Hi Rainwater - I went thru menopause prior to my diagnosis, so blamed all the symptoms on hormones. There is a phase called perimenopause that can last for years; the medical definition of menopause is when you've gone a full year without a period - which means you don't know if you're menopausal or perimenopausal until it's done!

Anyway, I had every possible symptom times 10, and my mood swings were monumental! I went on a hormone treatment specifically designed for perimenopause, then once I'd gone six months without a period, my gyno put me on the regular hormones. I know there are concerns about hormone therapy, but I know for sure it saved my life, particularly since my BP wasn't being treated. I was on them for 5 years..still get the occasional hot flash, but that's livable. Hope that helps! Oh yeah, I was also about 5 years early for what is considered the menopausal phase, so it's good to be prepared.