Organic donna - I am absolutely 100% in the same place you are with respect to a relationship. In fact, I turn 53 next week, look and act pretty darned Ok compared to some my age (and not as good as others, of course!), and although I'd love companionship, just don't have it in me to start up another relationship nor any real interest in sex. I am recently through menopause, and I don't know if that has made it worse or not. It certainly is a quandry, because it would be great to have someone in my life that I loved and who loves me. But I don't really have the push to get out there and find it. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone on that front! Suzieque

I get heart palpitations but then I always have - I have a prolapse valve - one in eight women have it - no big deal. It was very difficult to get it diagnosed at the time though - found out 20 years ago. Menopause has not made it any worse. I do take one shot of Estrogel each day along with a Prometrium pill - but no other meds. Might not hurt to ask for test for prolapse valve. Only thing you would need to do for this condition is to take a big dose of penicillin (or alternative) prior to surgery or any form of dentistry that would result in blood being "spilled" to be rather graphic. The condition causes palpitations when the heart valve closes a little too "hard" during its normal opening and closing - if blood should come out during a surgical process you could get blood poisoning - hence the penicillin. Might not be this, but doesn't hurt to ask - and as I said it most definitely requires a special - and very easy test. It does not show up on the regular EKGs or if you wear a heart monitor - I know this because my doctor did these procedures. Palpitations can of course be caused by certain medications - I don't sedate as per normal - anything that would put the normal person to sleep or cause drowsiness such as antihistamine/decongestant, gravol, codeine, not to mention the "happy shot" before surgery - causes my heart to pound at an alarming rate - and then of course the joys of surgery itself - and waking up way too soon. Procedures don't scare me - it is the not sleeping part that does. I am an insominiac - and sleeping pills will have me up for 5 days straight. Hope you find an answer to your problem.

Hi Nancy, I am also new here. I have been using Oestrogel for 2 months now. It has helped some with night sweats however, I am just hot all of the time. Like you 60 degrees is about right for me. What dose of the gel are you on? Maybe you just need a slight increase. I would like to caution you about the Effexor. I read that it could help with hot flashes & asked my Dr for it. They told me that it is a nightmare to get off of it. I have since heard from others that are having a horrible time trying to stop that med. Gale

imwillow You have just described me to a "T". I have been to so many Dr's with regards to it. The condition is called "hyperhydrosis". The day after my hysterectomy I started to sweat till I was soaked and have been that way ever since. There is no quality of life whatsoever with this condition. I take Estrogel (this is an Estrogen gel - 2 squirts each day from a pre-measured pump (rubbed into forearms or upper thighs) and I also take one prometrium each evening. This does absolutely nothing to ease the sweating. Surgeons will suggest having certain sweat glands removed - however it is not advised as the sweating will just move onto other sweat glands. Have you had your thyroid checked? The thyroid is the thermostat of your body - I do not have thyroid trouble. I am scheduled to see an internist on July 8/08 - hoping he can help me. My nephew's friend is a doctor in Oklahoma and he was saying that if a person is overweight (which I am), the fat blocks the heat from exiting the body - therefore sweat profusely. It's a terrible condition, and everything you described is me, right down to the total hysterectomy 3 yrs ago. I am 49 yrs. old. If I find anything out at my appt. on the 8th of July, I will post to let you know. Sue