MeredithD1

We're forming a glandular sisterhood here

Fandy

FWIW, my SIL experienced many of the same symptoms that Anvil did, including rapid HR and BP...but no other symptoms and she was hospitalized for testing...turned out to be hypERthyroid problem...she had no symptoms of tired, hair loss, rapid weight loss...they injected her while she was in-house for 3 days and is now on meds TID (3x a day).

all the adrenal cortex supplements in the world cannot help sometimes, but Graves disease is easily tested and DX'd...sometimes surgery.

I also experienced the rapid weight gain and miserable year of full blown menopause that went of for 2 years...I gained 40#, had to go on HRT for a year, night sweats, extreme stress (from my mother's Alzeimers and stupid a$$hat Mr. Fandy and his gambling)...also drinking exacerbated both depression and the night sweats. After I stopped drinking, the night sweats diminished greatly, now I just take 2 different supplements "Positive Passage" and Evening Primrose (Procaps brand is standardized).

my waist had expanded 10" and I felt i would go through my life in sweatpants. I'm thrilled that I am now finally able to lose weight...(I am in my 3rd week of WW and have lost 5.5 lbs....my BFF is in the same boat as me in age and she has lost 10 lbs. this month)....my energy is returning...but it has taken about 18 months to balance my body and really cut down on the sugar and more importantly cut down on the stress....(my mom passed away after a very long painful bout with her progressive Alzeimers and an untreatable cancerous tumor on May 3).

my eyebrows are sparse but I but the eyelash grower on them for L'Oreal.

Fandy

YES!!!! I never had allergies, then the constant sneezing , itchy throat, stuffy nose!

I got a hepa filter on the new furnace, I vacuum with Mr. Dyson and I had the dog clipped very short!

blueblooms14

Chiming in late, but I endorse, “Yoga! Yoga!” When I was diagnosed with GERD a few years ago, my doc put me on meds but also said, “Stop talking to your ex-husband and do yoga at least 4 times a week.” Lol! And he wasn’t an alternative medicine MD, he was with UMich medical center, so even my super-allopathic family couldn’t argue. He was right, too. Never had to renew the prescription. Not saying it’s a magical cure-all, but it has amazing effect, especially on stress-related illnesses, so it might be worth a try.

Fandy

Mr. Dyson is over-rated...I have the "animal" ball model.

I believe their is a forum called "Stopthe thyroidmadnessdotcom"?....that promotes non-synthetic meds...(Armour vs. Synthroid)....this is what led me to Nutri-meds for the dissacated freeze-dried porcine and adrenal cortex...I could have saved a lot of $$ if I got rid of Mr. Fandy sooner...

MeredithD1

Had hayfever since 1967 but this year is worse than I've had in a very long time. I believe that the adrenal stuff has made the allergies worse. And I can't take even the HALF of an 11-yr-old's dose of Children's Benadryl, which usually doesn't bother me, but with the adrenal stuff, I can't even take children's ASPIRIN without it making things worse. Phhht.
LOL is right! that really did get a laugh out of me. There's a new yoga series; the description says "thirty half-hours of yoga" and each half-hour focuses on a different body part, so I've set the DVR to record them. I also have the Biggest Loser yoga DVD.

And if I can figure out how to keep my very sensitive hair from drying out, I'd like to do some gentle laps in the pool; a swim cap has never been quite enough to keep the damage off my hair - any ideas, anyone, anyone, Bueller, Bueller??
After I sued the lousy LTD insurer for denying my claim and they paid a scanty amount (40% of which went to the pro bono attorneys, without whom I would have received nada) I used some of the money to fix the car and some of it to purchase an excellent used KIRBY. It was my first decent vacuum. Advice: Don't wait 'til you're over 40 to get a decent vacuum like I did. My previous vacuum was a $56. I've had the Kirby for six years now, and it still really sucks!!

I have used a very excellent supplement by Enzymatic Therapy, called Metabolic Advantage. Vitacost has their NSI brand, and NSI has its own version of this that's less expensive. I did check out your Nutra-Med site and was impressed with their offerings, too. I'm going to continue with what I started for the adrenals and if I need to change or alter, I'll for sure pick them up, the adrenal stuff, since by now, I know it's not the thyroid, or at least, not the thyroid, alone. I had to stop thyroid supplementation several months back, because it was making matters worse.

**************

So I was feeling a little better on Tuesday, after being down for over a week with the flu-like whatever-it-was. My husband has the car in the day for his 71-mile drive to the full-time-for-at-least-a-month job, and I have a bus pass, so I went to get a few things we really needed from Trader Joe's (they have my favorite recycled paper TP, among other things.)

So this young lady was next to me for a few stops, and then this woman got on with a folded stroller and a tot who couldn't have been more than 3, probably more like 2. The woman looked older than I am, so she may have been the grandma.

So the woman puts the tot in the seat on the other side of the young woman sitting next to me, and proceeds to loudly scold the child every time the child so much as moved. "Hold still, keep quiet on the bus," stuff like that, over and over.

I got agitated and kept practicing my breathing. I wanted to say something, but it was one of those situations where I could tell that this wasn't a woman who would want to hear it. (sigh) So I just sent the little girl some good vibrations and psychic hugs.

The young woman next to me began a bronchial irritated cough once the scolding started. I realized that she must have been triggered, too.

So yesterday and today, I'm feeling like I might relapse, so I'm staying home, no bus, back to very very calm, and probably going to take a nap here soon. And maybe add echinacea tea and colloidal silver.

I just have to realize how sensitive I am right now - my defenses are down, and I need to be careful about that with which I surround myself.

thanks for all your kindness here. it's a healing balm.

ANEWAUGUST

I forgot to post last night that I too am 51 years of age (well, truthfully I will be 52 August 11th but I am 51 right now).

My doctors appointment went well. My blood pressure is low, so combined with all of the other symptoms, she thinks it is definetely adrenal stress/fatigure. She drew blood and ordered tests. She is checking all of my hormone levels, including cortisol. In April she checked my thyroid levels and they were fine.

I am on an adrenal cortex supplement right now until she gets the lab work results back. She recommended eating gluten free right now to aid the adrenals, small meals with snacks in between, etc.

I am going to start doing my yoga and pilates again, I have truly slacked off on my excercise. But then again, who has the energy to excercise?

She recommended laughter, hahaha! So tonight, I told my husband we are going to the movies to Horrible Bosses, doctors orders!

MeredithD1

I love comedies too!! good prescription!! glad to hear the appt went well - if you need to know anything about GF, I know a lot. I was doing rice "flour" products before I went totally grain free and now do almond "flour." What I liked best about GF was it reduced inflammation a lot. Once I went entirely grain-free, I released almost all inflammation, and that was the best I felt in years. The joint pain eased up, the bloating eased up, my face became normal oval shape again after being round and swollen.

Here's to your health!!! Yea!!!

MeredithD1

ummm-hmmm!!!! the silence makes such a nice sound...the channel surfing and various tv stuff feels like a low-level nerve intrusive sometimes...REALLY makes the silence, golden. glad to hear you took care of YOU! and what a nice rewarding day you are having. yea!

i'm up from one nap and about to take another

Fandy

FWIW, last year when I stopped drinking I had tremendous hair loss...my hairdresser could not even cut my hair in layers, it was coming out by the handfuls.

I started a much better diet (more nutritious than vodka, wine and cheetos), take iron supplements and Procaps Healthy Hair Skin and Nails and a biotin capsule every day.

my hair is back about 90% since Feb. 2010....I am fine-textured blonde but I now have a lot of hair...(colored by John Frieda foam). I use WEN cleansing conditioner, i like the new lemon vanilla 613 one....I do switch it with a keratin from the salon a few times a week.

Fandy

I buy the WEN from QVC because they have the special prices and give you extra freebie stuff...and I like to watch the guy "Chaz" who brings his dogs on TV....(washed with WEN of course)...they lay across the hair models laps.

Fandy

thanks for the kindness....there have been 3 Mr. Fandys (I'm 54)...Mr. Fandyy #1 is dead, his poor mother found him 2 years ago...he went to sleep and never woke up...I think it may have been a DVT that worked it's way up to his evil little heart.

Mr. Fandy #2 is a physician (cardiololgist)...he enabled me terribly with scrips, will still write for me if I need it and is now married to a Dermatologist and has 2 bratty snotty kids..we are friends and he is miserable...he still comes and sits in my office from time to time and finishes my lunch....he is sometimes rounding at my hospital but mostly in others.....

Mr. Fandy #3 is the gambling addict and he is still a big thorn for me...but I will get over it...I replaced him with a little dog I adopted in sobriety...we all have ways of working through things...but the biggest lesson I have learned is that if you drown yourself in alcohol, it can make things 10X worse....I cannot drink socially, i'm afraid of becoming someone ugly and a raving lunatic. when I start I do not like to stop...there isn't enough wine in the world for me....

I am one of the lucky ones who refused to give up...but SR and everyone here, (whether I agree with them or not) really did save my life. I now have hope, dreams and goals just for ME! (even in menopause)..

good night guys, I need some phos. serine to help me sleep. they call taking a double dose of it "stress dosing". I hope everyone has a peaceful evening.

barb dwyer

nice reading.

Don't talk to me about allergies!!!

I really6 hope the specialist can sort all this out.
If it turns out to be something I should have been sent years ago with
I'm going to sue that clinic's genitalia off.

Barbies and Kens wanna be doctors office.

We'll all be rich
maybe buy an island someplace or something.

Jadmack25

I got asthma one evening when I was 44, and raced to emergency. Had it and a rash that drove me stark screaming nuts for the next 3 years. Pills, creams etc did nothing for that damned rash and I dare not go anywhere without Ventolin inhaler.
Funny enough, 6 mounths after walking away from AH, rash went away and asthma eased right down......however both er-appeared along with angina attacks some years later.
I was with another A. Only when I started here and took notice of posters online and detached did rash and asthma disappear.

Stress induced ailments I do not need.

ANEWAUGUST

OK, now I need to check out WEN for my hair.

Anvil..good for you taking a "wellness" day off!

I realized from reading this thread (thank you ladies) that although I use all the tools I learned from AA and Al-Anon, I am still internalizing alot of stress. I am helping my widowed mother in another state almost daily with her business and our decision to close it. Long story...but, the dysfunction of growing up in an alcoholic home still lingers years later. I know that the situation with my mothers business will be resolved within the next few months. Still, my stomach clenches when I see her name on my caller id.

But, my job is stressful, my daughter is entering her senior year of high school and my son is entering his senior year of college. Nothing extraordinary happening, just life.

The movie was not that good. Still it was nice to get out of the house and do something different tonight.

Looking forward to Friday..

MeredithD1

I use Farouk's Chi Infra shampoo and conditioner, and slather Chi Silk Infusion on my hair. It's used a lot for flat ironing (which I was amazed my hair would actually go straight and bring out my Inner Hippie, LOL) but my fine hair responds to it a lot. And it's another product I can search various places on the Web and find it less expensive.

I may have to try Wen at some point in the future sometime, will check QVC, never do shop there but could make an exception

For some people with thicker hair, Farouk's Biosilk is better - seems Chi works better on fine hair that tends to frizz - never saw my hair this un-frizzy prior to Chi - and Biosilk works better on hair that's thicker and tends to get gummy when overconditioned.

I'd love to hear more about Wen, what you found it did for your hair? My fallout hasn't been nearly as bad as some have described, and I'm sorry, so sad for you who have that!

I'm just noticing a bit more, likely due to not getting regular trims. Haven't been able to get to a salon since last August, bad 'cause my hair is breaking somewhat and it took me TEN YEARS to grow it long when I was in my 20's, so no way I'm cutting it in my 50's, but I do like to keep it trimmed, styled.

*****************************************

August, that is a lot of stress. There is this one test that determines if you are experiencing major stressors and you sound like you have a few going on, even if many would say "just normal stuff," when it piles up to where you have a few areas of life stress, ARGH! copied/pasted, link follows:

Choose Life Events In the last 2 years, did any of the following happen in your life?

Minor violations of the law
Major holidays
Vacation
Major change in number of family get-togethers
Change in eating habits
Major change in sleeping habits (a lot more or a lot less than usual)
Taking on a loan (car,etc.,)
Major change in social activities (clubs,movies,visiting,etc.)
Major change in usual type and/or amount of recreation
Major change in church or temple activity (i.e.. a lot more or less than usual)
Major changes in working hours or conditions
Changes in residence
Changing to a new school
Trouble with boss
Revision of personal habits (dress manners, associations, quitting smoking)
Major change in living condition
Spouse beginning or ceasing work outside the home
Beginning or ceasing formal schooling
Outstanding personal achievement
Major change in responsibilities at work
Son or daughter leaving home
Trouble with in-laws
Foreclosure on a mortgage or loan
Taking on a mortgage (for home, business, etc.)
Change in number of arguments with spouse
Change to a different line of work
Death of close friend
Change in financial state
Sexual Difficulties
Gaining a new family member(ie.,birth,adoption)
Major business readjustment
Older adult moving in
Pregnancy
Change in the health/behavior of a family member
Marital reconciliation with mate
Retirement from work
Being fired at work
Marriage
Personal injury or illness
Detention in jail or other institution
Death of close family member
Marital Separation from mate
Divorce
Death of spouse

Read more: Life Stressors Chart Life Stressors Chart

I first got the test from a therapist at least 2 decades ago, I think? mediaindia.net doesn't really go into analyzing the results much and I'm sure the test is posted somewhere else, just wanted to give you a general idea. My results said, "The Medindia Life Stress Calculator indicates that you are under serious risk of illness due to over stress." Yeah I knew that.

I looked a little more and found the same test with a better (IMHO) results system at Life Stress Test automatic score

*********************************

Fandy, what's phos. serine?

I keep not getting to bed prior to midnight :P Pacific time, just came in here to turn off the computer, checking in SR before going to bed - good night all - best to you!!

ANEWAUGUST

Meredith..

Thank you for posting that link, I think

I guess I do have a bit more stress then I am allowing myself to acknowledge, geez! To say nothing of throwing menopause in on top of the fruit basket of life events.

So...back to making a plan to de-stress more! I am going to start on small things, like getting my arse of the computer and on to the business of the morning.

Has anyone tried Moroccan Oil for their hair? It is wonderful.

Fandy

Phosphtyl Serine and Phosphtyl Choline....are 2 different supplements that are supposed to be helpful to brain and liver function and reduce stress.

I think I am misspelling them both. Phosphtyl Serine is supposed to help with sleep. you can look them up. I usually buy from Procaps labs online. their stuff does not upset my stomach.

as for the WEN, I think the lavendar is the best for fine hair...I've tried the Farouk stuff, it is too heavy for my hair.

I am a self-admitted Shampoo-aholic.

stepsforward

Take care of yourself. Have you tried Yoga or Zumba - love both of them one of the many things that saved me

ANEWAUGUST

Anvil, I have a pictured in my mind the otter at his crawfish breakfast buffet, and it the image makes me smile.

Is it a full moon?????

I walk into work, and before I put up my lunch, unlock my office door and get my one cup of coffee for the day I am called into an office. We had an incident here at work yesterday that I diffused and was commended on handling. I don't know that I can sum up what happened but suffice to say one of the two people over me, yelled at me. This was infront of another of our managers who, I am over and consider a friend. It was harsh. I teared up. After the meeting the owner who lashed out apologized.

I left the office, went to my office and I couldn't stop the tears....what the heck??????
I guess it is hormones

But the other manager that was in there came to me and said for what it is worth, you were totally calm and were not out of line, the owner lost it, was out of line and
he was uncomfortable even witnessing the moment.

Sooooooo....my less stress train got bumped off the track...trying to get back on!

I think I can, I think I can...