Is it just me or is anyone else...

...being hormonally challenged right now? I've heard that our fat stores estrogen as well as other hormones, and we know that being overweight affects our hormone levels. I've also read that as we lose weight, all this crazy stuff is released into our bodies (and minds!!!) as we are burning off the fat for energy in place of food. Ok, well, my "aunt flo" was more than a week late last week, causing me a near heart attack (though hubby is fixed and I shouldn't have been worried...), my skin is breaking out like I'm 15 years old, and my moods have been all over the place. I even have that "time of the month" backache! I can go from to in 5 seconds flat! to to to and oh, my poor family... Plus my appetite, which has been pretty mellow, has been flaring up! Has anyone else gone through this?? OR please tell me it will get better soon! ~Sue

Sue I had surgery a couple weeks after you and I have been like that since my first cycle. It seems crazy...... I just around like crazy for about two weeks, so I feel your pain. Good Luck Tina

I hear ya, surgery sister! Body fat has so much do with your monthly cycle--that's why gymnists and other female athletes have irregular to no periods. The estrogen released from all the fat stores is also the reason for the acne attack! Hormones....can't live with 'em but raise some kinda nasty without 'em!!! I'm having the cravings, too---salt some months and chocolate others. Thank goodness the low carb chocolate makes me sick!! Wonder if these hormone shifts might cause a shift in the ole' libido??? That might be fun... If it gets really out of control--talk to your doctor. I would hate to blame the hormone shifts on WLS when you might have something going with your ovaries. Take care! Beth -88

Hi Sue! My hormones are totally out of whack! I'm experiencing all the things you listed, but the worst is the acne. NEVER in my life have I had acne like this, not even when I was going through puberty. I've also noticed little bumps on my back and chest. I also can't believe the hair loss. I keep telling everyone that I'm going through detox. As for "aunt flo", she seems to be showing up more frequently than I'd like. Everytime she shows up my weight loss comes to a hault and my moods can change in a heartbeat, which causes my poor family to fear for their lives. When she shows up so do the munchies and they can never decide between salty or sweet. Thank God I have a tool to help limit my food intake. You're definitely not alone and hopefully this won't last long. Julia

Hey Sue, You are so not alone. Prior to surgery i had Polycystic Ovaries and i never got a period, nor did i have enough estrogen. Well, let me tell ya, since surgery, my hormones are in check and i get a period monthly. My hormones are raging and it becomes very upsetting at times. I was never a moody person and i never let things get to me. Now, i seem to have a lot of moodiness and every little thing gets on my nerves. I am aware of these issues, so i do my best to keep them in check, but at times my friends have had to tell me to "calm down" or "it's really no big deal". I was always the positive, easy going one of my circle of friends, and at times i feel like i'm losing it. I will eventually get a grip on this hormone thing and i will be fine, but until then i hope everyone around me bares with me. Well, just know that you aren't alone and there are alot of people in the same situation. Good Luck to you!! ~Missy~

Ditto here. I seem to be overreacting to just about everything. Like you said I'm completely calm one minute and the next I'm screaming at my kids like they killed someone. I think "Just get out of my sight" is my new catch phrase. I feel bad about it, but I know if they aren't far away from me then they will be miserable. The other extreme that I've been experiencing is crying like someone just crushed my heart. I'm not a big cryer so this one is really hard for me. I to hope this passes, soon. Appetite is also coming around, I know I'm not feeling hunger physically, it's all mental... What a battle! We can all win this one! We'll fight together! God Bless! Jo

Boy oh boy, do I know what you mean!!! I have ALWAYS had PMS from hell, but I hoped it would get better after surgery. (Before surgery they always told me it would get better if I lost some weight-- the pat answer for MOST illnesses!!) But they were WRONG. I skipped my period the first couple of months, but now I can have one just "anytime"!! Last month was only 18 days between. This time, "aunt flo" is not here yet, but the symptoms have been here for almost 2 weeks. I am so irritable and moody I can't stand myself much less can anyone else stand me!! I have cramps like a teenager, and I am bloated beyond what I thought possible. (I've probably always had bloating, but I was just so "fat" I never noticed!! lol) And the cravings.... don't even get me started on that!! JUST GIVE ME CHOCOLATE AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT!!! lol I do hope this gets better as we progress, and I "guess" that I am comforted that everyone else is in the same boat. Misery does love company!! lol At least we are not alone!!!