Wednesday, July 08, 2009

ALL PATCHED UP AND ON MY WAY

Last July I started having some serious hot flash problems, and made an appointment with a naturopath I'd heard about. All I knew was that I was going to gracefully move through menopause naturally. It took weeks to get in with the doctor, and by the time I did, in September, the hot flashes had mysteriously disappeared. All that led us to believe they were stress related, and not menopause.

Long menopause story short, they were both. Been working with her for almost a year now and NEVER FELT BETTER.

Until end of June, aka, a couple weeks home with the two loves of my life.

Hot flashes started again - a few at night, then escalated to the level they were last summer, every 30 minutes, round-the-clock and absolutely crazy making. So, booked another appointment with her and was able to get in yesterday. I've already blogged about how much I love this woman, and yesterday was affirming of that. It was like having coffee (or herbal tea, as the case may be) with an old friend. We sat in cozy chairs with our legs tucked under us and talked for 60 minutes. She listened. Finally, she said, "You could go the natural route and I think it would be effective, but it would require several supplements and probably 4-6 weeks before you'd see any significant relief. Or," she paused, "I could prescribe the estrogen patch and you'd feel better by tomorrow."

I'm patched.

I'm going to use it for July and August, and in August start the natural supplements so that they overlap with the patch, and are in full swing by September 7th, aka Labor Day, aka my favorite holiday.

And yes, I feel better already. Only woke up three times last night, instead of 12-16. I may make it through the entire day without biting anyone's head off.

Maybe.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

very early in my career, i worked on a trading desk for a large NY investment bank. the scene was largely as you would expect it to be - rough and tumble, crude and 98% male.

there was one woman there who had been in the business since the buttonwood tree (she has long since retired). she had confided in me that she was going through menopause. for some time, she spent half her days feverishly fanning herself with a makeshift fan of old research reports and the other half growling at passersby.

one day, she stood up in the middle of trading, put her hands on her hips and fumed. she looked around the desk and looked for all the world like a cartoon character with steam coming out of her ears.

without warning or apparent provocation, she suddenly BELLOWED, 'There is not enough estrogen in the WORLD to make me like you people!' and then stormed off the desk, leaving the men in an uncharacteristically stunned silence.

the patch?

good plan.

Ms. TK said...

And listen, if you DO bite a head off...you're entitled.

Just say you're sorry afterwards.

xoxo

Ask Me Anything said...

I love to wake up in the middle of the night, completely drenched. I sigh, pull the covers over my head (because now I'm freezing) and think of all the weight I'm losing as I drift back to la-la land.

Jerri said...

Blessings for this journey. Bound to be a few rough patches, but you're ready.

Jesswilson--your story made me laugh out loud. Hard. That is priceless.

kario said...

Just in case, I'm sending you a little chocolate voodoo doll so that if you need to bite anyone's head off, it will at least taste good.

Love that naturopath (love mine, too). Love estrogen.

Love you.

Michelle O'Neil said...

So glad you found some relief! Love your naturopath. Open mindedness is the key on all sides, right?

Relief, relief, relief.

Anonymous said...

Maybe I need estrogen?

I love the quote from the first comment, "There is not enough estrogen in the world to make me like you people."

That's kinda how I feel these days.

Anonymous said...

I love how you described your appointment why can't all doctor visits be like that???

Lola said...

this all scares me but happy to learn tips about 'it' before i get there:)

Wanda said...

Love that you are getting relief already! Yes, the best of all possible worlds is what we need. Why not?

Amber said...

My aunt is so happy she got the patch. Her life is much improved. And less sweaty. lol

((hugs))

;)

Angie Ledbetter said...

I'm so glad you'll have better nights now.

Deb Shucka said...

I love how you take care of yourself. I love you.