the plus one factor

So...an interesting year to say the least...ESPECIALLY the last few weeks...Those who know me best...and really there is only one who knows EVERYTHING, knows what craziness I've been through. It's part of the 'growing' process though. I mean, you're not really grown at 25...are you? lol.

For everyone else...out of the 'loop', here's a brief recap:: besides the whole period thing (which-on a side note-Because I couldn't afford the Progesterone to bring it on, I didn't start taking it until last Saturday, and it's a pill a day for ten days, and my period has not come. YAY!!!), I've been going through some serious personal issues. Some of you know of what I have to deal with at home (boo-freaken-hoo), but I don't think anyone REALLY KNOWS the full extent of emotions involved, unless you ever dealt with it yourself.

Then there is always that PLUS ONE factor that...even though you didn't intentionally invite it in...it always makes itself comfortable in that already cluttered corner of your mind.

In the past few weeks I also found out that two little girls that have touched my heart MAJORLY, are going back to their family soon. I know that this is for the best, but I am incredibly HEARTBROKEN. I love them as if they were my own family, and am hoping that things will work out for them. My heart goes to the foster parents, whom I also grew to love.

That's really all for now...will post more soon...

TAKE THAT DR. P!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, but I totally have to mention names! DR. CHRISTINA LEE IS THE BEST OBGYN I'VE EVER HEARD && COME ACROSS!!! I'm sooooooooo super happy, less...ahem...mean...and just plain GIDDY. I'm still period free, but come Novembe 16, I have to take something to bring my period back on, while still administering ESTROGEN....that sux, but it's to get my period to a normal schedule. At least it will have been two months...!

UPDATE!

So, my Dr has been giving me Estrogen shots...and I'm period-less! WOOOOOT!!!!!!!! I feel like I should anounce it "Hi, my name is Stephanie, and I've been period-free for ***"

"Hi Stephanie!"

LOL!

But seriously, I need to thank everyone who has been such a MAJOR SUPPORT!

Side effects? The estrogen makes me all girly & gooey inside. I've cried over the stupidest things ('oh my God it's almost WINTER!'), Legit things ('Mother, if you don't get the antibiotic-YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!!!'...ok so I was a bit dramatic there), and wierd things ('That episode of HOUSE was fantastic).

These crying spells don't last long, because I pull myself together, and watch some manly WAR movie. That and Zoloft (!!!) lol.

Today was very interesting though, because I was to administer shot to self.....MY BUTT HURTS. I stuck myself several times before I got it right!!!

THANK YOU ALL!!!

don't tell me there's nothing you can do for me. part 4

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!

LAST FRIDAY I GOT AN ESTROGEN SHOT,

AND MY PERIOD STOPPED ON WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

don't tell me there's nothing you can do for me. part 3

AHA!!!!

Wow, again, thank you alllll so VERY MUCH for your suggestions. This is another one I recieved from a dear friend (name is omitted):

Hey girl,

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this. I had something similar but I don't know if it's the same thing. I first got my period at 11 yrs. At this age is when I began to experience vision black outs, dizziness, bruising easily, Periods with huge blood clots. For a while doctors could not explain what it was, until I ended in the hospital almost dead. Any way I had a condition called ITP- Immuno Thrombocytopenia Purpura. It is an auto immune disease. My spleen which works to fight germs and stuff in the body had instead turned against my blood cells. I had to have my blood count checked weekly for a while to make sure my platelet count wasn't too low. I was also on prednisone for a while. At age 13 I had my spleen removed and haven't had a problem with that since. I get the dizziness and vision blackouts very rarely. Well, I will pass this blog along for you. And I will keep you in my prayers.

I want you all to know that I am definitely looking up these suggestions, and am doing research on all.

Now for some good news:

Last Tuesday, I went to a specialist that was referred to me by a coworker. I went to her an ABSOLUTELY LOVED HER. First off, she actually sat down and 'interviewed me'. She was with me for a full hour and a half. Once she (somewhat) understood my condition, even teasing me and tellin me that I am a 'walking textbook', she told me that she is going to start from scratch, and find the problem. I felt very comfy with her, and am going back this Friday.

I thank you ALL for your support, and will keep you posted...literally.

don't tell me there's nothing you can do for me. part 2

Hey all! I got some great emails, and fantastic suggestions! For this i thank you all! I'm gonna answer some questions that I've received:

I've been asked twice about Endometrial Ablation.

This is something that I actually suggested to both GYN's, and both had the same answer. Though it might help for a few years, my problem may return. I am only 25 years, and my age concerns them. Another concern on both parties, is future pregnancy. I am not married, and have no children, and someday I would like that. Ablation is an option, but when nothing else can be done. I know a few couples, one in particular, who have adopted an incredible little girl, so if that is ever something I would have to consider, I will definitely go for it. Hopefully with the same results!

Has your friend tried testosterone cream? My mom was on it for her hormones during the starting of menopause - she can't do many meds because she gets EVERY side effect, no matter what. She was told by her doctor that the cream, applied topically, can help a wealth of feminine problems, including very heavy periods. Evidently, low testosterone levels in women is a cause of heavy cycles.

Hers had to be mixed at a pharmacy, specially equipped to make it, and she had to order it a few days ahead so they had it made before she went to pick it up.Just a thought. Don't know if it will work or not...

Yes I have, actually, and upon reading this email, I may just try it again. It worked temporarily, but, as with many things I've tried, it stopped working. BUT, I never had it mixed at the pharmacy! So I will DEFINITELY look into that!

I would highly suggest your friend go to the Mayo Clinic. They now have 3 locations. I was having some major girly issues too and they were able to solve and fix the problem with just 2 appointments. While my issues were not the same as your friend's, I had been struggling for 5 years hoping from one doctor to the next, one specialist to the next, experiencing some pretty extreme treatments. I finally gave up on all the doctors around here and made an appointment. My insurance paid for Mayo the same as any other specialist. It was well worth the two 8 hour drives! I should add, my problem is not 100% fixed, but it is 1000 times better than it was before.

Please tell your friend about Mayo and tell her I've said a prayer for her. I desperately hope they can help your friend; I have a special place in my heart for hurting women because of my own experience with girly issues.

I LOVED this suggestion, and will DEFINITELY look into it!!!

Thyroid issues can cause similar problems. I could always tell if I was slipping back hypothyroid by what happened w/ my cycle.

Second option, a co-worker w/ similar troubles used Lupron. I don't know anything about the potential side effects of the Lupron injection but I don't think she would have cared what they were...she was just so glad to have some relief.

I have had my thyroid checked and it was normal, but maybe there are other more specific tests out there that I am unaware of. I do have a sister who had to have her thyroid removed, do to other complications...maybe it runs in the family. I have never heard of Lupron, but I will bring it up to the next physician that sees me.

I had a friend who had her period for months at a time- she ended up havinga hysterectomy and it (obviously) stopped. She was in her 30's at the time,but already had her 2 kids.

Look at the Endometrial Ablation question and times the answer by 10. lol. I won't say I haven't considered it, though. It kills me that this is, ultimately, and option...

Advise her to consult with a geneticist. This sounds to me like a metabolic disorder. If this is the case she is unlikely to get answers or relief from healers, naturopaths, or gynecologists. It may not be easy to find the right specialist so she should ask for a referral from her primary care physician - she needs an MD who is specifically trained in genetic disease. It will be much easier to get an appointment with a genetic counsellor but that is absolutely NOT what she wants - they are not diagnosticians.

FWIW, I'm a geneticist (but research, not medical so I can't help). I have a son with a genetic metabolic disorder. And I had a roommate many many years ago with von Willbrands disease, a genetic disorder in the same general family as hemophilia, and she described periods very much like your friend's.

I like this suggestion very much, too. I would have never thought to go to a genetecist. I did get test for von Willbrands disease, several months ago and the result was negative. Although I am happy with that result, I do want to get retested, because...and she admitted it...that particular person had never done the test before!

Has she tried being on birth control pills?

Yes, I've been on/off them for 12 years. The most recent birth control I'm trying is the Nuva Ring. It has lightened my periods somewhat, but I still bleed through. As soon as my insurance approves it, I will be receiving another Depo-shot, and the hope is that the combo Depo + Nuva, will eventually put a stop to my periods.

My best guess - based on similar history and experience - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (sometimes called PCOS). She should ask her GYN to refer her to a Reproductive Endocrinologist if its confirmed to be PCOS. They are usually the most experienced with treating the symptoms of PCOS, current/updated research and medications, etc.

I was diagnosed with PCOS, but it had to do with my high blood sugar at the time. Since then, I've lost weight and my blood sugars were normal. As a matter of fact, there had been a 'mini-battle' between my Personal Care Physcian & GYN about putting me on diabetic meds. My PCP fought against, whilst GYN fought for. Eventually, it was settled that with another abnormal lab reading, I would have to take the meds. Like I said...my sugars have been normal. I will look into going to an Endocrinologist, though. Thank you!

I don't know how to help your friend, but --and this may sound kind of weird-- has she tried any alternative doctors, especially an acupunturist? I have various friends who have had a variety of ailments incurable by regular doctors who had success through acupuncture.

I WILL TRY ANYTHING!!!! At this point, if you tell me to hang upside down so that the blood rushes elsewhere...well I might not do that...but I'll try anything!!!

THANK YOU ALL FOR THESE FANTASTIC SUGGESTIONS!!!!

don't tell me there's nothing you can do for me.

Okay, so here's the deal. I'm twenty-five years old, I began to get my period the summer I turned 11. When I was 13 I developed a condition known as Menorrhagia. I would get my cycle for a long period of time (e.g. MONTHS) then it would go away, be normal...etc. I went to different doctors, OBYN's, naturalists, etc. Last summer, I underwent a dilation and curettage (D&C), and it seemed, like the issue had been resolved. Thanfully, no malignancies were found, everything seemed...'normal'. I only had spotting from time to time, but other than that, everything was A-OK.

Well in December 2008, my 'female gift' returned...with a vengeance. I'd like to say that this gift was refundable, but unfortunately, it was not. My period was heavy, I experienced large amounts of clotting with A LOT of pain, and winded up with another D&C in February '09. It did not work, my bleeding was still as heavy and painful as before. My GYN prescribed the Depo-Provera shot, to no avail. I was placed on different medications, also with no results. I was placed on a patch that made me soooo sick within 24 hours, and the only thing sorta working is the Nuva Ring.

I guess what I'm saying is...I'VE HAD MY PERIOD CONTINUOSLY SINCE DECEMBER 2008!!! I'm incredibly anemic, undergoing treatment for THAT, undergoing treatment for my period, which is not working, and trying different GYN's...The last straw was last Monday, when a 'new' GYN told me "There is nothing I can do for you".

THAT PISSED ME OFF.

So, Even though I'm going to ANOTHER 'new' GYN on Tuesday, I am asking all of you to PLEASE keep emailing this blog around. I have done research, and so far NOTHING. The only 'like' experience is the story in the bible, and Jesus is not around for me to touch is clothes and get some HOLY SPIRIT to dry me up. Please, I'M BEGGING, keep this floating....MAYBE THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE!!!!

Don't write comments on my blog, I can read them for some reason. My email is synderella04@hotmail.com. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!