Feminine Issues...Question

[Amarynth]

At first I was a little reluctant to post about this, but I did see another thread on here about having a period, etc...so here goes...

For just a little history, I've always been very irregular, but in recent years I've been increasingly so. I've gone a year with a steady flow, nothing heavy just something always there. I've gone to the doctor, had several tests including a biopsy, US, etc. The first year this happened she put me on Norenthindrone, a hormone to help stop it and regulate my periods. Basically you take this pill for ten days, it stops the abnormal flow and then when you take the last pill, a 'normal' period is supposed to start a few days after. It worked, somewhat...because I did stop the abnormal flow and had only one period the entire year last year, until November. At the end of Nov. I started with the abnormal flow again, and recently had another biopsy, US, etc. The doctor put me on this hormone pill again (now I cannot take regular birth control pills because of a past history of seizures that I am almost positive was caused by the pill).

So the root of my question is this...

I'm feeling like crap right now. I took the last pill on Saturday and the 'normal' period began yesterday morning. I can't imagine how I have anything at all to release, but it's worse than it has ever been in my life. I'm EXHAUSTED. Totally drained of energy. Cold. Achy. Headaches. Nausea. I feel very thirsty but not very hungry at all. I've been borderline anemic because of this before, and am almost certain that I could possibly be anemic now. I'm thinking green smoothies are key...spinach most likely but does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks in advance. You are all so wonderfully supportive on here. I can't imagine a better group of friends to share my raw journey with.

:)

[Sarain]

Last year after years of bad health and being on the pill ( I have PCOS and endometriosis..) I wen't on a 10 day juice fast..I feel this did a LOT to getting all the chemicals out of my body and helping me to heal.

[Amii]

Hi,
I was wondering do you know what caused the continuous bleed in the first place? Were you using norplant, depo provera or cerazette? They can all have that side effect so you should discontinue if you're using any of those.

Green smoothies yes, are a good idea, maybe you should try drinking more water and upping your exercise too.

Also, yes, I say do a juice fast :) sorry to hear you're having such a rough time!

[Amarynth]

Hi, thanks for the responses. I haven't taken any form of birth control since I was 22, because they affect me adversely. I also had a tubal after the birth of my last daughter almost 12 years ago. I'm now 40, so I keep wondering if it is menopausal but the doctor tells me that I'm too young. Funny because I remember my mother going through menopause in her early 40's. I think I am going to try just smoothies or juice for a few days and see if my energy level picks up. I'm 100% raw and was feeling pretty great but then this problem has seemed to hinder all that.

Thank you so much for the advice, I just hate feeling so tired and drained of energy. After feeling so good for a while, it's kind of like taking a new toy away from a child, ya know? lol

[Aleesha Sattva]

Moderator's note:

I moved this to the section for "Other Health Related" cause the discussion isn't really about food.

[Sweetness]

I'd suggest the mayan abdominal massage just to see if something along that route would help. It's not normal to constantly have a flow and its a shame your Gyn wasn't more aggressive in figuring it out instead of tossing a drug at you.

For the anemia, what is recommended for pregnant women is Bloodbuilder by MegaFoods and it is relatively inexpensive and works quick, usually raising the iron levels within just a couple of weeks. Floradix is also fast-acting, though more expensive. This might be a way to regain some energy as you focus on figuring out the "Why" behind it. I don't know if these products are raw, I'm assuming not, but they are vegetarian and tried & true.

[Mary Kay]

Sorry to hear you're having troubles.

You are NOT too young to begin menopause. My own naturopathic-type doc began searching bio-identical hormones after she began to go into menopause at age 37.

I'd say, get yourself to an RE - Reproductive Endocrinologist, and run as fast as you can from your current doc who is giving you all these unnatural things and not testing you to see if in fact you are beginning menopause.

I would make sure you find an RE that believes in bio-identical hormones, so you know you're not going to see one that wants to "give you the/a pill" to regulate you.

At the very least, get a blood test on CD (cycle day) 3. Test your E2 and FSH. this is the gold standard for seeing if you're beginning menopause.

Your regular doc that you're seeing now, should have done this. Telling you you're too young is hogwash without the test. We're all different.

My thoughts anyway.

Best of luck,

Mary Kay

[Amarynth]

Thank you Aleesha. I wasn't certain about posting the question in the forum that I had, but figured that my main concern is finding something to eat or drink that would help to boost my energy and get me feeling back on track. :)

Sweetness and Mary Kay, thank you both for such wonderful suggestions. My current GYN is my second one, as it seems that tossing pills at their patients is a general consensus for most doctors. My first gyn did the same exact thing. It's very frustrating.

[RawHeaven]

Amarynth, have you been checked for fibroids? It could be a bleeding fibroid. If you have any sneaking suspicians about what is happening with your body, it is probably right on. No one knows your body better than you do. Women, in particular, usually know what's up, but western medicine is so stuck on drugs, surgery, tests and not always listening to the patient. I think you may have even answered your question a few words down in this thread, but your doctor discounted what you've been telling her about something potentially being out of balance with your hormones & body. A great healer will always listen. Not all doctors are healers, but there are some out there who are. I know it's highly frustrating, but keep the faith.

I echo juicing...juice feasting...infusing your body with nutrients and minerals and no matter how challenging cease taking the synthetic chemicals into your body. Eventually you will find the answer, but I don't think you're going to find it with the OB Gyn you're currently with. Seek out a naturopathic doctor who knows about women's health and will listen to you.

Blessings,
RH

[Amarynth]

Hi RH,

Yes, I've been checked for fibroids and have been told there are none. My mother had to get a total hysterectomy because of fibroids in her late forties. I've had several biopsies over the past couple of years, various tests and even a D&C by the first GYN that I actually did run from because he wanted to put me on BC in spite of my past history problems with the pill. He actually had told me that it was just hormonal and that I would probably have to live with it. I said thanks but no thanks...and changed doctors. I opted for a woman this time, thinking she would be more understanding...I guess I was wrong.

But yes, I'm looking to see what can help me with my defeated energy level, as I do think I am borderline anemic at this point. I recognize the symptoms from the last time. Spinach was my first guess, but I've been juicing and had two green smoothies today, so I'll give it a couple of days and see if I'm feeling any better.

Once more...thanks so much for the support and great advice. :)

[RawHeaven]

I'm glad you don't have fibroids!

Check your Vitamin C intake... try throwing some oranges or broccolli in those smoothies, helps with iron absorption. Generally any greens with oranges, helps with overall mineral absorption. You probably already know this. :)

B12 levels? Mine were low after I was raw for 2 years, which was inadvertently causing anemia and lack of energy. I take a vegan B12 sublingual daily now and my hemoglobin/hemacratic #'s are above average. It is a personal choice to supplement, in my case I figured it out and don't mind doing it. I also use bee polen and nutritional yeast with my kale chips. :)

Of course, this may not be the case for you. Just wanted to share...in case the anemia might be the cause of a related B12 deficiency.

Kale is a general superfood when it comes to iron. Give Kale and oranges or other vitamin C laden food a try.

Best wishes.

[Amarynth]

RH, thanks so much for the suggestions. I have been b12 deficient in the past as well. I've increased my spinach and kale intake (good thing I love both in smoothies!) and have actually found myself craving oranges lately. I'm a firm believer that the body craves what it needs. I'm feeling a little better energy-wise but am going on day 8 (after the last pill) with some type of flow. You would think that I should have absolutely nothing to release after going for months with this problem. So in essence, this pill stopped the problem or masked it for the ten days that I took it, only to have it reappear again. Very discouraging.

In any case, I am feeling more my normal self...and I strongly attribute that to my raw lifestyle and of course all the wonderful suggestions. :)

Thank you all and Goddess bless.