I think (hope) doctors today have the mindset of sparing what organs they can. I've read/heard arguments on both sides of the story. Here's some info from the wall street journal health journal: Cutting Less More doctors are challenging the convention of removing the cervix during a hysterectomy. Here's why: * Pap smears have sharply reduced the incidence of cervical cancer. * Sparing the cervix reduces the risk of bladder damage. * Some doctors say it may improve sexual function. Some 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. every year, making it the second-most common women's surgery after Caesarean section. It is done to remove cancers of the uterus or cervix, or more commonly to treat a painful condition called endometriosis or because of noncancerous uterine growths called fibroids. Prior to 1940, nearly all hysterectomies preserved the cervix because it was easier and safer given the lack of antibiotics and blood banks. But by the 1960s, removing the cervix, viewed as a cancer preventative at a time when Pap smears were still fairly new, became standard. Now the tide appears to be turning. In 2006, 9.7% of U.S. inpatient hysterectomies, which account for more than 90% of the procedures, preserved the cervix, compared with just 1.7% a decade earlier, according to federal data. ------- Just sharing that info, not saying they are right. It's something anyone considering a hysterectomy should think about. I'm just thankful that we have alternatives to an actual hysterectomy these days. tina

I personally think we'd all be better if none of us ever started HRT. I started it when I was 48, to keep from re-bleeding after a D&C. I had an absolutely horrible time going through perimenopause. I thought I would die. It wasn't little stuff either.........overwhelming fatigue, panic, muscle aches and pain, headaches, phobias, diarrhea, sleep problems, etc. No fun at all. But.....in retrospect, I realized that, for me, I essentially became dependent on the HRT. It held me hostage, and I couldn't get off of it. All my horrible symptoms would come back.......the worst of which were horrible migraine headaches. To make a long story short, after several years of pure hell, I finally got off HRT, by weaning off of it very slowly. If I had it to do over again, I would NEVER have started it. It gave me problems that only the HRT could keep me from having. People on HRT don't seem to realize that they will always HAVE to go through menopause eventually ......whether it's now......or later, unless they stay on the HRT forever. I know our grandmothers and greatgrandmothers didn't have any help......but I do feel that life is quite different now, and may present a few more challenges for us. For example, all the additives and preservatives in food, the less active life many of us have, environmental toxins, etc.........plus, we live longer now. But I agree........there's too many drugs out there, just waiting for us to buy into them, and then we have to deal with side-effects and coming off of them. Some women can take HRT and feel great on it, and stop it without any problems. But for people like me, it was absolutely hell for me to ever get off. I hope women appreciate how awful it can be to get off of it before they start up on it.

Hi Randi, I'm sorry I forgot about this post! Try not to get too compulsive about checking your BP several times a day. I would do it at the same time for several days, then change to a different time of day for awhile.....just to see if its pretty consistent. If your Inderal isn't working, you might try a different one. I was really happy with Toprol. It got rid of 99% of my headaches. It was heaven! The worst thing about it was that at a slightly higher dose, I couldn't think straight at all. Also, even at a lower dose, my appetite went crazy. I don't get all the headaches I used to, but I still get them occasionally. If they got worse, I'd definitely go back on the Toprol. Does someone go with you to the doctor's? If I took xanax before I doctor's appointment, I think would fall asleep in the car on the way! Our blood pressure fluctuates all day long, so don't think something's wrong, just because it goes up a little. I hate that Whitecoat syndrome!! Now that I'm off my Toprol, it really goes up at the doctor's. I was at the doctor's yesterday, and my diastolic was 100! At home, its in the 70's. I've discovered Christmas holidays I had too much to eat, and too much salt, and my BP really spiked. So try to cut back on your salt. I think a little exercise is also important.......just walking at a good pace is good. One thing about "Whitecoat syndrome". One doctor told me once "if you get this worked up coming here, then you probably also get worked up over other things during the day"......which is probably true. If you consistently feel that your BP is too high, I would encourage you to talk to your doc about trying a different beta blocker. I really loved the Toprol. It worked on my heartrate, my BP, my anxiety, and my migraines. Again, sorry I forgot about this post! I hope things are going well for you.

I am 45 and have had palps all my life. PVC'S are what I am having, pre-ventricular contractions. Totally benign, been through every test they could think to run. Used to have them when I was young from anxiety disorder. Then they went away for years and came back as I started to have peri-menopausal symptoms. I am currently suffering with them and have been steady for about 5 days. I have found the following things bring them on: Stress, hormone fluctuation (especially the week before my period), and when my back is out. Between T1 and T2 there are two nerves that run directly to the heart. If your back is out there, it can cause PVC'S. Last night was really rough. Had TONS of them and almost contemplated going to the ER but there really isn't anything they can do for me. I do magnesium but only transdermally. Taking the pill is worthless. You are better taking it in through the skin with epsom salt baths or foot baths. That is the best way to get magnesium into your system. Don't do the calcium with all I have read about it causing plaque in the arteries. I will have to read up on any safe ones or just juice more calcium containing greens since I can't do milk. They are so frustrating and it makes me want to scream. Good news is, this morning, since I started my period last night, I seem to be better. I don't feel like I am having them or at least not as many. But after a night of having so many, my chest feels a bit like I had a really bad low sugar attack. It usually takes me a few days to come back around after a super strong bout of them. I am not sure about you ladies but I am about over these peri-menopausal symptoms. I have had them since age 35. Enough is enough. Do lots of meditation, energy healing (reiki and chios), essential oils, and other natural treatments. They are the best way I have found to deal with this stuff. Good luck all.