Good afternoon! It's been a crazy, hectic few weeks-----I moved into the city of Charlotte. I love living so close by to everything, but getting my apartment unpacked and settled has been a big strain on my back and hip---thus my lack of posting. Sitting is still difficult, but life is slowly getting back to normal (whatever that is!) and so hopefully I will be back on track soon.
Ugh, I am having hot flashes! They are not severe, but definitely there, so I am off to get my progesterone, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and Estradiol levels checked this week. I suspect the stress of moving, along with the stress of increased back pain has made me burn through my hormones more quickly than usual. I was pretty sure my progesterone level was down a bit this spring, as I had a bit of allergy symptoms, and usually I am not bothered by allergies at all (and believe me, before I got my hormones balanced I was allergy central!) Will keep you updated on the numbers when I get my blood work back. If you are taking bioidenticals, and you notice something doesn't feel quite right----call your practitioner and get your levels checked! A lot of different factors can cause hormonal imbalance, and usually a blood test and a bit of tweaking of your hormone dosages can get you back to where you feel great!
I have been released from the arm surgeon, but I found out I have left arm "tennis elbow" (no, I do not and have never played tennis!) It's most common cause is just plain overuse of an arm, and between being left handed and having to use the left arm a lot in the last year because of the fractures in my right arm----yep, it's been overused! I went for a one time PT appointment for a home exercise program, and I have to ice the arm five times a day (what a pain that is!) Click here for a more thorough explanation of tennis elbow.
I wasn't aware of the existence of this device until I saw a post about it on Facebook this morning. Sadly, the post had a lot of snarky, nasty comments, and pelvic muscle health is not a laughing matter for a lot of women. A lot of peri/post menopausal women suffer from incontinence because of lax pelvic muscles, particularly women who have had numerous children. If you don't know what Kegal exercises are, check out this article from the Mayo Clinic. As many of you know, I was in a horrific car accident 22 years ago, and in that accident my pelvis was shattered. I learned about Kegal exercises from a terrific physical therapist, and I have practiced them ever since. I'm not always as consistent with the exercises as I should be, but I do pretty well. I think the device is a great idea, and honestly, when they are on the market at the end of this year------I plan to have one!
Hot as Hades here in NC but that's pretty typical of summer in the South. Good pool weather, and that's where I'm headed right now. I have missed you all, and hope everyone is having a great summer. I promise to be more consistent with my postings now that life is settling down!
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Please note: this blog is for informational purposes only, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any medical advice.
"Treat the disease, you win some, you lose some. Treat the patient, you always win."
~Patch Adams~
~Patch Adams~
Dr. John D. Carr
My Hormone Physician!
My personal hormone physician is Dr. John D. Carr, and he practices at Hormone Health and Aging, 35400 Bob Hope Drive Suite 108, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. His office phone number is 760-548-0413. For more information, see his web site by clicking here. Be sure to check out his Facebook Page, and he has a series of short, informative video lectures on bioidentical hormones and related topics on You Tube. Dr. Carr is a member of the the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and The Endocrine Society. Please note, that effective August 1, 2014, new patients will be placed on a waiting list and will be offered a spot in the practice on a first come, first served basis as slots in the practice become available.
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Check out the credentials of your hormone physician!
When you are doing research for a new doctor, here are two very important websites to check out:
The Federation of State Medical Boards
The link will take you to a listing each state's medical disciplinary board. It is important to make sure that the doctor you are considering has not had his/her license suspended or has otherwise been disciplined by the medical board in the state he/she practices.
American Board of Medical Specialties
This site has a page when you can plug in a doctor's name, state of residence and other information and you can find out if the doctor you are considering is board certified and in what medical specialty(ies).
The Federation of State Medical Boards
The link will take you to a listing each state's medical disciplinary board. It is important to make sure that the doctor you are considering has not had his/her license suspended or has otherwise been disciplined by the medical board in the state he/she practices.
American Board of Medical Specialties
This site has a page when you can plug in a doctor's name, state of residence and other information and you can find out if the doctor you are considering is board certified and in what medical specialty(ies).
Andrea's Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Journey
I began taking bioidentical hormone therapy in September 2006. I started with progesterone cream 3 times a day, and a small amount of testosterone cream every other day. The results were nothing short of astonishing! Within three days, my restless leg syndrome disappeared. Within two weeks, I was off five medications: antihistamine (cured severe seasonal allergies), acid reflux medication, sleeping medication (now I use Melatonin), blood pressure medication, and most importantly, the Ritalin/Concerta I took for Attention Deficit Disorder. I took longer to wean off the antidepressant I was taking as those meds must be gradually tapered off to minimize side effects. Besides the obvious health benefits of not poisoning my body with all the medications listed above, I honestly have more energy now than I did when I was 30, and I turned 52 in June 2010. My mind is much clearer, my focus much sharper, and my anxiety level has decreased dramatically. I now work out at our local YMCA 5-6 days per week, which has tremendously benefited the back, hip and pelvis problems I have from a car crash in 1992. Oh, yeah, did I mention I am down over 120 pounds from my high weight (and still working on it)! I began taking Bi/Est cream in April 2011. Until October 2010, my FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and estradiol levels indicated that I did not need supplemental estrogen. Although I was not having any hot flashes, I began to notice over the winter of 2010-11 that I felt a little cognitively "off"---grasping for words occasionally, and not quite feeling on top of my game. The Bi/Est cream, like my other hormones, is compounded at the pharmacy and I take it transdermally, twice a day. July 2009 update: Three years ago when I had a DEXA (bone denisty test) the results showed that I had a mild case of osteopenia, which is the precursor to osteoporosis. I had a repeat scan done in June 2009---not only do I no longer have osteopenia, the bone density measurements in my hip, femur and spine show that I am COMFORTABLY in the normal range. I am very excited about that---and I attribute it to the bioidentical hormones, exercise, and supplements (including Vitamin D). I am also often asked why I take my hormones transdermally (using creams on my skin) rather than just pop a pill. By using creams, I am able to bypass the liver and the absorption rate for my hormones is faster. The creams are in no way an inconvenience, They come in a little dispenser jar and it took me less than a week to remember my three daily doses.
As a society, we overuse the phrase that something has "changed my life". In this case, it's not hype---I absolutely know that bioidentical hormone therapy has not only improved the quality of my life, but has literally saved my life. I am looking forward to living the second half of my life as a healthy, productive, hormonally balanced woman!
As a society, we overuse the phrase that something has "changed my life". In this case, it's not hype---I absolutely know that bioidentical hormone therapy has not only improved the quality of my life, but has literally saved my life. I am looking forward to living the second half of my life as a healthy, productive, hormonally balanced woman!
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