Even though I have PCOS, glandular problems, and an on birth control, I still mourn a little when I get my period. Seems unhealthy.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Waiting Game
Well, my appointment with the adult endocrinologist has been completed, the blood was drawn, and the test results are back. My CAH diagnosis was confirmed (which, I knew it would be), and I have been prescribed dex.ameth.asone. I'm on a very small dose, .25 mg. This should even out my hormone levels, and possibly make it possible for me to ovulate on my own, eventually. We'll see. I'm ready to dive back in to this thing already. I may head straight back to the RE in July, and forget about trying on our own.
Friday evening we had a male teenage (if he's 18, he's not any older than that) customer play in one of our tournaments while his 2-month old daughter sat in her carrier at his feet. The mother abandoned her, and he's raising her by himself. I would assume he still lives with his parents, but really don't know. I held her for a while. Yeah, I'm a masochist, apparently. Ouch.
Another of my friends confided her pregnancy to me over the weekend. She's 22, and her ex-boyfriend hasn't spoken to her since the doctor confirmed the pregnancy, despite daily attempts to get him to do so, if for no other reason that his family medical history. What an effing mess. I cried most of the day. Once I got over myself, I went to spend some time with her, because she needs a friend right now. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still a little depressed over the whole thing.
I guess now I just play the waiting game until the 12 month post-op mark. In the meantime, I've been a little rebellions. I've gotten 3 piercings and a new tattoo. Whoopie.
Friday evening we had a male teenage (if he's 18, he's not any older than that) customer play in one of our tournaments while his 2-month old daughter sat in her carrier at his feet. The mother abandoned her, and he's raising her by himself. I would assume he still lives with his parents, but really don't know. I held her for a while. Yeah, I'm a masochist, apparently. Ouch.
Another of my friends confided her pregnancy to me over the weekend. She's 22, and her ex-boyfriend hasn't spoken to her since the doctor confirmed the pregnancy, despite daily attempts to get him to do so, if for no other reason that his family medical history. What an effing mess. I cried most of the day. Once I got over myself, I went to spend some time with her, because she needs a friend right now. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still a little depressed over the whole thing.
I guess now I just play the waiting game until the 12 month post-op mark. In the meantime, I've been a little rebellions. I've gotten 3 piercings and a new tattoo. Whoopie.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I Have Been A Bad, Bad Blogger
I know, you probably thought I'd died. I promise that I haven't. I'm not sure where to start, so this might be kind of jumbled.
The Perinatologist appointment went ok. I was prepared to be sitting in a waiting room full of pregnant women. What I was not prepared for was for one of them to be 16, and waiting for her gender reveal ultrasound, with her entire extended family, taking bets on what it would be, and discussing names. I wanted to bash my head into the wall. It was a small waiting room, so I had no where to go to escape it.
When discussing the upcoming appointment with my mother and younger sister, my sis inquired as to whether or not my genetic hormonal condition had come in to play with any of my doctors yet. I have a confession to make. I have no told any of my doctors for quite some time that I have this condition. I have been in complete denial about it. I took all of my symptoms, and blamed them away on something else, mostly my weight. I was so scared that it would mean that everything was completely out of reach, and would be so much harder. The truth is, they can all be explained by this condition, INCLUDING my weight problems, but they're treatable!
*Deep breath*
I have a mild case of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). If you go.ogle it you're not likely to find the set of symptoms that fit exactly how it plagues me. What it means is that I am cortisol deficient, and I went in to puberty at approximately 8 years of age. For most of my life, I was on pred.nisone pills (a steroid), and even, when I was young, Lup.ron shots to prevent the premature aging that was happening in my body. There's a lot more to it, but I won't go in to any more detail unless requested.
I gathered all my courage, and I mentioned this to the Perinatologist and his genetics lady. They informed me that the cortisol deficiency may be what was preventing me from conceiving, and referred me to an Adult Endocrinologist. My appointment is set for March 7th. I am extremely nervous, but excited at the same time. I'm likely to be put back on the pred.nisone, which terrifies me. I give it the most credit for my weight gain and difficulty losing weight, and I'm scared that it will make me pack the pounds back on.
As far as the blood clot family history, there's not a lot that they can do without knowing specifically which factor effects my sister. They didn't seem terribly concerned. I will, though, always be considered high risk, because I've had gastric bypass surgery. Enough time has passed that I confess I'm a little fuzzy on the other details of the appointment.
On the weight loss front, I've lost another 10 lbs, and the loss has really slowed. This happens to everyone, at some point. I have, however, graduated in to normal clothes sizes! I'm wearing an XL top! I've had my 6 month follow-up appointment, which went really well. I am no longer Vitamin D deficient, and my blood sugar and AIC levels are out of the diabetes danger area, and well in to normal. I'm doing wonderfully!
Sunday is the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday. Sigh.
Thanks for putting up with me, and I hope you'll leave me some more comments! I'll do my best to update after my AE appointment.
The Perinatologist appointment went ok. I was prepared to be sitting in a waiting room full of pregnant women. What I was not prepared for was for one of them to be 16, and waiting for her gender reveal ultrasound, with her entire extended family, taking bets on what it would be, and discussing names. I wanted to bash my head into the wall. It was a small waiting room, so I had no where to go to escape it.
When discussing the upcoming appointment with my mother and younger sister, my sis inquired as to whether or not my genetic hormonal condition had come in to play with any of my doctors yet. I have a confession to make. I have no told any of my doctors for quite some time that I have this condition. I have been in complete denial about it. I took all of my symptoms, and blamed them away on something else, mostly my weight. I was so scared that it would mean that everything was completely out of reach, and would be so much harder. The truth is, they can all be explained by this condition, INCLUDING my weight problems, but they're treatable!
*Deep breath*
I have a mild case of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). If you go.ogle it you're not likely to find the set of symptoms that fit exactly how it plagues me. What it means is that I am cortisol deficient, and I went in to puberty at approximately 8 years of age. For most of my life, I was on pred.nisone pills (a steroid), and even, when I was young, Lup.ron shots to prevent the premature aging that was happening in my body. There's a lot more to it, but I won't go in to any more detail unless requested.
I gathered all my courage, and I mentioned this to the Perinatologist and his genetics lady. They informed me that the cortisol deficiency may be what was preventing me from conceiving, and referred me to an Adult Endocrinologist. My appointment is set for March 7th. I am extremely nervous, but excited at the same time. I'm likely to be put back on the pred.nisone, which terrifies me. I give it the most credit for my weight gain and difficulty losing weight, and I'm scared that it will make me pack the pounds back on.
As far as the blood clot family history, there's not a lot that they can do without knowing specifically which factor effects my sister. They didn't seem terribly concerned. I will, though, always be considered high risk, because I've had gastric bypass surgery. Enough time has passed that I confess I'm a little fuzzy on the other details of the appointment.
On the weight loss front, I've lost another 10 lbs, and the loss has really slowed. This happens to everyone, at some point. I have, however, graduated in to normal clothes sizes! I'm wearing an XL top! I've had my 6 month follow-up appointment, which went really well. I am no longer Vitamin D deficient, and my blood sugar and AIC levels are out of the diabetes danger area, and well in to normal. I'm doing wonderfully!
Sunday is the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday. Sigh.
Thanks for putting up with me, and I hope you'll leave me some more comments! I'll do my best to update after my AE appointment.
Friday, December 9, 2011
I Feel Like A Fraud
I suppose I have a little bit of catching up to do.
On 11/18 I had my annual visit to the Gynecologist, though it had been closer to 18 months since I'd been. It was before I started seeing the RE, and then the Bariatric Center, and well before surgery.
My Gynecologist (Dr. H) is as awesome. She's thorough, easy to talk to, and very nice. We talked about my surgery, the fact that I still hadn't had a period, etc. She inquired about birth control, mentioning that fertility can come on suddenly after a lot of weight loss. I told her that I had discussed it with the Bariatric doctor and my family, and we decided that the higher risk of blood clots wasn't worth it. She disagreed, and we discussed the mini pill (which is progesterone only), which she eventually prescribed for me, and I am now taking. I'm not thrilled about it, obviously, but it really is what's best for me, as getting enough nutrition to support a pregnancy (however unlikely it would be) would definitely be a problem for me only 5 months post-op, and so on.
We had also discussed a round of Prov.era to see if we could induce a period, but decided against it in favor of getting me on birth control right away. Lo and behold, on the day of my 7th bc pill, my period started. I am not positive that the two things are related, as normally it would be triggered when progesterone drops off, rather than being increased, but it seems like too much of a coincidence.
During the blood clot risk discussion, Dr. H inquired about my family history. I told her that my younger sister, after having surgery to remove scar tissue from her ankle, developed a blood clot in the calf of her other leg. At the time, I wasn't sure of the cause. I have since spoken with my sister, who recalls that they did run some tests on her, and found out that she does have some sort of genetic predisposition to developing clots. This is, of course, a concern for me as well. Dr. H suggested that she refer me to a Perinatologist, so that I could perhaps get a work-up before the time comes to start trying to get pregnant. If we can knock out as many hurdles as we can before we start really trying, the better it will be. I hope.
My appointment is set for 12/28. I'm not really sure what to expect. I'm going to feel weird going to see a high risk pregnancy doctor without a pregnancy. I find that throughout this whole process, a lot of things make me feel like a fraud. Being in a 1x top makes me feel like a fraud. Browsing in the normal people section of a clothing store makes me feel like a fraud. Taking birth control pills makes me feel like a fraud. And now, going to a Perinatologist REALLY makes me feel like a fraud.
I would really appreciate some thoughts and comments on this one, even if it's just to say that you don't have anything to really add.
On 11/18 I had my annual visit to the Gynecologist, though it had been closer to 18 months since I'd been. It was before I started seeing the RE, and then the Bariatric Center, and well before surgery.
My Gynecologist (Dr. H) is as awesome. She's thorough, easy to talk to, and very nice. We talked about my surgery, the fact that I still hadn't had a period, etc. She inquired about birth control, mentioning that fertility can come on suddenly after a lot of weight loss. I told her that I had discussed it with the Bariatric doctor and my family, and we decided that the higher risk of blood clots wasn't worth it. She disagreed, and we discussed the mini pill (which is progesterone only), which she eventually prescribed for me, and I am now taking. I'm not thrilled about it, obviously, but it really is what's best for me, as getting enough nutrition to support a pregnancy (however unlikely it would be) would definitely be a problem for me only 5 months post-op, and so on.
We had also discussed a round of Prov.era to see if we could induce a period, but decided against it in favor of getting me on birth control right away. Lo and behold, on the day of my 7th bc pill, my period started. I am not positive that the two things are related, as normally it would be triggered when progesterone drops off, rather than being increased, but it seems like too much of a coincidence.
During the blood clot risk discussion, Dr. H inquired about my family history. I told her that my younger sister, after having surgery to remove scar tissue from her ankle, developed a blood clot in the calf of her other leg. At the time, I wasn't sure of the cause. I have since spoken with my sister, who recalls that they did run some tests on her, and found out that she does have some sort of genetic predisposition to developing clots. This is, of course, a concern for me as well. Dr. H suggested that she refer me to a Perinatologist, so that I could perhaps get a work-up before the time comes to start trying to get pregnant. If we can knock out as many hurdles as we can before we start really trying, the better it will be. I hope.
My appointment is set for 12/28. I'm not really sure what to expect. I'm going to feel weird going to see a high risk pregnancy doctor without a pregnancy. I find that throughout this whole process, a lot of things make me feel like a fraud. Being in a 1x top makes me feel like a fraud. Browsing in the normal people section of a clothing store makes me feel like a fraud. Taking birth control pills makes me feel like a fraud. And now, going to a Perinatologist REALLY makes me feel like a fraud.
I would really appreciate some thoughts and comments on this one, even if it's just to say that you don't have anything to really add.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Aunt Flo Has Landed
Aunt Flo has landed!
Who'd have thought that I'd be excited about such a thing?!
I tell ya, though, I did not miss these cramps!
Who'd have thought that I'd be excited about such a thing?!
I tell ya, though, I did not miss these cramps!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Three Months
Well, technically three months and 6 days, but yesterday was my three-month post-op appointment with the doctor. I'm doing really well! I got scolded a little bit for not exercising as much as I should, but I'm a super busy girl with class and everything, and I'm doing the best that I can!
I've lost TWELVE INCHES in my waist! Can you believe that! A whole foot! The receptionist even called me "teeny tiny". I know I'm not quiet there yet, but it was really nice to be gushed over.
I totally forgot to ask about my cycle, which is so weird since it's on my mind so frequently. I guess a part of my brain knows that it will happen when it happens. I don't go back again until 6 months post-op, at which point they'll re-test my blood for all of the goodies like cholesterol and vitamin levels and whatnot. I have a feeling that there is going to be a significant improvement all around!
Thank you so much for your comments this week, it's very encouraging!
I've lost TWELVE INCHES in my waist! Can you believe that! A whole foot! The receptionist even called me "teeny tiny". I know I'm not quiet there yet, but it was really nice to be gushed over.
I totally forgot to ask about my cycle, which is so weird since it's on my mind so frequently. I guess a part of my brain knows that it will happen when it happens. I don't go back again until 6 months post-op, at which point they'll re-test my blood for all of the goodies like cholesterol and vitamin levels and whatnot. I have a feeling that there is going to be a significant improvement all around!
Thank you so much for your comments this week, it's very encouraging!
Monday, October 24, 2011
October ICLW
Hello ICLWers!
I do so love comments! To learn a little more about me, check out one or both of the links at the top of the page, and/or check out the previous post, "Tidbits".
I'm looking forward to checking out all of your blogs!
I do so love comments! To learn a little more about me, check out one or both of the links at the top of the page, and/or check out the previous post, "Tidbits".
I'm looking forward to checking out all of your blogs!
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