And in my little corner of the world----happy day after Syracuse University beat Duke in NCAA basketball! So excited, I am very "rookie" basketball fan, but lived in the Syracuse area for many years so SU it is! It was a great game, when it went into overtime in the final seconds, I wasn't sure my heart could take it! Speaking of hearts....
February is National Women's Heart Health Month! You are wearing red next Friday, February 7, aren't you? From the Mayo Clinic, a list of signs and symptoms of heart disease in women (the classic symptoms of chest pain are not always present in women having a heart attack). I went to a Women's Heart Health Fair yesterday and picked up some great information that I will share with you this month. One of the many reasons I take testosterone is that testosterone strengthens muscles, and remember, the heart is a muscle.....so I am making my heart stronger!
Interesting article in MedPageToday.com about the link between low Vitamin D levels and increased severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). I continue to be amazed at how many people tell me they have never had their Vitamin D levels checked. It's a simple and easy blood test, and costs usually less than $50. I have my levels checked about 2-3 times a year, and the last time it was a nice, healthy 78 ng/ml (Dr. Carr likes his patients to be between 70-100 ng/ml.) I take 10,000 IUs vitamin D3 this time of year (from October to mid April), then I cut to 5000 ng/ml for the summer months (I swim in an outdoor pool about 4-5 days a week in the summer.)
Do not forget to drink plenty of water....every time of the year, actually, but particularly when it's been so cold (we went down to 5 degrees here in NC, which for us is very, very cold!) I can tell how dry the air has been by how chapped my lips get, and I am lotioning my feet religiously so I avoid dry, cracked heels. I'm making sure I get plenty of water too.....don't wait until you are thirsty!
I hear the Groundhog saw his shadow this morning so there will be six more weeks of winter. Some areas of the north will be happy if it's only six more weeks of winter, I am anxious for spring! Have a great week, everyone!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014 (will this month never end?!??!??!?)
I feel (a little) bad about whining about winter......I live in the Southeast, and our winter has been nowhere near as severe in terms of cold and snow as up north. However, I live in the Southeast to largely avoid winter, so....I'm whining. I have said at least half dozen times in the last week that I am afraid that January will never end this year. So that whooping and hollering you hear next Saturday will be me turning the calendar page!
Speaking of turning the calendar page, you do all know that February is Women's Heart Health Month, right? And you know that we are all going to wear read on Friday, February 7 to honour all women who have a heart (yes, I know, we all know a few women who are heartless, and let's keep them out of our lives so our hearts can remain healthy and strong!) Check out the National Go Red For Women Campaign site. I have given (and am planning to give those I haven't seen yet) my friends dark chocolate bars wrapped in red paper to celebrate the month------each year I give out a little red themed gift to tell those I care about how much they do for my heart and my spirit.
Next topic is not exactly "hormonal" but I think most of us will agree that one of the little "joys" of post menopause is dry skin. Particularly in the winter, I swear I can hear my moisturizer suck right into my skin, and dry feet make me nuts. Here in NC, I can start wearing sandals at least part of the time about the end of March, so I do everything I can to avoid the dreaded "lizard feet". I have used and continue to use CeraVe cream (available at your drugstore, big box store, and on Amazon). However, the elevated cold and associated dryness in the air has made my skin dryer than normal this year, and while I was browsing in Walgreen's last week I came upon this (in the foot care aisle):
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It kind of reminds me of a lip balm for your heels. I have been using it for about five days now, and I swear my heels feel a little softer! I can't remember the price exactly, I think it was about $7.50.
I'm going to say this publicly-----I am again drinking way too much diet soda. I know better, I know the bad effects of diet soda and I was so proud of myself for giving it up completely for almost three months last year. Even when I started drinking it again, at first is was only when I was out with friends, etc. I cut down again last summer, and was almost off it about the time I broke my arm------------and then the stress of the fracture, recovery, the problems with the arm, stress and anxiety issues....... No more excuses, I am going cold turkey again tomorrow. Wish me luck. I have a fruit infusion pitcher on its way from Amazon, which I hope will help in the transition. I don't drink coffee, and I only drink tea when it's really cold. Wish me luck!
We are going to be back down into the single digits at some point this week........but I know in almost 56 years, spring has never failed to arrive sooner or later (and that's from someone who spent over 40 years in Upstate NY!) Have a wonderful week, everyone!
Speaking of turning the calendar page, you do all know that February is Women's Heart Health Month, right? And you know that we are all going to wear read on Friday, February 7 to honour all women who have a heart (yes, I know, we all know a few women who are heartless, and let's keep them out of our lives so our hearts can remain healthy and strong!) Check out the National Go Red For Women Campaign site. I have given (and am planning to give those I haven't seen yet) my friends dark chocolate bars wrapped in red paper to celebrate the month------each year I give out a little red themed gift to tell those I care about how much they do for my heart and my spirit.
Next topic is not exactly "hormonal" but I think most of us will agree that one of the little "joys" of post menopause is dry skin. Particularly in the winter, I swear I can hear my moisturizer suck right into my skin, and dry feet make me nuts. Here in NC, I can start wearing sandals at least part of the time about the end of March, so I do everything I can to avoid the dreaded "lizard feet". I have used and continue to use CeraVe cream (available at your drugstore, big box store, and on Amazon). However, the elevated cold and associated dryness in the air has made my skin dryer than normal this year, and while I was browsing in Walgreen's last week I came upon this (in the foot care aisle):
I'm going to say this publicly-----I am again drinking way too much diet soda. I know better, I know the bad effects of diet soda and I was so proud of myself for giving it up completely for almost three months last year. Even when I started drinking it again, at first is was only when I was out with friends, etc. I cut down again last summer, and was almost off it about the time I broke my arm------------and then the stress of the fracture, recovery, the problems with the arm, stress and anxiety issues....... No more excuses, I am going cold turkey again tomorrow. Wish me luck. I have a fruit infusion pitcher on its way from Amazon, which I hope will help in the transition. I don't drink coffee, and I only drink tea when it's really cold. Wish me luck!
We are going to be back down into the single digits at some point this week........but I know in almost 56 years, spring has never failed to arrive sooner or later (and that's from someone who spent over 40 years in Upstate NY!) Have a wonderful week, everyone!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
This and that..............
Greetings from sunny and (relatively) mild NC! That cold snap a couple weeks ago was annoying, but I know it wasn't nearly as bad here as in other parts of the country. I hope everyone is ok. You are all taking your Vitamin D3 right now, aren't you? Besides helping with seasonal affective disorder, it also helps build your immunity. Here in my area, there is some influenza going around, but I've heard more about bronchitis and upper respiratory infections being prevalent. Don't forget simple things like frequent handwashing (and then the frequent application of hand cream so your hands don't get too dry......doubly important for me because I am a knitter) and be very careful to not touch your face/eyes/nose when you are out in public. Touching your face after you have touched a contaminated surface is a very easy way to catch something.
I saw the surgeon on Friday about my arm (fractured in a fall at the gym in August), and new x-rays show that it is continuing to heal.....thank you testosterone and Vitamin D! The plate in the arm is going to have to come out, but not for at least another 6-12 weeks. The doctor said he would like the site of the fracture to be "rock solid" healed, then he can just take the plate out, and I won't have to have another (smaller) plate put in, nor will I have to wear a cast on the arm for a period of time. I'm all for that!
The only downside is I have some restrictions on my exercise program right now so as not to stress the right arm. No upper body exercises with weight machines at the gym, and using the light free weights at home only on the left side. I need to keep the arm splinted when I am out and about. I can still do lower body machines, recumbent bike, and water aerobics. I'm going to do a little fitness walking too, not enough to exacerbate the Achilles tendinitis in my right ankle, but enough to help with core strength. I walk with Nordic walking poles to give me a bit of an upper body workout, and also to help with my balance. I really need to focus on core strength right now, I know it isn't up to par, and when it isn't it makes my back and hip problems worse.
Switching gears, this article on RedOrbit.com makes me want to grind my teeth. A study done in Vancouver, BC supposedly shows that progesterone does not raise the risk of heart disease in recently postmenopausal women. That's already been well established in other studies. This article raises the issue of the WHI (Women's Health Initiative) study that was halted in 2002 because the results showed that the use of "hormone replacement therapy" increased the risk of certain health problems. What the article doesn't tell you is that the HRT used in the WHI study was NOT bioidentical hormone therapy....in fact, far from it. The drugs used in the study (and they are drugs, not hormones) were Premarin (which is a synthetic form of estrogen made from horse urine------it's only a hormone if you are a horse) and progestin, again, not a hormone but a drug. The WHI study has been "dead" for nearly 12 years now, it's time for the media and critics of bioidentical hormones to stop using it as an excuse to deride all hormone replacement therapy.
Possibly because it's the start of the new year, I'm seeing articles and video links pop up on my blog advertising compounding pharmacies that offer "hormone consultations" to patients who think they are having health problems related to hormone deficiencies. The pharmacies offer saliva testing (because by law they cannot order blood tests---only a physician can do that) and then they sit down with the patient, go over the results (usually for a fee), and then refer the patient to a doctor who is willing to prescribe the hormone protocol for the patient. Be very, very wary of these types of arrangements. Number one, most physicians proficient in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy will tell you that blood testing is far more accurate than saliva testing. Secondly, the role of a compounding pharmacist is to fill the prescriptions as directed by your doctor, not to tell a doctor what to prescribe! A doctor (or nurse practitioner) is the only one qualified to review your labs, take a thorough medical history of past and present issues, do an exam and determine your hormonal needs. I know of instances where pharmacies are contracting with doctors ----- the pharmacy goes over the saliva lab tests, sends the list of recommended hormones to a contracted doctor, who sees the patient once for a very few minutes and just prescribes whatever the compounding pharmacist recommends. The doctors involved are not hormone experts, if they were, they would be ordering/reviewing lab work, meeting with the patient, and based on the meeting and patient history, prescribing an individualized protocol of bioidentical hormones. In my next post, I will review and detail ways to find bioidentical hormone care in your geographic area.
I think I hear a heating pad calling me-----my back is giving me fits today. Time to lay down for a bit, read and perhaps knit......and check my newsfeed (love my iPad for this) to find any other interesting hormone articles to share with you. Until then, have a great week!
I saw the surgeon on Friday about my arm (fractured in a fall at the gym in August), and new x-rays show that it is continuing to heal.....thank you testosterone and Vitamin D! The plate in the arm is going to have to come out, but not for at least another 6-12 weeks. The doctor said he would like the site of the fracture to be "rock solid" healed, then he can just take the plate out, and I won't have to have another (smaller) plate put in, nor will I have to wear a cast on the arm for a period of time. I'm all for that!
The only downside is I have some restrictions on my exercise program right now so as not to stress the right arm. No upper body exercises with weight machines at the gym, and using the light free weights at home only on the left side. I need to keep the arm splinted when I am out and about. I can still do lower body machines, recumbent bike, and water aerobics. I'm going to do a little fitness walking too, not enough to exacerbate the Achilles tendinitis in my right ankle, but enough to help with core strength. I walk with Nordic walking poles to give me a bit of an upper body workout, and also to help with my balance. I really need to focus on core strength right now, I know it isn't up to par, and when it isn't it makes my back and hip problems worse.
- Speaking of exercise, interesting article in USAToday about retirees and exercise. The article makes some good points (whether you are a retiree or just wanting to get into an exercise habit no matter what your age):
- If you haven't exercised in a long time, check with your doctor about any limitations. Just common sense.
- A few sessions with a personal trainer is a good investment. I have worked with a trainer at various times in my life, and as soon as I get this next surgery out of the way and I can get back to upper body workouts, I plan to work with a trainer again to maximize my potential.
- Check and see what programs are available for "mature" adults at your local gym, either the YMCA or a privately owned workout facility. Some health insurance providers pay for at least part of a gym membership if ordered by a doctor, and some Medicare plans offer free gym memberships. It's worth looking into.
Switching gears, this article on RedOrbit.com makes me want to grind my teeth. A study done in Vancouver, BC supposedly shows that progesterone does not raise the risk of heart disease in recently postmenopausal women. That's already been well established in other studies. This article raises the issue of the WHI (Women's Health Initiative) study that was halted in 2002 because the results showed that the use of "hormone replacement therapy" increased the risk of certain health problems. What the article doesn't tell you is that the HRT used in the WHI study was NOT bioidentical hormone therapy....in fact, far from it. The drugs used in the study (and they are drugs, not hormones) were Premarin (which is a synthetic form of estrogen made from horse urine------it's only a hormone if you are a horse) and progestin, again, not a hormone but a drug. The WHI study has been "dead" for nearly 12 years now, it's time for the media and critics of bioidentical hormones to stop using it as an excuse to deride all hormone replacement therapy.
Possibly because it's the start of the new year, I'm seeing articles and video links pop up on my blog advertising compounding pharmacies that offer "hormone consultations" to patients who think they are having health problems related to hormone deficiencies. The pharmacies offer saliva testing (because by law they cannot order blood tests---only a physician can do that) and then they sit down with the patient, go over the results (usually for a fee), and then refer the patient to a doctor who is willing to prescribe the hormone protocol for the patient. Be very, very wary of these types of arrangements. Number one, most physicians proficient in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy will tell you that blood testing is far more accurate than saliva testing. Secondly, the role of a compounding pharmacist is to fill the prescriptions as directed by your doctor, not to tell a doctor what to prescribe! A doctor (or nurse practitioner) is the only one qualified to review your labs, take a thorough medical history of past and present issues, do an exam and determine your hormonal needs. I know of instances where pharmacies are contracting with doctors ----- the pharmacy goes over the saliva lab tests, sends the list of recommended hormones to a contracted doctor, who sees the patient once for a very few minutes and just prescribes whatever the compounding pharmacist recommends. The doctors involved are not hormone experts, if they were, they would be ordering/reviewing lab work, meeting with the patient, and based on the meeting and patient history, prescribing an individualized protocol of bioidentical hormones. In my next post, I will review and detail ways to find bioidentical hormone care in your geographic area.
I think I hear a heating pad calling me-----my back is giving me fits today. Time to lay down for a bit, read and perhaps knit......and check my newsfeed (love my iPad for this) to find any other interesting hormone articles to share with you. Until then, have a great week!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Vitamin D-----it's what's for winter :)
I am officially sick of winter already, and that's from someone who spent over 40 years in Upstate NY but who now lives in the Piedmont of North Carolina! It's gray, gloomy, and a band of rain just went through. Just heard on the news that we will hit record setting lows on Tuesday, and will be at least 48 hours below the freezing mark (our average daily high about this time of year is about 50-52 degrees.) The lack of sunshine is what is getting to me...........I'm starting to think there is no such thing as enough Vitamin D (just kidding!)
I've gotten several inquires in the last couple weeks about Vitamin D levels and the best brands to use. Be aware that this is coming from me, who is not a medical professional, and I encourage everyone to consult with their doctor or healthcare provider about Vitamin D and everything else. My own doctor likes to have his patients at a level of 70-100 ng/ml and the level is determined by a blood test. If you have never had your Vitamin D level checked, do it at your next doctor's visit. If your doctor says you don't need to have the level checked, I would ask why and if the answer isn't satisfactory, look into getting another doctor.
The last time my Vitamin D level was checked was in late October, and it was a nice, healthy 78 ng/ml. I am often asked how much Vitamin D I take. From early October through mid April, I take 10,000 IUs of Vitamin D....no, that's not a typo, that's ten thousand IUs Vitamin D. I need that much to keep my levels optimal, and I have it checked at least 3-4 times a year. From mid April to October, I take 5000 IUs, because I am out in the sun more, and in the summer, I do my physical therapy exercises in an outdoor pool at least 4 days a week. An interesting benefit of the Vitamin D optimization is that I now tan beautifully, and I will shock a lot of you when I say this, but I do not use sunscreen.
Make sure you are taking Vitamin D3, which has better absorption. I am asked what brand(s) I use, as I use the brands that Dr. Carr's office recommends, or other quality brands. I stay away from supplements from the big box stores, as they too often contain far less of the supplement than indicated on the bottle, the quality control just isn't there. I prefer Life Extension Vitamin D3, and I have also used OrthoMolecular Vitamin D3 and Nutrigold Vitamin D3.
To aid in the absorption, I also take Vitamin K, specifically MK-7. I have successfully used brands by Jarrow, Life Extension, and one other brand (yellow label on the bottle, I think) that right now I can't remember the name.
Hope this information helps. One of the books on my list of recommended reading is The Vitamin D Revolution by Dr. Soram Khalsa, it can be ordered through Amazon. If you have a Kindle, or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet, check out this free book Power of Vitamin D.
Stay warm, and stay safe!
I've gotten several inquires in the last couple weeks about Vitamin D levels and the best brands to use. Be aware that this is coming from me, who is not a medical professional, and I encourage everyone to consult with their doctor or healthcare provider about Vitamin D and everything else. My own doctor likes to have his patients at a level of 70-100 ng/ml and the level is determined by a blood test. If you have never had your Vitamin D level checked, do it at your next doctor's visit. If your doctor says you don't need to have the level checked, I would ask why and if the answer isn't satisfactory, look into getting another doctor.
The last time my Vitamin D level was checked was in late October, and it was a nice, healthy 78 ng/ml. I am often asked how much Vitamin D I take. From early October through mid April, I take 10,000 IUs of Vitamin D....no, that's not a typo, that's ten thousand IUs Vitamin D. I need that much to keep my levels optimal, and I have it checked at least 3-4 times a year. From mid April to October, I take 5000 IUs, because I am out in the sun more, and in the summer, I do my physical therapy exercises in an outdoor pool at least 4 days a week. An interesting benefit of the Vitamin D optimization is that I now tan beautifully, and I will shock a lot of you when I say this, but I do not use sunscreen.
Make sure you are taking Vitamin D3, which has better absorption. I am asked what brand(s) I use, as I use the brands that Dr. Carr's office recommends, or other quality brands. I stay away from supplements from the big box stores, as they too often contain far less of the supplement than indicated on the bottle, the quality control just isn't there. I prefer Life Extension Vitamin D3, and I have also used OrthoMolecular Vitamin D3 and Nutrigold Vitamin D3.
To aid in the absorption, I also take Vitamin K, specifically MK-7. I have successfully used brands by Jarrow, Life Extension, and one other brand (yellow label on the bottle, I think) that right now I can't remember the name.
Hope this information helps. One of the books on my list of recommended reading is The Vitamin D Revolution by Dr. Soram Khalsa, it can be ordered through Amazon. If you have a Kindle, or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet, check out this free book Power of Vitamin D.
Stay warm, and stay safe!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Spring countdown.......
A little off topic here, but then again, maybe not.....after all, I'm concerned about the holistic health of my readers, and hope is part of feeling emotionally well. You will notice a new addition to the blog tonight, on the right side just above Dr. Carr's picture------a countdown to the first day of spring! I know many of you are struggling with bad winter weather tonight, and even here in NC it's gray, cold and gloomy.....I know my spirits could use a lift right now. Enjoy, and I will be back over the weekend with a hormonal post.
How exercise revs brainpower
Happy 2014! I hope your year has gotten off to a good start. My thoughts are with those of you in the path of the winter storm heading to the Northeast; I have friends in Chicago and they said it was pretty rough there yesterday. One of my friends who works in a school near Syracuse, NY had an unexpected extension of her holiday break, and believe me when I tell you it has to be pretty bad in that area for schools to close.
Here in Charlotte, the first "real" morning of the New Year was very cloudy, chilly and gloomy. I had to literally talk myself into going to the gym this morning; my back and hip are very painful today and I could easily have stayed in my jammies and in bed (something I do not do, by the way). I did get to the gym, and although I had to modify my workout to accommodate my endurance and pain level, I did manage to do some time on the recumbent bike and a few weight machines. I'm done whining, now, thank you for listening.
I brought up the topic of exercise because I found this interesting piece in the Charlotte Observer about the cognitive benefits of exercise. The physical benefits of exercise are pretty obvious to everyone, but exercises effect on the brain is often overlooked. I've been working out regularly now for about nine years, and I like to think that it, along with my hormonal optimization and healthier eating has improved my cognitive functioning and concentration. As I have said many times, I am not setting any records in the gym; most of what I do are exercises prescribed for me by a physical therapist to keep my joints mobile and to maintain bone strength. Core strength is critical for me, and when I miss a few weeks of exercise (like I did when I broke my arm this summer) my back and hip make me crazy. I have a friend who is an excellent example of exercise benefiting cognitive function; I've seen him hugely scattered and distracted before a workout, and after a session with his trainer, he comes back focused and ready to tackle whatever task is at hand.
I am not one of those people who hops/crawls out of bed in the morning and can't wait to get to the gym. I have a hard time understanding those who really enjoy working out, but to each his/her own. I go because I know it's healthy, that I have to keep my back and joints as strong as possible, and to maintain bone and cardiac health. If exercising regularly is on your list of goals for 2014 (good for you)-----find something you like to do. Don't forget that it's important to combine aerobic exercise (water aerobics, walking, treadmill) with some sort of strength training. Ideally that strength training would be with weights, I use a few weight machines at the gym and have a set of very light weights for home use. Water aerobics is my preferred cardio activity now; I used to love to walk but right now that exacerbates the issues in my back and hip. You might find it helpful to have an exercise buddy (I don't, but know a lot of the ladies at the gym). If you have health issues (and who doesn't at this age), check with your doctor to see what exercise is safe for you to do, and if necessary, ask for a referral to a physical therapist to help you design an exercise program to reach your fitness goals safely.
I'm off to rest with a heating pad for a little while, I don't sleep but am sorting through my newsfeeds to find other interesting articles to share with you. Enjoy the rest of your day, and stay warm!
Here in Charlotte, the first "real" morning of the New Year was very cloudy, chilly and gloomy. I had to literally talk myself into going to the gym this morning; my back and hip are very painful today and I could easily have stayed in my jammies and in bed (something I do not do, by the way). I did get to the gym, and although I had to modify my workout to accommodate my endurance and pain level, I did manage to do some time on the recumbent bike and a few weight machines. I'm done whining, now, thank you for listening.
I brought up the topic of exercise because I found this interesting piece in the Charlotte Observer about the cognitive benefits of exercise. The physical benefits of exercise are pretty obvious to everyone, but exercises effect on the brain is often overlooked. I've been working out regularly now for about nine years, and I like to think that it, along with my hormonal optimization and healthier eating has improved my cognitive functioning and concentration. As I have said many times, I am not setting any records in the gym; most of what I do are exercises prescribed for me by a physical therapist to keep my joints mobile and to maintain bone strength. Core strength is critical for me, and when I miss a few weeks of exercise (like I did when I broke my arm this summer) my back and hip make me crazy. I have a friend who is an excellent example of exercise benefiting cognitive function; I've seen him hugely scattered and distracted before a workout, and after a session with his trainer, he comes back focused and ready to tackle whatever task is at hand.
I am not one of those people who hops/crawls out of bed in the morning and can't wait to get to the gym. I have a hard time understanding those who really enjoy working out, but to each his/her own. I go because I know it's healthy, that I have to keep my back and joints as strong as possible, and to maintain bone and cardiac health. If exercising regularly is on your list of goals for 2014 (good for you)-----find something you like to do. Don't forget that it's important to combine aerobic exercise (water aerobics, walking, treadmill) with some sort of strength training. Ideally that strength training would be with weights, I use a few weight machines at the gym and have a set of very light weights for home use. Water aerobics is my preferred cardio activity now; I used to love to walk but right now that exacerbates the issues in my back and hip. You might find it helpful to have an exercise buddy (I don't, but know a lot of the ladies at the gym). If you have health issues (and who doesn't at this age), check with your doctor to see what exercise is safe for you to do, and if necessary, ask for a referral to a physical therapist to help you design an exercise program to reach your fitness goals safely.
I'm off to rest with a heating pad for a little while, I don't sleep but am sorting through my newsfeeds to find other interesting articles to share with you. Enjoy the rest of your day, and stay warm!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Another fresh new year is here...by William Arthur Ward
Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!"
Wishing you all a healthy, happy and hormonally balanced 2014!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
New Year's Resolutions
I don't like the word "resolution" when talking about the new year to come; it's been my experience that when I set a resolution I blow it before the end of the first month. The word goal seems to work for me, yeah, we'll go with that.
One of my goals for this year is to read more to my potential; in the last couple years I have fallen into the chick lit and romance novel rut because it's good escapism. While there is nothing wrong with chick lit/romance novels, and there are a few authors I will continue to follow, I need to challenge my brain more. I have a couple non fiction books out of the library right now, and also a novel that is a little bit weightier than what I have been reading.
I also need to work more on my emotional eating issues (and I have a couple books in my library on the subject----I will review on the blog). I need to ask myself before I put something in my mouth --- am I really hungry? Or (more likely), am I tired, bored, angry or in pain?
However, I have one New Year's project/resolution that absolutely every one of you can keep. Before the first of the year, sit down at your computer and compile (or update) your health history. Include:
It's important to review the list more than once a year, particularly if you are on any medications or hormones (and if you are reading this blog, you probably are!) I know in my own case, Dr. Carr has made at least three adjustments to my thyroid medications this year; once to change from Levoxyl to Synthroid (because of the Levoxyl recall) and then we have had to make two adjustments to the dosage of Synthroid to get me to optimal levels. Make sure you update your medical history when such changes occur.
Don't make excuses, don't put it off-----DO IT! And have a happy, healthy, peaceful 2014!
One of my goals for this year is to read more to my potential; in the last couple years I have fallen into the chick lit and romance novel rut because it's good escapism. While there is nothing wrong with chick lit/romance novels, and there are a few authors I will continue to follow, I need to challenge my brain more. I have a couple non fiction books out of the library right now, and also a novel that is a little bit weightier than what I have been reading.
I also need to work more on my emotional eating issues (and I have a couple books in my library on the subject----I will review on the blog). I need to ask myself before I put something in my mouth --- am I really hungry? Or (more likely), am I tired, bored, angry or in pain?
However, I have one New Year's project/resolution that absolutely every one of you can keep. Before the first of the year, sit down at your computer and compile (or update) your health history. Include:
- Name, full address, and telephone number
- Surgical history (for me this is a big one---I had 15 surgeries post accident and there is no way I could remember them all without a written list)
- Current medications (name, dose, frequency)
- All bioidentical hormones (names, dosages)
- Supplements/Vitamins (complete list, this is important especially if you see more than one doctor)
- Names, specialty, and phone number of every doctor who is treating you
- Emergency contacts
It's important to review the list more than once a year, particularly if you are on any medications or hormones (and if you are reading this blog, you probably are!) I know in my own case, Dr. Carr has made at least three adjustments to my thyroid medications this year; once to change from Levoxyl to Synthroid (because of the Levoxyl recall) and then we have had to make two adjustments to the dosage of Synthroid to get me to optimal levels. Make sure you update your medical history when such changes occur.
Don't make excuses, don't put it off-----DO IT! And have a happy, healthy, peaceful 2014!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
S-EBM (Selective Evidence Based Medicine) Takes a New Turn
Editorial note from Andrea----had to share this bit of humour with you! In the post below this post, you will see a more serious (and a little bit snarky) response to a story about multivitamins and supplements (this is the story from USA Today). While I will agree that multivitamins are largely a waste of money (check the labels on most multivitamins and you will see that there are very, very small amounts of vitamins in each tablet), even people who eat well and healthy are still almost always lacking in some vitamins and nutrients. Those of us who still struggle with our eating habits (including me) definitely need to be taking supplements to stay healthy. I take a number of different supplements, including CoQ10, Vitamins B, C, D, K and magnesium (I take others too, but would need to go check the list). I know those supplements, along with my hormone optimization, have kept me off a whole bunch of medications (much to the chagrin of the pharmaceutical industry!) Enjoy, and I encourage you to sign up for Orthomolecular's newsletter!
Commentary by Andrew W. Saul, Editor
(OMNS April 1, 2012) Perhaps I listened to too many Bob Newhart records while growing up, but even as a kid I knew that Abraham Lincoln did not have a PR agent. I also knew, although to this day I like their material, that neither Sherlock Holmes nor P.D.Q. Bach ever lived. Like most kids, I learned all too early that there was not really an Easter Bunny. However, I learned in school that large dinosaurs were slow moving, cold-blooded, and many mostly sat around in ponds for buoyancy to support their enormous weight. It was literally decades later that the lessons changed: the fast-stride spacing of footprints along with a lack of tail-tracks had caught up with the textbooks. Belief systems die hard. Many people have read many media reports about many dangers of many vitamins. In keeping with the media's current standard of accuracy (and noting the date of this release), here is an information leak.
Confidential Memorandum from the World Headquarters of Pharmaceutical Politicians, Educators and Reporters (WHOPPER)Most Secret: Your Eyes Only
Distinguished members, our decades of disparaging nutritional therapy have paid off at last. The public, and their healthcare providers, are completely hoodwinked. By pushing "evidence based medicine" on the medical professions, we have elegantly slipped in our choice of evidence to base medicine on. And this is no mere journeyman accomplishment: this is high art. Mr. Machiavelli would be pleased. Certainly the pharmaceutical cartel is. We are well on our way to eliminating the competition, namely that increasingly irritating "orthomolecular medicine" faction.
Here's how we are winning the Vitamin War: It is entirely too obvious, from our reading the nutritional literature, that vitamins and minerals are a well-proven, safe and effective therapy. Of course, anyone knows that to work they must be employed in appropriate doses, just as any drug must be given in an appropriate dose. That is the problem, but it is also our opportunity. Since high nutrient doses work all too well, we eliminate all those embarrassing positive high-dose results simply by ignoring them. By selecting, pooling and analyzing only unsuccessful low dose studies, our conclusions exactly fit what we want the public to believe.
We also make certain to use either synthetic or fractional vitamin E to "prove" that that nutrient not only has no therapeutic value, but is actually dangerous and can kill! Sure, it is an onion in the ointment that there have been no deaths from vitamin E in 28 years of poison control center reporting. But that's a mere fact, and easily ignored.
We are not going to rest on our proverbial laurels. Now that we have set the precedent for shaping medical practice into pharmaceutical hustling, there's even more we can accomplish.
Here is our master plan. We have solidly established that research data can be selected, pooled, meta-analyzed and then dictate solidly "scientific" conclusions. It is now a mere step to do the same in other disciplines, including education, politics, and the social sciences. For example:
Here is unlimited opportunity for social engineering, and we owe it all to S-EBM: Selective Evidence Based Medicine. Yes indeed: it logically proceeds from our widely-publicized analyses of vitamin supplementation, analyses that were limited to studies that used low doses. Math is a wonderful thing: when we sliced statistics into sound-byte-sized pieces, we even proved that vitamin E kills; vitamin C is worse; don't even THINK of taking those B-vitamin supplements; and even multivitamin pills are dangerous. Give us a just while longer: we will rip the carbons out of vitamin D next.
There is so much to look forward to!
(End of memo)
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Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org
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The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.
Editorial Review Board:
Ian Brighthope, M.D. (Australia)
Ralph K. Campbell, M.D. (USA)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Damien Downing, M.D. (United Kingdom)
Dean Elledge, D.D.S., M.S. (USA)
Michael Ellis, M.D. (Australia)
Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA)
Michael Gonzalez, D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Steve Hickey, Ph.D. (United Kingdom)
James A. Jackson, Ph.D. (USA)
Michael Janson, M.D. (USA)
Robert E. Jenkins, D.C. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Erik Paterson, M.D. (Canada)
W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Ralph K. Campbell, M.D. (USA)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Damien Downing, M.D. (United Kingdom)
Dean Elledge, D.D.S., M.S. (USA)
Michael Ellis, M.D. (Australia)
Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA)
Michael Gonzalez, D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Steve Hickey, Ph.D. (United Kingdom)
James A. Jackson, Ph.D. (USA)
Michael Janson, M.D. (USA)
Robert E. Jenkins, D.C. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Erik Paterson, M.D. (Canada)
W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. (USA), Editor and contact person. Email:omns@orthomolecular.org Readers may write in with their comments and questions for consideration for publication and as topic suggestions. However, OMNS is unable to respond to individual emails.
The Final Word on Supplements Yeah, Right.
Commentary by Mark McCarty
(OMNS Dec 21, 2013) "Centrum Silver Adults 50+" was the low-dose multivitamin tested in a much-trumpeted recent study that "proved that supplements don't work." Here is the manufacturer's webpage for this paragon of applied nutritional science: http://www.centrum.com/
But it is worth the effort. In addition to three artificial colors, note the whopping big doses (this is satire, now) of protective nutrients such as:
Vitamin D - 500 IU (Bet they thought they were going way out on a limb, adding that great extra 100 IU!)
Vitamin E - 50 IU (All provided by cutting edge, synthetic dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate)
Magnesium - 50 mg (Wow, one-eighth of the RDA, in the ever-so-soluble oxide form!)
Zinc - 11 mg (Cleverly well below the elevated range shown to exert any "dangerous antioxidant activity" by inducing metallothionein [1])
Calcium - 220 mg (Note the 4.4 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium; way too high, and that is nota satirical comment)
Lutein - 250 mcg (Macular degeneration is now a thing of the past!)
Evidently, the failure of this nutritional powerhouse to prevent dementia can only mean that all supplementation is inherently worthless.
Granted this supplement did reduce cancer incidence by 8% (http://www.nbcnews.com/
Of course, you would think that even modest, conservative doses of micronutrients might provide some benefit to the many mentally-challenged people whose baseline diets are overloaded with empty calories. So to give the supplement the very best chance to demonstrate efficacy, the researchers chose a population of research subjects most likely to be nutritionally deficient: American physicians!
Now that we have gotten all this supplements nonsense out of our systems, we can all go to our doctors to get prescriptions for the many drugs proven to prevent dementia (of which there are none).
But as for vitamins, thank heavens our ever-vigilant media have set us straight again! Whatwould we do without them?
(Mark McCarty is a nutritionist and Research Director at the non-profit organization Catalytic Longevity. He is also President of NutriGuard Research, and a consultant to several medical clinics.)
Notes:
1. In regard to zinc - are you aware of this result from the AREDS1 study?:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
For further reading:
Are Antioxidants Bad for Us? A Response to Dr. Paul Offit http://catalyticlongevity.org/
Excellent analysis of the flawed research used to attack multivitamin supplements:http://www.lef.org/featured-
Gossard B, Schmid K, Huber L, Joyal SV. Flawed research used to attack multivitamin supplements. http://www.lef.org/featured-
Additional humorous commentary on vitamin-bashing:
Multivitamins dangerous? Latest leak from the World Headquarters of Pharmaceutical Politicians, Educators and Reporters: http://orthomolecular.org/
How to destroy confidence in vitamins when you do not have the facts: http://orthomolecular.org/
Confidential Memorandum from the World Headquarters of Pharmaceutical Politicians, Educators and Reporters: scroll down at http://orthomolecular.org/
Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org
Find a Doctor
To locate an orthomolecular physician near you: http://orthomolecular.org/
The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.
Editorial Review Board:
Ian Brighthope, M.D. (Australia)
Ralph K. Campbell, M.D. (USA)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Damien Downing, M.D. (United Kingdom)
Dean Elledge, D.D.S., M.S. (USA)
Michael Ellis, M.D. (Australia)
Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA)
Michael Gonzalez, D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Steve Hickey, Ph.D. (United Kingdom)
Michael Janson, M.D. (USA)
Robert E. Jenkins, D.C. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria)
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Erik Paterson, M.D. (Canada)
W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Atsuo Yanagisawa, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan)
Ralph K. Campbell, M.D. (USA)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Damien Downing, M.D. (United Kingdom)
Dean Elledge, D.D.S., M.S. (USA)
Michael Ellis, M.D. (Australia)
Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA)
Michael Gonzalez, D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Steve Hickey, Ph.D. (United Kingdom)
Michael Janson, M.D. (USA)
Robert E. Jenkins, D.C. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria)
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Erik Paterson, M.D. (Canada)
W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Atsuo Yanagisawa, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan)
Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. (USA), Editor and contact person. Email:omns@orthomolecular.org This is a comments-only address; OMNS is unable to respond to individual reader emails. However, readers are encouraged to write in with their viewpoints. Reader comments become the property of OMNS and may or may not be used for publication.
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Sunday, November 17, 2013
Some weekend "reading"...
A few quick reads for you from my news feed this week:
Suzy Cohen is a pharmacist who writes a syndicated column. Last week, a reader asked about erectile dysfunction, and I thought her answer was worth sharing with you. I particularly like the first line of the second paragraph of the answer, comparing giving a man Cialis/Viagra for erectile dysfunction instead of finding out if he is hormonally deficient to jump starting a battery every time a car won't start to replacing the battery outright. Brilliant, and the analogy can be applied to so many other health problems. As I wrote in an earlier post, Brisdelle, which is a reformulation of the antidepressant Paxil, is being marketed to women for hot flashes. Ladies, we have hormonal deficiencies that need to be addressed, not Paxil deficiencies!
On nearly the same topic (giving drugs when hormonal balance is more likely the answer)---I'm sure most of you have seen the news reports about new guidelines for giving statins (cholesterol lowering) drugs to more patients. Often, high cholesterol levels are due to thyroid imbalance, and yet I am constantly astonished at the number of patients who tell me they have NEVER had their thyroid levels checked, or who only have ever had a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test. A normal TSH is not necessarily indicative of normal thyroid, a complete panel of blood work should always include T4 and T3 levels. Even among the women that I know who are taking thyroid medication, they are only taking medication for the T4 thyroid. Very few doctors (unless they are hormone specialists and/or practicing age management medicine) even check the T3 levels. Dr. Carr does a thyroid panel on me several times a year to make sure I am taking the right dose of my T4 med (I was using Levoxyl until it was no longer available, I then swiched to Synthroid and had to up the dose as it is not as effective for me) and T3 (I have that compounded, and I take it twice a day......will be taking second dose as soon as I finish this post!)
I had a wonderful day yesterday going to my first college basketball game! So much fun, I understand enough about the game to follow it, and it was simply a wonderful day with a great friend and a new experience for me. I was driving home from Charlotte about 5 pm when I realized how early it gets dark. No matter what, we are not getting enough sunlight exposure this time of year (even on the days when the sun is fully out!) and so getting adequate Vitamin D is vital. From early October to at least mid March, I increase my dose of Vitamin D from 5000 IUs daily to 10,000 IUs daily, and it generally keeps me in the optimal range of 70-100 ng/ml (blood work test). Are you taking enough Vitamin D? The paltry amount in a multi-vitamin won't cut it (usually less than 400 IUs), and it is nearly impossible to get it from food. As always, check with your doctor, and if you haven't had your level tested, insist on it at your next visit.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend......today is kind of an "in" day for me (although I ran to the grocery store earlier this morning). I'm catching up on laundry, resting my back, and this afternoon I am going to either dig into a new book or pick up my knitting for a while. Breathe deep, enjoy your day and have a good week!
Suzy Cohen is a pharmacist who writes a syndicated column. Last week, a reader asked about erectile dysfunction, and I thought her answer was worth sharing with you. I particularly like the first line of the second paragraph of the answer, comparing giving a man Cialis/Viagra for erectile dysfunction instead of finding out if he is hormonally deficient to jump starting a battery every time a car won't start to replacing the battery outright. Brilliant, and the analogy can be applied to so many other health problems. As I wrote in an earlier post, Brisdelle, which is a reformulation of the antidepressant Paxil, is being marketed to women for hot flashes. Ladies, we have hormonal deficiencies that need to be addressed, not Paxil deficiencies!
On nearly the same topic (giving drugs when hormonal balance is more likely the answer)---I'm sure most of you have seen the news reports about new guidelines for giving statins (cholesterol lowering) drugs to more patients. Often, high cholesterol levels are due to thyroid imbalance, and yet I am constantly astonished at the number of patients who tell me they have NEVER had their thyroid levels checked, or who only have ever had a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test. A normal TSH is not necessarily indicative of normal thyroid, a complete panel of blood work should always include T4 and T3 levels. Even among the women that I know who are taking thyroid medication, they are only taking medication for the T4 thyroid. Very few doctors (unless they are hormone specialists and/or practicing age management medicine) even check the T3 levels. Dr. Carr does a thyroid panel on me several times a year to make sure I am taking the right dose of my T4 med (I was using Levoxyl until it was no longer available, I then swiched to Synthroid and had to up the dose as it is not as effective for me) and T3 (I have that compounded, and I take it twice a day......will be taking second dose as soon as I finish this post!)
I had a wonderful day yesterday going to my first college basketball game! So much fun, I understand enough about the game to follow it, and it was simply a wonderful day with a great friend and a new experience for me. I was driving home from Charlotte about 5 pm when I realized how early it gets dark. No matter what, we are not getting enough sunlight exposure this time of year (even on the days when the sun is fully out!) and so getting adequate Vitamin D is vital. From early October to at least mid March, I increase my dose of Vitamin D from 5000 IUs daily to 10,000 IUs daily, and it generally keeps me in the optimal range of 70-100 ng/ml (blood work test). Are you taking enough Vitamin D? The paltry amount in a multi-vitamin won't cut it (usually less than 400 IUs), and it is nearly impossible to get it from food. As always, check with your doctor, and if you haven't had your level tested, insist on it at your next visit.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend......today is kind of an "in" day for me (although I ran to the grocery store earlier this morning). I'm catching up on laundry, resting my back, and this afternoon I am going to either dig into a new book or pick up my knitting for a while. Breathe deep, enjoy your day and have a good week!
PCCA Awards Peter Koshland, PharmD, With George Roentsch Scholarship
I want to add my congratulations to Peter Koshland of Koshland Pharmacy on his receiving the The George Roentsch Scholarship from the Professional Compounding Centers of America. I am a regular reader of Peter's blog, (and I have referred a number of people who tell me that their doctor wants them to go on Paxil for hot flashes to Peter's recent blog post on the subject---it is important reading), and if you live in the San Francisco Bay area, I highly recommend his pharmacy (click here for website.) We need more pharmacists like Peter to advocate for bioidentical hormone health!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
This and That.......
Good afternoon from sunny and relatively warm NC! A gorgeous fall weekend out there, but we are likely to get nailed with a cold front by mid week. Ah, such is the season here in the Southeast.
Today I am going to address a few "hormonal issues":
Today I am going to address a few "hormonal issues":
- I'm sure nearly all of you have either heard or read about the study done by the Veteran's Administration regarding testosterone and men over 60. I understand the study was featured in a segment of Good Morning America, and USA Today and a number of other newspapers did articles about the study findings. First of all, all of the men in this study were at the VA for cardiac catheterizations, which means most of them already had confirmed heart disease. This is not 8,700 healthy men we are talking about. Many had other risk factors for heart attacks, including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Also, although not discussed in the USA Today article, another article I read said the men who were given testosterone were using the gel form of administration, which is known to have widely varying effects on raising men's testosterone levels. Nowhere have I seen any discussion of the levels of testosterone in the men who were taking testosterone, either before or after they were given testosterone. The study is absurd and I am sad that it has gotten as much press coverage as it has....it drives me nuts when so little real, valid information is shared about these studies. Dr. Carr has taught me so much about reading past the headlines, and even reading past the contents of the article to ask questions about risk factors, methodology of studies, and even who might be sponsoring the study (if it's a drug company, be very skeptical.)
- Not hormone related, but since a significant number of middle aged women and men have knee problems (me included!) I thought you might find this interesting. According to NBC News, doctors have discovered a new ligament in the human knee called anterolateral ligament (ALL). My first thought was "great, one more ligament for me to worry about popping!"
- Yes, it's time for me to go off on another rant about Vitamin D levels. The days are getting shorter, the sun isn't as strong as it is during the spring and summer, and almost all age management/bioidentical hormone specialists will tell you that anyone over 40 needs to be supplementing their Vitamin D3, that you cannot keep your levels in the optimal range with food and sunshine alone. Dr. Carr likes his patients to be between 70-100 ng/ml (blood test), and the last time mine was checked in late September it was a nice, healthy 78. I am often asked how much Vitamin D I take. From April to about early October, I take 5000 IU's daily, and the rest of the year I take 10,000 IUs daily. I take it with Vitamin K for better absorption. I do not use drugstore brands of Vitamin D, right now I am taking Life Extension brand, but have used OrthoMolecular with good results. The only reason I don't use Ortho right now is because it looks EXACTLY like my DHEA capsule, if I drop one on the floor (a common occurrence since I fractured my arm in August), I have no idea which one it was to replace it. My jaw dropped when I read this article from NBC News Health about an uptick in rickets in the UK, which is caused by Vitamin D deficiency. In this day and age, in an industrialized country like the UK (with health care for all), this is an entirely preventable problem! I know my bones are stronger because of my Vitamin D optimization, and there is considerable evidence that Vitamin D helps with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). I also believe it has helped boost my immunity, as I am very rarely sick, I have had maybe two very light colds in the last 7 years, have not been on an antibiotic in at least 8 years. As always, check with your doctor, but if he/she blows you off about getting a Vitamin D blood test, stand your ground and insist on getting one! I've had a number of people tell me their doctor says they don't need a Vitamin D test because they (the doctor) are sure it's normal. Number one, normal and optimal are two different things, and secondly, if your doctor can tell by looking at you that your Vitamin D level is normal than he must have some sort of superpower.
- There's a "new" drug out for hot flashes called Brisdelle. It is not a new drug, it's simply Paxil (an antidepressant, and an old one at that) that has now been FDA approved for hot flashes. Check out the list from Web MD of side effects for Paxil, you will note it includes sweating, which is kind of ironic since the drug is being given for hot flashes. We have a hormone deficiency, ladies, we do not have an antidpressant deficiency. I am continually astonished (and appalled) at how many women are taking antidpressants, have been for 10 years or more, and don't think it's a big deal. I took them for years before I got my hormones balanced, and am happy beyond belief that I do not take them anymore. As always, do not, and I mean NEVER, go off an antidepressant cold turkey......weaning off an antidpressant should always be done under the supervision of a doctor.
I think that's about it for today. Happy Veteran's Day to all of you who have served our country. My mother, as well as her sister and brother, were all in World War II at the same time.....I cannot imagine what my Grandma went through.
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| My mom, circa 1942 |
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| Mom's sister, my Aunt Rocky (Betty), not sure of the date but about 1942 also. |
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| Mom's brother, my Uncle Jack. Again, circa 1942-1943. I never met Uncle Jack, he died of a lung ailment when I was two years old. I am told I have his (and Aunt Rocky's) sharp, wicked sense of humour, and for that I am grateful! |
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Good for the soul-------------
I've been away for a few days-----my first trip to Myrtle Beach! My friend Karen had an oceanfront condo for a week, and she graciously invited me to come stay with her for as long as I wanted. I drove down Wednesday afternoon, and we all left about mid-morning on Saturday. We mostly relaxed, at unhealthy food (hey, I get points for being honest), swam in the hotel pool (heated, and it was above average temperatures while I was there), and I spent part of Friday meeting the parents of a friend for lunch.
I took a couple slow but powerful walks on the beach------helped me to clear my head, reset my priorities, and I think now I am ready to put the effort into really, really getting back on track. The weeks following my arm fracture have been very stressful---pain, physical therapy, anxiety about falling again, life stuff and so on. Although I have been exercising, I haven't felt like I've been able to get back to maximizing my potential consistently, and the walks on the beach gave me time to talk to myself gently (I'm working on not beating myself up) about taking better care of myself. I'm ready.
I wanted to share a few of the sunrise pictures I took (I'm still in awe that I had that kind of view each morning while sitting in my jammies!)......click here to see the entire album of pictures on Facebook (you do not need to be on FB to see the album). Enjoy......I'm going to download these into my iPad and use as a slideshow with an "ocean wave" sound...........it will help me focus on my meditation.
I took a couple slow but powerful walks on the beach------helped me to clear my head, reset my priorities, and I think now I am ready to put the effort into really, really getting back on track. The weeks following my arm fracture have been very stressful---pain, physical therapy, anxiety about falling again, life stuff and so on. Although I have been exercising, I haven't felt like I've been able to get back to maximizing my potential consistently, and the walks on the beach gave me time to talk to myself gently (I'm working on not beating myself up) about taking better care of myself. I'm ready.
I wanted to share a few of the sunrise pictures I took (I'm still in awe that I had that kind of view each morning while sitting in my jammies!)......click here to see the entire album of pictures on Facebook (you do not need to be on FB to see the album). Enjoy......I'm going to download these into my iPad and use as a slideshow with an "ocean wave" sound...........it will help me focus on my meditation.
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