I'd never heard of it so I had to look it up. I've never had any kind of yeast infection and don't suppose I have any way of getting one, so I wouldn't think so.

You're so helpful, thank you. This sounds dumb, but how does a person go about finding someone appropriate if they don't really know what they need? I've zero idea where to start, or what I'd say. Um....I'm depressed like most people?

EMDR? I'm not anti medication--starting Lexapro literally saved me from the edge. But a year later I'm still drowning, so I'm willing to do uncomfortable things to get to the other side. This is untenable.

You just described me very well, right down to the fear of never ending tears. I've been doing so.much work on myself for the past few years and I know I've made breakthroughs, but it's not enough. I'm so glad to hear you made it to other side.

No birth control, not since I was 16 lol. I'm not any hormones but definitely in peri/menopause (I've had a hysterectomy, so who knows). Reluctant right now to take HRT, but I can't go on like this so idk.

I'm in a deep, prolonged depression, I can barely function. I'm already on an antidepressant (and it helps a lot). I'm not interested in self medicating with random supplements. What, realistically, does talking to someone do when the facts can't change? Please be gentle.

That's beautiful 💕

Jealous

DS made him all by himself when he was six. He didn’t/doesn’t work with his hands *at all* so it was truly amazing. It has a face on both sides ❤️ Monster is tucked in to the couch blankets ready for my nap. I’m so excited lol.

I did as a child and young adult but gave it up because I was too embarrassed when DH and I moved in together. Instead I smoosh up my blanket into a pile and cuddle that. It's an admittedly lame substitute. But you know what? I WANT to sleep with a stuffie! And beginning tonight--or perhaps with my mid morning nap--I'm going to reclaim my right to sleep with a one! My favorite is an orange fleece monster DS sewed out one of DH's old sweatshirts. It is the cutest, most adorable snuggly thing and I can't wait to start spending my nights with it! Lol Thank you for thread @Eos. I often forget I don't need permission to do what I want.

Interesting, I've never seen this irl. I did not have a German accent nor a southern drawl, despite my parents influences 🤷‍♀️ I have a homegrown, inescapable Californian accent (oh my gawwwd!) despite having not lived there for 30+ years. I'm quite sad DS has not picked up an Irish accent, though he has one all of his own. His word choices and syntax have always leaned Brit-heavy; I blame a Top Gear heavy childhood lol.

I cannot overstate how common this sounds in "women of a certain age". If you really want to learn more, go out on r/menopause and you'll not only realize how many of us similarly struggle and can commiserate but it's also a valuable resource to learn about treatments to bring up with your doctor. BTW there's nothing magical about being in menopause vs peri (leading up to it); the brain and body still suffer from lack of estrogen. It's also extremely common for women to lose their filter--ie, ability to mask--with that loss of hormones, exposing ADHD, anxiety, depression and a whole host of challenges we either didn't recognize or pushed down throughout our earlier lives. It's a wild ride to sort through later in life, but the truth is there is help if you're willing to accept it.

Have you talked with (knowledable) doctor about ADHD and peri/menopsuse? I hear these concerns a lot in women our age, and have certainly noticed a startling difference in how I operate. I’d start with a conversation with your doctor before trying anything. Maybe write down your experiences and bring the notes you have. Those should help a lot.

My paternal family is from the Deep South; there are old roots all over Alabama. For any in farming it's unlikely they would have had the means but I don't know for sure. I do know that many of the men were highly educated and involved in engineering in railroad design as far back as it went. DS has engineering tools that date from that era. I do have a written history of a Civil War era family member in Tennessee who recorded (decades later, all her own words told to a grandson who recorded it) how brutish and evil the Confederate soldiers were, how they raped and pillaged their own (that is, other Southerners), indiscriminately destroying crops and burning farmhouses as they moved through. She was forced to house some and spoke of her terror. They were, by their own standards, her own countrymen. She was most certainly against slavery and the war.

Ecco is what I came here to recommend as well. They have so many cute styles and they are brilliant for feet that get tired and need support