I've been using progesterone cream for cramps for a few months now. I am AMAZED at how well it works!! I was taking between 4 and 10 Darvocet per period (for about 5 years) and my gyn threatened to quit prescribing it unless I had a hysterectomy. I read about the Progesterone, tried it and it really works. I put about a half to 1 teaspoon right on my lower abdomen and the pain goes away in about 15 minutes. I try to use it just 3 weeks of the month, but sometimes I use it during my period as well if I am having cramps. I'm nearing menopause, but not there yet. The cramps did go away (pre-progesterone) once I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and on thyroid meds, but came back as soon as I started adrenal meds (which mess with the female hormones). So it's a good idea to check out the thyroid first (check antibodies too, and not just the tsh). Also oral progesterone has to go through the liver, so really the over-the-counter cream is a better choice.

Weight hasn't changed so much, but my energy levels have taken a nosedive. My "back in the day" equivalent is that I used to swear I'd never stop working out consistently. I was fit as a fiddle and proud of my body. I had energy to burn. When I heard older women talk about not being able get themselves to exercise, I thought they lacked willpower. I looked down on their flab. . . . What an ignorant young woman I was. I'm still a good weight, but don't have the tone I used to. The thing is, I know I'd feel a lot better if I was exercising regularly, but my lack of activity seems to have made it even harder to get going. A vicious cycle. I have an appt. next Wed. to meet with my dr. to review my hormone test results. This is for bloodwork -- est, prog, DHEA, thyroid, ferretin (iron). I'm curious to to see what my levels are. Next week I'm also meeting with an allergist for a series of skin tests. Never had food allergies before, but something new I'm dealing with along with perimenopause. I've heard that folks with thyroid problems can have allergies. It's such an issue because I can't tolerate allergy and cold medicines. They just make me feel awful -- something I don't need in addition to hormonal stuff. So, I'm hopingl to find out what foods I need to avoid. I don't care if it's my favorite, I'll drop it like a hot potato. Tina

Dorishill I know it's been a while but just wanted to know how you are doing. I made a copy of all the vitamins you were taking so I can start taking them also. I have been going thru hell with all these symptoms...I don't know how much more of this I can take, I feel like I'm dying. These are the moments when I wish I was born a man..I never imagined it would be this hard. If you have any updates on anything that you think can help please let me know. My email to any of the ladies that want to talk..I'm here.. Intellectualbrat@aol.com I just started taking the Estroven Extra Strenght since the 3rd of September and I haven't had any hot flashes but still have the other symptoms. Hopefully it will kick in soon. Good luck to all.

"What do you think is creating the sadness and such anger in such a small boy? Can you find someone who can help him get out what is upsetting him? Has he always been this way, or has the change in his mother's household changed him somehow? Is he safe in his life? What is his mom's husband like? How does this man treat your SS? What is their relationship like? How does the step father respond when his sister's boyfriend hurt the little boy?" To systematically answer these questions... I do believe a certain amount of this is just his personality workup. I think that a certain extent of our personalities and characteristics are hardwired from the beginning. I do think he is a shy child to begin with and that this shyness exacerbates his anxiety, and he then turns that into anger/frustration. Not to sound like a "typical" SM, but I do think his BM is just an utter wackadoodle, especially when it comes to parenting him. She has ALWAYS, right from the start, done her best to belittle DH to her son. When I came on the scene, she was furious and did everything in her power to destroy SS's relationship with me. Up until about 6 months ago, she was STILL telling him that he didn't have to listen to me, that my DD was stupid, that his dad loved us more than him, etc. :( She is the kind of person that seems to have no control over her emotions--she is emotionally immature and she lashes out at people, and she talks to her son about things that are entirely beyond the realm of the parent/child relationship. When we went to court, she actually told SS that I was the one trying to "take him away from her" and that I wanted her to go to jail. So for a good portion of the summer, SS was cold to me because of the lies his BM was telling him. :( She withheld custody for 4 weeks over the summer and told SS he couldn't see us because we were trying to have her arrested. It was absolutely awful and when the courts finally intervened, and we got back to normal schedule...SS spent many hours crying and being very angry at DH and myself. The poor guy was just SO confused after all that had gone on and all he had been told. He actually asked us while we were on a family vaca in July---if we wanted his mom to go to jail because she gets drunk. DH asked him what do you think "drunk" means...and he said that his BM and grandma had told him to NEVER say that "mommy drinks too much wine." :( That is just one small example of the things he hears and is exposed to at BM's house. She treats him like a little adult in so many ways, and it has caused him so much inner turmoil over the years. His mom's husband is *okay." DH and I both think he is just kind of....a "hoosier," for lack of a better word. He's uneducated and he seems to lack common sense and doesn't treat BM all that well. I don't mean that he's abusive or anything, but I know he's dishonest with her about money, and he goes out drinking himself and lies about that and they are always fighting....he just doesn't behave with a lot of class. I know that sounds so snobbish to say, but it's true. He is good to SS in that he spends time with him, is friendly to him and genuinely seems to care about him. DH and I aren't thrilled with some language that he's taught SS but I think a lot of that just stems from his background and not "knowing any better." I think the main issue is that SS has a very emeshed relationship with his BM. He worries about her all the time. For example, she and her DH are planning their wedding---which, in itself is silly, because they have NO MONEY, and they are ALREADY MARRIED. But whatever. So SS told us a couple days ago that he is really stressed out because "his mom is broke for her wedding." UGH. I just hate that he is hearing about all these things. I don't know...I think it's complicated...and there are so many factors. Yet we can only control what goes on on OUR end for now. We cannot control BM or how she parents. :( Going back to court is STILL an option but we just have to be so careful with how we proceed. We have to slowly build a case and right now, depsite the drinking and problems, we just do NOT have anything conclusive against her.