Fucking menopause

[GenDem]

Anxiety, insomnia, and hot flashes coming like a laboring mother's contractions.

I'm weary. I haven't slept good in months.

I refuse to go on hormones. Last week my husband's 48 year old cousin died from a blood clot that could have been caused by hormone treatment.

Any advice from loungers that have gone through it?

:argh:

on edit -- Mods, I'm not asking for medical advice -- because I'm not going to take hormone replacement. I'm just wondering if there's some good old fashioned natural, home remedy type relief. Is that allowed?

[Flaxbee]

1. have you tried estroven?

natural plant estrogen - I really don't know if it helps, I'm a few years away from menopause so I can't say from personal experience, but I understand it is supposed to provide some relief. Can get it over the counter in most health food stores, perhaps even WallyMart or Target. Or would that fall into the category of hormone replacement therapy?

Either way, I wish you a good night's sleep and some relief soon. My sister just started going through it, and on top of that had to just start chemotherapy: she feels like shit. She said "one or the other, but why both at the same time?!?!"

[GenDem]

7. Oh, wow

so sorry about your sister's double whammy. I can't imagine what she must be going through.

I'm going to make a trip to our natural food store on Monday to check out the natural plant based estrogen's. I've also heard that Black Cohash helps.

:hug:

[uppityperson]

21. I just got some of this at Costco. Will start when over the flu

I am sooooo tired of hot flashes. As soon as my spring flu (I hate influenza also) is over I'm starting on it. I can't do much soy because of thyroid dysfunction, am hoping estroven may help. Best of luck to your sister.

[uppityperson]

22. dupe

[Peregrine Took]

30. I "toughed it out" for 10 years without estrogen and then couldn't stand it

anymore - just started Estrace and 'feel much better. My skin looks better, I don't have as much anxiety and other things (too personal to mention) are much improved also.

[Radio_Lady]

52. Yes, I know what you mean. I was on Premarin and Provera for a bunch of years.

Felt better, but after the Women's Health Initiative revelations, I stopped cold turkey, turned off the pill-taking merry-go-round and never had another real problem. (Heat intolerance has been with me since I was a child, so that's the one thing I still have to deal with.)

My mother had breast cancer and the family is loaded with heart disease. I'm just generally not in favor of turning my life around for sex in the face of the dangers of estrogen. The doctor put me on Estratest for about three months (but had to take Provera, too, because I still have my uterus!)

My husband has accepted my decision to stop everything; even estrogen vaginal cream is risky (for vaginal dryness and atrophy). He said it wasn't worth it and we've worked our sexuality out in other gentler, and more companionate ways. I think anyone looking for "hot sex" in later life is just chasing rainbows.

Hubby's sex drive is diminished, too, and in a way, it's just a harbinger of the unavoidable losses of elderly life. We've been married for 35 years next Feb. 4th.

I'm 68; he'll be 73 this month.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Soy milk worked for me

4 oz. of chocolate soy milk every night at bedtime was all it took to get rid of 95% of my hot flashes. Most soy milk tastes nasty, but chocolate Soy Dream is pretty decent.

[Flaxbee]

3. I add chocolate soy milk to my coffee every morning....

sort of like a quickie cafe mocha... might be another good way to get some soy w/o having to drink it straight.

[GenDem]

8. Wow, thanks!

I'm making a list.
:pals:

[Radio_Lady]

4. Tough it out, GenDem. I was on HRT for about nine years and wish I hadn't been...

Things that help:

Cooling showers (for hot flashes)
Arctic spray (menthol based) -- cools in seconds; you can buy it over the counter
Air conditioning is a real life saver.
Insomnia yields to the anti-anxiety medicines such as Xanax.
Panic attacks while driving went away in about a year.
I cut out caffeine completely -- no cola, no coffee, just a little chocolate. None of these after noon.
Use meditation techniques if you wish -- it's good therapy.
Massage is great if you can afford it.
I go to a massage school and students work on me. Excellent and inexpensive method.
Peppermint or chamomile tea works very well.

Remember, the body eventually adjusts to the loss of estrogen and the adrenals kick in with a smaller amount. It's just a phase, like puberty. Afterwards, you'll be about as good as new -- of course, we are all aging and there will be other losses, unfortunately. Such is life. You get another view as you age and you will need to face it as we all do. I used to look at older women and think "isn't she wrinkly and old?" -- now I think, "That's me, too."

PM me if you wish.

In peace,

Radio Lady (entering my 69th year... 68th birthday was May 31st.)

[GenDem]

10. Thanks, Radio_lady

I feel way more emotional lately. I could cry at a drop. It may be the lack of sleep.

I teach a few art classes to seniors, and have been doing it for a number of years. Many have become my good friends. One told me on Friday about a relaxation technique called square breathing. Take a breath, hold it in for a count of about 10 seconds, breath out slowly for the same amount of seconds. I did that last night when I couldn't sleep, and it really helped me relax. Still couldn't sleep, but I was relaxed. :-)

Thank you for the good advice. I'm taking notes.



:hug:

[Radio_Lady]

49. Another simple thing that helps me get to sleep: Count backwards from 1,000.

999, 998, 997, etc., blanking out everything else from my mind.

I have been using it for years and it really works for me. I rarely get past the 600s.

The technique was once described by Dr. Art Ulene, the NBC "Today" show doctor from decades ago.



http://www.speakers-network.com/speakers/speaker.asp?id=481

[SeattleGirl]

5. Check your PM. n/t

[GenDem]

12. Thanks, SeattleGirl

Maybe we can get through this together.

:hug:

[Lars39]

6. Walgreen's or one of the pharmacies has those little personal fans

on a thing that goes around your neck. I also supplement this with the prescription Eperbel-S, though. Somebody in the lounge the other day admitted they put ice cubes in a baggy and put down their shirt. That's next on my list. :D

[Lindsey]

13. Motherfucking menopause...

I was up until 6:00 a.m. this morning! Thank God it's Saturday and I could sleep until 1p.m. today.

One of my best friends is swearing by something called Bioidenticals.

I'm not sure where you live but Santa Monica has a place called "The Hall Center." They have alot of options. The only thing is that's pretty pricey. I'm not in a position now to go (financially) but there are some other options to get these Bioidenticals.

I was even thinking about starting a DU Group for Menopause/Perimenopause because there are a lot of us who need advice and help.

[GenDem]

16. Great idea

The group, I mean.

I was doing the Google search last night at 3 am. The other thing I'm noticing is when I do get to sleep -- I'm experiencing some pretty bizarre dreams.

Strange trip this menopause thing.

[Bjornsdotter]

23. Yes, count me in

...I get the panic attacks, night sweats, insomnia up the ass, hot flashes.

We do need to lean and learn from one another....my Mom has had hot flashes for 25 years, that scares the shit out of me. :scared:

Cheers :hug:

[Missy Vixen]

29. I'm in

I'll be 47 next month. I'm having insomnia and a few hot flashes every now and then.

I know that this is nothing in comparison to the others here, but I'd like to bond, if you'll have me. :hug: I'll bring chocolate.

Julie

[Radio_Lady]

51. I have three little personal fans. They are inexpensive and indispensible..

One of them has a fan plus a water sprayer on it -- hangs over my shoulder with a little string -- great for hot summer days for the grandkids!

One company made a little neckerchief out of white terry cloth, with a small pouch and a Velcro closure. It holds several ice cubes which melt to cool me off. The company that made them is out of business. It was a golf accessory but I've never seen them since getting this one somewhere years ago.

However, COOLER BARS and PERSONAL EVAPORATIVE COOLERS searched on Google can lead you to the more recent development of cotton neckties filled with gel crystals which expand when placed in water. I bought mine in Hawaii and they are pretty common.

Just don't take them on an airplane around your neck or in carry on luggage. Unfortunately, they are filled with GEL, which makes them unauthorized for security, at least when wet. You can bring them on when dry; that's never been a problem. Then, soak them in water in the airport restroom before your flight! It's another way to outwit the general difficulties with liquids and gels in today's airline culture.

[Critters2]

9. My doctor tells me that my hormone levels say I'm menopausal,

and I haven't had the monthly "visit" in years, thanks to depo-provera. I'm off the depo now, and still nothing. So, I must be menopausal. But I haven't had any hot flashes. I had 'em when I was on lupron, so I know how bad they can be. But nothing currently. Maybe that's because I eat a lot of soy. So, that might be worth considering.

But I can help with the insomnia. Try kava kava. I tend to let worries interrupt my sleep, but kava kava calms me right down. Not a real strong tranquilizer, just a mild calmative. I swear by it.

[GenDem]

15. Going to Applebee's with BIL & SIL

Air conditioning was too good to pass up. I'm going to stop at the grocery store for the Kava Kava. It sounds like a good choice. I'm going to mull around the health food dept and pick up some goodies.

What gets me more than the actual flashes is the funny let down feeling before they hit, and the heart palpitations and perspiration when it's over.

Thanks!!!!

[Radio_Lady]

53. Kava kava has risks; you might want to read about them before you take it.

Of course, "moderation in all things" is a good rationale. If it works for you, then use it.

The whole thing really does pass in a few years. We're all experiencing the upside and downside of living longer than any other female generation in the past.

You might find humor and good information on some of the menopause websites. There's always the Red Hat Society to look forward to... we're all in this "aging thing" together.

http://www.redhatsociety.com/

How It All Started

"The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next."

- Sue Ellen Cooper, Queen Mother

Good luck!

[Bjornsdotter]

24. Thanks for the tip

...I also let my problems and worries interrupt my sleep, drives me crazy :crazy:

Cheers :hug:

[Kajsa]

11. I've been off HRT for almost a year, now.

My symptoms are less and less, but--

for the remaining few hot flashes and sweats I
recommend washcloths rinsed in cool water and
stuck in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.

Keep a supply on hand.

Then, you just grab one and cool off whatever area
is overheated. They work great and are inexpensive.

I drank soymilk, also.
It did help.

Hang in there, this too shall pass.

:hi:

[GenDem]

14. Great advice

Just stuck a few in the freezer!

Going to pick up some chocolate soy milk tonight.

Might even get me some Excedrin PM's or something over the counter to help me sleep.

Maybe the lack of sleep is ok, and I shouldn't fret so much over it. It's not really slowing my life down any. I just seem to be a bit more emotional.

:pals:

[zanne]

17. Screaming and breaking things works for me....

But then again, I like natural remedies.

[GenDem]

19. ....

:rofl:

[Jamastiene]

18. IBTL.

They probably will lock it, but I would like to know too. I'm going through it too, or at least my aunt seems to think so. I just think it's too damn hot and everything is getting on my nerves. The night sweats are really getting to me too. I could sleep in an ice box and still sweat like a pig all night. I used to bundle up to keep warm at night. Not now. Now, I use no covers.

[Lindsey]

20. OMG...my dreams have ben UNREAL....

They aren't bad but they are the most bizarre I've ever had.

I think I'll give the DU Group a try. I've never tried to start one but I kind of checked out what needs to be done...I can't remember (another great aspect of menopause) but I'll re-read it to see what needs to happen. :-)

[SeattleGirl]

25. My dreams have been totally wacky of late.

Not really bad ones here either; just very strange, and mostly entertaining.

[GenDem]

32. Dreams have been totally off the wall

Last night, or should I say early this morning, when I finally did get to sleep, I was visited by a black mist. It was kinda scary. It must have had something to do with watching L O S T. :shrug:

Very strange -- this whole thing.

[graywarrior]

26. Schizandra herbs in a drop bottle.

Kicks ass. You'll feel like a pup.

[GenDem]

35. I've heard of that.

My husband uses milk thistle drops.

My SIL hooked me up with an ambien. I'm going to take it tonight and see if the fucking hot flashes will wake me up while on a sleeping pill. I want to use a more holistic approach, but tonight I just need to sleep. I don't like getting them all day long, but at least I can roll with them during the day, but when I can't get more than 3 hours of sleep a night and I'm working and trying to carry on a somewhat normal life -- it tends to make me crazy.

I need to sleep.

[Nicole]

27. My freezer has been a life saver.

I keep a couple of nighties & t-shirts in a plastic bag in the freezer. Seriously.

When the hot flashes hit, the cold clothes feel like heaven! They don't actually freeze since they're not wet.

My kids call that bag in the freezer "mom's magic mood enhancers" :rofl:

[GenDem]

39. I put a couple of wet wash cloths in the freezer

before going out to eat. I have one melting around my neck right now.

The freezer is my new best friend.

Love the nightie in the freezer! Very smart!

[S n o w b a l l]

28. I've heard Black Cohash is good...

I have no experience with it though. I'm 50 but am fortunate that I haven't started going through it yet.

[MorningGlow]

31. Oh baby in this heat?! You poor thing!

But I'm with you on the no-HRT thing. Try natural estrogen from wild yams--I have a thyroid problem, and I use Progesta-Care topical cream. It's a godsend--really has leveled out my hormone swings.

You can get it at Lori's Natural Foods and maybe in Weggie's organic department--I'm not certain about Weggie's though. If you can't find it, PM me--I can get it for you wholesale.
:hi:

[GenDem]

33. Thanks, MG

I shop at Lori's from time to time -- love that store. Sometimes on Saturdays they have workshops right in the store.

We went out to eat in Batavia with MIL, SIL, and BIL. I had 3 hot flashes in Applebee's and two during the drive home. :banghead:
There's a great little natural health food store in Batavia called The Olive Branch, but he was closed. This old hippie dude owns it and he's hooked up my husband with herbal remedies for his hep C. Husband now orders from Puritan's Pride -- prices are much cheaper, and he orders a lot of stuff in bulk. I'll look for it in the catalog. :hi:

It was hot today, wasn't it?

[MorningGlow]

63. Still nasty hot--ugh!

Almost fainted today--what fun! I was just painting the trim around the front door, so if I had gone down somebody would've seen me pretty soon--LOL! No worries, though--we are guaranteed rain: DH and Jr. are washing both cars this afternoon, and what with me painting outside, it's a done deal!
:rofl:

Sorry you're going through the hot flashes and all. I've got a few years to go yet, but it's approaching. Glad you've got someplace in Batavia. It's funny--I always go north and east, but never west to go shopping. I must get to Batavia more often.

[Digit]

34. I've been in it for 10 years now....shoot me

The emotional roller coaster is the worst. Crying at the drop of a hat, and telling people what you "really think" has been a real trial.
I came to call it "menopausitude". In some ways it was freeing being able to state how you feel, but crying at the least criticism was embarrassing.
It has gotten better somewhat lately. I don't cry at the drop of a hat, and I have managed to keep my mouth shut or at least complain in a more reasonable fashion.

Oh, and I have a small fan for the place I sit most often in my home. If I aim it at my bare feet, it relieves the hot flashes. I also have one of those flexible ice packs I keep in the freezer and I will place it on the top of my head if I am home.

[GenDem]

37. I can totally relate

I'm really emotional, and my friends and colleagues are noticing that I'm kind of huggy and clingy when that isn't normally my personality. They seem to think I'm acting cute and lovable, but I'm really feeling like I'm losing my marbles. :crazy:


I'm making a list with all of these great suggestions in this thread. Some I have already implemented like the wash cloths in the freezer. I have one around my neck as we speak.

Going to get myself a little menopause kit with a little portable fan.

:pals:

[Roon]

36. No advice here

but :hug:

[GenDem]

41. ...

:hug:

[Redstone]

38. Mrs R commiserates with you; she's done that. The Black Cohosh (Estroven) did help her,

although it seems that nothing will make that process exactly easy.

Hang in there.

Redstone

[GenDem]

40. The therapist I had years ago

warned me that this would be a tough time for me. He always said that my anxiety and depression had a lot to do with hormones (post birthing baby time period) and that menopause could trigger another bout.

I'm going to keep living my life and doing what I do, and be proactive. I might feel totally fucked up, but I'm not giving in this time.

Thoughts going out to Mrs R, and you for your thoughtfulness.
:hug:

[Redstone]

43. No, our thoughts are for YOU right now. It's a damn tough time for a woman

(and can be a damn tough time for a man to live with, but hey, for better or for worse, and all that)...talk to your therapist. Talk to your other doctors. Get as much help as you can, because it's NOT easy, and it's NOT a trivial stage of life.

And failing all else, bitch and complain here in the Lounge. That's what it's here for, and you'll find no end of sympathetic DUers who will be only too happy to offer whatever help they can.

Although you knew that already.

You can even PM me, and I'll get Mrs R to answer you, if that might nelp.

Redstone

[Whoa_Nelly]

42. You may be interested in reading this book

http://tinyurl.com/yvlh6m

[GenDem]

62. Thanks, Whoa_Nelly

Sounds like a great resource.
:hi:

[mzteris]

44. and on top of all that

it's the friggin' weight gain that's really pissing me off!

I can't wear the same TYPES of clothes I've worn my whole life. I can't find stuff to wear - it if "fits" it looks 'matronly' or some sh*t - all the cute stuff makes me look about 6 monts pregnant or something.

The ONLY good thing is I'm not small-chested anymore! :rofl:

Hot flashes, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, night sweats, indecision, tiredness, weird dreams, lack of interest in - er - things. Oh let's add, lessening elasticity in our skin. Grey hair - crappy hair textrure, wrinkles, puffy places, and just the damn fact that "older men" look f'ing DISTINGUISHED, "older women" just look old. :cry:

Sorry, I tried to actually go shopping today for real clothes. :banghead: I am NOT in a good mood.

[mentalsolstice]

45. Wake me up when it's over! n/t

[hyphenate]

46. One of those soy prooducts

is supposed to be good, though I'm not really allowed to have too many more drugs than I'm already on, and I know what you're going through--or I'm close to knowing. My periods are about every three months, so I expect by next year or later this year for them to be even father apart, and I'll feel positively blessed with a sense of relief.

I really don't want to add that on top of everything else, but I won't be surprised if it happens regardless if I like it or not.

I think the best cure would be a vacation away from people for the duration, whether that's a month or six months, with an option for another six months to a year. A trip to Europe also wouldn't hurt either. :)

[Radio_Lady]

57. Well, I don't want to spoil your European dream, because we just got back.

After a delightful spring day in the 70s degrees F we were returning from the beach in Brighton, England via railroad. We got caught in the crossover to the Underground at Victoria Station. There were hundreds of tense and angry people in a huge swarm. A minor fire around London Bridge closed many stations. Victoria Station was quickly closed at rush hour because of "too many people in the station." Expandable gates closed all entries and the regular police and mounted patrols tried to control the croud. It was horrific.

I began to feel really claustrophobic, so my husband and I exited the station and walked 2 1/2 miles in about 80 degree F. heat to our hotel. About halfway, I had a heat experience which sent me into the Ladies facility at the Trafalgar Hilton hotel. I drank a bunch of bottled ice water at 4.95 pounds for 16 ounces. That's about $10.00 for the bottle! We vegged until I was through with the exhaustion -- using ice cubes, hotel napkins, removal of shoes and wetting down my hair and scalp.

It was lovely, really. Not sure if it was stress or menopause, but it was a very wearing day.

Oh, but we did get to see the changing of the Palace Guards at Buckingham promptly at 6 PM. That was a first!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

47. Using the Clonidine patch saved my life.

Literally. I was experiencing extreme hot flashes and anxiety that were so bad I was lucky to get two hours sleep a night after taking a shit load of Xanax. After a constant two weeks of that insanity I started to bug out from the total lack of sleep and high level of stress, I was really losing it -- as close as I have ever been to to coming unglued completely and needing hospitalization.

My gyn put me on the Clonidine patch -- it is actually a blood pressure medication, but it can stop hot flashes and acts as a adrenaline blocker. It took me around a week of being on it, but it brought everything under control to a point where I could live with the remaining, minor symptoms. I was having such extreme symptoms due to estrogen dominance -- I tried to take bioindentical progesterone creme and also tried Revival soy shakes to help, but they only made me more anxious and also depressed. I stayed on the patch for four years during peri, and just recently came off it now that my estrogen has dropped to the point I am skipping periods.

The patch has also saved my sister after having a hormone disaster after going through medical menopause.

I would certainly ask your doctor about it.

I wanted to add, this site http://www.power-surge.com is a wonderful storehouse of information and has great boards for just about every peri/meno symptom women get. It was there I found out I wasn't the only woman to feel like someone has shoved a red hot poker in my vagina. :scared: Damn I hated that symptom! :D

[Kat45]

48. I'm having a hot flash right now, as I have been for much of today,

a hot and humid day. I got to have an instant menopause courtesy of surgery. The hot flashes didn't bother me in the winter because I'm a person who's always cold, but in this hot weather I think they're occurring more frequently and are of longer duration. Does anyone know if they are more common in hot weather?

I won't go on hormones either. Even if I wanted to, my dr wouldn't prescribe them because I had endometrial cancer, which was fortunately caught when at a microscopic level. A friend who knows a lot about herbals told me about an herbal that can help with hot flashes, but I forget what it was. (I don't think it was black cohosh, though I've heard that one mentioned before too.) This memory shit sucks.

If anyone does attempt to start a menopause group on DU, I would be interested as well.

[GenDem]

61. I'm sure that hot weather plays some kind of role.

I was having some hot flashes in the winter, but the intensity can't compare to the ones I am having now. I'm not sure if this thing was just making a visit from time to time over the past year, and now it has decided to take up residency in me on a full time basis, or if the weather is playing a factor. All I know is it's way worse. :shrug:

I think a menopause group would be fabulous. I know I would be there. It would be especially nice to have in the middle of the night when I'm losing my mind from lack of sleep. Instead of wallowing alone in a combination panic attack/hot flash I would calm down by talking it out with people that may be experiencing the same thing.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

50. I'm 52 and haven't had a period in 6 months.

I'm not taking estrogen because my mother had breast cancer. She was taking Premarin back in the 70s when they put everybody on it, and she had to stop taking it.

I'm using testosterone cream made by a compounding pharmacy (they are a special kind of pharmacy that makes custom concoctions), and it helps the hot flashes at night.

I think the soy milk is a good idea. The vanilla and chocolate are good.

Also DHEA is a precursor hormone to several other hormones and a lot of people take that. Do some research.

Dong quai (Chaste tree) is a chinese herb that some consider useful.

[dEMOK]

54. Being a Male ...

...I wouldn't presume to identify with what you're going through.

But I certainly do wish you well.

(I'm glad that I don't have your present issues).

[dEMOK]

55. I've often tried to identify with females....

...but I seem to come up short.

What do you think might help me to totally understand? (serious question)

[hickman]

56. I've slept through most of my Meno.

I had to wake up for a year when my son's body tried to kill him. Before that it was work and bed. I was forced to retire because I was at the hospital too much. After my son's life saving operation its been 12 hours sleep a day. 13 if I am allowed. I sleep entire days away, but I have a fan in my room. A fan is your best friend. When you get hot flashes just turn it toward you. The noise also blocks out everything so you can sleep.

[Radio_Lady]

58. Hope your son is better now. Agree with you about the fan and the white noise it makes.

I used it tonight while our house was cooling down from 83 degrees F. after the return from our vacation. We had to rebalance the airconditioning, but it finally reached comfortable temps after 5 PM. Without airconditioning, I'm a total monster in summer. We keep it at 68 degrees F. winter and summer. Keeps momma happy... papa wears flannel pajamas, and sweatshirts inside all year long. He loves warmth, I love coolth... Portland Oregon was a compromise when we moved here in 1998. Boston, Massachusetts is too cold for him in winter, and I was raised in Miami, Florida and never acclimated to the heat.

[hickman]

59. Oh for the love of Mike. If you were raised in Florida,

why can't you take the heat? I have cousins that came from Florida to my Dad's funeral. It was about 40 degrees at the grave site and I had to give my Aunt(Dad's sister) my coat. I thought you guys could never take the cold. I mean no offense in this post, but I always thought people raised in the south hated the cold that us northern people love.

edit for crappy typing

[Radio_Lady]

60. My dear Hickman -- The common folk legend is that your blood thins in warm climates.

That is simply not true.

Heat regulation is pretty much set in your brain in the womb -- regulated by the hypothalmus and the pituitary gland! So, none of what you said is true. My husband never got "used" to the cold weather although he was born in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1936 and lived in the Northeast for most of his life. He loves Florida and Hawaii -- the hotter, the better.

I was born in Pittsburgh, PA and kidnapped by my parents (just joking) to Miami, Florida, when I was three years old. In the 28 years I lived there, I NEVER got "used" to the heat. I was constantly seeking showers, swimming pools, and the ocean. Air conditioning finally became available in the 1950s and I was one of the first to get one installed in my window (Carrier, thank goodness) and in my 1957 Chevrolet.

My parents, who never complained about the Florida heat, used to send me to camp in the mountains of western North Carolina when I was a kid -- I simply was a fried vegetable in the summertime. I was a hot, sweaty kid and am now a hot, sweaty postmenopausal woman. There was no acclimatization AT ALL. I finally got out of Florida in the 1970s and I only go back to Florida's west coast in December, January or February when the temps are usually tolerable.

Anything over 65 degrees is fairly uncomfortable for me; my husband is chilled at that temperature and can really work in almost any heat. We are truly incompatible when it comes to temperatures, and I know it is a big strain on our marriage at times. I knew he loved me when he went out and bought a room airconditioner for me during one 101 degree day in the summer in Boston (1972). We married in the winter of 1973.

Learn something new every day.

In peace,

Radio Lady