How long have you been going through peri-menopause?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Here We Go Again!

OK, this is getting ridiculous!  I'm on my period again!  I thought this stuff was over since I hadn't had one in 6 months, now I get two in a row at 3 weeks apart...yuk. 

The period is normal for the most part, but was heavy for the first 2 days.  Oh well, back to buying tampons again.

Talk Soon,

Lilia

Sunday, October 24, 2010

One More Time?

Hi Ladies,

I thought I was home free from this period stuff but this month after 6 months I am having a period again.  I wondered what was wrong with me.  I was getting very emotional, cranky, had a fight with my husband, and cried for about 10 minutes.  Not so bad compared to previous bouts of depression.  This cycle  is little different in that I am mostly spotting very heavily.  It's very dark, clotty, type of blood and I have a feeling its the last time I will have a period.  It's almost as if my ovaries needed to clean out the last bit of stuff till I'm home free.

However, I can't help but be thankful even though it's a nuisance because I know ultimately my body is trying to come into balance and compensate for no period for almost 6 months.  Plus, I need the hormones, right?

I hope to hear from some of you.

Lilia

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Home Free!

Hi Ladies,

Well, this month will be my 6th month without a period, which means I will have entered into menopause.  I'm grateful that I feel so good.  All I have to figure out now is how to take off this 25 pounds I gained as a result of this chapter in my life.

If anyone has any ideas on how to do this, I would love it if you can share your story or comments. 

Thank you,
Lilia

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Is Your Skin Changing from Peri Menopause?

Health Experts Happier, Healthier You

by Lucy Danziger, the Editor-in-Chief of SELF magazine
•Diet-Friendly Fast Food Secrets!

If you’re craving clear, smooth skin (and who isn’t?), you don’t have to spend a fortune on cleansers and creams. In fact, you might already have everything you need to battle blemishes in a surprising place: your fridge. Turns out, what you put in your mouth is as important as what you slather on your face when it comes to curing and preventing common complexion woes.

We all heard this advice as teenagers—to try to fight breakouts by swearing off french fries or chocolate chip ice cream (I know, painful then and now!). But researchers are beginning to hone in on exactly which foods have acne-fighting powers, and lucky for me, they happen to be some of my favorites (Nuts! Spinach!). So if it’s flawless skin you seek, don’t think about what you can’t eat—toss these yummy bites in your shopping cart and try SELF’s delicious recipes to be your most beautiful inside and out.

Nibbles with Zinc

My go-to snack, almonds are rich in zinc, which may help banish existing blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. The mineral works to reduce inflammation to shrink bumps, and it also slows sebum production to reduce shine and prevent more breakouts from forming. Munch on a handful, or toss them into a savory Almond-Pear Galette.

Great sources of zinc:

1. almonds
2. baked beans
3. beef
4. chickpeas
5. oysters
6. pumpkin seeds

Snacks with Carotenoids

Mango packs powerful pigments called carotenoids that turn into vitamin A inside your body. Think of A as kryptonite for acne. It attacks blemishes in three ways: reducing inflammation, encouraging cell turnover (aka natural exfoliations) and strengthening your skin’s defense against bacteria. All of that can add up to clean, clear pores that are less prone to pimples. Spoon up some mango sorbet, or try this refreshing Mango and Melon Dessert.

Great sources of carotenoids:
7. mango
8. cantaloupe
9. carrots
10. spinach
11. sweet potatoes
12. tomatoes

Fare with Fiber

If you really want to clear up unsightly spots, it’s time to give up the white starches: When people cut refined carbs from their diet in favor of high-fiber grains like brown rice, they had half as many blemishes after 12 weeks, an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition paper reports. Eating unhealthy carbs, such as white bread, cookies and pastries, signals the pancreas to send out a surge of insulin. This triggers a hormone-level change in your body that increases oil production and tells cells to multiply, all of which jams pores. But the fiber in whole grains helps your body absorb and burn carbs more slowly, which keeps blood sugar and insulin levels steady. Experiment with brown rice in Sweet and Sour Chicken With Short-Grain Brown Rice and Baby Spinach.

Great sources of fiber:
13. brown rice
14. whole-grain bread
15. popcorn

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Stressed out!

Hi Ladies,

This week I started spotting a little after almost 5 months without a period.  I have been really stressed out with my job and I am wondering if that has anything to do with it.  I'm starting to calm down and have decided that the job isn't worth me worrying, thinking, no sleep, and crying.  If stress is going to bring me out of menopause then it stands to reason that menopause is a natural and normal cycle of every woman's life.

Other than that, I have been feeling pretty good.  Using all natural products for two years now has made a tremendous difference in my life. Melaleuca products have really helped me to stay environmentally safe and healthy at the same time.  Also, I have been purchasing all my food at Trader Joe's.  Having meats, eggs, and milk that are not treated with hormones I believe has been and made a huge difference in  my health and the problem free menopause status I'm now in in my life.

I recommend all natural products girls.  I have been a devout consumer of all organic products and will not go back to regular, cheap, store bought because I want to be carcinogen free, synthetic hormone free, and pesticide free so that I can have a healthy rest of my life.

If you want to do the same you can sign up for Melaleuca products and pay $20 a year to be a member and this will allow you to receive their maximum discount on all products which range from household to body.  All you have to do is purchase 35 points worth of products you would normally purchase at the store anyway and be healthy at the same time. The number you sign up under is 7074270950.

Go Green,

Lilia

Monday, August 23, 2010

Eat, Pray, Love

I saw this movie last night and it was amazing!  I recommend it for all of us dear ladies in peri- menopause or menopause.  It makes us take a good look at ourselves, our life, and decide whether it's time to go for it.  I think this time in our lives of retrospect, hot flashes, crying, moodiness, self loathing, and everything else that comes along with being at this stage is a wonderful place to be.  It causes us to not want to waste anymore time.  To take that leap of faith and live. 

It's true what they say about us here in the U.S., most of us live to work when we should be working to live!  After I saw this movie, I realized that it's time for me to take my leap of faith and see what more is out there for me. What does God really have in store for me?  I'm ready!

Balance is good.  Last night after I got home, I told my husband that no matter what, if we are going to make it, we must take the time to eat, pray, and love daily.  Today we began.  We did all three and it was wonderful 


Eat, pray, love!

Lilia

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Urinary Tract Infection

Hi Ladies,

Yesterday, I had to rush to Kaiser to pick up a prescription for a urinary tract infection.  The advice nurse ordered it over the phone for me once he interviewed me.  Thank God I didn't wait!  It was really painful and it started real quick. 

Friday night we went to a Giants game (Padres won), and on the way there, I had to go to the bathroom really bad,  but I had to wait because we were stuck in traffic.  After I finally got to the bathroom, I went with out any problems but I do remember feeling a twinge or something down there.  The next morning the same feeling and I knew where it was headed.  I began drinking lots of water but it wasn't enough.

My question is where do these things come from?  Before the game, we had crab and clam chowder on the wharf and I had a glass of wine.  This is not something I do often so I wonder if it was related.  The only other thing I have been doing differently is we got this amazing coffee/espresso maker and we have been going crazy making cappuccino (delicious), but my question is-is caffeine bad for the urinary tract?  I would think so because caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, so if you are peeing all the time, then dehydration is inevitable which can lead to urinary tract. 

What do you all think?

By the way, now my pee is orange due to the Azo and by the way, they put me on Cipro, only 3 pills so it must be strong stuff.   Also, they recommend 1 glass of cranberry a day and of course lots of water.  I decided to buy the juice with No Sugar added and it's pretty good.

Pee A lot-need more water. A vicious cycle.
Lilia

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

12 Supplements to Beware of according to Yahoo Health

The dozen are aconite, bitter orange, chaparral, colloidal silver, coltsfoot, comfrey, country mallow, germanium, greater celandine, kava, lobelia, and yohimbe. The FDA has warned about at least eight of them, some as long ago as 1993.

Be careful what you put in your body.  It can do more harm than good!

Talk soon,
Lilia

Monday, August 2, 2010

Don't use soap with Triclosan

Hi Ladies,

Fox 40 News just had a special report that soaps that contain Triclosan can cause thyroid problems and hormone problems.  That's why I use Melaleuca products.  If you are interested in signing up to start ordering your Green, Environmentally safe products just click on Melaleuca.com and become a member.  You do have to order 35 points of products per month but it's worth it.  I order every month and love the products.  I have changed all my store bought products that are for cleaning and now buy them strictly from Melaleuca.  Guess what?  My thyroid is now back to normal. I had Graves Disease and am finally off my medication.  I have been off of the meds since Nov 2009 and still no recurrence.  Thank you God and Melaleuca. When signing up to be a member, you need a reference number.  Use 7074270950.

Go Green,

Lilia

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Still no period!

Hi Ladies,

I have not had a period for 2 months now! Not that I'm complaining...I'm not! It's been great! I haven't had any major issues except some interruptions in my sleep. However, I don't think it is related to menopause. I noticed that these past 2 months I have not had any cramps either whereas previous to this I have felt like I was going to start.

Still feeling great and I hope it lasts. Tomorrow I'm going to start walking for 30 minutes each day. I haven't done this in years. I'm feeling like I'm finally up to it. Getting older has helped me to not need as much sleep so I should not worry about not getting 7 to 8 hours a night...right?

However, I am going to bed earlier.

Talk soon,

Lilia

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Hot Flashes?

Hi Ladies,

So, last month I did not have a period and I thought I was going to have one this last week but it was just a couple days of spotting. I also had slight cramps but still no period. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely thankful.

Recently, I have been talking to a few women and they have shared with me that they are having hot flashes. I don't know if any of you remember but I discussed this about 6 months ago. The pill that I ordered from DrColbert.com was Pregnenolone. I took 1 to 2 tablets a day it was a God send because they ceased and never returned after 2 weeks. Also, I had ordered a progesterone cream from his website that was somewhat affective but not until I took the pill with the cream did I get the relief I needed.

Check it out!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Thyroid or Menopause?

For the third night in a row, I have found it difficult to sleep without interruption. Last night I kept waking up like there was something not quite right in the world. Then at 4 a.m. I awoke for good and could not go back to sleep. I was so wired! I decided to clean up my paperwork in my office and keep my mind busy. I tried praying but needed to stay busy.

This morning at breakfast, after my coffee, I realized my heart was racing. Although I have had Grave's Disease (hyper active thyroid), I have been off my medication since November with a clean bill of health. However, my Endocrinologist said it could come back. If it does, they will have to kill my thyroid with radio active iodine. Doesn't sound too good to me!

Once again, I know that these symptoms can also mimic Peri-menopause. So, the question is, is it my thyroid or is it menopause? Which ever the case, I must stop drinking coffee that's not decaf again. I had some last night around 8 p.m. so perhaps that contributed to my inability to sleep??

Starbucks Decaf-here I come!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Can't Sleep?

For two nights I have woken up in the middle of the night. I have a dry mouth and my mind is racing. It took me an hour at least to fall back asleep. I know this is consistent with peri-menopausal symptoms, but I am wondering if it is related to my stressful job since that's what's on my mind when I awake??

Sleep well my friend.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A Dry June

Well ladies, June is gone and no period ever came this month. I wonder if its because I had almost two last month. I'm feeling great, no hot flashes, no major mood swings, and sleeping fine. Apparently, toward the end of menses periods become less and less, until finally there is no more, ever! I think that's a good thing but I hear that having a period is good for the body. Whatever the case, I have had my share and I'm done! I just hope my ovaries are too.

Until next posst!
Sleep well.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

2 Week Period

Hi Ladies,

In March and April I had no period, but in May I had a period for 2 weeks. It first started with ugly, smelly, brown spotting for a week which gave me the impression that I would not have a regular period. However, to my dismay, I had a full blown period right after the spotting stopped.

The period was different this time because instead of starting heavy, it started light and then it got heavier as each day went by. I didn't need to use a tampon until a few days into the period and found that each time I changed my mini pad there was barely anything there, but when I wiped, there it was-a little clotty on the tissue (I'm sorry to be so graphic but I thought this was very strange). I eventually emailed my gyn and she said that it was OK as long as it didn't get heavier or didn't stop.

It did finally stop and now I'm waiting to see what happens this month.

Talk to you soon,

Lilia

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Go With the Flow, Day 2.

Okay, I have been through lots of underwear, tampons, and pads. Apparently, when you are ready to go into menopause the flow becomes heavier. Have any of you ladies experienced this? They say you can take the pill to decrease the flow but I'm not interested in taking anything that has side affects.

Any thoughts?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Go With the Flow?

It's Saturday and I just got back from a baby shower. I really hate it when you start your period and the flow is so heavy that is soaks through underwear and pants! Yuk! What'a a girl to do? Of course this happened at the baby shower which caused me to have to leave when the ladies were just about to watch one of those new vampire love stories.

I haven't had a period for 6 months and all of a sudden, I'm having them again. I don't get it? It's suppose to be good for your skin they say?? Well, it's not good for my mood. I thought I was done with this junk?? For 6 months I was done. I'm 51, almost 52 and now here it comes again. I had it last month and now again this month.

I personally think it's a little weird but after thinking about it I was on the pill for 3 months which apparently stays in your system for 3 months. Hence, no period for 6 months. All I can say is I'm thankful I don't have hot flashes, I don't have cramps, and the mood swings are not horrible but they are there. I seem to have less patience during this time though.

Hopefully this one ends in a few days like last month. I really hate this!

Peri-menopausal I thought??

Monday, January 25, 2010

Sleeping Again!

January 25, 2010

Well ladies, I am actually sleeping through the night now and absolutely no hot flashes! I don't know what's going on with me but I am so extremely happy about this. My husband is ecstatic! Plus the desire for sex has returned. Whoopee.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm not stressed out, I'm no longer on the pill since Nov 1st, am also off the thyroid medicine since Nov 1st. Also, I decided to stop using the hormone cream and the steroid for the hot flashes because I was not sleeping through the night. I had heard from my Gyn that sometimes certain things can mess with our sleep. Hence, I decided to get off that as well plus I smelled the cream and it was grossing me out. Maybe I gave myself enough dosage for now.

I'm not saying I won't have to start using it again but for now why mess with a good thing? I'm taking my vitamins, also taking Acai Berry daily, with a colon cleanser daily, and my Estraval from Melaleuca that I told you all about on an earlier post.

Hope to hear from you.

Lilia