Jacam1961,

I am not an expert, but I have been in meno for a while. I recently was put on thyroid med for low thyroid function and found that it pretty much eliminated the flashes for me.

Before they said my thyroid number was low enough to medicate( it has to be at a certain low or it can be dangerous to med), I took the herb, Black Cohash. My doctors had no problem with me taking the herb. If you want to try it, please ask your doctor his/her opinion first.

One of my friends started taking it and it helped a bit for her. She has had it rougher than I with the moods (I have been very lucky there, no swings that I have noticed) and the hot flashes. She lives in FA where as I live in a 4 season state with nasty winters.

I too had hysterectomy, but still have ovaries.

I do not take HRT due to heart disease factors in my immediate family.

Suzanne Sommers has a book out based on using natural hormone substitutes. I have heard others rave about these subs, including Dr Phil's wife, Robin, only last week on his show. She sent a lady from the audience for an evaluation to a place that helps women balance lost hormones with natural subs to rid them of various problems they are experiencing. The place she went to was in Santa Monica, CA. You probably might find the name of it on the Dr Phil website. The show might even be interested in sending you there for free if you write a letter to Robin (there is place on his site to direct letters or questions to her directly).

Hope you feel much better, very soon. We women have it hard enough with our complicated bodies, don't we?!!

Hi June, nice to meet you and welcome to tbd. Yep - 'crying' - I kept the tissue companies in business for a while. For me, it has passed, I'm post menopausal.

'Mood swings' - I'd jokingly say I didn't have a problem with them, but then maybe you need to talk to my hubby, he might not agree.

Seriously though, these symptoms, like the others do settle down.

Be gentle with yourself, tears can be very cleansing. What I found that helped with the emotional aspects was journaling - pampering myself and trusting that 'this too shall pass'.

My symptoms started at 43 and lasted about 5 years. They came in waves, and as long as I kept reminding myself that it wasn't always going to be this way, I got through it.

There's lots of information available today about this stage of our lives. This group's discussions offer many tips to try.

I would like to say is be patient with yourself and gentle, you're not alone.

Take care, Deb

After having a hysterectomy and breast cancer my dr's put me on effexor for hot flashes. My BC was directly related to hormones, so hormone replacement was not a choice. Effexor is an antidepressent. It worked. Either the med is an "I don't give a S*#@" med or it really did stop the hot flashes. Either way, it worked for me.

you're not alone its sucks in my opinion.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! I have been using the Black cohash, and it seems to be helping..So again, thank you!!!

It sure does...You would think, after years of having a period, cramps, and all the unpleasant moodiness associated with our menstrual cycle it would be a relief...Maybe after all this is over...

Thanks Deb. I'm not the most patient person..nor am I gentle. However, I am learning to laugh at myself. When I start to cry, for no reason...I start to laugh, and say..dang hormones. I have older sisters that have been through this...they have helped too. Although, my oldest sister had a blood clot, her doctor gave her hrt. Mine will not. I guess I am better off. My neighbor actually got cancer from the hormones..so I'll try to be patient and gentle..I really don't have much choice...but talking to women who have been through this...Helps a lot, so thank you again!

June