Well I don't have any answers. I just wanted you to know I feel your pain, It's a very difficult time that's for sure. Not sure which is the worst, the hot flashes, crying or sadness. One thing I am just starting to try is making time for things I enjoy. As the saying goes I am going to make "me" time. I need to start taking care of me by exercising and focusing more on self care.
good luck

Hello maui17!
I have been through all the things you are describing for about 8 months now. It is so much better now but I have gone through some pretty bad depression and anxiety along with muscle and joint pain. I do know this about this time of transition. It does call upon us to reflect and to come to a deeper levels of emotions. My Mother has been deceased for 31 years. I am now 54 and I have missed her more these past several months than ever before. I have also gone through worry about my Dad who is 84 and had already started practicing how I would feel without him. Well....I can tell you that this has stopped. I am trying as much as possible to live in the present moment and to stay focused on my higher power (for me it is God) helping me through this. My spiritual life has vastly improved through these tough times. I am back in church and trying my best to open myself to new opportunities and experiences. I do think the sentimental, sad thoughts do go along with all of this. I was thinking how I dislike this again process but as I start to turn a corner I am finding ways to embrace it. The light is coming back into my life. I can already see where there is a strong chance I will feel better than ever once I am entirely through this.

I used HRT for about 3 months but my hormones were having a hard time balancing and felt very bad. I went off of them and started using flax hull lignans, st johns wort, ashwagandha and maca. I also use melatonin for sleep. Although I am not symptom free - I am 70% better!

I hope this helps. This does pass and there is a great chance that life will be better than ever afterward!

Hello maui17!
I have been through all the things you are describing for about 8 months now. It is so much better now but I have gone through some pretty bad depression and anxiety along with muscle and joint pain. I do know this about this time of transition, it calls upon us to reflect and to come to a deeper levels of emotions. My Mother has been deceased for 31 years. I am now 54 and I have missed her more these past several months than ever before. I have also gone through worry about my Dad who is 84 and had already started practicing how I would feel without him. Well....I can tell you that this has stopped. I am trying as much as possible to live in the present moment and to stay focused on my higher power (for me it is God) helping me through this. My spiritual life has vastly improved through these tough times. I am back in church and trying my best to open myself to new opportunities and experiences. I do think the sentimental, sad thoughts do go along with all of this. I was thinking how I dislike this aging process but as I start to turn a corner I am finding ways to embrace it. The light is coming back into my life. I can already see where there is a strong chance I will feel better than ever once I am entirely through this.

I used HRT for about 3 months but my hormones were having a hard time balancing and felt very bad. I went off of them and started using flax hull lignans, st johns wort, ashwagandha and maca. I also use melatonin for sleep. Although I am not symptom free - I am 70% better!

I hope this helps. This does pass and there is a great chance that life will be better than ever afterward!

Tiredcaregiver! Thank you for your response! It feels good knowing I am not alone in this. How long have you been going through these symptoms? I have found a product that Has really helped with the hotflashes. http://healthyimmunity.com/products/menosmart_Plus.asp
Im not sure if the link will show up or not, but it is a product by a lady called Lorna Vanderhague here in Canada. It is called menosmart plus! its a must have!!. Now if i could get the emotions under control i will be happy. Please stay in touch!










Maui17

Pattipat! Thank you for sharing! So much of what you talked about resonated with me completely. My mother is still here, but like you i imagine what it would be like with out her!. How do i stop doing that?. I look at old pictures and listen to music from my younger years, that always brings a tear to my eye. Its almost like i feel that "time" is running out!! It feels crazy because I know that this should be the time of my life. I look at my husband and notice the aging process!!. Depression comes and goes but has not been to bad as I do a lot of Reiki. I am a healer and find that this helps a lot. I teach classes on Reiki as well as classes about Angels and Spirit guides . I love helping others find peace. And find it so ironic that it seems difficult for me.....I do believe in something greater, whether is God or a higher power.
My husband puts up with a lot. It would be nice to come from a place of feeling grateful for where I am in my life.
How does one get there intimacy back with their partner?

I can relate to what you are all saying. My Mom passed away in July 2016 and I do miss her more recently. I think we have to put us first. I am trying to do that by eating right and exercising every day. Even 30 minutes on the elliptical seems to help. I guess we all have to stay strong through this period of our lives. I know God is helping me through this and I find comfort in that. I am thankful for this site because I find that the woman I know don't always seem to want to talk about their menopause or are not having as hard a time as I am. Stay strong everyone and thankyou.