Thread: A very personal female question (no boys allowed) ;-)

Have you gained weight lately? These things always happen to me when I gain 5 or 10 pounds...

What's your diet like?

Keep us posted and good luck at the Dr.

From one vegetarian to another, make sure you are getting all of your omegas (flax seed, meal or oil) and b vitamins. Here is a recipe that knocks both of them out:


Liquid Gold Dressing
Two tablespoons of this dressing provides 3.8 g. of omega-3 fatty acids (your day’s supply, and then some) along with 40% of your B12 for the day (80% if you use the higher amount of yeast powder). This creamy dressing is packed with riboflavin and other B vitamins-plus it’s very tasty.


½ Cup Flaxseed Oil
½ Cup Water
1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
2 Tbs. Balsamic or Raspberry Vinegar
2 ½ Tbs. Braggs Liquid Aminos or Tamari soy sauce
½ Cup Nutritional Yeast Powder or Flakes
2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
1 tsp. Ground Cumin, optional
Print Version




Blend until smooth. Dressing can be kept in a jar with a lid, refrigerated for 2 weeks. Makes 2 cups.

Per 2 tablespoons: calories 78, protein: 1 g., carbohydrate: 2 g., Fat 7 g., dietary fiber: .4g., sodium: 180 mg.

Recipe from: Becoming Vegan by: Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D. & Brenda Davis, R.D.

Thanks Samira. I love nutritional yeast. I haven't had any in awhile. Is that recipe for salads? I do get B-vitamins since I take a multi every day. I also started eating fish occasionally and I bought Smart Balance Omegas for my butter needs. ;-)

Originally Posted by RaqOn

Have you gained weight lately? These things always happen to me when I gain 5 or 10 pounds...

Yes, I've gained lots of weight. About 50 lbs in 2.5 years. It's hard to tell if the weight makes me feel this way or if I gain weight because I feel bad. It's like the chicken or the egg problem.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Thanks Samira. I love nutritional yeast. I haven't had any in awhile. Is that recipe for salads? I do get B-vitamins since I take a multi every day. I also started eating fish occasionally and I bought Smart Balance Omegas for my butter needs. ;-)

Its a salad dressing. From what I understand B vitamins are most easily absorbed from food sources so your multi might need a little boost there. downtoearth.org has tons of great recipes, check it out.

Originally Posted by samiramirage

From what I understand B vitamins are most easily absorbed from food sources so your multi might need a little boost there.

I can say with certainty that this is NOT true for folic acid (a B vitamin). Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. Folate breaks down easier over time and is not as bioavailable as folic acid. I will check on the other B vitamins and get back. (I work for a Folic Acid Campaign, that's how I can know with certainty ).

No Advice...Well no, I take that back! Get a doctor that will LISTEN to you!

I'm glad your 'friend' stopped by for a visit!
I hope you get to feeling better!!!
(((Hugs!)))
:-)

get a thyroid ultra sound. my mom had similar symptoms but no hormone problems and it turned out that she had "knots" in her thyroid, so she had it taken out (luckily they weren't cancerous)

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

OK,.....

I'm really worried and scared it could be more serious. I've been having lots of health issues lately and this is icing on the cake. Other symptoms are extreme fatigue, all over aches and pains, sinus trouble, occasional dizziness, bloating, swinging from hot flashes to being cold, chronic heart burn, depression, etc. ....

my period took a 4 month sabaticle (sp?) and it's still not behaving its' self. pretty sure it's stress in my case. (long story there ^_^)
im saying that not because u shouldn't seek a second opinion, that is very important, but there are a lot of benign things that could be causing these things and you shouldn't stress out even more while you're waiting to get that second opinion.
"if a problem can be solved there is no reason to worry. if it cannot be solved worrying will do no good" -Tibetan saying.
good luck! and in the mean time, try to relax, if it helps to drill like crazy and distract yourself that might work? i know distraction always lowers my heart rate when im anxious.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Yes, I am getting another doc! I really liked mine but she's not the kind of doctor I need right now. I need someone who is a critical thinker and who leaves no stone unturned. I e-mailed all of my local girlfriends and asked for a referral. One practice got glowing reviews from three different friends so that is who I scheduled my Nov 12 appointment with.

Hmmm.. I'm not a doctor, but my Mom was in the medical profession. Women centred branch, too.
She'd be telling you your stress level may be part of the problem. The more you obsess about your period, the later you'll have it, or the more irregularly. I had a girlfriend who was left without her period for about a year and a half. She had other health issues (mostly psychological, also showed in her skin, and then the worries for her period) - generally if your body is weakened the period is something it can "turn off" for "saving energy". Psychological issues like stress or depression or medication against depression affect particularly the female reproductive system. So you may want to spend time exploring your psyche and caring for it..

I am not saying do not see a doctor. Sometimes people have a feeling something is wrong, no one understands, and then they are right and thank God they kept seeing doctors. But much more often it happens people run from doctor to doctor in the quest of finding "what is wrong" when there really isn t a physical condition. The worries and the stress related to it then CAUSE the psychosomatic issus rather than confirm there is something wrong.

So if your next doctor does not find anything - consider this option and take care of your psyche, and stop obsessing about medical treatment for what is wrong.
These are about my Mom's words. So blame her not me

When you were describing your symptoms, the first thing I thought of was Lymes, but I'm not in the medical field. I'm sorry you're having trouble!
I hope things clear up after this next doctor visit.
Sending warm and happy thoughts your way!!!

Originally Posted by ripple_fargo

When you were describing your symptoms, the first thing I thought of was Lymes, but I'm not in the medical field. I'm sorry you're having trouble!
I hope things clear up after this next doctor visit.
Sending warm and happy thoughts your way!!!

I've thought of that though, but I've not been bitten by a deer tick to my knowledge. The last time I was bitten by a tick, was a dog tick and that was in 2004.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I can say with certainty that this is NOT true for folic acid (a B vitamin). Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. Folate breaks down easier over time and is not as bioavailable as folic acid. I will check on the other B vitamins and get back. (I work for a Folic Acid Campaign, that's how I can know with certainty ).

mmmm. I know this is a rarity, but I suffer all those symptoms if I take Folic Acid in capsule or tablet form.

The difference is that when I would get my period (yep, this is just gross) I could change my pad and not even half an hour later I would be sitting in a pool of blood that also dripped down onto the floor under my chair.

I was housebound every period and the worst was it's sudden onset while I was standing on a bus. The bus driver rang an ambulance as he thought I'd been stabbed!

Did you try "evening primrose oil" yet? It's amazing! I take it every day.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I've thought of that though, but I've not been bitten by a deer tick to my knowledge. The last time I was bitten by a tick, was a dog tick and that was in 2004.

Then that may not be it. I did read somewhere (who knows where, I read everything, it seems) at some point that sometimes it's like a delayed onset. I'm thinking I'm most likely wrong. I'm by no means any kind of expert. It's just something to consider if your doctor decides to run any blood tests.
I hope you're feeling better! I haven't checked in on this thread in a while.

I just had a thought Andalee.

Try a product called 'Remifemin'. :)

Hi All, just an update. I found a new doc who is wonderful and I'm going for my follow-up on Thursday. She also changed my SSRI, and so far so good. Things to be doing well...however, I am super relaxed because I am on vacation!

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Hi All, just an update. I found a new doc who is wonderful and I'm going for my follow-up on Thursday. She also changed my SSRI, and so far so good. Things to be doing well...however, I am super relaxed because I am on vacation!

,r:;

I'm coming upon this late, but I hope you know by now that there is a VERY different definition of normal TSH now than there was some years ago, and some docs are still astonishingly dismissive of this, despite the fact that it is all well-documented. Now, the optimal TSH is considered to be 1.

What is your TSH? I was told at 26 that my TSH was normal at 2.7. As high as 5 would have been considered OK under the old guidelines. At 2.7, I had rapidly gained 30 pounds, while working out constantly and eating fewer calories than recommended; was freezing and fatigued all the time; had breakouts all the time; had horrible periods and chronic endometriosis (this can be, but is not always, related to hypothyroidism); and had terrible mood swings. I had a very hard time with a couple of crappy doctors who just refused to help me. Finally I went to my dad's doctor, nearly broke down in his office, and was put on Levothyroxine. Immediately I began to lose weight and recover my energy, and have been better ever since.

Good luck! Do not stay with any doctor who dismisses your very real symptoms! It's your health, not hers!

- Leela

Originally Posted by flimflamgirl

I'm coming upon this late, but I hope you know by now that there is a VERY different definition of normal TSH now than there was some years ago, and some docs are still astonishingly dismissive of this, despite the fact that it is all well-documented. Now, the optimal TSH is considered to be 1.

What is your TSH? I was told at 26 that my TSH was normal at 2.7. As high as 5 would have been considered OK under the old guidelines. At 2.7, I had rapidly gained 30 pounds, while working out constantly and eating fewer calories than recommended; was freezing and fatigued all the time; had breakouts all the time; had horrible periods and chronic endometriosis (this can be, but is not always, related to hypothyroidism); and had terrible mood swings. I had a very hard time with a couple of crappy doctors who just refused to help me. Finally I went to my dad's doctor, nearly broke down in his office, and was put on Levothyroxine. Immediately I began to lose weight and recover my energy, and have been better ever since.

Good luck! Do not stay with any doctor who dismisses your very real symptoms! It's your health, not hers!

- Leela

Thanks again for your insight. My TSH is 1.71 (as of April 22, 2009) and it was 1.6 the year before that. We're tabling the thyroid discussion until other things are ruled out.

I had blood drawn today for Lyme and Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies. I'll let you know what I hear.

Originally Posted by stardancer

They should check for Hashimoto's disease too by doing a thyroid antibody test when they also run the t3 and 4.

Actually if she had Hashimotos the TSH would be off---very. Period.

But sub-clinical hypothyroidism is often missed due to the resistance of providers to draw the other indices-- T3/T4.

no doctor here but from my experience, it could just be hiccup in your hormones..for the past 4 years my period has rarely ever been "on time" (no pregnancy risk here and im not on the pill) followed with extreme-severe pains. the pains have increased to that one dreaded day to the first 3 days now. there are some months that it comes when its supposed to, but most it has its own time schedule.

every body is different but that's just what happens to me. hope everything turns out alright tho!

Zana, you should look into PCOS.

Just and update on my health. I was tested for Lyme Disease and I don't have it. However, I was also tested for vitamin deficiencies. I have one, but I am not sure which yet. Probably Vitamin D. I go back to the Doctor on Dec 23. Wish me luck that this will fix me!

I would also double check what the known side effects of your SSRI meds are. You might be surprised.

{{{HUGS}}}

Are you on the pill? I've been on the pill for over 4 years now and it's recently started making my body (and mind) go all sorts of crazy all of a sudden (didn't change the dose or type or anything either). I've actually had several of the same symptoms you've been having. I stopped the pill though (getting an IUD instead) and all of my symptoms are gone (the pill does, after all, trick your body into thinking that you're already pregnant). No fatigue, no random depression, no screwy cycle, etc. and I'm working on getting rid of the 40 lbs I gained over the last several years... though it's a very tough battle.

I hope you and your doctor(s) figure out the problem soon and that you start to feel like yourself again!

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Are you on the pill? I've been on the pill for over 4 years now and it's recently started making my body (and mind) go all sorts of crazy all of a sudden (didn't change the dose or type or anything either). I've actually had several of the same symptoms you've been having. I stopped the pill though (getting an IUD instead) and all of my symptoms are gone (the pill does, after all, trick your body into thinking that you're already pregnant). No fatigue, no random depression, no screwy cycle, etc. and I'm working on getting rid of the 40 lbs I gained over the last several years... though it's a very tough battle.

Hormonal symptoms can also occur (and often do!) when women go OFF the pill after being on it. For some women, the pill/hormonal BC actually *helps* with depression etc. because the estrogen dose is higher and some androgen production is surpressed. Hormones are weird that way...

Andalee, I was just popping in to see this thread/see how you're doing. Has the doc been able to give you any answers/help for your symptoms yet? I've experienced some of the collection of symptoms you describe and know some other people who've also gone through things like this...if you're not getting anywhere and trying to research other things that may be going on, feel fre to PM me...I'd be happy to share some info about tests I and others have been through that you might talk with your doc about....

I'm late commenting here but thought I'd just throw out that I had a year-long "absence" after a traumatic event in my life. I didn't THINK I was that disturbed by what had happened but my doc felt the timing indicated that was the clear reason for my problem. I was 31 and not planning to have children but clearly what was happening was not normal. It was not technically pre-menopause but some other really long name-syndrome that I popped out of after a hormone "shock." I didn't really feel any ill effects except from the drugs. After I was shocked back into rhythm, I was back to my regular self and the doc (a super specialist) thought my fertility was uncompromised... in fact, he warned me to stay away from my hubby for several months while I was on the hormones (and after) for fear of a large multiple pregnancy. I'm relating my story just to say I had a happy ending even though it started out very weird and scary.

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

Hormonal symptoms can also occur (and often do!) when women go OFF the pill after being on it. For some women, the pill/hormonal BC actually *helps* with depression etc. because the estrogen dose is higher and some androgen production is surpressed. Hormones are weird that way...

Andalee, I was just popping in to see this thread/see how you're doing. Has the doc been able to give you any answers/help for your symptoms yet? I've experienced some of the collection of symptoms you describe and know some other people who've also gone through things like this...if you're not getting anywhere and trying to research other things that may be going on, feel fre to PM me...I'd be happy to share some info about tests I and others have been through that you might talk with your doc about....

Aw, thanks for checking in. Things are still about the same. I still have episodes about once or twice a month...fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, malaise, etc. I've been on the vitamin D for a few months now and that hasn't changed much. I need to go back to the Dr. in March for follow-up.

We also changed my SSRI and it's been ok, but not great. I've been having more anxiety issues on this new med. I either need to up it or add another.

As for my menstrual cycle, it keeps on getting farther and farther apart. What was 60 days is now 72 days. However, I had a "fake" period a couple of weeks ago where I had cramps, bloating and PMS, but I only spotted for two days and then it was over. Very strange.

After doing some more research, I am now convinced I have Candida Related Complex. I started a thread and it has a little activity on it. http://www.bhuz.com/forum/health-fit...e-variety.html

I took the quiz at the whole approach and my numbers are way out of control. I am contemplating the dietary changes, but I am so scared and too stubborn to turn my life around like that. I know it will be for the best, but it will be changing about 80% of my diet.

Anyway, a lot of info...maybe too much. But that's me! Again, thanks for asking!

Andalee, maybe try, in addition to your doctor, having yourself checked out by a good Ayurvedic doctor. That's a very excellent holistic system, and works very well with Western medicine. Sometimes you need a little extra care!

Good luck.

- Leela