Let me say first, I feel like I have been doing really well lately at getting my work outs back in -
working out 5 or 6 days a week, watching what I'm eating & making better choices. Even making dinners healthier for both the hubs & I...
I am so addicted to watermelon on salads right now |
& then I had an appointment with my doctor this past week.
Well, actually, this was a follow up. I had to go back after a few weeks to get some blood drawn to check how some basic levels were doing. Vitamin D (AWFUL... shouldnt be below 50 & mine is 13)... Vitamin B12 (not supposed to be below 300 or 400?... mine was like 250)... but my thyroid & blood sugar levels were all good. So there's that.
But I've been having some weird things happening to my body lately.
Brain fog
Dizziness
Weird burning/tingling on my skin
Neuropathy coming back
& while a lot of that can be attributed to the low vitamin levels, the doctor told me that one big part was probably due to my progesterone & estrodiol levels were basically at zero. ZERO.
& another factor that she said with levels being at zero, could also cause my other issue....
I had gained 11 lbs in the past 6 weeks.... 11 POUNDS..... in 6 WEEKS!!!!!!
When the doctor told me my weight, I may have said a bad word.
& then thought another 20 in my head.
I know how hard it is to get off 11 lbs - how in the world did I gain it back in 6 weeks when I'm working out & eating a good healthy diet?
I mean, one of those weeks, I spent at camp eating virtually nothing & walking 8-10 miles a day....
& I'm putting this out there totally sick about it. Embarrassed even. But I know this is something not of my own doing. It's not like I'm sitting at home, stuffing my face full of chocolate & not moving or working out....
I mean, one of those weeks, I spent at camp eating virtually nothing & walking 8-10 miles a day....
& I'm putting this out there totally sick about it. Embarrassed even. But I know this is something not of my own doing. It's not like I'm sitting at home, stuffing my face full of chocolate & not moving or working out....
As what would it seem like - this is NOT me |
I guess hormones are more of a witch than I thought they ever could be.
So my doctor gave me the low down on taking hormones... & honestly, I love my doctor, but I think she thought she was giving a lecture to an audience of future doctors because about 5 minutes in, I had no clue what she was talking about....
... but I did pick up parts where she recommended making a cream that would have to be specially made to balance the progesterone & estrogen to work for me & because its not a full estrogen based pill, it shouldnt cause the chances of all the scary cancers that estrogen can raise the odds of getting.
... I think...
I'm not doctor.. & again, I was too busy cursing in my head about 11 lbs to hear what she was saying.
But... my prescription has been sent to the compound pharmacy & now I have to figure out if I want to take it.
Do I want to get energy back? Yes
Do I want my skin to stop itching? Yes
Do I want to make this insane, ridiculous, weight gain stop? DO YOU HAVE TO ASK?
But I dont know about this stuff.
The fact I'm using a Maxine meme is proof that I'm dealing in another age bracket here |
... & I hate that its not something a lot of people talk about.
I mean, I know there are commercials about periods & videos about all the latest period products... but I dont hear anyone talking about menopause... except for maybe a commercial with someone who looks like she's 80 & having a heat stroke (Oh God help me - I dont have the hot flashes yet)
Someone... give me the low down...
I need one of those "What to expect when you are expecting" books but one that is like "What to expect when you are NOT expecting ever again"
I look online for info, but you know you can find both sides to everything on the internet.
I dont know what's safe & what's not when it comes to hormones.
& I have a friend that does the bio-identical hormone replacement & she loves it & it has helped her so much. Is that the same thing? Different from a prescription cream from the doctor?
I have no clue what I'm dealing with.
I actually just bought some natural pills that are for adrenals & I've been reading where adrenals work with progesterone...I think...I'm trying to look at more of this information about that. Wonder if it will help in a more natural way? I HAVE NO CLUE...
I just hate feeling so out of control of my body right now.
It's like Bizarro World.
Anyone else ever watch Seinfeld & when they each met someone who was the opposite of them?
Did I just date myself talking about Seinfield? ... maybe its why I'm perimenopausal & heading into menopause - I really may be that old.
still the funniest tv show ever |
But its like I eat healthy & work out & its bizarro world so I'm going to have less energy & gain weight. Only explanation.
... its tough being a girl...
I'm going to keep at it. I'm even starting a new half marathon training program today.
I know... I know... another running program? I dont even know if I'm going to run the one I'm training for. It's over $90.00 to register. That's CRAZYYYYYYY.
Unless there's a groupon, I wont be doing it - but I figure the training aint gonna hurt, right?
Let's just hope that my next Training Tuesday post, I'm not up another 11 lbs.
If so... I'm moving to Alaska so I can just cover up in layers & keep my own blubber as protection.
Oh wow ... getting old stinks and I'm right there with you. I don't remember things being this bad when the hormones started 30 years ago but it definitely seems like this part of the roller coaster is much worse than the teen-years. HRT scares me so anything I can find that is natural (essential oils, supplements, etc.) is going in the shopping cart. Recommendations? I don't really have any. Make sure you take not just a multi-vitamin but also ones that are specifically/only vit. D and B-complex. And I don't think you're dating yourself with the Seinfeld reference ... Maxine? yes. Seinfeld? definitely not! ;)
ReplyDelete<3 Not knowing how to help our bodies can be so hard, but the Lord does know what is going on with your body, and I"m thankful for your attitude of perseverance. Praying for wisdom for you and His peace to overwhelm your heart Becca.
ReplyDeletegirl, i feel you. it's why i go for acupuncture ever month to balance my hormones and take herbs to help out. aging sucks, y'all.
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in seeing what my own vitiman levels are but not if I have to get blood drawn....lol. I don't drink milk and rarely eat dairy products so I bet my vitamin D is also low ( unless you count getting it from the sun):
ReplyDeleteReading this reminded me of Samantha from the Sex and the city 2 movie where she has all her pills and creams for her hormones..lol. Have you ever seen that?
What half marathon are you debating on?
I have no information or advice to offer because I'm not there yet but closing in and it does scare me. Like you said, we don't really talk much about it and we need to because it is serious! Sometimes is really does suck to be a girl! And off topic, but I love watermelon and feta salad too. It's also really, really good with a little balsamic vinegar drizzled over it too.
ReplyDeleteWell, elastic waist pants and tunic tops have been my answer to the problem. I had a complete hysterectomy at age 46 so I didn't go through a lot of the menopause stuff. The doctor immediately put me on a hormone replacement and before a year was up, I had a precancerous lump removed (actually 3 of them) from my right breast. I quit taking the hormones. Black cohosh worked well to get me past the transition. You can check it out here: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-857-BLACK+COHOSH.aspx Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteWomen's bodies fluxuate so much, I honestly wouldn't worry too much about 11 pounds. I gained 8 pounds last week alone just because I had family come to town and we ate out every meal. I got back on track over the weekend and in 3 days already dropped 6 of the 8. So it's possible you'll be able to lose it really quick especially if you gained it quick!
ReplyDeleteYes!! Being a girl IS TOUGH!! I know I'm in peri-menopause and it's NO fun! I wish there was some great advise I could give you, but I'm fresh out! I hope things get better for you and I'm sure you've already heard this, but maybe you're gaining muscle and losing weight? Hang in there!!
ReplyDeleteOh man, news like that is no fun! I hope you figure out the right solution and get back to feeling like yourself soon! It's the worst to feel like your body is out of control.
ReplyDeleteBeing a girl is hard work. I seriously laughed out loud at your what to expect comment. Too funny! But you're right, not a lot of talk about it. I hope you can get things balanced out and back to feeling like yourself soon. Beautifully Candid
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you talked about this... I've basically been the same weight my entire adult life. Went through menopause about 6 years ago and just the last 6 months I've gained 10 pounds. My clothes suddenly don't fit, been married 35 years and for the first time I can barely get my rings off... it's really been strange. You talking about minerals and protein levels and stuff makes me think it's time to see the doctor again. (I had a physical scheduled 2 months ago but my back went out and I was immobile for a month.) It must be time to make a new appointment! Sorry I have no advise for you!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help. The only thing I can tell you is that Vitamin E helps with hot flashes. Since cancer I'm on a pill to take away the estrogen so I have a lot of hot flashes. However taking vitamin E helps. It doesn't take them away, but it does help me to have fewer of them. I'm just learning to live with them and just try to have a sense of humor about it. I figure I can live with the hot flashes a lot better than the cancer.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this! I know that has to be stressful knowing it's not your own doing. Nevertheless try not to worry too much and just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be back at your normal weight soon enough. Hormones and stress can most definitely impact weight gain and loss and I agree not enough people talk about it. Hope the Dr. can get everything balanced out for you!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I feel for you. Health mysteries and hormonal weirdness is just crazy. Sometimes I think our bodies are totally confused by everything and react accordingly. I understand body, I understand. I hope that you are able to try some things out that help, and find a way to deal with these symptoms as they come up. But yay for you being healthier!! That's awesome. I cannot add myself to that club... : / Waayyyy behind on blog reading since vacation! So ... catching up at least partially right now! XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
You're so right, that it's so tough being a female sometimes. I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this, but really appreciate you being so honest and sharing what you're going through. I don't have any advice or information on the medications, but if you can I would get a second opinion, or maybe even talk to your doctor again to see if she can explain things in a way that makes sense. The older I get the more I realize how important it is to be your own advocate for your health. Praying for you as you figure all of this out.
ReplyDeleteIs your doctor giving you anything for the vitamin D deficiency? I'll send you a link to a blog post from a friend about hers - very scary (she's doing great now).
ReplyDeleteI'd be open to trying what's recommended, especially if it'll make those awful symptoms go away. I don't know if you're one of those who *likes* to run but science shows that walking and weight training can be more beneficial (I'm sure I can find this link somewhere...). Runners tend to gain weight while training just bc it makes you hungry!
ReplyDeleteMaybe try the supplements before the hormone replacement?
With the growing age, the change in hormones is very obvious and while you start doing gym or workouts, then it becomes more necessary to make the balance of hormones in the body.For this, nothing is better than a good supplement best hgh supplement for bodybuilding are the best one to balance such things in body. Also, there are some workouts that stabilize the body condition and best to manage body well.
ReplyDelete