Thank you for your responses. Stonyriver, I have heard the same thing about menopause, and IÂm hoping its true, and that someone will confirm it. It helps to know IÂm not alone. Good luck with your surgery. Mrs. H. Some of my problems may indeed be related to nutritional deficiencies. The strange thing is, I was pretty stable for years (not feeling great, but not as unwell as I feel now) and when my mouth-burning started, and other digestive and more intolerance problems started, eventually I sort of put it together that maybe these changes are hormonal related (therefore perimenopausal related because of other non-Celiac-related symptoms IÂm currently experiencing, as well  anxiety included, which IÂve always had). I just couldnÂt figure out why my health would suddenly crash when IÂve been doing the same (strict) health routine for so many years now. ItÂs a mystery; and IÂve been grasping at straws, I admit. IÂve had many blood work-ups done, and I had a B12 deficiency (which is a common deficiency with Celiac); but have been able to overcome that with sublingual B12. But, it hasnÂt relieved my burning mouth. Suddenly I seem to have many intolerances (besides gluten) it seems, so IÂm thinking some of it is hormonal. Not sure, though.

Hello ladies, I am 48 and have had been on this roller coaster ride of peri menopause for over 13 years.. Yes, you heard me, 13 years. No one could tell me what was wrong with me, first Dr. thought a celiac, so I stopped eating Gluten, my digestion issues did not stop! I think I was 35 at the time and had just stopped nursing my second child, a year prior. Then at 37 I started having panic attacks, heart flutters.... etc... Testing, still no answers.... I could go on, just know, that I have had all 66 symptoms thru out these 13 years. I have eaten healthy for over 25 years, well before it became a fade to do so, I have always worked out and danced. I have chosen not to take HRT or Bio's. I too, at times thought I was dying, before I realized it was peri, and just waited to die.... I can tell you that I talk about it all the time with my family and friends. My husband is going thru the men version of his change, too. Men go thru it, too, they just do not talk about it. Laughing is the best medicine. It (Peri Menopause), in many ways has saved my life... I never knew that I was in fact an incest survivor, until the panic attacks set in and I had to go on a quest to find out what was happening ( sparked by the hormone change). If you are having intense symptoms, it is often a sign that some trauma from childhood is coming forward from you unconscious trying to find resolution. I found my life's work thru my early peri menopause, as it made me go into therapy and heal my past, and now I do that for others. So, on my worst days, I feel blessed to have transformed some very deep emotional pain, that was hidden in the recesses of my mind, and body, that peri menopause brought to my being. Good luck ladies and know, I feel for you especially if you are just starting your transition, you can get thru it, make sure you have a supportive home life and take time for your own need, regardless of what anyone else thinks.......

Hi Steve, I was out of town for a few days and even though I am not a breakfast person I made it a point to order eggs and potatoes to taste the different fermented hot sauces that were offered on the tables. Something must have happened to me because I was surprised by how much I loved the taste and flavor of these. And then I found myself ordering breakfast for late lunches so that I could have the hot sauces. Off the top of my head I remember trying red Tabasco, Franks and Crystal. Tabasco was the hottest and thinnest and most vinegary. I liked them all. Inspired by what you said I am practicing a round of making fermented hot sauce from jalapenos. They are still fermenting and taste nothing like what I just tasted out of a bottle but whatever they are now they do taste good to me and very different from fresh jalapenos! It tastes just like kim chee at this point. Than you so much! K.

Hi Marianne, The plants do look like they are starving and thirsty don't they? But here is the thing there is plenty moisture and nutrients in the soil and I have been giving them fertilizer just like my other pepper plants and watering them the same. But the leaves are dry and crisp and showing deficiencies. I think that the roots are hurting from over watering and cannot absorb water or nutrients. It is something particular to this variety of peppers I think as two plants in two widely separated parts of the garden are doing exactly the same, drying out and dying when well fed and watered while all the other peppers are doing well on the same regimen. I wish I knew what to do. How can I even feed them if I can't even water them? I am losing too many plants. My partner caught 4 raccoons and two opossums and had them removed. But last night an animal or animals came again and broke the top off (no leaves left, just a few inches of lower stem) of two pepper plants and 2/3s of the branches of another plant. It broke off peppers from other plants and mauled them but did not eat any greens or peppers. And this is after it had all the food and water I put out. There is at least one animal left. The mind of this animal befuddles me. In general animal do not walk around destroying their food source or damaging plants without a clear intention. Its messed up! And very smart, it can cleanly break off branches and tops of plants like it has fingers and pruners but for no understandable reason.....Its depressing. I have no problem with having animals in my yard or them taking some of the food I am growing but this animal is a crazy, violent, lunatic that just destroys. Do I sound pathetic? Thanks K.