I can handle the hot flashes and night sweats but it is the creepy crawly skin that gets me and the extra heavy cycles.

I can vouch for the 15 years! I started perimenepause in my late 30's. Stupid Doctors said I was too young and would not give me anything for it. I fooled them as I had my last period at 48. I was lucky in the fact that I never had night sweats and not alot of daily *flashes*. My biggest problem was I turned into a raving lunitic :roll: Now at 56, I still have one daily hot flash. It hits at about 8:30 every night. Go figure. But as someone else said, it really is the best time of life :thumbup:

edited to add: my sleeping habits change constantly.

If I keep a small fan blowing on me I usually don't wake up to night sweats. That also seems to help me sleep through the night. I haven't slept 8 hours each night for a few years, but 6-7 is good for me :D:D:D

I ate soy products and it really helped a lot when the hot flashes first hit. They also helped keep my weight down. If I eat too much sugar/white processed flour products over a couple of days, they will come back with a vengeance for a day or so. More stress than normal brought them on, as well as extra strenuous exercise.

I was happy when I found a healthy balance of diet, fans, and as mentioned breathable clothing and bedding to be a great alternative to pills. My BFF however, tried the same things and they did not work at all for her... So I guess it is a trial and error to see what works best for YOU. :wink:

For a few months I carried a hand held battery operated fan around with me, EVERYWHERE LMBO and an extra 8 pk of batteries in my purse!!!

I also slept with a fan going for years! Great idea with the portable fan. I remember in grade school, (a hundred years ago) using these! I was born and raised in Orlando, Fl and back then we didn't have air conditioning. When my daddy died in 1991, he still didn't have/want A/C.

I'm a hot "flusher". If the sheets aren't ice cold and I don't fall asleep in 15 minutes or so (which NEVER happens!) I have to turn the AC down more and put the fan on at least medium. Usually have a hot spot somewhere on my body most all the time and then there's the times it completely spreads. Feels like you can cook an egg on my skin and any clothes will completely melt.

Work is a challenge, especially in summer with the temps. I've been known to faint. Yes, embarrassing. :oops:

Night sweats, check. Weight gain, check. Irritability, check. Assorted other aches, pains and whatnot, check.

Yep, it will get better, just not anytime soon. :wink: :roll:

:lol: :lol: Don't forget Brain Fog :lol: :lol:

See!!!! I forgot!!

(Actually, I think it's a close tie between the fog and temps. OK, sleep factors in there along with the weight. I can't decide!) :lol:

I'll just chalk it all up to cruel and unusual punishment.

I hardly have the hot flashes or night sweats anymore, but the weight gain and the "fog" are driving me crazy. I would say driving me to drink, but I don't remember where the wine is!!!

I think this is God's idea of punishment for Eve eating the apple :cry: :cry:

That's what I was thinking but didn't want to say it.