Thursday Sep 2

Posts Tagged ‘hormones’

Jun
14/10
Choose.
Last Updated on Monday, 14 June 2010 09:52
Written by Melinda
Monday, June 14th, 2010

Choices, choices!   Sometimes they seem so small.  Yet, have a larger impact when you look at the BIG PICTURE.  At times, we step out on a limb and make a choice that we know could have repercussions just because we are at a point of desperation and are willing to try anything!  Such is the case with me and Zoloft.  And Cymbalta.  And Wellbutrin.  And Lexapro.  Need I say more?

I must admit.  Zoloft seemed to really help me.  Sure I feel sleepy during the day sometimes.  But at night, I sleep much more sound and uninterrupted.  The week before my period, I don’t seem to be a bear (or a biotch).  I feel sane.  And happier.  And more able to think clearly.  And much nicer to be around (even for me to be around myself!).

But the weight gain.  It is really plaguing my mind.  At the same time…  I keep thinking “I’ll do something about it tomorrow.”  Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.  In the past, I’d put on five pounds, do what I had to do in order to get it off.  But these days, I am happy!  I am living life!  I am enjoying myself…  who wants to stop for a diet?  NOT ME.  So I keep putting off the “do something right now” actions.

I tried to go off Zoloft the past few days.  Today.  I am crazy feeling again. Irritable.  Moody.  Angry.  Feeling like a whirlwind.  Can’t concentrate.  Nothing seems to be going easy or right.  So I bit the bullet…  and took the Zoloft. It brought me to a conclusion.  I am destined to be one of two things, and it is up to me to decide.  I can be either:

a.  Crazy – stop taking the medications that help me feel sane, but I’d keep the weight off!

b.  Fat – continue the medications which make it difficult for me to lose weight, actually promotes weight gain!  Yet…  those emotional feelings of despair would be gone.

Which do I chose?  I am going to speak with my doctor…  who really believes that no medications cause weight gain.  He simply says its a matter of diet.  (Some truth.  Then again…  it’s not entirely fair to lay it all back on the patient if they fail).

The choice is MINE… all mine.   Today’s weight:  140.4 (this is the first time since wls that I have gone up above 140).  I want to cry.

Mar
22/10
Is This What Normal Is Like?
Last Updated on Monday, 22 March 2010 07:40
Written by Melinda
Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Mother Nature brought my gift…

I don’t recall ever having a “normal” period since its inception in Jr High School.  It always involved heavy bleeding, cramps, irritability, mood swings…  I felt at times like my emotions were in a cage, and I was unable to express them.  It made me wonder, “Does every woman feel like this?”

One reason is because I suffer from PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).  Google Health lists these symptoms of PMDD and states that 5 of these must be present for a diagnosis:

  • Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Feeling of sadness or hopelessness, possible suicidal thoughts
  • Feelings of tension or anxiety
  • Feeling out of control
  • Food cravings or binge eating
  • Mood swings marked by periods of teariness
  • Panic attack
  • Persistent irritability or anger that affects other people
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Physical symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches and joint or muscle pain
  • Sleep disturbances

Without fail, 7 to 10 days before the day I start my period, these symptoms begin to show up.  I also tend to have nightmares and a very POOR self esteem and concerns of Tim leaving me rise.  And he knows when I ask, “Do you love me?  Do you think I’m pretty?” that I need some extra special affirmations from him.  He reminds me in his southern draw “Hun, ya know this happens every month.  It’s time for your period.”  But he hugs me close anyway and we both ride out the storm until the day the blood flow finally starts!

This month, something has changed.  I recently was put on a medication for depression which is among the SSRI category (selective seratonin-reuptake inhibitors).  My therapist was the one who explained that often times, PMDD is present in people whose seratonin levels are low.  And during that ten day window prior to the cycle, it takes drastic dips and it causes the symptoms listed above (which are emotionally taxing).  The purpose of the SSRI is to raise the seratonin levels, and even it out during hormone times.  I’m happy to report:  IT WORKED!

Last week the only symptoms that notified me of Mother Nature and her gift was the bloating/full feeling in my abdomen accompanied by constipation.  I was also very tired but much to my surprise, Saturday I started my period.  Later that day, I asked Tim, “Have I acted like I normally do when its that time of month?”  He said, “No. Not at all.  I didn’t even know it was time for your period.”  I have been very happy with the results so far of this medication.

My gynecologist never talked to me about this possible solution.  Actually, I had grown so concerned and tired of dealing with this every month that I just KNEW I had some type of chemical imbalance.  I sought the help of a psychiatrist who, in the only visit I’ve had, was able to pinpoint the problem.  It was he who provided my solution.  He also said that the Mirena made my matters much worse!  While some women have fabulous results, those like myself don’t do so well.

So if you have problems with PMDD and your doctor has not given you information, ask him or her about a decreased seratonin level and how that might affect you.  Perhaps an SSRI might be of help in your situation.  One thing for sure…  I have hope now that I can live from month to month like a “normal” woman.

Feb
24/10
My Journey to Vegas
Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 12:47
Written by Melinda
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

I need to tell the story in chronological order to get the real effect of what happened in my getting TO Vegas.  Originally, I thought that I would not be visited by Mother Nature as I calculated having one more patch left.  I was WRONG.  Keep in mind that this is just the second menstrual period since having Mirena IUD removed, and I was told that the “Mirena crash” could happen for a few months.  I didn’t think I had anything to worry about since last month it hit pretty hard.

Along about Tuesday, I started feeling a little bit stressed.  And, I developed a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I also was suffering from depression but knew that I had an appointment with my therapist on Weds afternoon.  Then, Weds. came and I was working on items for the Meet & Greet (freebies).  A situation occurred with the hotel that brought lots of frustration, and I started to feel the anger at the pit of my stomach.  Suddenly, before I knew it, it had grown and reached my vocal cords.  In other words, that anger rose up inside like the building of a volcano, until finally it just erupted!  Afterward, I felt so ashamed of my actions because that just isn’t the way I used to be (pre wls, that is).   By the time my afternoon appointment with the therapist came, I had calmed down some.  Thankfully it was still “raw” enough that I could tell him about how I was feeling. But, as I sat outside his waiting room, another patient and two family members came out and were talking in the hall.  It just about set me off.  I was angry.  I wanted to yell “WOULD YOU SHUT UP?”  I sat moving my leg up and down, just waiting impatiently to be seen.  I even talked to the therapist about this, and how I had felt like that last month near my period.

Thursday came, and I tried my best to steer clear of all anxiety.  That ball of nerves was still present, and I was nervous and jumpy at every little noise.  And, exhaustion set in along with OCD tendencies that drove me…  by that, I’m talking about what happened Thursday evening.  Tim & I had gone out to supper, and I was so upset that I didn’t have clothes for the event.  I was crying because I didn’t know what to pack, felt like I needed a new outfit, and made him take me to two different stores to find outfits.  I left with nothing in my hands, which made me all the more frustrated.  WHAT WAS I GOING TO WEAR?  Tim steered me along until finally, I had my stuff together.  I am so thankful that HE packed the luggage up.  I don’t know how he did it, but our two suitcases had so much stuff in them… including my large magnification lighted mirror that I love so much.  So we went on to bed, and around 3 am I woke up and had a revelation:  I had not put my birth control patch on after my morning shower.  I ran into the kitchen to put it on, (yes, at 3 am so I wouldn’t start my period while we were in Vegas) and guess what?  The box:  EMPTY.  I had calculated incorrectly.  S&$#!  That meant I was going to be menstrual.  And, it also explained the reason I had been so upset all week long!!

Friday morning, I was in a daze of confusion.  I followed him around…  where he went, I followed.  I didn’t want him away from my side for one minute.  The people at the airport were all loud, busy, making me all the more anxious.  I had only slept three hours per night since Tuesday, so I was dead dog tired.  My eyes were hanging so heavy that they hurt, yet I couldn’t rest.  Going through Security, I yelled at Tim to please tell me what to do because I didn’t know.  Did I need to take my coat off?  My shoes?  My jewelry?  Please tell me because, I’m standing here looking like an idiot.  I was lost.  He had to step through the metal detector three times cause he forgot to take his keys out of his pocket, then had to take his belt off.  I was getting agitated and fearful that if they made me go on by myself ahead of the line, I would get separated from him.

Let’s talk on the flight.  Tammy (T2Nashville) flew beside me.  We talked much of the way.  She & I talked about the Lord, and it didn’t take much to get me to squalling and crying.  It’s hard to tell PMS emotion from conviction cause they both lead you to tears!  Once we got in to our hotel room, I wanted to rest but we met a group from BTV for lunch.  It required a lot of walking to the buffet, and I am not kidding you…  by the time we arrived, the confusion was so bad that I could hardly put two sentences together.  The music overhead was loud, plates clanging, people talking…  it just all seemed to blur together so that I simply nodded my head a lot to what everyone said, and can’t recall much of the conversations from that day.  I do remember on our way back, I was feeling horribly tired, then the next minute I was so mad.  I held Tim’s hand cause I needed him there, then let go cause I didn’t want to be touched.  This continued all the way home.  Poor guy.

Friday night, we met BTV in the suite for our get together.  I was still not feeling to well, but had food in my stomach and at least was functionable.  I enjoyed everyone’s company but…  things were still not quite right.  Big Mickey asked me into the confessional room (think “Big Brother”) but I couldn’t put two thoughts together.  I finally just asked him to turn it off, and not use any of my tapings because I just wasn’t in the mental state to do anything worthwhile.  We talked awhile, and I also chatted with Toni and Lynnda about this.

The first day was ruined because of hormones.  I felt so terrible, and also a bit embarrassed.  Only Tim has seen me at my worst, when these periods of PMS/PMDD hit.  And I am just hoping that the worst of this “Mirena crash” is over and it will not be the same next month.  I did not ever want anyone to see the worst part of Melinda, but thankfully these precious people are friends and they were very supportive.

Now…  Saturday rolled around.  And, I started my period.  I was laughing, and talking, and having fun.  I was MYSELF again!  HALLELUJAH!  I was able to enjoy the rest of the trip.  More to come later on the actual event itself (Saturday).

Jan
12/10
Is It Hot In Here, or…
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 12:10
Written by Melinda
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

I’m telling ya…  I’ve been hot lately!  Sitting in my office, suddenly it just feels like a fire comes from deep within my flesh…  until I’m so stifled that I have to take a walk.  Or turn on my fan.  Or go outside (and it’s winter time!).

This afternoon, I was in our department break room.  It’s never hot or even warm in there as it’s a fairly large room with only one operating wall heater.  I turned the heater off, pulled the ceiling fan switch, and tried to maintain my composure to not stick my head out the window!

Is it hormones?  It could be.  The past year, my inner thermostat hasn’t been in tune with anything.  Everyone else is hot, I’m cold (which after wls is a given).  Everyone else is comfortable, I’m burning up like a blazing inferno!  It reminds me of when my mother was going through the change.  She would run to the hallway thermostat, turn it from heat to air conditioning, and have it about 60 degrees.  And, all the while doing this little routine, she’d holler, “IS IT HOT IN HERE, OR IS IT JUST ME?”  Almost in unison, all of us kids would shout, “IT’S JUST YOU!”   For some reason, however, I don’t think that was a question she really wanted the answer to…  or at least our answer never changed the outcome.

I think it all goes back to Mirena.  And, by the way, it’s time for a post-Mirena update.  Tomorrow makes 2 weeks since the gyn took it out.  My thinking is not as foggy, yesterday at day’s end I actually felt energetic and not quite a stressed.  And, the “almost migraine” that I’ve been living with for at least 2 months is an “almost gone” headache.

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