Dear Scottishlass16: About two years ago I was having pain in my left breast. Finally went to have a diagnostic mammogram. I was braced for bad news, but then they told me there was nothing there wrong and that it was probably caused by hormonal fluctuations. I was 50 at the time and in perimenopause. I hope you will get it checked out with a mammogram. Sasha

wakemeupsoon, Oh I know how you are feeling. I'm just so sorry you have are feeling it so young. I am 52 and I started feeling the exact same way as you about a year ago. Then this past june, I started with panic attacks also. I cry over everything and I also feel like my life is over. My periods are irregular, but still come once every month (just not at the same time and very light) The doctor gave me valium also for just a couple of weeks and it worked ok at first. Now when I get up in the morning, I have to start out very calmly and slowly or I find myself starting to panic. I don't know how long this will last either. I think it's one of those life transitions that we have to learn how to live with. I take magnesium suppliments, B vitamins, a multivitamin and use progesterone cream. This doesn't take the symptoms away entirely, it makes them so I can function from day to day. Thank God, I have an understanding supportive wonderful husband who tries to make everything as easy for me as possible. I know this won't help you much, but at least you know you aren't alone. My thoughts are with you.

Premenopause is not that scary. I do not know about the reason behind your 'light headiness'. However other symptoms are signs of premenopause, I am sure. There are many books on amazon relating to women's health and the use of all natural yam base progesterone cream. You can start by the ones written by Dr. John Lee and Virginia Hopkins. I personally prefer using organic natrual progesterone, free of pesticides and preservatives. I have also learned a lot about how natural hormone replacement can make you look younger and feel better from Dr. Ray Peat's website. If over the progesterone cream is not enough to make your symptoms go away, try to add in yam root extract, Lady's Mantle herb, or even 10 to 15 mg daily of pregnenolone. Good luck to you. Here is a link that might be useful: http://raypeat.com/articles/

I make 2 kinds of kid friendly "crummy chicken"...one is baked....and I don't soak in butter milk but I do dip them in evaporated milk and then roll them in my own home made toasted bread crumbs. The clue to success is toasted crumbs. I make crumbs out of some slightly stale good quality bread...French bread or whole wheat, most often a mix....then I put the crumbs in the oven at 300 to toast and when brown and dry, they will keep in a baggie for months. To about 1 cup of crumbs, I add 1 1/2 teaspoons of dry parsley flakes, about 1/4 tsp of garlic powder and about 2 T of grated parmesan cheese. I dip the chicken pieces in evaporated milk seasoned with salt and a little pepper and then in the crumbs and bake at 375 until just not pink inside....about 15 to 25 minutes depending on size. For the fried chicken tenders I cut smaller pieces and use cracker crumbs, seasoned the same way...or with some taco seasoning....and dip the chicken in flour, then in egg and then in the crumbs and let dry on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes before frying. Linda C