Welcome to Holy Hormones!

Hello! I am still a novice blogger; I started a blog devoted to my personal interests entitled Needle Notes. I was delighted to learn that Oprah Winfrey dedicated an entire show to the subject of bioidential hormones, which is something I am very passionate about. To give you a little of how I came to be such an advocate for BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement threrapy)............

I live in a suburb of Charlotte, NC. In 2006, my primary care physician, John Carr, MD moved to California to work in a practice that specializes in bioidentical hormones and wellness medicine. Because I trusted Dr. Carr and respect his medical judgement, I made the decision to continue to be his patient despite the proximity of his new practice. I began using progesterone cream and testosterone cream (both prescriptions) in mid September 2006.

Almost immediately, the effects of the progesterone hit me. Within two weeks, I had weaned off from five prescription medications:

• Ritalin


• Klonepin


• Sleep medication


• Acid reflux medication


• Antihistamine

Additionally, I am nearly completely off the Altace I took daily for high blood pressure, which now runs about 100/75.

What other changes have I noted in my body since I started BHRT? Below is a partial list:

• I am down nearly 80 pounds from my high weight.


• I no longer suffer from restless leg syndrome.
  
• No more dry eyes.
  
• I no longer take antidepressants.


• I no longer have hot flashes (and I was having 4-6 most days)
  

Dr. Carr determined my hormone levels by blood work. In addition to the hormonal imbalance, I have low thyroid function, and I am now on two medications to make my thyroid run at optimal level. I also take a host of supplements, including:

• Fish oil


• Vitamins D, E and K


• Flaxseed oil capsules (I don't like the taste and texture of flaxseed oil)


• Resveratrol


• Glucose support capsules


• Low dose aspirin


• Melatonin


• DHEA


• SAM-e

I missed the original airing of Oprah's show on bioidentical hormones, but watched the rebroadcast yesterday. I went on the Oprah.com message boards to see what was the reaction to the show; as of this evening over 2500 messages had been posted to the board. Some of the stories were positive and uplifting, many were painful to read. Reading how frustrated women are ----- knowing something is not right in their bodies but feeling overwhelmed to know that there may be help but they don't know how to get it. I empathized and saw my story in so many of these women. I am profoundly grateful to have a doctor who understands and supports bioidentical hormones, despite the challenges I deal with to be in a wellness practice.

One of the themes running through so many of the messages is not knowing where to turn as far as finding a doctor, I've done a lot of research on the Internet, and information is hard to find. I decided to start a blog dedicated to this issue in the hopes that it will grow into a national movement by women to fight ------ their insurance companies, the government, doctors who blow them off, family and friends who think menopause is nothing more than a punch line in a joke.

Please be patient with me, this is a steep learning curve, but I took it as a good sign that when I tried to register the name Holy Hormones! it was available for the taking. I hope to develop a list of resources in a number of areas relating to hormone therapy, and include links to articles that may be of interest. I welcome your suggestions, comments and ideas.

One other thing, I often have people ask me why the term "holy hormones"----I tell them that everyone here in NC is evangelical about something, with me it's just hormones instead of religion! Have a great weekend, everyone!