The DREADED CURSE

I'm just wondering if anyone of you have had serious changes in your monthly cycle and if when it is that time of month if you want to eat like CRAZY!!! I was never regular, I was lucky if I got my "curse" 3 times a year. After about 2 months of losing weight after surgery I started getting my cycle again, and it is right on schedule at least within a day or so, which SUCKS...plus last month I got it for 7 days, it stopped for 3 days, I got it again for 3 or 4 days, and now I just got my "on schedule" cycle. I thought this was odd, but striking it up to the weight loss. I'm finding the day I get my period I get violently dizzy, which is pretty scary, but it only happens I guess right at onset, and then goes away within a couple of hours, I am also finding that the cramps are UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Tylenol doesn't even touch it. It's so strange to me that it is so different now. Now, the next thing is...this is the first month since surgery that when I got my period I have had the munchies something fierce. I CAN'T stop eating...I'm not really eating junk (well, ok last night I did), but for the most part I don't....like today (it's only 9am), I had 1 oz. of cheese at 6:00 am, 8:00am I had my shake, and right now I just finished a bag of Low Fat Ranch Soy Chips (9g. protein)...BUT...I want to eat MORE!!!! This is driving me crazy. I guess because it hasn't happened in months past it is really freaking me out. Has anyone else found this to happen now??? JUDY

Judith: I would go see my doctor if I were you - just to make sure everything is ok. My periods were always weird before my surgery, and now they are even more weird. I find that doing sit-ups helps with the cramps AND I increase my iron during this week which helps a lot!!!! You know, as well as I, that the amount of fat we had on our bodies was so unhealthy and now that that is gone or is leaving us, our bodies are able to do what God intended them to do and we are going back to "normal". As for the eating - try eating ice or mints. You are doing so GREAT and you are such a blessing to all of us 8/16ers. One more thing - have you got an updated picture? You are beautiful and I would love to see the newer you!!! Cyndi -89 lbs.

There are some no pics on my profile, for some reason when I sent them in they didn't update my posting pic. I have no idea why. So until they fix that check out my profile! Judy

You are so BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! Cyn

Wow! I'm blushing! Thank you so much. I have never considered myself beautiful. My husband tells me all the time, and he even did when I was 84 lbs. heavier, but I never believe him, cause he's supposed to tell me that. You are the first person other than him to have told me that! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! JUDY

Judy My cramps are HORRIBLE TOO!! I got my cycle yesterday a week and a half late. THank Goodness my tubes are tied right. Its started back up at 3 months post-op and been worse and worse. My crotch ached so badly yesterday (sorry so to the point) that I need to soak in a really hot tub, to get it to go away. My mother had endometrosis really badly so I think mine is kickin in too, now that the fat it going away and the hormones can flow better. I thought hmm, maybe a hysterectomoy tummy tuck combo would work for me. I just turned 30 on the 22nd but my tubes are tied and I have NO NONE NADA ZILCH desire for more kids, 2 is plenty. Best of luck with the eating I am doing ok, except the day b4 I wanted a lot of carbs, but I actually lost weight that day so I was ok. But I have to keep slapping my brain and telling it to SHUT UP! LOL Maria

Maria, Thanks for sharing. I'm thinking I probably should call the Dr., but don't have any time that I can go see her since I took ALL my sick and vacation for the surgery. It's funny about the carb thing though...that is all I want...I'm adding all of my food into fitday, even the "bad stuff", and so far I'm still with in the fat grams per day, and within the calorie recommendation my nutritionist give me, so I guess in the long run it won't hurt me. I just have to make sure I drink PLENTY of water. Take care! JUDy

Judy, I would say as long as your within your daily limits it shouldn't be an issue. I do need to up the water but I am getting as much as I can just not all they want. I don't think I would get any food in if I got all the water in too. I know I should go to the Dr too, but we just moved out here last month and I am yet to meet my new one. I am still with my surgeon back home till my one year check and then he said he would release me to my PCP. Since we are 3000 miles away for there now. Just the thought of going to my PCP or any Dr for that region grosses me right out. YUCK! maria

Judy, I'm about to try NuvaRing birth control. It's a low-dose hormonal device that gives off a constant, steady dose of hormones that is absorbed directly into the cervical area. You keep it in for three weeks and take it out for one week before putting in a new one. Several women have told me that it regulates their cycles extremely well without excessive hormones. They're saying that it has not slowed down their weight loss and that it helps to control cramping, heavy bleeding, etc. You might want to ask your doctor about it. Maybe it would help control the cravings as well! ---- Leslie 282/200/135

I didn't have a period for 5 months. I kept having these TERRIBLE cravings and couldn't get enough to eat then 1 week later I started. Now it's only been 3 weeks and I am starting again. And again with the munchies and can't get enough to eat or enough sleep. I guess the hormones are just now kicking in because my sex drive has returned also. I guess we have to take it day by day. I just hope I don't start having periods every 3 weeks (although all I do is "spot"). I can't stand this constant craving for food - I'm not doing real well on controlling it. I am 5 months out and have only lost 78 lbs. I've still got at least 80 to go. I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone. God bless you all. Jeanette (Lap RNY 8/25/04 330/252/??)