|
Post by Heather on Aug 8, 2011 22:57:04 GMT -5
Fired for being MIA! Sorry I've been gone so long girls! I had to get a few things straight. I've gotten control of my depression finally--really gotten control. I'm using DL-Phenylalanine and this blend called Emotional Wellness. I haven't felt this good since I was 12.
I tried the job thing up here, last one was a waitress. Apparently they don't like who I am when I'm not doped up on synthetic antidepressants, so eff 'em!
I've decided to go back to school for serious. I want to be a field biologist. I want to go to exotic places and track reptiles. That sounds amazing. I'll be starting in the spring. Still not sure how it will be paid for, but I go in a week to talk to someone about that. I'm excited but also nervous and a little scared!
Aaaaaand this stupid disease. Well, it's kind of the same old. Try one thing, it works for a while then stops. I've started acupuncture, which seems to help for a short time. I have decided to get a hysterectomy. I have no illusions about it "curing" me. But Sam and I do not want kids, I'm not taking hormones and condoms suck. I want someone to go in and clean me out, take out my appendix, take out my uterus and one ovary, and hopefully find out why I've been having so many GI symptoms lately. I've got it narrowed down to two doctors (one in Brattleboro, one in Lebanon). I have appointments with them for the end of August and beginning of September.
In other news, Sam and I finally got smart phones, I'm getting my bunnies tattooed on me in September, and my parents are coming to visit in a little less than 2 months. I'll try really really hard to check the forums more often! I have missed you all, and wondered, and worried. <3
|
|
|
Post by hellsbells on Aug 9, 2011 2:36:13 GMT -5
Hey sweetie nice to hear from you! I was just flicking through some older threads a couple of days, came across one of your posts and realised I'd really missed you! Congrats on licking the depression into place, I know that feeling myself and it's awesome!
I know you won't have taken the hyster decision lightly and you have realistic attitude, so I hope you get what you need from it. Don't be a stranger!
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Aug 9, 2011 6:08:58 GMT -5
Hello!!!!!!!! Congrats on getting things in order. I have to ask - how did you stumble upon your anti-depressant mix? Whatever the case, I'm so glad you're feeling well!
And as for the hyster, I echo Helen's comments. Keep us posted?
|
|
|
Post by alivenkicking on Aug 9, 2011 8:25:01 GMT -5
Hi, gaiaspriestess, Ive seen some of your posts and immediately liked you because of your devotion to your animal babies. glad you are "back", although I haven't been around here long enough to know you ever left! I can appreciate the awesomeness of finding supplements to help w depression, congratulations!! I'm slowing weaning off of mine after many years, and I hate them more and more as I see weight just sliding off me, sleep leveling out, brain fog and night munchies gone... I'd also love to hear how you found what's working for you. And kudos to you for making a decision and feeling good about it!
|
|
|
Post by KSA on Aug 9, 2011 8:25:27 GMT -5
Congratulations on getting the depression taken care of and heading back to school WOW huge accomplishments. Research away with the hyster & removal of some other organs. I'm the girl to ask if you have any questions. Good Luck and kep us up to date:)
|
|
|
Post by JC on Aug 9, 2011 8:28:37 GMT -5
HEY!!!! Good to see you! I'm really happy to hear you're doing well! I think the field biology thing is so awesome! See you in the Galapagos! I'm glad you're back!
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Aug 9, 2011 16:27:49 GMT -5
Karen and alivenkicking: I've been seeing a naturopath since October for the endo, and slowly weaning myself off of all synthetic drugs. Well, I got rid of the Mirena, Lybrel and Celebrex, and the next thing to go was Pristiq. I came off of that (after talking to the doctor), and had two weeks of hell. I talked to my naturopath about depression meds, and he said we could try amino acids. They are expensive, and I have to take them NOT with food (which takes a little getting used to), but they are really making me feel great. I can't help but wonder if I'd already have a Ph. D. in Bio if I had had these natural drugs ten years ago.... instead of wasting so much time and money flopping around and not going to class because I had no motivation. If you can afford it, I definitely recommend trying amino acids. As a side note, we opened an FSA account (similar to an HSA) through Sam's work, and I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for that I wouldn't be able to afford all of this treatment.
I have an appointment with the doctor in Lebanon, NH on August 25 at 1:15, and with the doctor in Brattleboro, VT on September 2 at 1:15. Out of all the doctors close to me, these two are the most promising. They are both reproductive endocrinologists. The one in Lebanon specializes in reconstructive pelvic surgery due to pelvic floor dysfunction. I would not recommend googling that, unless you want to see what a vaginal prolapse looks like. However, I figure pelvic floor dysfunction also applies to what I'm experiencing, so hopefully he can help. The other doctor is published on endo and ran a research lab looking at the molecular basis of endometriosis. They both look pretty impressive on the surface, I'll just have to go in and ask them the hard questions. Gotta check out that thread on what to ask before your laparoscopy.
Hi Helen, Karen, Keri and Jenaya! I've missed you! Where's Cherry?
|
|
|
Post by JC on Aug 9, 2011 17:17:57 GMT -5
WOW you sound like you have some GREAT doctors! I swear the naturopaths seem to help so much more than regular doctors for chronic diseases. Cherry is around! She hasn't signed on in a few days but she's here, still kicking ass as usual . It's funny you mentioned the FSA account. We had one of those. LOL "had." My medical expenses maxed out that $2,000 balance in just 4 months. It has been a really rough year to say the least. It's a wonderful benefit though. It was awesome while it lasted. I'm really happy to hear you're off all the medications and feeling great. That's the best news!
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Aug 9, 2011 17:44:50 GMT -5
So so SO glad you are haven't such a good experience getting off the stuff! Some of the supplement cocktails I've been on at times have had a good dose of amino acids, and I tried a stint with tryptophan. (For those of you that don't know, amino acids are essentially building blocks that our bodies NEED, but some of them cannot be produced in our bodies and must be provided through our diets... and if we don't get enough in our diets, we're screwed. I've done the how-would-my-life-be-different-if-I-actually-got-to-enjoy-the-last-3-years thing and it sucks to think about how much could be different. I suspect all of us would be in a different place right now if we didn't have health issues. But, on the flipside, I try to think of all that I'm doing now to take control of my health, and hope that it'll pay off in the long run. All these diet changes, changes in household cleaners, etc. WILL pay off when we're 60! Oh, and I'm a big fan of the FSA account, too. Like Jenaya, my $1000 stash for the year was gone quickly - most of it by March... Good in theory, but impossible to plan accordingly when you're still trying to figure things out!
|
|
|
Post by hellsbells on Aug 10, 2011 12:52:13 GMT -5
Btw Cherry took a bit of time out but she's popping in and out now when she can.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Aug 12, 2011 22:39:43 GMT -5
Tattoo appointment set up! Two weeks from today! I am SO excited! Also, saw this on FB tonight and thought you girls would appreciate it: "Living with Endometriosis is so hard and that is not counting the stresses of just living our lives. It's added. It's extra. Instead of carrying a monkey on our backs, we carry that monkey and sometimes have to pull an elephant in the little red wagon behind us. And every now and then life throws in an extra hippo or two with a few more wagons to pull. Look, now we've got our own circus train going. Toot-Toot" ~ Elizabeth Verner-Tobey
|
|
|
Post by JC on Aug 13, 2011 8:06:45 GMT -5
HAhA that's really cute, but so true!
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Aug 18, 2011 23:49:37 GMT -5
So I'm doing this allergy elimination diet. I've been doing it for two months. I can't have corn, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, peanuts, almonds, citrus fruits, sugar, chocolate, soy, additives, wheat, caffeine, dairy, eggs, bananas, pineapple, asparagus, oysters or red meat. Then I get to test each of these foods (sometimes multiple foods per group). Well, I'm supposed to watch for pretty much anything out of the ordinary. I've been having problems with gas causing me ridiculous amounts of pain lately. So I got the bright idea to make myself bean soup while Sam is in Louisiana... because, ya know, I must hate myself.
It's also not very effective to try to test foods for possible allergens while eating bean soup. Just FYI. Why am I so silly sometimes?
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Aug 19, 2011 6:49:39 GMT -5
I made a bean casserole a few years ago - it's one my mom used to make all the time and bring to a pot-luck. Only I had enough to feed me for a week. Oy... I think I can relate! Good luck with the allergy elimination!! Hope it reveals something for you!
|
|
|
Post by JC on Aug 19, 2011 7:48:13 GMT -5
Wow this is interesting! I hope you figure something out! Have you ever tried taking probiotics?
|
|