I love my iJoy massage chair! I'm wondering if something similar would be helpful to you folks with FMS and other assorted nasties? I have a couple of chronic problems (interstitial cystitits, arthritis) and my insurance used to pay for massage, which I found of enormous help in the overall pain management scheme. Well, no more, so Dh bought me a massage chair for my birthday last year and while not the same as human massage, it is a great help. It is wonderful just for relaxation and getting your circulation going; I always feel refreshed and invigorated after using it. When I have been gardening, painting, etc. and feel my back twinge I go straight to the chair and it seems to put everything back in the right place. (I don't have the leg massager - I imagine the full sized massage chairs are even better.) DH bought it off CL for less than the cost of 2 massages. Like I said, it's not the same as a real massage but on the other hand it is always there when I need it. I use it daily - sometimes more. Truly, a worthwhile purchase. I try to walk few miles everyday and practice yoga (a little every day and one long class per week.) My weight is low, probably due to genetics and cystitis killing my appetite. I should do some weight training but I hate it (and much of yoga is weight bearing anyhow.) BTW, I'm almost 52 and no sign of menopause (and I'm very ready to get over my moon times!) I have also read the Sarno books and took them very much to heart. I *want* to believe, but the long term effect has been negligible. The idea that I have the power to easily control my pain is so tantalizing! Here is a link that might be useful: iJoy massage chair

lkplatow I too am a firm believer in HRT. I had a hysterectomy in my mid 40's. I kept my ovaries. They worked just fine for 2 yrs. At that point they completely stopped and I was in the midst of a meltdown ! Literally looked like I was showering with a hose many times a day. I put up with it for 2 weeks LOL. I called my OB/Gyn and got immediate relief by taking Estratest. All the symptoms I had been having...sleeplessness, anxiety attacks while at work, nightmares , absent libido drenching sweats ...all disappeared within 2 weeks of starting therapy. I am now almost 63 and have never stopped the med ...not for more than a day or two. Due to having had a hysterectomy I would not have been prescribed Premarin. I agree it is not a safe drug. The benefits of my HRT so so so far outweigh any possible side effects that my Dr and I agree it is the best treatment for me. I have regular checkups and mammograms. When I just had my second bone density scan they were amazed once again at my bones. With 100% being the highest I was 130% !! As to the bladder surgery for stress incontinence there is absolutely nothing negative about it if you have a good surgeon. I had it done when I had my hysterectomy. I have never leaked another drop of urine when coughing etc. I had had three 9 1/2 # babies vaginal births with precipitous delivery in two cases....my bladder was SO low it actually had pushed into/through the va&*()$ wall and was hanging down...sorry to be so graphic but that is what happens. The surgery is much better than wearing a pessary. Annie is completely correct in her definitions. The problem with the Kegel , and they are the only thing that works that is non-surgical, is if it has gotten as bad as mine was through the birth process, then surgery is the only way to correct it. A good exam by a competent MD can tell you the state of your bladder etc. There is no cream that will correct this problem . The creams are wonderful for many cases...everyone has to be evaluated and then make a very well considered decision with the assistance of a competent MD. c

I am just beginning with the hot flashes and decided to try the Swiss natural hrt that you get in the drug store. One pill, twice daily. I managed to remember to take them 3 weeks in a row. I can't imagine trying to take over 40 pills a day! You wouldn't have room for FOOD. They're saying now diets high in fruits and vegetables help with the symptoms. Also a lot of soy, but I know I couldn't stomach soy and the way I remember to take pills, buying a bottle wouldn't help either. So, I figure rather than complain to my doctor (who only works 1 day a week so good luck getting an appointment to see her......) I'm going to tough it out. I have become a light sleeper. And for the first time in my life, I'm kicking off blankets in my sleep. The furnace is doing flip flops because I'm either melting or frozen. My husband just shakes his head, he knows better than to say anything LOL. I figure this is just nature taking its course and I'll muddle through it. Let's have this conversation again in a year and we'll see if I managed? LOL I have been known to change my mind...

Yes - I take it. I am Cdn. - I take one 100 mg Prometrium pill a day, plus one pump of Estrogel (the instructions on the pamphlet read 2 pumps but my doctor said just one). I have been on it for nearly 3 years - I didn't hit meno until age 57. There were no health considerations that would have affected my decision to take HRT - and in fact I take it because I was born with extremely dry skin so at 60 it sure hasn't gotten any better and the HRT really helps with this. I am just happy that I am able to take it - I am allergic to so many meds that HRT is all I take. I have very high body acid and do not sweat - the words "hot flash" do not apply - and I do not sweat - not even with the heat we had this summer. I can tell you though that the ability to take an anti-histamine, decongestant, sleeping aid - anything - would be preferable to me. I am one of those that wakes up in the operating room - and also locals wear off in 5 minutes. Procedures themselves do not scare me - it is the waking up part that does - or no freezing. So I will continue with my HRT until I am told otherwise.