
am new here but funny i was already thinking about a get together just last night!

JJ, your description makes me want to go there now too . i have heard a lot about how beautiful Maine is. have a close friend who's from there.

Linderful,
"20,000 + Peri-Meno Women Cut Loose" ( i have to learn how to do the quote properly) TOO FUNNY

See, greensilk,

There's a perfect reason to come to Maine - visit us, and your friend, too!


One of these days we just HAVE to plan a gathering... does anyone have the ENERGY?

JJ

hi joliejacq,
apologies for being vague first of all . my friend is originally from there but she lives out here in CA now. she still has family there though and she visits every now and then. yes, would really like to visit Maine and hope to be there for the get-together .

by the way, just want to tell you that one of your posts back in november has helped lift my spirit that day - it's about your husband being disheartened and realizing to live in simple faith... thanks for sharing this.

Hi again Angelilly;

Even with you being in california, I still think the quality of light varies from Summer to Winter. I believe you could still benefit from Light Therapy. I remember getting light therapy inadvertantly while preparing for trips down south. I would go to the Tanning Salon at least 4 times a week for 3 or 4 weeks to try and get a base tan. I guess the light from the tanning beds were adequate for light therapy because I do recall feeling rejuvinated after tanning sessions.

Hope all is well;

Linderful

Ok,I'm ready!! Just let me know when! 20,000 P-S sisters by the sea! Someone should write a song about that! hehe

Thanks for the postings too. My DH and I are probably not going to our usual vacation week in NH this year. Money is just too tight, so it's nice to hear of something fairly close by that we haven't seen yet! May just have to take a ride up there this summer!

Hey, Mrs. B, let us know if you do! I'd love to meet ANY P-S sister who is coming to Maine. Let me know!

And Greensilk, why don't you and your buddie fly out here together?

JJ

I love, love, love Perkins Cove and the Marginal Way. I think I told Kleeo and JJ last year that I was definitely up for a get together there. It would be so fun to meet some of you ladies face to face. Now that I'm working again, it would have to be on a weekend, and hopefully one that I'm not doing a seminar for work on.

I'm not very good at organizing things, so someone else would have to do that. But I'd be happy to do my part and bring snacks, drinks, whatever. That part of Maine is absolutely gorgeous. I haven't been too far up the coast, though I hear it's beautiful too. And, yes, the traffic in the summer is awful, but there's a town parking lot and you can get on the Marginal Way right near it and walk to Perkins Cove. I try to avoid that candy shop... I was in Ogunquit last summer with my daughter and we had a wonderful time.

Let's do it!!!!!

Shel

hi JJ,
DS would love that idea - he likes the house to himself. if i go to see PS sisters, DH may be too intimated

it's give it serious consideration

Maybe the men could have their own little meeting.... to commisserate about what it's like to live with perimenopausal women! It'd do them a world of good!



Maybe we really can do a loosely planned "Power-Surge" day at Perkins Cove sometime this late spring, before the tourists really start coming in droves. Like some Saturday or Sunday? Even if only two of us show up, what fun we can still have! If I'm up to it (still riding the peri horse, LOL), I'll start a thread in mid-spring and see about setting this in motion...

Exciting!
JJ

Count me in JJ!!!

Ok, I'm liking this idea more and more!

















ok

Hmmm...where did that little ok on the bottom come from?? I must have hit something! That's what I get when I try to type with a bowl of ice cream in my hand...caught me!

Wheres the nearest airport?

Great idea, JJ. The motel rates around here stay pretty decent until around mid-May. April is the month when the majority of the little, more affordable places re-open their doors for the season. I know of one in the area that would rent rooms @ $39 a night with two beds in each room ~ VERY nice, clean & quaint motel. (I should know, I managed it for 4 years! ) I could even talk the owner into winging a deal for P/S Sisters! It's located only a mile from Perkins Cove. And then, of course, you have your bigger resorts that are higher in price ~ but bigger on amenities. All on what someone can afford. AND that particular time of the year is the best because ~ well, you and I are BOTH well aware of tourist-time. *bleck* Forget even trying to drive on Route #1 never mind finding a place to park down at Perkins.
OH SUCH FUN thinking about it! And you're right ~ even if only one or two or ten of us show up, it will be SO wonderful! AND MERYL???????????? ARE YOU READING THIS BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP? You KNOW I'm coming down to get you!

Keep the thought of re-creating this post, Jacquie ~ what a perfect idea ~I'll try to rememeber, too. (YEA RIGHT? ME REMEMBER ANYTHING????)
HUGS!

I think they did..... Puff the Magic Dragon!! LMAO!

Good one, Leanne! LMBO!!

I think I'll have to print this all out, because remembering between now and spring,HA!

Kleeo quote..' ARE YOU READING THIS BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP? You KNOW I'm coming down to get you! '

Bad Girls, Bad Girls, what cha gonna do, what cha gonna do when Popo comes for you?!

DaMomma likes COPS.....ROTFLOL!!!!

LMBO DaMomma.......and I WILL go kidnap her, too~~
I just can't imagine what a P/S gathering would be like without Meryl there!

I love that song, Leanne! That should be our Power Surge song!! I certainly feel like a dragon these days between the mood swings and hot flashes ~ but it's more like FIRE than PUFF~

HUGS!

Gracey...Kleeo is the Popo!!!

All sounds good!

I'll try to have my wits about me enough in mid-March or so to post about it.

You're welcome to remind me - hey, I'm perimenopausal, too!

Suppose we could kidnap Dearest and MaryO, too?

JJ

I'm sure you could!!

Well, don't forget about me!! I HATE being left out!! LOL

When I was in Maine last month, we went to have an early lunch at about 11:30 or so. I said to the waitress "Is it too early for Clam Chowder and a glass of wine?" She said "In Maine it's NEVER too early for Clam Chowder and a glass of wine!" LOL

Gee, who's forgetting about you, Leanne? I thought you were bringing the margarita mix!

Yeah, clam chowdah and wine is gooooooood!!! Any time of day!

JJ

How the heck am I going to get a flight if know one tells me where the airport is??....... or should I be taking it as a hint ............

Sorry,Julie. No idea. I'm driving! Hopefully arooouunnd Boston! God, I hate driving in that city!

You can A. fly into Boston, or B. fly into Manchester ~ your best bet would be to C. fly into Portland BUT the flights are more expensive there ~ then, you have the option to fly Allegient Air into Portsmouth ~ but I'm not sure about what airports they fly in and out of, so that could be a problem ~ I would recommend flying Manchester. Easier than Logan (Boston) and a real easy trip to Ogunquit.
THERE YOU GO GIRLFRIEND! YOU HAVE YOUR AIRPORTS!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN A HINT? YOU WILL BE HERE OR ELSE!

Julie- Let's try to arrive around the same time. We can rent a car and drive into Maine together. It's a beautiful drive, and we can stop for some chowder and wine!!!! No.... we get there a couple of days early- stay in Boston a night or 2 and have LOTS of chowder and wine!!!

Hi everyone, my name is Stacey and I am 27 years old.

Just to give some background, I have 5 kids aging 2yrs - 10yrs, I got married when I was 18 only to realize he was mentally abusive tried to isolate me from my family and friends. 4 kids and 5 yrs later I left with my kids.
A year later I met a great man, he came into my life and was great with my kids, he handled all the BS with my ex really good ( not to say he didn't get angry once and a while). My hubby has had a hard 10 yrs his dad died in his arms, then his brother died from a tragic accident, and then his mom went into the hospital for a hip replacement which went really well then the docs took her off her heart meds while she was there and she died of heart faliure. Suffice to say he sunk into a deep depression, he faught with the kids and me all the time. He went to his doc and went on anti-depression pills and let me tell you they are GREAT what a differance. We had a little boy to finish off the family he's 2.

Now the roles are reversed, I think. I am the type of person that has the patiance of a saint, like I said I have 5 kids, plus I drive a school bus for grade JK - 12 (yeah for me). My grandfather died Last year suddenly and now my grandmother is dying of cancer in the spine, my mom was told something is wrong with her heart this week, not to mention she already has Fibermyalsia (I think that's how it's spelled). Then there's me, I have my own stuff I'm trying to deal with, in march I go for a thing called NOVASURE when they burn the uterus to control heavy bleeding, I have been having chest pains for the last 2 months, bouts of sweating or chills, I want to cry over EVERYTHING, I find I am unable to cope with my kids, not to mention the kids on my bus. My husband is worried, I feel so bad for my kids I feel I am yelling all the time but I just can't help it, then I want to cry because I felt like I was being mean.

I feel like I am losing my mind. I am angry, mad, sad and any other emotion you can think of.

Hopefully things will start to look up because if they don't, god only know how much a person can take.

Well thanks for letting me rant, I would usually rant to my mom but she has way to much going on so I don't want to drop this on her. This is the next best thing.

Thanks again

Hi Stacey11,
I have only 1 child and I feel overwhelmed at times - it's a huge responsibility! I too have had that period when I was constantly yelling at my son (14 yo now). It would upset me also and I would cry. I tried my best to ask for his forgiveness when I would realize I am just being way too hard on him. I would also tell my husband how sorry I was. But sometimes, I just can't control the angry feeling especially when he would also give me the atttitude.

I know you're only 27 but I have read that the onset of peri can start in the 20s for some women. You didn't mention if you suffer from PMS already. The hormonal cycle may be causing all these feelings in addition to the stresses of caring for 5 children, having a job, your husband going through depression, concern for your mom's health. The physical symptoms including the heavy bleeding point to the hormones.

The fact that you recognize your angry behavior is good - as they say, awareness is always the first step. It's very easy to be mad even with little things when you're tired. You know all this already and this is just a reminder to keep things in perspective . A check in with your doctor/gyne and finding time to de-stress (it's easier said than done esp in your case i know!) may be in order. Can someone help with the household chores?

Am sure you're concerned that your anger may take a really bad turn and that you don't want it to get to a certain point where it can adversely affect your relationship with your kids most especially. Are there some things you can up to take care of yourself too?

Hoping you find some relief soon and sending positive thoughts your way and your family's as well...

Hi Stacey,

You have a lot to put up with at the moment. You mention that anti dpressants worked well for your man some time ago. Would it be an idea to try them yourself for a while? You may not want to do this for whatever reason, and I respect that. They are certainly not the answer to everything.
I just think that sometimes we need help to regain our coping mechanisms and this may be the thing to do it. You sound like a normally capable, patient soul - with 5 kids you have to be! - and you have recognised your problem which is a very familiar one to a lot of women.

Please don't think that I recommend meds for every adverse situation, far from it, I try and muddle along without taking anything! At least talk to your Dr about the things you are going through, no one can blame you for not being yourself at the moment.

Good luck