Oh Eagle, if you and I lived closer, we could 'fret' together. I have a feeling we would laugh our buns off just talking about stuff. Tell me more about this gratitude journal, earth sister.
I forget my prayers too at times girls, nice to know I'm not alone...
chick

Chick, I have a beautiful journal that I used to write in so faithfully. Until hubby came into my life and turned it upside down (in a good way). I didn't have as much free time to sit and write (I need really good chunks of time to do the kind of journalling that I love to do). Eventually my journalling crawled to about 2, maybe 3 entries a year! Then the interval was so long (2 years!) that I gave up trying to catch up.

Then Dotsie suggested starting a "Gratitude Journal", where I write about the gifts, excitement and blessings of each day. So I turned my journal into the gratitude journal. It's quick, thought-provoking and puts me in a positive frame of mind...helps me to focus on the positive and good in my life instead of dwelling on what's missing. It's changing the way I think and see things. I've been working hard to change my thinking (changed thinking changes everything). This is helping tremendously. I'd highly recommend it!

Bluebird, when you finally get into "mental pause" you'll feel like you ARE burning at the stake. LOL!!!!!!!!!

In the course of my readings, can't remember where (sound familiar) that menopause comes on pretty suddenly, and when it leaves it leaves the same way. Any one here know this to be true?

Worst ever symptom for me is insomnia. Think if I could get the rest I needed, the other symptoms would be manageable. Stress and anxiety are lined up behind insomnia.

So far I tried Sleeptime tea, warm milk, warm bath, Tylenol p.m., occasional xanax, saw a doctor near my home for a UTI a few weeks ago he recommended trazodone...would need to check with my regular GP before taking. Any one heard of this for sleep? If so did it work for you?
Also, if you have any insight for a good night's sleep....please share.

Was UTI a problem for any of you during memo?...this is my second within 2 months.

Is it really true that menopause could last for up to 15 years for some women? If, you are beyond menopause...please share the amount of time it took for menopause to move on.

As for memory loss...
Called the vet the other day...poor Bridgett itching with allergies. No kidding, they answer the phone...all the sudden I forgot what I had even called for. Had to ask for them to hold for a moment, until it came to me.

Brenda, I had a bad stretch of insomnia for about 2 years, but I don't think it was menopause-related. It was debilitating, and affected everything else. I didn't want to resort to meds except as a last resort. The one thing I discovered could ALWAYS put me to sleep was praying the rosary. No kidding! I've never been able to make it all the way through the rosary if I say it in bed. The other thing I did that didn't put me to sleep, but helped me to see the insomnia differently, was I started praying for everyone I could think of (I didn't get out of bed, I prayed while still lying awake in bed). I'd pray for each family member, friend, people I'd read about in the paper or heard about on the news. I got to the point where I was praying about 2-3 hours a night. The amazing thing is that after awhile I began to really look forward to that time. Instead of tossing and turning and fretting about not being able to sleep, I began to cherish those hours as a chance to be a "voice in God's ear" for a lot of people who don't have a voice or don't know how to use their voice. It ended up becoming a very intimate, spiritually-refreshing time, and eventually I'd fall asleep and wake up feeling as refreshed as a person with CFS can feel.

It might not work for everyone, and might not alleviate the frustration. But I figure that it turns a negative stress into a positive blessing.

I don't have too much insomnia anymore, and I kind of miss that extra prayer time! But whenever I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, I start going through my list of people to pray for and next thing I know, I've fallen asleep! So it works like a charm for me now. I know you love to pray for people, so even if it doesn't ease your frustration at not getting enough sleep, it would at least turn those toss-n-turn hours into prayer time...there's lots of us here who need (or have loved ones who need) those extra prayers!

[ November 16, 2005, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: Eagle Heart ]

Brenda, my Dr. gave me a few samples of Ambien last week. I was better off taking M'nM's. I see mornings and lie down around 7:30 AM. Not every day. I will let you know what she gives me next week. (I am not a pill taker, hate them).
Eagle, you mentioned the rosary. Growing up in Newfoundland and Catholic, the Rosary was as common after dinner(supper) as a cup of coffee. We would finish the Rosary at our house, and sometimes we'd go to our friends house and run right into it again. All we could do was kneel down and join in. Maybe I will try this Eagle.
chick

Each night before turning the lights out, I read from my bible. Read on and on until my eyes are so tired they are slamming shut.
Soon as that light goes out...BAM, my eyes are wide open.

Thanks, for sharing what worked for you. Will try bending God's ear a bit more.
I'm all for turning a negative stress into a blessing.

Chick, I didn't grow up Catholic, but joined in early 20's. The rosary took some getting used to...especially during Lent when, like you said, one kept running into it everywhere. Somedays it was impossible to get anything done (or eaten!) if I visited too many of my Catholic friends along the way!

I can't say that I ever understood it, being someone who's always preferred to create my own prayers using words that come out of my own heart and experience. I ended up adapting the Rosary somewhat by using each of the beads to pray for someone specific. I loved the feel of those beads in my pocket - and still sleep with a Rosary under my pillow...I just love falling asleep with that tiny cross in my hand.

So I did eventually find a serenity in praying the Rosary...and a surefire way to put myself to sleep!

I have my Mom's Rosary Beads...time to put them in my hands instead of my treasure box...thanks.
There's enough beads for all I pray for, including you guys.
chick

[ November 16, 2005, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: chickadee ]

I used to try praying the rosary in bed, too.
Always made me fall asleep. I used to feel guilty but then I realized, you pray the rosary for peace, so of course it makes you so peaceful you sleep! I've heard people say that if you fall asleep praying it, Mary finishes it for you. I like that. Who could pray better than the Mother of Jesus?