Snoopy,

I have never been a thirsty type, even after working out. Including coffee and tea, my intake most days is probably less than 1 liter. (I know, more would be better. I'm working on that.)

Since you mentioned the importance of chronological history I numbered and sorted my list according to time frame and pasted it below. Also added a note about my occupation.

1=Past 3 to 4 years
(I lost an 8-year job that I liked, due to a new boss who didn't like me, in '98 and my boyfriend of 4 years moved to Europe in '99. I also began to show signs of very early perimenopause in '99 or '00.)

2=Past 10 years
(My mother died rather suddenly of stroke at age 66 in 1992, traumatic for me as an only child; I had sort of a codependent relationship with her)

3=Always, or at least since young adulthood

1 Extreme sensitivity to noise of all kinds
1 Anhedonia (little joy or interest in things)
1 Palpitations, chest tightness when lying down
1 Mood usually either angry, melancholy or grieving
1 Poor concentration
1 Plantar fasciitis of right foot for past 6-9 months (Rhus tox. helps a little)
1 Prone to compulsive shopping and hoarding behavior
1 Feels that life is over; fearful of future
1 Nausea and/or transient nasal stuffiness when tense
1 Perimenopausal
1 Tendency to dry eyes
1 Always "playing catch-up"
1 Cannot tolerate clutter
1 Often drowsy/weary
1 Loves to walk (but hips, lower legs and feet, especially right foot, hurt after a while; knees are OK)
1 Can't find time/energy/motivation to exercise any more (due partly to longer commute beginning 3/01)
1 Strongly torn between city and country
1 Cannot sleep more than 5 hours
1 Typically goes to bed at 2 a.m. but sometimes naps between 9 and 12
1 Former drinker (quit March 2001)
2 Former smoker (quit 1992)
2 Cannot bear to contemplate suffering or conflict, human or animal; cries easily
2 Irritability and resentment override desire to be gracious and courteous to others
2 Intermittent soreness of tongue and mouth
3 Extremely uncomfortable in closed spaces with no air moving; craves fresh air
3 Obsessive
3 Alternately suspicious/pessimistic and gullible
3 Feels outcast; no social confidence
3 Cannot resist urge to complain at risk of annoying others
3 Moderately nearsighted in one eye; vision impairment/eye strain worse some days than others
3 Haunted by childhood vacation spot, still returns every year
3 Irritable bowel (alternating constipation and diarrhea, gassy)
3 Acid reflux esophagitis
3 Lower abdomen tender to pressure, painful to stretch (this for many years)
3 Uterine fibroids and endometriosis

Circumstances: Lives alone (except for 3 cats), never married, childless, professional, works in office as staff editor/writer at computer all day

Physical: 5'2", 135 lb, 49 years old, medium build, light skin w/some freckles and red undertone, brown eyes, brown hair with a lot of gray in front, soft nails, fairly youthful appearance

Favorite foods: cheeses (strong like Romano or sweet/rich like ricotta/mozzarella), whole wheat pasta, red meat, squid, beans, good dark chocolate, chicken broth, deep green vegetables, honey, potato chips, dairy treats (ice cream, pudding, yogurt) that are not too sweet

Thanks again Snoopy!

Avalon