I just wanted to thank everyone here for being so helpful and sharing your stories about perimenopause. I used to be so full of energy, happy, positive -- all that began to change once perimenopause kicked in, which for me was around 47. The first sign was when I had a period just two weeks after my last one. My period became erratic after that. But the crap really hit the fan when I turned 50. I had always told myself that I would never act/feel frumpy/unhappy like a lot of women I had seen who were in their 50's. Well that's because I didn't know how very difficult perimenopause could be, and no one gave me a heads up about what can happen. I think many women go on hormones and thus do not suffer from much of this. But my doctor made it clear that she did not think they were a good idea. There have been days, though, where I've thought, enough is enough, I'm going to take them. I've experienced almost every symptom that's been discussed on this forum. I've had some truly awful panic attacks, which for me begin with a sensation of vertigo and feeling like I might pass out. My doctor gave me xanax for this, and I take a half or whole pill when the symptoms start. Since I now recognize what's happening, I know it will pass. The panic attacks usually occur when I'm out somewhere -- in a mall, grocery store, etc. Stress does play a big role in all of this, but it's made far worse my the fluctuating hormones. Regarding heart palpitations, I, too, have had them throughout my life, and wore "halters" from time to time to look for rhythm disturbances, etc. Of course nothing was found because magically when I wore the halter I must not have had any palpitations. Fast forward to a few months ago -- one day out of the blue my heart started flip flopping such that I had to sit down. After a minute or two it passed, but it got my attention. My doctor did an EKG which of course found nothing because again, at that moment, I was not having them. My doctor prescribed a low dose of Lexapro to address underlying anxiety. I have the pills but have chosen not take them right now. I've been taking Wellbutrin for the past twelve years to help with depression and it's done a pretty good job. I get them a couple times a day. I will say that since I cut out caffiene (including my beloved chocolate), the palpitations have decreased a little -- but I still have them. On the advice of several friends, I started taking CoQ10, which my doctor said was "unnecessary." I'm taking it anyway in the hope it might somehow help. Sometimes the palpitations start at night when I'm laying on my side in bed. But they can appear anytime during the day, whether I'm dealing with something stressful or not. I"m also trying to eat healthier and drop some weight, knowing that can only help in terms of feeling better. I'm tired of feeling like a sick, old person!! No one in my family understands so I don't talk about what I'm going through. I often pray and ask God to heal me from these symptoms. Sometimes my muscles/joints are so sore it's an effort for me to turn over in bed. I do not sit around all the time, I have three teens and tend to my family's needs, and I am involved in other things as well. My oldest is going to college this Fall, and I can see a time in the near future when I will have to get a job. Given how difficult some days are for me, I dread this thought. As many of the ladies here have said, "I want the old me back!!" And I wonder if that will ever happen. I truly hope so. Back to the heart palpitations, maybe I will try the calcium/magnesium supplements. I think I read somewhere that one should only take these for a certain amount of time. Thank you again to all who come here and honestly tell what's going on. I am very grateful for all the stories, advice, information and support I see here. Hoping and praying we can all move past this phase and get back our peace of mind, good health and happiness!

Raven I am grateful to you for putting up the link. Thank you. And I'm planning on getting one of the other kinds of sandals shown here. Snopes itself said the cause was never ascertained, so there does not appear to be enough info, and for 98 cents, I stand by my decision. You never know when a 'heads up' link might be the one that saves your life, or saves you from a lot of grief. I think that concept was discussed in the recent fish thread. And I'd never heard about reactions to sandals. I'm as sure as I can be that some people here on KT have had their lives, health, and property saved by heads up posts here.

We are about a week away from putting our home on the market. It has taken us two years to completely renovate and fix things (new septic going in this week) so it is turn key and totally updated (except for one bathroom that has the pedestal sink and tub with sliding glass doors-realtor said it looks great). When I renovated my master bathroom and kitchen I did it with resale in mind. Neutral colors, subway back splash, stainless steel appliances, etc. I did this knowing that in our price range (low 500k) people expect all this. They do not expect to walk in and have to do one damn thing and I do agree that with the shows on HGTV many are disappointed when they do not see the homes looking like an after photo from a show they watch. My son and DIL are buying a new home, their first home. It needs some TLC. My DIL wants granite and expensive flooring in a small home in a neighborhood that will never give her that money back in return. My son has to bring her down to earth. She loves HGTV. Coincidence? Everyone wants a home like the after pictures on HGTV. I think it is great for people to dream, I think watching the shows help a person see what can be done if renovating or building a home and they aren't great at picking colors or putting floors, counters and tile together. It can give you ideas. My favorite show is House Hunters International. I love seeing the different places they film in and what the houses look like. I also watch Beach Front Bargain, Fixer Upper and Love It or List It is pretty fun to watch as well. I'm done with Property Brothers and Flip or Flop. Booorrrrinnnggggg.

Ah! I usually use a desktop/laptop b/c it's so much easier to type, edit, etc. Plus, as you've noticed, using a desktop gives you more functionality! Thank you Rachel! Please...now that we've discovered most likely why Fifamom could not edit her post, no more discussion on this thread about what is/is not possible with a particular device. If you want to discuss it more, see this thread I just started: Help me with the new Read Me -- what device do you use? Back to Fifamom's reason for posting....showing us that she's started demolition!