Well I might be joining the peri club!

[Brandi]

That is not right, Brandi. I know you are not there to help in this situation, but if a doctor doesn't clearly explain what each medications for, then the patient, or someone needs to advocate for her. It is not safe for someone not to know what medications are for; your s-i-l or another responsible adult needs to go to a doctor's appt. with your m-i-l and write down the information. If this isn't possible, they can go to Elder Services in their town, county, or state and have a case worker help with this.

I know and we have tried to be active in this but my husband had a strange falling out with his sister when his mom first started having issues last year. He offered to take over for his sister (who has power of attorney) and she flipped out on him. And then hung up when he said she was being irrational (big mistake). She claims all is under control when I talk to her.
I don't know. We have gone and stayed with her and she has such an awful time remembering things. I think the drugs don't help. She refuses to go live in a home. Has always said she does not want that. Her sister lived in one for years and her mind went so I think she is really scared of that.
It is tough when you have brother's or sister's have different idea's of how to do things.
And I am just the wife you know I can only say so much.

[PamNY]

That sounds tough, Brandi. Good luck.

Could your husband talk to the pharmacist, at least? Sometimes they are very helpful.

[Brandi]

We are pretty far from her. About a 5 hour drive. And his sister is so not wanting us to butt in. I hate that this has happend. I thought we were a better family then this. Sigh.

[WindingRoad]

I am curious what is the earliest some of you have hit perimenopause? I researched it a bit on my own and found most institutions would say it can start as early as 35 but I wonder if that is applicable in the real world?

[OakLeaf]

I was in my late 30s when I started having irregular periods. So I don't think 35 is out of the question at all.

[Crankin]

Yup, I was about 38 when I started having vague symptoms. By 42 I was going 2-4 months without a period, and they got really heavy. I had all the terrible pms symptoms you could imagine and they got worse. I went for eleven months without having a period, two times, at age 45 and 47, and finally, when I was 48 they stopped for good. Ten years. I only had hot flashes for about 2 years after it totally stopped.