Just an update - all that worry, and the treadmill part was so easy I could not believe it. I was a little short of breath when they finished and said I had reached my target heartrate. I was amazed, as I am very out of shape. Clothes did not matter there -The second worst part was having to wear this huge gown, no bra, pretty open in the front for all the wires although they did tape it for me - the armholes were so big you could see every thing anyways. The very worst part was when the technician kept jamming the ultrasound wand under & into my breast before and after the treadmill. I had to brace myself on the table she was pushing it in so hard, I thought she would push me off. Something was really pinching into me when she pushed, Not sure if it was a probe with a wire attached that was being pushed in by the wand or just the tip of the wand. THAT really hurt, almost as bad as the mammo. I had a mammo and the stress test back to back, but it was done quick so I had time to treat myself on my half day off to some shopping, but I got dizzy halfway thru the store so did not buy anything. I must say, This was the very worst (painful) mammo I have ever had too. Also,the blood pressure monitor for the stress test, wow, I have never had anyone cuff me so-o-o-o tightly before(three times!). She said something about the "lower your pressure is the tighter they have to wrap..." or such - never heard that before. No doctors were present when I was there, just the technicians, who were quite nice. Well, wonder when I will see the results. (Last time it took a month to hear from Dr. on my mammo, then another month to get an appt, then another month to get a referral for breast ultrasound, then same for a needle aspiration..)

I have been told that if you don't have a period for a year and then have one, you should see your OB/GYN. I had one after a year of no periods, but thought it was normal, since I had all the other symptoms that go with PMS too. However 3 years seems a bit long. I would encourage her to see an OB/GYN to make sure all is okay. Anything is possible as far as getting pregnant! But not if she hasn't had sex!

I'm so glad to see this question.....I feel so stupid, but was also wondering, how do you know when you are out of menopause, or "post-menopausal?" It is easy for me to remember my very last period - it was right before Katrina hit, August, 2005. I remember fretting over being so late in entering menopause, I was 55. I remember my neighbor told me to be careful what you ask for, because you will gain weight, especially in your midsection. Lo and behold, did I ever! I always have had a problem with carrying weight in the rear, but never in my stomach until menopause. The scales last week at the doctor's office finally made me face reality. I can't blame my weight gain entirely on menopause, because there has been a lot of stress over the last few years that I've had to deal with, and stress in itself can be fattening. I am taking my vitamins and calcium, and paying more attention to healthy eating and exercising now. I don't know why it matters if I am or am not in menopause any longer. Just curious. Should I be doing more?

YES! Some of us got overwhelmed by horrible fatigue during this time. I'm slowly getting my energy back. I've had to use caffeine like a medication over these years. I just have one caffeinated drink a day, and it gives me about 4 hours of energy. But......hopefully the doc checked your thyroid and your blood.