Monday, September 16th, Cardio & Cafe

h.a.l.a.,

Thank you so much for that info.  Depending on what happens with my morning heatup now that I am off the hormones, that might be my next step.  I am unaware of any other problems and hopefully I am having an easier postmenopausal time than I thought I would have.  I am also hoping that getting some weight off and getting BOTT will help me even out somewhat too.

You may try to use progesterone cream every evening - OTC - in a health food stores. For first 2 years I used that and I loved it.  It si very easy to use and not very expensive.  That may help your morning heat waves. 

I was hot all the time and on top of that had hot flushes every 10-15 min.   And my memory got so bad ... (testosterone helped my energy and memory more than other hormones)  

But I was desperate... 

If you use progesterone cream - make sure that  you start with the smallest dosage, make sure it is a natural (not too many chemical added) and have real bio-identical progesterone and not just soy or other herbal "herbal" extract (they are good - but not the same) 

Also - have in mind that progesterone is very calming - almost depressing - so using it during the day may not be a best idea I use mine only at night.. It literally knocks me out. Too much progesterone may make depression worse - so if you deal with that - make sure you watch for worsening... 

Thank you so much for the information!  I was using a combo of otc hormones and cream - I am pretty sure they were all natural - I used the cream and only one pill....instead of only two pills and no cream...I will keep that cream at night in mind - really appreciate the tip.  The last couple mornings I have been less hot in the morning, so I am cautiously optimistic....trudging forward!!

Monday... yea...(not really) .. But I love the cooler weather.. love love love...

I did not gained weight on vacation... but I got into a habit of drinking wine every day... I do like 1-2 glasses.. But that needs to stop.. 

I know I don't need that... but I sure like it. 

The office still smells horribly from the chemicals they sprayed on Friday.. bleh...  But I rather have that than later dealing with black mold and other bacterial issues... (we have flooding in the office) 

We are very busy, and that is good and bad at the same time. 

Eat : I am trying to cut the calories and want to keep losing some weight.. I have a wedding to attend in 3 weeks.. and want to look great..Even 2-3 lbs - will smooth some bulges and exercise will make me look nice and toned:

coffee and more coffee...
protein shake
green shake

some RNY friendly pizza (I made gluten free - protein crust and use turkey pepperoni and mozzarella cheese..)

some cheese or HB egg and cucumbers, 

Dinner: not sure - hope some salad with proteins or nuts and fruits with whip cream... 

exercise: maybe some walking... 
 

Hello friends,

Just thought I'd chime in on the menopause issue.  As you all may know, I've been seeing an endocrinologist to help with my osteoporosis.  Well, she ran a whole battery of blood tests, and as I had no idea whether I'd gone through menopause (I had a partial hysterectomy in 1980 and still have my ovaries) and I've never once had a hot flash, she "did the math" (I'm 57) and the blood work.  I had had a trans-vaginal ultrasound 4 yrs ago that showed I still had functioning follicles.  The past 3 years, I have been a complete mood-swinging wrecking ball, and that is definitely NOT me.  I am (or used to be, lol) one of the most laid back people you would ever want to meet.  Not so anymore :)

I had attributed it to the fact that since my RNY, I came out of the woodwork and stopped letting people walk all over me, and I thought I was just getting a "harder edge" the older I became.  Well, the labs showed that I have had menopause.  I'm lucky in the fact that it came without all the physical symptoms, but emotionally...I will probably need some help.  We're still working on the follow-up, and I see her for the next consult this Wed, where we will discuss my options.  She feels that the osteoporosis being so severe is a culmination of the RNY surgery + menopause + my thyroidectomy (for thyroid cancer) done way back in 1986.

I'll see what kind of therapy she recommends on Wed.  Hope everyone has a great day!

Drink two glasses of wine and call me in the morning!

 Good one tess!

Hi Shelia,

I had a Hysterectomy in 2002 due to a huge fibroid (I was 42), but they left my ovaries and just cut all the tumors off them and they continued to work just fine for years.  My RNY was in 2008.  Shortly after that I saw my OB and my ovaries were still working.  My next followup, in 2011, I finally had a bunch of bloodwork done and that doc thinks I went through menopause sometime in 2008 based on my lab results - she said with all the weight loss and other changes after the surgery, nobody was really noticing the menopause changes.  So I went on the hormone patch for about a year or two, until I got a new doctor when we moved to Nevada.  I am not off the hormone patch due to the cancer history in my family and recently went off the Estroven I was taking because no matter what I take, I still get this hour long overheating in the morning before I go to work - it lasts about an hour to 90 minutes and then goes away.  I am off everything to see if I still get hot or if the hormones were maybe causing it.

Long story short....I am looking forward to hearing about your options....it is soooo hared to figure out what to do anymore.  I have a book on my Kindle; maybe I will visit it and see what I find...it has been a long time since I have looked at it with anything more than a passing interest.

Louise

Hi Louise...I'll be sure to post what she has to tell me.  Thanks for your input :)

Good morning BOTTs. 

It was a nice weekend but boy did it fly by!  It's Monday already??? 

Saturday I had my first of five iron infusions.  It went smoothly and very uneventful but several hours later, I began to feel flu-ish and body achy (as I have in the past with infusions)  so I just relaxed and let my body work on absorbing the iron.  I go for number 2 later this afternoon.  Life is good.

Breakfast:  protein drink

Snack:  protein bar

Lunch:  chicken, strawberry, and almonds on a bed of lettuce with FF dressing

Snack:  peach

Dinner:  Ahi tuna steak and veggies

Snack:  protein drink

I may go for a walk this evening depending on how I feel after the infusion.  (:

Have a great day everyone.

Gaby