![]() This post has been a tough one to address. As promised, it has a very happy ending...but it is mine. Afterall, there are so many of us that have problems with menopause. I have heard from many of you, and I have spoken to many others. Menopause is a personal journey that we all take, and while we end up in a similar place, the routes taken can be quite varied. When last we left off, I was in a pitiful way. Don't you hate dwelling on the negative? However, to see how awful it was: Check out my previous post about what I was going through. Suffice it to say, trying to get through menopause naturally was a mistake for me. My primary care physician said it best when she told me that my blood chemistry reflected a body in chronic stress. I went from a super charged engine to a derailed train wreck in about 4 months! Perhaps my experience will help others realize that life as they once knew it, isn't over. Here's what worked..... Steps to take control of the situation:
1) Compose a list of symptoms - What has changed? What are the worst and most severe symptoms you are dealing with? Are there chronic ones you deal with all of the time? Do certain things trigger this and make it worse, or does anything make it better? Is it worse at night, etc. 2) Make a doctor's appointment - Decide on the doctor you need to see. If your symptoms are severe, as mine were, you may need to see a specialist in addition to your regular physician. I chose a gynocological surgeon who specializes in hormone therapies. Talk to friends. Research your options. Realize you have options. 3) Bloodwork needs to be done, and it needs to show the levels of sex hormones. 4) Be proactive about receiving bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. It is available in many forms, including oral capsules, lozenges, sublingual drops, gels or creams applied to the skin, vaginal or rectal suppositories, pellets applied beneath the skin and intramuscular injections. Bio-identical hormones are natural to our bodies and have many benefits. My personal journey began with compounded bio-identical hormone capsules. Not all pharmacies practice compounding prescriptions, so locating one that does, can be challenging. These capsules contain estriol, estradiol and progesterone that have been extracted from soybeans and/or yams and have added atoms of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen in order to make them identical to our own bodies hormones. Do not confuse this process with the man made manufactured hormone replacement therapies which are not identical to our own and are the cause for alarm that most women have about seeking out hormone therapy in general. This is still a necessary part of my regimen, and thankfully my primary care physician was able to help me with this aspect. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to make me well. On a good friend's recommendation, I went to a specialist. Injections were then added to my treatment plan. I needed another form of estrogen and a couple of different forms of testosterone in order to restore me to a normal balance, and those are absorbed and utilized best through injection. FAQ's about injections 1. Does it hurt? Obviously it doesn't feel good, but it really isn't painful. A couple of times afterwards, I found it a little painful to run. 2. Where do you get the shots? In the gluteus maximus (derriere - buttocks) Leave your modesty at the door. 3. How often do you have to get the injections? All of us process the hormones differently, and not everyone will have the same needs. I had to go every 2 weeks for awhile, before settling into an every 3 weeks routine. 4. How do you know what you need? A combination of blood test results and interviewing will determine that. Along the way, communication with the doctor is important in order to anticipate any change to your dosages. 5. How long do you have to take them? Again, that will be based on the individual. Given my history, I may be on them for the rest of my life in some fashion. 6. How much does it cost? It depends on what you get. It is doubtful that insurance will cover it. In spite of all of my documentation to substantiate need, I pay for it myself. 7. As a woman, will I develop male characteristics from receiving testosterone? We as women, have always had testosterone in our bodies, and we need it. Achieving balance is the key, and the treatment plans are developed with that in mind. It is important to note that this process isn't done to re-create someone...or to make a super human. Hormones are given in dosages to keep symptoms from re-occurring. Balance is being restored. 8. Do men receive hormone replacement therapy? You bet. I see almost as many men in the office as I do women. Men go through their own changes, but obviously I can't comment on that from a personal perspective. I am very happy to report that after my very first set of injections, I became symptom free. I slept through the night! I haven't had another hot flash/night sweats since. My normal energy returned. I love working out again. I love doing all of the things I used to do. PIcture Barbara Streisand's character in 'The Little Fockers" movies whispering to you...yes...that too!! My head is clear. When I wake up, I am awake. My body, hair and skin all look and feel better. My appetite returned. Life is really good again...and I always loved life. As humans, we always ask why something had to happen. One rationale I offered myself, was that I could see how I was really blessed. I am grateful for those blessings. My husband was so supportive of me when I was going through all of this. If I didn't know it before, I truly realized how much he really loved me. As frugal as he says he is with money (I say he is tight with it), he says the money we spend on my hormone treatments is the best he ever spent. He got his wife back. I am not the same as I was before. It is hard to explain. I am older. I look it. Something in me has crossed over besides menstrual cessation. It is aging...but I am now doing it triumphantly. As a closing thought, it can't be expressed enough how important it is to have good doctors that really listen and care about your health. I can't thank mine enough for being truly present in my care. And yes...all of my blood chemistry returned to normal after my hormone levels were balanced again...just as my doctors assured me it would. Remember, there is no better advocate for your own health than you. Don't let fear keep you from feeling better! I would love to hear about your journey! Post any comments below, and feel free to subscribe to my email list for continuing updates and information.
2 Comments
Jenni
7/22/2016 01:38:56 pm
Again, thank you for your honesty and sharing. Your story is very, very helpful!!
Reply
Jackie
7/23/2016 06:47:20 am
You are welcome, Jenni. Thank-you for your comment. It is nice to know it helps. Good luck!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Jackie Rodeffer-Scheetz, for more info click here Archives |