Customer Reviews

Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I almost returned this book when, as I was thumbing through it, I saw something about evening primrose oil. I thought it might be too off the wall, then I started reading. I have tried only two of Ms. Gittleman's "Peri-Zappers" and I can't remember when I last felt this good. It's like a miracle! What I can't understand is why no educated physician would tell me my symptoms may be due to a lack of progesterone or a magnesium deficiency. Do yourself a favor ladies and BUY THIS BOOK. It is well organized and easy to read. Each possible perimenopause problem is thoroughly explained in plain language. Once you understand what symptoms correlate to which perimenopause problem, you can make a determination about your own issues. Then, Ms. Gittleman presents a solution of either diet, supplements or both. She even recommends specific products and tells you where to buy them. This book has literally changed my life. I have struggled with horrible "PMS" symptoms for years, and one week with this book and I feel like a new woman. I HIGHLY recommend it and wish you all the renewed vigor I'm feeling.

As a woman of only 42, who certainly wasn't ready to risk hormone replacement so soon, I had no idea there was such valuable information available. Before you hit the hormones, definitely read this book ! I must confess that I was anxious for the quick cure, so I concentrated on the zappers rather than the diet suggestions initially. PeriZapper #2 eliminated the hot flashes within 48 hours! I am now systematically trying to add an herbal PeriZapper every 2-3 weeks, if the book indicates that it might address my symptoms. I have now read thoroughly the dietary information about the need for certain essential fats and the need to balance carbs vs. proteins. I have incorporated these suggestions into my diet. If you're feeling poorly as a result of perimenopause, BUY THIS BOOK ! You will NOT have to follow every single suggestion to achieve relief.

This book really helped me understand more about what was going on in my life. As a 37-year-old woman starting to go through some rather dismaying changes, I was completely confused over various articles and other books I had read -- many seeming to contradict each other. Gittleman takes the latest information and explains it in layman terms. In one section, she provides a chart of symptoms and their underlying problems. I quickly (and excitedly) identified myself, and put into practice several of her nutritional recommendations. This lady knows her stuff! I feel so much better than I did 5 or 6 months ago. Even if you don't follow her diet plan, which I don't because I'm one of those who tends to eat on the run, the information on the appropriate nutritional supplements for your symptoms are worth their weight in gold. Before reading this book, I just had no clue about the right nutrition to help with my problems. I simply added a few recommended supplements, and they worked! Gee, if I followed her diet plan, too, I'd probably be Wonder Woman!

Brief synopsis - After feeling lousy (headaches, mood swings, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc., etc., etc.)since the age of 37 (now 43), I had tried everything conceivable to help myself to feel better with minimal and non-lasting results. In early January I happenened to come across this book on the net. I immediately purchased this book and then devoured it in all of 2 days, practially highlighting 2/3's of it. I can't tell you how many times, while reading it, I would say to myself, "why don't doctor's and Gyn's tell you this stuff? " I've been following the plan religously for almost 4 weeks, and ladies, I can hardly believe it myself, but I haven't felt this good in 6 years! To say I am feeling 100% better would not be an exaggeration. All of my sypmtoms of perimenopuase have improved dramatically. Doctors and Gyn's PLEASE READ THIS BOOK so you can be of better help to your patients AND advertise this book in your offices - it will enable all woman to better help themselves during this time of their lives and you just may find yourselves writing less prescriptions for anti-anxiety and anti-depressive drugs (yeah, I know, the pharmaceutical companies don't like to hear that). Ladies, do yourself the biggest favor and RUN, don't walk, and get your hands on this book -and THANK YOU Ann Louise Gittleman for all of your expertise, dedication, compassion and common sense for writing a book like this that was so long overdue.

This book was a lifesaver! Shortly after turning 47, I experienced severe bloating, severe cramps, extremely heavy flow and frequent periods. I was so bloated I could not wear my ring, could not zip up my pants and the fold in my eyelid drooped down. My uterus felt so heavy, I felt as though it hung between my knees. My period was so heavy, I could not go to work, stayed in bed on a towel and went to the bathroom every 1/2 hour to change pads and tampons. I researched the internet and found black cohosh and progesterone cream which helped a little. It was not until I went to Women and Children First, a bookstore in Chicago, and requested books on perimenopause that I found Ann Gittleman's book, "Before the Change". I immediately read it and began her recommended vitamin and herbal supplements. I began to feel like myself within 2 weeks. The bloating is gone and my periods are almost back to normal after 4 months of supplements. I recommended her book to all my forty something friends.

When I hit 40, my hormones went haywire. Instead of hot flashes, I started getting cold flashes. Instead of a reduction in periods, I started getting mine... every TWO weeks. Really bad cramping and bloating too, like I hadn't had since I was a teen. Since I have lived 40 years in great health by shunning the Western medical society and their dope pushers (the pharmaceutical companies), hormone therapy wasn't even a consideration for me. But suffering for five days every two weeks was no way to live either.

Then God smiled at me and handed this book to me at a yard sale. I read the whole book in one sitting - it's a really easy read - and gained many good pointers and tips. But there was one tip in the book alone that got my hormones (and periods) back to normal...

One of Dr. Gittleman's recommendations is to increase magnesium intake to help regulate haywire hormones. One "snack food" that is just loaded with magnesium is almonds. I hadn't eaten almonds in years due to their fat content, but I decided to give almonds a try anyway.

And guess what? They worked! And quickly too. Within one month of adding a daily serving of almonds to my diet, my periods regulated again both in frequency and in intensity. The cold flashes subsided too.

So for less than $5 (the price I paid for the book and the almonds), I was able to correct a major hormonal imbalance!

No prying doctor with a cold bedside manner groping and prodding me and asking me embarrassing questions! No invasive physical therapy! No over-priced artificial hormones loaded with many negative side effects!

So I strongly recommend this book to all women approaching menopause. As well as the almonds, there are plenty of sensible, cost-effective tips in this book that let women take control of their own bodies and hormones (and budgets)!!

**As for the reviewer below who said only a hamster could follow the diet in this book -- I actually gained a little weight when I switched to this diet because I added (healthy) fatty foods to my diet such as the almonds that I hadn't been eating prior to reading the book.**

When I first started reading this book, the pop style made me somewhat skeptical about whether or not the information presented was solid. I have never seen so many exclamation points in one book!!! However, because I was experiencing some of the symptoms the author describes (mostly irritability and insomnia) and the advice seemed so natural, easy and harmless, I thought I'd give it a chance. I started working my way through the "Zappers" one-by-one, adding one every week or so. I started feeling better almost immediately and now a couple months later, I feel much more like my old self-- cheerful, energetic and rested. In spite of my originial misgivings about the writing style, I have to admit, the information is well organized and easy to follow. Following the tips worked wonders for me, and I think I'll buy a copy of this book for each of my sisters.

This book is EXTREMELY helpful if you are going through perimenopause. It is not a fast read but it is PACKED with information. I have started using the suggested vitamins and feel much much better. I am sending this to my girlfriends who are going through the same thing or about to. Important information!

Don't wait until your are miserable, read this now so you can stave off those hormone imbalances before they get really bad. I've been doing most of the Peri-Zappers for years before I knew of this book, so I know they do work. Never think you're too young to worry about hormones. Once you begin menstruation your hormones will fluctuate. I gave flax oil to a 19 year old friend who was in the middle of her period and having a *bad* day...and I literally watched her return to a normal, relaxed state. So there are natural remedies out there that actually work without loading you up on chemicals-like Midol does. Anne Louise has done a great job of basically making a menopause bible that is easy to read, easy to understand and easy to follow. When your done hand it to your husband, brother, or any male relative you are close to so they can understand what we go through. Buy this book now and start feeling better! :)

I have been suffering from depression and insomnia - which I thought were part of the normal aging process UNTIL I read Ann Louise's book. After taking more magnesium, Vitamin E, and the progestacream she recommends, I am a new person. I have been able to cut down my medications- with my doctor's blessings, by the way- and am starting to lead a much more normal, sane life. I know now, thank's to BEFORE THE CHANGE, that I am a perimenopausal woman and what I have been experiencing are symptoms of this lifestyle change. I wish there were ten stars.