For Gals 40+ who are having trouble

[NancyElle]

I posted this same message under another thread, but thought it might help some of you who may have missed it, hence the "repost"

I just wanted to share with you MY experience with diet/exercise and peri-menopause! I’m forty five years old, and I couldn’t believe what was happening to me with each passing year after the age of forty! Once, it was much easier to lose a few pounds, tone up, stay slim and trim, but not anymore!

I have been dieting/exercising most of my adult life, having conquered
a slight weight problem I have had since I was a child. I also work out religiously. Due to some major life tragedies, I gained a little weight while I was going thru some messy personal issues, and my workout routine fell by the wayside. I wanted to lose the extra fifteen to twenty pounds I had gained. I didn’t really think it would be a problem once I started back working out. I don’t have a problem with will power, or sticking to a routine, so in May 2002, I promised myself I would pick up the pace and exercise religiously, because I always feel better, and this was always the key for me in terms of losing inches and dropping extra pounds.

After one entire year of waking at 5:00 A.M. and walking five miles a day, on a varied terrain involving lots of killer uphill stretches, at least five days a week-usually more (all done within an hour), I found myself only MAINTAINING my current weight!! I couldn’t believe it!

During this entire YEAR, besides a couple of pounds lost in the first month of my regimen, even with all this walking, I did not lose one ounce or one inch no matter what I ate! I would tell my husband, “you’d think I would be SKINNY with all this exercise, and all my food restriction…what’s the deal????” He would just tell me that I was gorgeous and that surely my heart and blood pressure had to be GREAT! (they indeed are.)

So, I started tweaking my food intake…..
I tried low carb (but only for a little while), low fat, juice fasting, Slim-Fast, high fiber,and any other diet you can imagine. Since I didn’t drop any weight in the first week, I would get discouraged, because BEFORE, the first week of any diet would really give me a quick 3 or 4 pound loss NOTHING was happening!

I really got mad! The I got smart!

I did a little research and changed a few things….viola…in one month, I’ve dropped five pounds, lost many inches (like about three in my hips alone) and look better than I have in years!

Let me tell you what I did, and maybe it will help some of you gals out there who are struggling!

First, I added 2 pound hand weights to my walk. I swear, the difference is remarkable. At first, I could not believe how much more difficult it made this walk that I had been doing for a year (now about a year and two months), but the difference was phenomenal!

Second, I started taking major supplements. I still have a fairly regular period, but I was experiencing outrageous hot flashes, breast tenderness, awful skin rashes, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, you name it! It was awful! Plus, my waistline that was never more than 26 (even when I was really heavy~ I’m an hourglass body type) was about 30! I read somewhere that the imbalance of hormones we experience as we approach menopause makes us hold onto fat as if we were pregnant! Oh MY GOSH! You’ve got to manipulate those hormones a little bit….and WITHOUT synthetic ones!

So I researched and added the following supplements:

1. A premium multi-vitamin with herbs (Kirkland Brand with Ginkgo Biloba and other herbs which boost energy and memory~) I get these at Costco because they are much less expensive than at a health food store (I’ve been taking these forever, but they were not enough!)
2. Magnesium (1200 mgs)-
3. Flax Seed Oil Gel Caps (2000-4000mgs per day with each of two meals-sometimes I forget the second one, thus the variation in dosage)
4. Supplemental Vitamin E-800 IU
5. Healthy Woman soy supplement-to support estrogen
6. Natural Progesterone Cream-one teaspoon twice a day, rubbed on my neck and wrists so it is absorbed better.

I just knock back all of this stuff in the morning before I walk on an empty stomach, but it’s probably better to take them with some sort of food. I usually drink either Crystal Lite, splenda sweetened tea, or some sort of sugar free fitness water when I take them. Somehow, the high energy walking soothes out my stomach and keeps it from getting upset from all these pills! The cream I apply after my morning shower, and before I go to bed.

All of these work together to balance you out, and indeed, I feel like I’m twenty five instead of forty five! I heard about these from an author who appeared on Dr.Phil, talking about what we need as we approach menopause. Her name escapes me, but you can find the info on his website-www.drphil.com.

The third and final step in my road to my former self was really, really being good about low carbing. I mean, giving it more than a week or two to work.

In the first week, my weight went up and down, I retained water at times, I had headaches, etc. But by the second week, I felt GREAT! The inches started dropping before the pounds, but now, after a month into it, I feel like I’m melting a little everyday!

At first, I think your body is burning fat for sure, but for me, it seems like it displaces that fat with water. Like your fat cells have lost fat, but they stay swelled up with water. That’s how it is for me, even as I'm drinking tons of water. Of course, I have no scientific evidence whatsoever to back this up, but I’ve got this feeling...

In the past month, I haven’t slipped up at all, because I’m determined to stay as young, vital and fit as possible.

Even with all that exercise I was doing, my clothes didn’t fit any differently, and I wasn’t ever a big eater. However, I did eat my fair share of carbs via pasta, crackers, margaritas, potatoes, cookies, etc. I think those refined carbs and sugars are worse for me now, at age 45 than they’ve ever been. So, I cut them out, added the supplements and in ONE MONTH, I feel and look better than I have in at least three or four years. PLUS, my clothes are starting to get looser, my tummy isn’t all poochy, I’m feeling my hip bones again and I think I’m easier to get along with!

It really is harder to stay fit and trim after age forty, but we’ve gotta fight the good fight and not let that be an excuse to puff up, right? Hope this marathon post helps some of you out there who are struggling!

Blessings to all! :angel:

[latingirl]

I've heard wonderful things about the progesterone cream. I have friends using it and they said it is the best thing that has happened to them. I even know of a 26 yr old that is using it for infertility reasons. Apparently, you can become pregnant more easily if you use it. They also told me about the weight loss benefit. Unfortunately, my Dr. told me "NO". I am waiting a little bit (I just had a baby at age 41) but I think I may use it in the future.
Congratulations on your success. You're an inspiration!

[Iowagirl]

Your marathon post was very informative and a good head's up. Glad to hear of your success - you sound young in mind/body/heart! :heart:

[Jannie]

I too had a horrific experince going thru "the change". For anyone out there who needs to know, there is a brand-new therapy for hot flashes, and it gave my life back to me! It's a low dose of anti-depressant: they use effexor, paxil or prozac most often. This was discovered by breast-cancer survivors, who can't take hormones at all, ever. And it works!!

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

[SandraDee]

Thanks so much for all the info. I have heard about the progesterone cream I believe on the Oprah show one day. It is supposed to help for heart palpitaions. I have them a lot now since I have started the atkins. I thought it is from all of the fat I am putting into my body....but maybe it is because I am 45 year of age!!! LOL!!
Thank You!
SandraDee

[bubu]

latin girl....

I would be interested to know why your doctor told u NO to the cream ?
Did he state any reasons at all ?

Was a very enlightning post.

I too used to walk 4 - 6 miles every day in my latter 30s...and I too did not seem to get anywhere until I added weights to my body. I went as much as 20 pds. 5 on each limb and then walk 6 miles at least 4 times a week. That and lifting weights finally did the trick. That is until a degenerated disk put me down and made me gain more weight than ever before within 2 years.
Of course now at 43 its slower and harder than ever to get rid of it . I work out every morning, cardio, weights and stretches but by the numbers alone I should have reached goal already....well we know better. BUT am making progress....Still am interested in your recipe of change.

Thanks
Bubu

[mmmbeads]

I have started using natural progesterone cream since I read that I have so many of the syptoms of low progesterone. One of the symptoms is gaining through the middle and hips. Another is the inability to lose weight. I am only on day 12, but I have been low carbing for almost a year and have only lost 11-15 pounds and 16½ inches in all that time. Very frustrating.

Ever since I lost an overy in 1997, I have had a time losing weight. I sure hope the cream helps. I am getting really frustrated and worried about becoming diabetic from the extra weight.

I used to be an 8/10 and then I quit smoking at the same time I lost the ovary. In three years I gained 60 pounds Wish I had known about low carbing back then!!!

Have to get back onto some sort of balance. I have tweaked and tweaked on Atkins and still am not finished trying something else in order to lose SOMETHING.

My 2¢
Shelley

[junebug61]

Nancy, thanks for the great post. I would love to follow you in a journal.

After a bone marrow transplant 13 years ago, I went into menopause early in life. Back then my doctor put me on hormone therapy. I soon gained 5 pounds. Then a year ago, I had a breast biopsy ( it turned out fine), and I told the doctor no more hormones. I then gained another 5 pounds! Even though I exercised everyday. Walked three miles a day, and/ or did step class, nothing seemed to get my weight down. Like you, I did enjoy margaritas, bagels, chips, etc.
By January, I was getting desperate. My clothes were tight, and I thought I really needed to do something here. I was only going to try the lc diet for a few weeks, until I lost the 10 pounds. Well, almost 20 pounds later, I love this wol.

What does the progesterone cream do exactly? Where do you buy it? Tell me more. I am 42, would love to feel 25 again! lol.

[jmarionw]

Here's a link to some info on progesterone:

http://www.health-science.com/natpro.html

Also, do an internet search for the cream and you'll come up with lots of places to buy it!

NancyElle, thanks for the info! I just turned 43, and am starting to get perimenapausal symptoms.

[SandraDee]

I did do an internet search for the progesterone cream, but only came up with online places to purchase it. Can you buy it at a drugstore or health food store do you think, rather than online?
Thanks so much.
SandraDee

[cvillacci]

I purchased my progesterone cream online at www.homefirst.com. They are a doctors office and the website gives good info about it and other natural remedies. I have been using it for 2 months now and my symptons are much better. No weight loss yet after 6 months low carbing with 100 pounds to shed. :cry:

[mmmbeads]

I use Endau Natural Progesterone cream, 21 one days on, seven off. one tsp per day (½tsp twice a day). I ordered it wholesale through a distributor on another group list. It is called NaturalAlternativesToHRT~yahoogroups.com. The group owner is a distributor and we get it at her discount. This does not have any glycerin that will blocl absorption. I apply it to the places where the skin is thinnest ~ the back of the neck, wrist, inside the crook of the forearm, or the back of the knees. Make sure you don't have any other lotions or oil on that will block absorption or it is a waste. This formula is the correct strength. I have seen others that are 450 strength for the entire tube, but it was $38 in the health food store. This is only $19.40 for a 4.2 oz tube. Lasts a month with my application. Already working on the PMS Mood swings.
Hope this helps.
Shelley

[SandraDee]

Thank you Cindy and Shelly very much for the information. You guys have been a very big help to me. :thup:
Thanks again,
SandraDee

[mmmbeads]

You are most welcome, SandraDee! I am just getting started with this situation. I found that I have quite a few of the 35 symptoms of low progesterone. (See Dr Lee's book about perimenopause and/or menopause for details). I am looking for an endocrinologist or naturopath, now that my GYN is telling me that he does not believe in such things as saliva tests. He said that he won't argue about them, since that would be like arguing abour religion.

I am about to take some saliva tests and find out my levels so that I can get something prescribed for my system. I might be needing something more than the cream, if other levels are low.

Must find my balance so that I can start losing weight again.
Best to you, too!
Shelley

[SandraDee]

Oh and best to you also Shelley!
Good Luck..
SandraDee

[summerbree]

Hi.. I just had my my ovaries and uterus tubes all of it removed Im wondering if that is why my weightloss is so slow.. 07/01/03 (220 #) now on 07/11/03 (218#) :( I eat less than 10 carbs a day I keep track and I have even cut down on the intake of calories... Im very concerend Im on Estogen patch Clamria I think is the name .. what is this cream you all are talking about its a different hormone I wonder if I need that?? plz help My age is 37 my surgery was the last week of may 2003

[latingirl]

There is a great book called "What your Dr. may not tell you about menoupause" and another one called "What your Dr. may not tell you about pre-menopause", both by Dr. John Lee. Here's his website:
http://www.johnleemd.com/. I haven't been there in a while, but I believe you can buy the cream from them.

Bubu,
My Dr did not give me a reason. I just talked to the nurse over the phone, who checked with the Dr and called me back saying there were no studies to determine the use and that she would not prescribe it. I told her it was over the counter and she said that she would not use it.
Since I had just had a baby and was breastfeeding I decided not to use it at that time because it could mess up the milk production.

[mmmbeads]

Thanks... I am going back to the basics for a few weeks and cutting out Splenda. Now that I think about it, I never tried to lose weight using Splenda in the past. I won't know if that is the culprit until I eliminate it. We shall see if that works or not. I am trying everything I can think of to unlock this stall.
Shelley

[Jannie]

Under 10 carbs a day is NOT the way to lose weight! You may have completely stalled your metabolism. You need to follow the plan strictly, that is, around 20 carbs per day-are you eating breakfast? Eating until comfortably full? Exercising? Drinking your water? They are all important components of the plan. You also need to make sure you're getting enough food for your metabolism to work--check the book. :read2:

Hormones are notorious-some say they stall you, others not, hard to say. Just hang in there and do your best! We're all behind you!!

:wiggle: :wiggle: :wiggle:

[JuliaM]

NancyElle:

Your post was so very correct.... the weight just seemed to be glued on permanently!!

Hormones play an enormous role in this. I am currently on a low dosage patch (had a hyst at 44 and couldn't handle the hot flashes and insomnia that followed), as well as Angel Cream (Dr. Lee's recommended progesterone cream). While I now feel very "balanced" and healthy, (it took a year to get balanced), I still have this layer around my middle. I only started low carbing recently, and can see and feel the difference already. Plus, no more highs/lows from sugar bingeing!

I too take vitamins (multi, flaxseed, E, calcium and folic each morning) and work out 4-5 time a week. No feeling old for this kid!
Thanks for such a great post!

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/r/bigdance2.gifhttp://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/r/bigdance2.gifhttp://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/r/bigdance2.gif

[Doitnow]

I just learned about DHEA: this hormone can make a big difference in post forty weight loss efforts.

[mmmbeads]

I started losing again! I was stalled for four months and had to do SOMETHING differently... I cut down on my Splenda usage and started using liquid Stevia in my decaf (when I do have some) and herbal tea. I also started taking B complex, 3000mg flaxseed oil, drinking 88-120 fluid ounces of filtered water, Atkins Basic 3, Dieter's Advantage, 1½ tsp natural progesterone cream (broken into QID doses), 800-1000mg Vitamin E and I cut back to whole foods, unprocessed at Induction levels. Losing 2 pounds a week again. Oh, and gave up all low carb treats for a while until I cam closer to my goal. Whatever stands in my way has to go.

My first LC anniversary is tomorrow!! :Party: Making adjustments have made a difference I figure that I did not get this way over night, so, I should be where I want to be soon. This is for life anyway.

One more thing I cut out. I was drinking a Diet Rite cola every day. I found that I was sensitive to the caramel flavoring/coloring. A sip of the tangerine does not bother me, but I had to cut these out for the most part. Reporting in!!! Hope someone can glean something from this post and lose again.

[Margme]

:dazzle: I was so happy to see this over 40 thread! Yes...I like myself better now that I am 44 and love woman over 40 ....there is a calmness, sense of true maturity and sanity that shines thru at this age!
I started back on Atkins a few weeks ago and combined it with DAILY trips to the gym for tri-weekly Step Classes, bi-weekly Yoga, and every other day weights (toning). This I found is the ONLY thing that balances me out and whittles away my bloated stomach and creeping fat all over. I too find I almost can't digest carbs since I passed 40. Yoga helped with my eating binges almost immediately with or without protein diet....which surprised me! I'm blessed with a friendly gym that is 5 mins away....the woman at the early morning classes are my age and older and FABULOUS....total energy and fit!! They really give me inspiration....and I am still way over weight...I don't weight myself....don't need that anxiety!! :nono: but I rapidly crept out of a size 14 and found some 16s fitting tight!! :cry: I have a daughter who is entering first grade and not only am I one of the oldest moms but the most overweight.....not only do I need to lose weight for me but also so I can be around for this twinkling little star who lights up my life everyday. :angel: Thanks for all your GREAT advice ...I'm looking into the hormone cream now.....the exercise has been keeping the mood swings at bay big time...............well thanks for reading thus far and please keep this post going!!! It's great ...your great.....best to all.
Marg

[Margme]

Hi Nancy:
I have to say I love your husband - he sounds like a sweatheart! I too am almost 45 and found the weight pile on after 40! :cry: I had my last child at age 40 and put on a very large amount of weight during the pregnancy - I was pre diabetic and didn't know....wish I new about dangerous carbs then!!!!!!!!!!I have been struggling ever since. Low carbing and exercise are the ONLY thing that takes the excess weight off.

How are you doing now?

keep us posted!

Marg

[mmmbeads]

Hi, Bubu! where can I get one of those cheat free logos? I am one year and three days of cheat free.
Shelley

[westernwil]

Adding weights to increase the difficulty of your walks is fine, but seems to me the conventional wisdom is to tuck them into a backpack, NOT use ankle and hand weights, which tend to throw off your body's natural balance and shock absorption systems. Putting the weight in your backpack is more body-friendly and less likely to generate injuries.

I began getting night sweats as I entered perimenopause. They were annoying, but not a big deal. In September I started paying attention to my diet, then began exercising again as well. Lo and behold, the night sweats totally stopped.

Even more interesting, when I break training to have a couple of glasses of wine, I ALWAYS get night sweats that night.

Things that make you go hmmmmmm.....

[bubu]

westernwill,
I have to say that I used to walk with 20 pd weights all the time distributed over legs and arms.
I did check with my brother who is a physical therapist and he told me that legs is ok arms lighter, but NEVER in a backpack or torso as this puts too much presure on the spine. (remember the advise about kids and back packs also)
I do have degenerative disk which is genetic so I had to quit doing that altogether, but while I was doing it, it was a great workout and really kept my weight down -without any food restrictions. I did lift during that time also as usual but this was my primary cardio, 5 - 6 miles every other day.
And with a little hip music in the ear or the country air and sounds....I loved it.

Happy lc-ing
Bu

[mmmbeads]

Atkins has been my way of life since 080802. I decided that since the weight was at a standstill, with no cheats since that date, I needed to do something drastic! This is week 6 of training for a half marathon ~ my first. I will be 50 at the end of this month and that is my gift to myself.

There are 30 of us doing the marathon for women over 40, through Central Park on the first day of spring. We celebrate and honor life!!! Honey, if this does not rearrange my body, nothing will!

We train walk/run three times a week, with cross training twice a week and one day of easy walk. We did 6.3 miles this morning! Now, I know that muscle weighs 2.5 times more than the same amount of fat tissue. I have not gotten on the scale in the last month. No need to be discouraged by numbers.

My quads, hamstrings and calves are solid at 6 weeks, with more training to go! My partner (we buddy up for training during the week and get together as a group on Saturday) and I have even started taking pilates once a week! We might continue that or start yoga. We have not decided on that. The other crosstraining day I use the rowing maching aka Suzanne Somer's Body Row. It has the leg press on it, as well. I love it!

That is my plan of attack, y'all!! After the first three miles, it gets easier!:)
mmmhmm!

[bubu]

mmmbeads......

I am exhausted .........reading about your running .....wowsa......congratulations!!!!!!!!!
But with buddies I bet its alot of fun.


ps...ooops I just seen ur question about the cheat free logo....here is a thread that explains it....(I don't do that so well....:))

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=148016&highlight=cheatfree+logo

[Stacie R.]

I've heard wonderful things about the progesterone cream. I have friends using it and they said it is the best thing that has happened to them. I even know of a 26 yr old that is using it for infertility reasons. Apparently, you can become pregnant more easily if you use it. They also told me about the weight loss benefit. Unfortunately, my Dr. told me "NO". I am waiting a little bit (I just had a baby at age 41) but I think I may use it in the future.
Congratulations on your success. You're an inspiration!

Hi,
I would be interested in why your doctor told you NO on the progesterone cream. I've researched this subject in great depth and know it helps all woman at all stages of life. I've just had a baby and other than the effects on the immediate milk production for nursing there aren't really any other side effects.

Thanks, Stacie

[Stacie R.]

Thanks... I am going back to the basics for a few weeks and cutting out Splenda. Now that I think about it, I never tried to lose weight using Splenda in the past. I won't know if that is the culprit until I eliminate it. We shall see if that works or not. I am trying everything I can think of to unlock this stall.
Shelley

Hello, Cutting out Slenda is a GREAT idea. It is clorinated sugar and qiute a health hazard. I think in another message I saw someone had mentioned Stevia. Stevia is natural and can actually help weight loss. It's great to add to tea and can be used to cook with too. Any artificial sweetener will slow down the metabolism. I'm new at the low carber site but would like to offer information on natural hormone progesterone cream and nutrition if I can. I hope I'm doing all of this right as far as replying to a message goes. ????

[Stacie R.]

I too had a horrific experince going thru "the change". For anyone out there who needs to know, there is a brand-new therapy for hot flashes, and it gave my life back to me! It's a low dose of anti-depressant: they use effexor, paxil or prozac most often. This was discovered by breast-cancer survivors, who can't take hormones at all, ever. And it works!!

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

Hi, The natural progesterone CAN be used by breast cancer survivors and woman in treatment."Estrogen" is the hormone that increases cell proliferation and causes cancer to grow and return as well as "Progestin" a synthetic form of progesterone..NATURAL Progesterone is the opposing hormone and protects the body against cancer and many other health issues. Even people with Fibromyalgia, Lupus and other auto immune problems can benefit as well. If any one wants more info please let me know.

[Stacie R.]

Hi,
I could offer more info on Natural Progesterone and what to avoid in terms of Estrogen driven things that throw us out of balance. Hormone imbalance can definatly slow down weight loss or even cause weight gain. Stacie

latin girl....

I would be interested to know why your doctor told u NO to the cream ?
Did he state any reasons at all ?

Was a very enlightning post.

I too used to walk 4 - 6 miles every day in my latter 30s...and I too did not seem to get anywhere until I added weights to my body. I went as much as 20 pds. 5 on each limb and then walk 6 miles at least 4 times a week. That and lifting weights finally did the trick. That is until a degenerated disk put me down and made me gain more weight than ever before within 2 years.
Of course now at 43 its slower and harder than ever to get rid of it . I work out every morning, cardio, weights and stretches but by the numbers alone I should have reached goal already....well we know better. BUT am making progress....Still am interested in your recipe of change.

Thanks




Bubu

[Chamellie]

Wow, I am so glad I found this thread! This could really explain alot my problems. I just went to the doctor today because I periods are really strange. I am 40 and just attributed all of my problems to birth control. I did Depo for two years followed by 6 months of progestin BCPs. I have been off of them for 6 months but my periods are still not normal. They are regular but last 10-14 days, not really heavy but very clotty and at the end get heavy for about 48 hours. I get PMS when I shouldn't , breast tenderness, cramps on and off all month long. Do you think the progesterone cream would help me? I will see my GYN in January and my doctor had blood tests done so he will have the results when I go.

[NancyElle]

WOW! I cannot believe it has been over three years since I originally posted here, about my "over forty experience"! EvERYTHING I WROTE still stands today. :wave:

However, three years, THREE YEARS, brought so many changes in my life.....Oh my gosh.....within months of the original posting, my mother AND my young sister in law passed away......

Just a few months after that, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer! YES! BREAST CANCER! I had never even had a suspicious mammogram, so this diagnoses was completely a shock to everyone. I had to fight this battle for almost two years! With determination, I vowed to beat this demon!

I am happy to say that I endured chemo, surgery & radiation while continuing with my suppliments, my exercise and my low carb lifestyle and I am CANCER FREE.

My breast cancer was NOT related to hormones (ER & PR NEGATIVE) so I was able to continue using progesterone cream.I think the health benefits I received doing low carb, combined with exercise and suppliments, allowed me to endure the effects of chemo and radiation, without missing a beat, or totally destroying my body.

If this info helps anyone, or if you would like any further information, I would be happy to share my experience.

Blessings to you all. I'm happy to be back, reading all your inspiring words of wisdom. Hopefully, I can contribute some wisdom of my own! :)

[mmmbeads]

Congrats on being in 100% remission, Nancy!!! Thank goodness for miracles and modern technology. You sound great! WOOHOO!
Shelley
PS My mom was just pronounced in 100% remission for lymphoma last week.

[Lessara]

I have an intolerance to Aspertaime and it does make my blood sugar rise, just not a much as sugar does, only alittle

[Lessara]

Where do you get progesterone cream?

[RobinB]

I too had a horrific experince going thru "the change". For anyone out there who needs to know, there is a brand-new therapy for hot flashes, and it gave my life back to me! It's a low dose of anti-depressant: they use effexor, paxil or prozac most often. This was discovered by breast-cancer survivors, who can't take hormones at all, ever. And it works!!

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:


I am a survivor, and wanted to chime in about not taking hormone replacement supplements. They can lead to cancer in women sensitive to estrogen. I have seen many of my b.c. sisters have good luck taking Effexor and the like for hot flashes. (Many of us are on Tamoxifen, which brings on an early menopause--complete with hot flashes, etc.)

So that's my 2 cent's worth--I would try the anti -depress. over hormones if you are having a horrible time with symptoms!

[jkmfrog]

Wow, I am so glad I found this thread! This could really explain alot my problems. I just went to the doctor today because I periods are really strange. I am 40 and just attributed all of my problems to birth control. I did Depo for two years followed by 6 months of progestin BCPs. I have been off of them for 6 months but my periods are still not normal. They are regular but last 10-14 days, not really heavy but very clotty and at the end get heavy for about 48 hours. I get PMS when I shouldn't , breast tenderness, cramps on and off all month long. Do you think the progesterone cream would help me? I will see my GYN in January and my doctor had blood tests done so he will have the results when I go.

I had the same symptoms and problems for three years (I'm now 38), tried everything else (dietary changes, exercise, synthetic hormones - which worked but casued all sorts of other problems at one point I was on three addtional meds for the side effects and they were talking about adding a fourth!) and the only thing that worked was natural progesterone cream. Its been a goddess-send.

[Newbirth]

I don't know if they stall me or not, but I keep all diet soda to one a day during the week, just in case it's the citric acid stalling me, and all diet sodas have that.

[rosieo]

Here's a great website about progesterone cream.

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/progesterone.cfm