My first meeting with the hormone lady :"Cookie".

It's been awhile, but I wanted to update you on the whole menopause situation. I took my mom with me to meet with Cookie and we both got a lot out of it. She asked me all kinds of questions and then basically told me that my body was in survival mode. BIG SURPRISE!!! Anyway, she recommended several vitamins and minerals to help my body get back into sync. I have started a couple, but not all yet. I've never been much of a pill taker- so all these different pills are a bit intimidating. She also suggestive some lifestyle changes: eat better, quit smoking, cut out sodas, exercise, etc. I have made some changes- also I might just be switching bad habits. Sodas have been dramatically cut off, but coffee has become my best friend. The cigarettes will be the last thing dropped!!! I know, I know, I need to quit- but I really do enjoy it. I'll get there...
Today is my first day without a hot flash- HOORAY!!!!! So the HRT has definitely done it's job. But I do have a herbal alternative that I need to go ahead and start.
The emotional effects are sneaking through- although I am trying desperately to suppress them until after the holidays. I don't think I am depressed- but I have had a few "low" moments.
All in all- I'm hanging in there. I'll check back in soon to report on the "alternative" to hrt.