Progesterone update and Vitex

Well this has been about the fourth time I've tried supplemental progesterone, and once again it was a failure! This ALWAYS ALWAYS happens - I'm low on progesterone so they give me some cream or drops. Then I start puffing up and bloating and I get MORE headaches! Umm. . .this was the opposite of what was supposed to happen. Getting my hormones back to normal is supposed to make me feel BETTER! But nope, once again. NO.

I was on it about 4 mos. this time and it just got worse and worse. Hubby told me to stick with it a few months so I did; however I was getting really sick of the increased headaches so I'm on a hiatus right now to see what happens.

I'd really like to try estradiol instead, but I'm not sure if the doc. lady will be into that. As well as having too little progesterone, I have too much estrone and not enough estradiol. Oh well. I'm still taking Vitex/Chasteberry to help normalize everything.

Here is a website that explains this herb: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Vitex.htm

"Vitex was used as a traditional folk remedy for a range of female conditions, such as post-partum hemorrhage and to help with the 'passing of afterbirth.' One of its alternate names, 'chaste tree,' comes from the historical belief that it can suppress libido.

Vitex does not actually contain hormones. It appears to increase progesterone by stimulating the release of a hormone called luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland. Vitex is also thought to normalize excessive prolactin levels and promote fertility.

•Female infertility

•PMS, especially breast tenderness, cramping, and headaches

•Acne, especially if it is related to the menstrual cycle

•Fibrocystic breast disease

•Heavy menstruation

•Menopausal symptoms"

Another cool site on Vitex that explains how it can help infertility and normalize hormone levels.

Awesome invisible illness video

This literally brought tears to my eyes everytime I watched it. It is how so many of us with invisible illnesses feel. We get called all these things we are not, no one understands, etc. So I am helping spread awareness. . .

Coping skills needed. . .

I really need some coping skills for this new diet. Peer pressure is soooo strong to EAT CRAP!!!! People know they should eat healthier but they don't.

Then I get invited to parties, gatherings, meetings, etc. and they literally shove the crap in my face. Sometimes they get really pushy and angry about it. First I use avoidance techniques to get out of the situation. Then if that doesn't work I tell them politely that it looks delicious but I am on a special diet. If THAT still doesn't work, I tell them exactly what it is I can't eat. Then they stare at me like I'm an alien and I try not to cry. Seriously I need some better coping techniques - anyone got any???

The "bonding" of food is really strong. People bond over food and when you can't eat the food it really makes you feel like a third wheel. I'm better if I know ahead of time so I can bring my own food. It's the surprise parties that have me at a loss for the moment. . .

Health care reform

I was so excited yesterday, almost as excited as when President Obama was elected! One of the reasons I voted for him was because we really need health care reform. I really wish people on T.V. would quit being so polarized and THINK. Quit calling each other names and think about the real problems our country is facing.

I found this info. on NPR. Changes that would occur this year include:

- Dependent children could remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26.

- Senior citizens would get more help paying for drugs in Medicare.

- People with health problems that left them uninsurable could qualify for coverage through a federal program.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124999058

What is wrong with these changes?! NOTHING! Those changes need to be made. Personally it scares me a lot that if I would ever have to re-apply for health coverage, I would be denied due to fibro./EDS/Chiari. My mom is not covered right now because of her fibro. and it is scary.

A lot of us in the U.S. do not THINK INDEPENDENTLY. We just go along with what "the powers that be" tell us because we think they're smarter than we are. Or worse yet, we've been taught that using our brains is bad so we don't even bother! That scares me even more than bad healthcare. We are all more powerful than we realize. Think about it - that's why our country was founded in the first place!

My health issues have caused me to think about things a lot differently. You see the "normal" way was not cutting it for me. I've been encountering negative and doubting people lately and it makes me sad. I used to be very negative and cynical as well; thinking the worst of everyone and every situation. But that path leads to more illness and more suffering. I learned the hard way! I guess the point I'm trying to make is - try to be as positive as you're able. Every little step in a positive direction is progress.

Do antibiotics make you fat?

Wow!
Do antibiotics make you fat?

I am sort of seeing the connection with my new diet issues. Seems like when I eat too many grains and too much sugar, my whole belly bloats up and YES I GAIN WEIGHT! The bloating and weight gain is way more than the CALORIES of my food could explain. I still take my probiotics everyday. Seems that the intestinal balance is there for more than one reason. The more I'm respectful of it the better I will feel/look!

More comments

I am trying to have less stress in my life. Keeping in mind the motto "What other people think of me is none of my business." Still . . . sometimes the comments sting. Two recent ones :(

"You obsess about your pain too much."

and

"You are letting your pain control you - you need to control the pain."

Those REALLY HURT. Not the physical aches and pains I'm used to, but the emotional pain. Let's address #1. I try to live my life as normally as possible but it is IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE THE PAIN. If I try to ignore it, it will just grow and grow until I have to stop everything I'm doing. I'd be home sick most of the time if I did that! But apparently the person who said this is tired of HEARING about the pain and so they think I should think about something else. If only it were that easy :( I try to manage the pain as much as possible, doing what I can to prevent it. It's always there but if I'm proactive it is just a faint twinge I can ignore. I don't believe I OBSESS about it; I just need to pay attention to a lot of health related things so I can function somewhat normally.

#2 is similar. If I don't stay on top of it - don't take care of myself, don't eat right, drink enough water, take my meds on time, etc. etc. etc. it WILL control me. So I think my attention to health is actually doing the opposite of this statement - by paying attention to what my body needs I can prevent the pain from even starting in the first place.

So the person who said this has obviously never had a chronic pain condition. Their pain probably does go away on its own after awhile. Mine does NOT and gets WORSE if I try to ignore it!

Natural thyroid update. . .

I've been taking my compounded slow-release thyroid everyday faithfully. I'm still losing some hair, but I'm not sure why. Anyway here is the latest update on natural thyroid:

Natural Desiccated Thyroid Drugs: An Update

It sounds like Armour may come back soon? I hope so. More for other patients' sake than my own - I'm surviving on the compounded med., but some people are on fixed incomes and Armour is WAY cheaper! I still don't really understand what the problem has been but at least they're working on it. Or so they say.

Brittany Murphy and Dysautonomia

Actress Brittany Murphy's brother discusses Dysautonomia



I keep saying we need a famous person to have some of these syndromes - EDS, Chiari, fibro, POTS, etc. - to get the word out!

Interesting what he says about faith, food, and exercise.

Wake up!!!

I, like most EDSers and fibromites, have issues with waking up in the morning. Usually I don't WANT to, and when I attempt to get up I hobble around like an old person with my back all stiff. Then, I wobble around in slow motion trying to get myself and my child ready for the day. I barely make it out the door in the nick of time. In fact, sometimes I run late and have to listen to my hubby hound me about not being on time. It gradually got worse and worse until my boss told me I needed to be more timely - and with our new computer login system I have been 100% on time for the past 6 mos.!

But still, it is a real struggle to get myself up and moving. I have noticed however in the past couple of months or so, I suddenly have more energy! I still don't want to get up and I still hobble around but I wake up with energy and purpose! Every morning I've been doing small projects - putting dishes away, putting clothes away, cleaning the cat box. I do all this before I even leave for work which is AMAZING! (sing-song voice)

Why? I am not really sure. I suspect it may be that my body is finally healing somewhat from the digestive issues! Perhaps it has more energy to start with since more nutrients are absorbed? Whatever it is I WILL TAKE IT!

Foods for Fibromyalgia

I found this awesome site describing foods for fibromyalgia:

http://www.foodsforfibromyalgia.com/

And - they're having a FREE teleseminar on March 9! I'll be there!

America's Deadliest Sweetener

I found this article on Dr. Mercola's website:

America's Deadliest Sweetener Betrays Millions, Then Hoodwinks You With Name Change

Unfortunately I have come to find out aspartame's effects on me. If I ingest any, I have a reaction very similar to my MSG reactions - the back of my neck becomes extremely tense and knotted up, and nothing can calm it down. Then I get a wrenching migraine!

When in college one of my friends told us her sister suffered seizures from aspartame! Seriously! We sort of didn't believe her, but now I really do believe it since I've become sensitive to it as well :(