Ladies,

As I read through this topic, you had me laughing and crying, and yes, remembering my first period ( I passed out in the bathroom from the sight of blood).

Now, with the big M coming upon me, I feel a big void again from my mom--she had a hysterectomy early and so has no good information on how to handle the symptoms that drive us all to distraction. One thing I've done, and it was radical, was get off all the drugs the doctors gave me to "help" with the sypmtoms. I got laid off last year and started my own business--and while for some that might have driven them straight to the funny farm, for me it was a life saver--actually reduced the stress and for some reason the sypmtoms I was experiencing with the periomenopause have almost disappeared--now I just have to carry pads with me everywhere I go because I don't know when I'll have another period (sure stinks on a cruise since I like to pack light).

Thanks to all of you for the tears and laughs!